If funded, these projects could have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the Australian community
A finite amount of government funding means that vital and unique research to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chronic disease and to help inform policy and prevention strategies is often overlooked. We have identified our top research priorities, as outlined below, which could proceed if external funding was secured. These are studies which stand to have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the Australian community. In many cases, these proposed research studies build on groundbreaking work already undertaken by our scientists.
Specifically, these studies would allow the Institute to advance development of new drugs or devices; inform policy, clinical treatment and best practice guidelines; and provide credible information to the community to help prevent and manage disease.
If you or your organisation are interested in supporting or finding out more about these proposed projects, please contact our Fundraising team on 1800 827 040.
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Reduce the complications in type 2 diabetes
A major study of 2500 people with diabetes is proposed to identify the biomedical, psychological and behavioural factors that lead to the development of serious complications, to deliver new ways of predicting who will develop complications and to develop new therapies.
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Developing a new therapy to selectively target thrombosis
Events such as heart attack and stroke remain the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. This is, in part, due to a major limitation of antiplatelet therapy involving the occurrence of bleeding complications which prevents the use of higher drug concentrations. New therapies that can target thrombosis but don't disturb normal blood clotting are urgently needed.
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Novel biomarkers to improve diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, is associated with heart failure, stroke, and increased risk of death and there are significant limitations in diagnosing some patients. This study proposes to examine biomarkers associated with this condition to help enhance diagnosis and patient outcomes.
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New treatments for heart failure
Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, kills more Australians than any other disease. One of the major forms of heart failure has no effective treatment, with prevention and treatment options urgently needed.
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The potential for an exciting new weight management therapy
More than 60 per cent of Australian adults and around 25 per cent of children are overweight or obese, demanding the need for new strategies to tackle this health epidemic. This study will investigate human brown fat function as an option for preventing and reversing obesity.
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Using exercise to prevent chemotherapy-induced heart damage
This study, involving breast cancer patients, aims to identify those women at risk of heart disease caused by commonly used chemotherapy drugs.
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Changing the classroom environment to reduce sitting time
A major study involving 300 primary school-aged children across six Melbourne schools is proposed to inform programs to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve the health of Australian children.
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Exploring diabetes epidemiology through big datasets
By linking to large datasets, this study aims to shed new light on the burden of diabetes in Australia, including whether there is progress in preventing kidney failure and if diabetes is leading to an excess of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
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