Delivering Hope Through Life-Changing Research
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ANNUAL REPORT 2011 SCIENTIFIC SUPPLEMENT Delivering hope through life-changing research INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCHER DR DEBORAH LEHMANN WITH RILEY PRINCIPAL PARTNER Telethon Institute for Child Health Research Contents Aboriginal Health Research .......................................................................2 Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Data Services .........................................8 Cell Biology ..............................................................................................13 Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research ............................................20 Diabetes and Obesity ..............................................................................30 Drug Discovery ........................................................................................41 Inflammation ...........................................................................................45 Lung Growth and Respiratory Environmental Health ..............................48 Molecular Biotechnology ........................................................................52 Paediatric Respiratory Physiology ...........................................................54 Population Sciences .................................................................................57 Vaccine Trials Group ..............................................................................105 Publications ...........................................................................................116 Delivering hope through life-changing research How does a research organisation deliver hope? It is through medical research that one day there will be a cure for children’s cancers and asthma. It is how better treatments are developed for children with cerebral palsy and how it was discovered that a vitamin – folate – could prevent many cases of spina bifida. We know that when a child is born with or develops a serious disease or disability, their families look to medical research to give them hope for the future. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously. At the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, our community not only actively participates in our research projects but informs and shapes what we do through our Consumer and Community Advisory Council and Community Conversations. Our Annual Report is part of our commitment to share more about the research that we are currently doing. We also have a new, easy to navigate website with an index of every project currently underway – just use the search button and type in your key words. In this Scientific Supplement you will find complete scientific research reports from 2011. For our general annual report, please visit our website. Find our more at www.childhealthresearch.org.au TELETHON INSTITUTE FOR CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH 2011 • 1 ABORIGINAL HEALTH RESEARCH The Centre for Research the disconnection between researchers, LOOking Forward: Improving the lead researcher. service providers and the community in MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE OUTCOMES FOR Excellence in Aboriginal Health a practical and empowering way. History Aboriginal people living IN THE SOuTH- and Wellbeing (CREAHW) has seen significant issues, such as racism, EAST METROPOLITAN CORRIDOR IMPLEMENTING THE AEDI IN THE Western perpetuated and become embedded in the DESERT Overview Aboriginal community with a significant Michael Wright, Fiona Stanley negative impact on health and wellbeing. Roz Walker The Centre for Research Excellence in This project is a partnership between The CREAHW investigators are seeking to The key objective of this research project is Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing (CREAHW) is a Aboriginal families[1], government and non- change this cycle by listening and working in to improve the maternal and child health strategic program of intervention research that government mental health service providers, partnership with the community and investing and wellbeing of Martu communities living is focused on achieving radical and sustainable primary health-care providers (GP’s) Aboriginal energy and attention to get the best result in the Western Desert communities of change for the Aboriginal community and Medical Service, and the Telethon Institute for for the community. This will require system Jigalong, Punmu, Parngurr and kunawarritji improving the lives of Aboriginal people. The Child Health Research. change and involve investing time with and Newman in the Pilbara. The project program is a unique validation of Aboriginal The goal of this project is to increase the decision makers in order to inform policy and is undertaken in partnership with funding knowledge and demonstration of Aboriginal effectiveness of the public mental health practice. through BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Indigenous methodology involving a multi-disciplinary services for Aboriginal families whose lives are Community Investment Program 2010-2014. team of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Funders of the project: In 2010, the National affected by serious mental illness living in the using Community-based Participatory Action researchers, who will contribute to the body Health and Medical Research Council south-east metropolitan corridor. The project Research methods the project provides the of knowledge, work transparently with the awarded the Centre for Research Excellence will engage service users, Aboriginal and non- evidence base and conceptual underpinnings Aboriginal community and embrace Aboriginal in Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing (CREAHW) Aboriginal service providers, policy makers and to inform and evaluate the new maternal and culture and ways of thinking. grant to a group of 10 Chief Investigators managers. (CI) headed by Professor Fiona Stanley AC child health initiatives being developed by The CREAHW brings the research strengths (Director, Telethon Institute for Child Health The project aims to develop in consultation World Vision Australia and other stakeholders of each of the Chief Investigators together Research). The CREAHW is a collaborative with service users (Aboriginal families) and to improve the social, educational and in a cohesive program of community-based research venture between seven research service providers a culturally safe mental maternal and child health and wellbeing intervention research, well known both institutions, and is funded with a grant of health framework that will assist in the outcomes of the Western Desert communities. nationally and internationally, but with local delivery of mental health services to Aboriginal $2.5m over five years. Specifically the project involves implementing, relevance to Western Australia. It will be families living in the south-east metropolitan communicating and disseminating the AEDI supported by the outstanding track record region. results to relevant stakeholders in health of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Sub projects within the CREAHW: The methodology for the project includes and education Aboriginal across the Western Research in working with government and conducting a series of community forums Desert communities over the five years 2010- informing policy and practice and build on The CREAHW has several Chief Investigators across the region. The forums commenced in 2014. It also involves trialling appropriate past achievements by developing the next and their individual and collaborative research March 2011 and will extend for a period of 18 tools and communication strategies to share generation of Aboriginal health researchers projects aim to answer specific research and months, finishing in July 2012. A report will the information with Aboriginal families to and leadership among the Chief Investigator policy relevant questions within Aboriginal be published and released at the end of 2012. build of their knowledge and strengthen team. Health and Wellbeing. Projects being undertaken by researchers at the Telethon The project is expected to be completed at the community capacity. There is strong research The CREAHW team program of research will Institute are as follows: end of 2013. evidence which confirms the benefits of using build capacity in the community and bridge the Early Development Index to bring about Funders of the project: NHMRC are funding 2 • TELETHON INSTITUTE FOR CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH 2011 community level change in Australia and in culturally appropriate health care services; guide The project is being done in collaboration with It is hoped that this project with provide Canada. health professionals’ practice; and guide health kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council evidence that changes can be culturally secure policy for the provision of culturally appropriate (kAMSC) Social Emotional Wellbeing unit. This and sustainable. This project will also take into health services. project stems from the high rates of Suicide in consideration the existing Department of Health Connection, belonging AND health OF the kimberley in 2010. The aims of this project Cultural Respect Implementation Framework Australian ABORIGINAL people AND THEIR are to strengthen the capacity of community and other documentation/policies in regard COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY OF SWAN AND THE Strengthening SOCIAL AND emotional members to empower themselves and others to this issue. An arm of the Cultural Security Pilbara region OF Western Australia. WELLBEING OF Australian ABORIGINAL to change their lives, their communities and project in the North Metropolitan region has people: How does racial identity AND the systems that are barriers to good social also been