20 ANNUAL 14 REPORT CONTENTS OBJECT OF THE FOUNDATION OBJECT OF THE 01 FOUNDATION OMRF There is not one person alive today who has not COUNCIL 02 REPORT FROM THE benefi tted from medical research. DIRECTOR OF 03 DEVELOPEMENT The Object of the Otago Medical Research IT ALL STARTS SOMEWHERE. UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Foundation: Is for the furtherance of The Foundation helps to fund medical research 04 medical research in Otago. projects and scholarships which are highly novel and scientifi cally worthy, but due to their early FUNDING BREAKDOWN We fund world class research, equipment exploratory nature don’t attract the interest of 09 and facilities for Otago’s highly talented larger funding agencies. SCIENTIFIC medical community of scientists, students, However, in the world of medical research what the COMMITTEE REPORT practitioners and lecturers. Foundation launches cannot be underestimated. 10 Once that initial research has been completed and OMRF Our recipients contribute invaluable the answers discovered, it often opens up new 19 GRANTS medical knowledge that can be applied to areas of investigation for bigger entities to develop. medicine and prevention in future, and in So the research never stops and many of our esteemed alumni are now global leaders in their EVENTS doing so we also retain top medical talent 21 and intellectual property in Otago. medical fi elds. EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM 24 CLUB OTAGO MEDICAL RESEARCH IS A LIFE CHANGER. MEDICAL RESEARCH. CHAIRPERSON’S There is not one person who has not benefi tted REPORT YOU’RE A LIFE CHANGER. from answers found through medical research, 26 The answers unearthed through medical research whether that be personally, through parents or irrefutably lead to greater quality of life for society children, partners or siblings, work mates or their FINANCIAL friends. We will all know many who wouldn’t be HIGHLIGHTS – through earlier diagnosis and treatment. Since 28 the Foundation was established in 1967 it has with us had it not been for the discoveries made, identifi ed and funded close to $7 million worth of the earlier diagnosis and less invasive treatment AUDITOR’S grants and scholarships, with much of the work that research unveils. REPORT undertaken now acclaimed around the world. 29 It is irrefutable that from medical research we all benefi t. INFORMATION ABOUT The lives of millions of people have ultimately been THE FOUNDATION improved by the research funded by the Otago 30 Medical Research Foundation. Made possible by you, our generous supporters. LIST OF MEMBERS 31

FUNDING 32 PATHWAYS

OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 01 OMRF COUNCIL REPORT FROM

Professor Barry Taylor Prof J Highton General Medical Staff, Otago District Health Board THE DIRECTOR OF Dean Dunedin School of Medicine ex-offi cio Mr R Bunton Assoc Prof P A Cragg Otago District Health Board DEVELOPMENT Chairperson of Scientifi c Committee ex-offi cio Dr M Coleman Elected by Members of the Foundation To use a Commonwealth Games analogy, we’re Assoc Prof Colin Brown Otago Medical School Research Society Mr K G Dempster out of the blocks and sprinting hard. Elected by Members of the Foundation Mr M C Horne Since its launch into a structured fundraising We were very sad to lose our Patron, Emeritus Professor Deloitte (Secretaries) Mr R P Lewis Barbara Heslop who passed away in late-2013. Barbara was a campaign in early-2010 more than $3 million ex-offi cio Elected by Members of the Foundation terrifi c inspiration to me personally and her reputation globally in new funding had been attracted by March never diminished in retirement. Her philosophy that ‘medical research is all about fi nding out’ will stand the Foundation in Prof A van Rij Dr J McMahon MBE 31 2014, this comprising a mix of charity good stead in the decades ahead. Otago University Faculty of Medicine and trust grants, revenue generated through Elected by Members of the Foundation We are very pleased that Dr Gil Barbezat, another the Foundation’s growing calendar of events, internationally acclaimed Otago-based researcher, has agreed Dr P Gootjes Ms S Saunderson-Warner individual gifting and bequests. to take up the role of Patron and his enthusiasm will serve us well. N.Z. Medical Association (Otago Division) Elected by Members of the Foundation As the Foundation’s profi le builds, so does its ability to establish funding opportunities. That, in turn, increases the My thanks go to all supporters and friends of the Foundation. Mrs. Sarah Ramsay long-term capacity to identify and tangibly support world-class Your generosity and foresight in supporting the terrifi c medical research. work our scientists and researchers undertake is very much Co-opted appreciated. The Foundation prides itself on its ability to identify and nurture research which, although highly scientifi cally worthy, It is irrefutable that from medical research we all benefi t. does not attract attention from larger funding bodies. However, without the Foundation acting as a catalyst for this EXECUTIVE SECRETARIES investigation to be established, more in-depth study simply wouldn’t occur. We are the rippa-rugby of medical research! Mr K G Dempster - Chairperson Deloitte Our funding base expands monthly. There is a growing list Assoc Prof P A Cragg - Deputy Chairperson of individuals who are now regular benefactors, a number Deloitte representative - Secretary/Treasurer HONORARY SOLICITOR of business owners lend their support through ‘sponsoring’ annual summer research scholarships, several gaming machine Mr J Anderson trusts have now made a number of donations, and many SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE (Gallaway Cook Allan) within the charitable industry are fi nancially supportive of the Assoc Prof P A Cragg - Chairperson Foundation’s vision. Physiology Department The Foundation’s annual golf tournament, with OceanaGold AUDITORS partnering up as the major naming rights sponsor, is now seen Otago Medical School Members Crowe Horwath as a ‘must play’ event and raises signifi cant funds in its own (see report on page 10) right. Club Otago, a lunch club open to individual and corporate supporters alike, is growing at an exceptional rate and now boasts more than 100 subscribing members. The Foundation DIRECTOR OF PATRON has developed partnerships with RD Petroleum in offering a Dr. Gil Barbezat fuel card to supporters and with Payless Energy, which donates DEVELOPMENT funds as residential and business account holders switch their electricity needs. Mr S. Davie The Foundation’s Bequest Society is also gaining a greater awareness. Steve Davie And the annual dinner is easily the best of its type in Otago. Director of Development

02 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 03 UNDER THE MICROSCOPE With Parkinson’s, timing is everything. The release of chemical neurotransmitters In June 2008, along with collaborators Dr Eng 1. Create a biological from brain cells (neurons) happens in Tan (Department of Chemistry) and Prof Brian package (liposome) milliseconds but developing a technology Hyland (Department of Physiology), John was from the same awarded an Annual Grant from the Foundation substance as human to mimic this natural release has been for a project entitled 'Targeted magnetically cells, containing the a much slower process for Associate controlled delivery system for bioactive drug of choice. Professor John Reynolds (Department chemicals'. A complicated title for what was of Anatomy). John’s research into an basically a two part idea: 2. Have a controller of the liposome for timing the effective treatment for Parkinson’s began precise and manageable release eight years ago with funding from the of the drug.

Foundation. It will be at least another In Parkinson’s disease it is the death of the dopamine eight years before a clinical trial neurons and resulting lack of dopamine which results in shaky slow movements and/or rigidity in the body. The current becomes a reality and his team’s treatment of choice replaces the lost dopamine with a chemical novel treatment for Parkinson’s called levodopa, but because it is given as a tablet, it literally disease can be touted as fl oods the brain causing numerous side affects including What is most exciting about John’s work is that in the future uncontrolled movements. John’s desire is to develop a drug other drugs used in neurology research might be able to be ‘newly discovered’. which can mimic the natural release of dopamine from the packaged and released using the same technology. Although biological packages in very specifi c brain areas, providing a the big idea is compelling, the specifi c detail of the research treatment which will improve the signs and symptoms of the work was described by his wife (an ex journalist) as a little less disease, without the unwanted side affects. exciting for non-scientists. Obviously, like dopamine, John’s science can sometimes be diffi cult to package and deliver. John describes the initial research funded by the Foundation as a ‘crucial stepping stone’ for his present work. The money awarded by the Foundation allowed John and the team to begin the investigation into the various ways to release the drugs on demand from the liposomes using different controllers.

During the 2008 Foundation funded project John and colleagues established how an effective amount of drug could be controllably released without disturbing other normal brain functions, a vital fi rst stage in the work. John says that the Foundation grant was extremely benefi cial, because it was during that fi rst set of experiments they discovered the initial JOHN’S DESIRE IS control system they had considered was not ideal, so could set about fi nding others. TO DEVELOP A John’s research is a great example of why the money granted DRUG WHICH CAN by the Foundation is enormously important to researchers. In comparison to many of the government funded grants it’s MIMIC THE not a huge amount of money; however it helps people get started on their research path. Every little bit of money helps, NATURAL RELEASE John believes that the money from the Foundation helped his team establish a better way to go and without it, this line of his OF DOPAMINE research may not have progressed.

04 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 05 Cancer-fi ghting coffee and It’s all in the delivery – Making chemotherapy wound-healing wine? more simple and successful.

Cheers all-round! ‘Nanoparticle and nanomicelle medicine’, In 2013 Khaled was awarded his second Laurenson for the project: “Utilizing nanotechnology for improving anticancer Our fi rst drink in the morning and last drink at night might be doing more sounds like a storyline from a sci-fi therapy of pancratic cancer”. For successful anti-cancer movie but thanks to Dr Khaled Greish treatment, a good blood supply is essential and pancreatic than just keeping us sane, as two summer students have discovered this year. cancer is hard to treat because the pancreas has few blood and colleagues, with funding from the vessels. Khaled’s aim is to treat pancreatic cancer using dual Chloe Squires Iun Kao Foundation, nanoparticle anti-cancer nanoparticle therapy: fi rst, a nanoparticle drug to dilate the (Dr Sarah Baird, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology) (Dr Greg Walker, Department of Microbiology & blood vessels increasing blood fl ow; second, a set of anti-cancer Immunology) drugs are fast becoming a reality. nanoparticles to target the tumour. So far, he has successfully Title: Effect of coffee and its constituents on tumour prepared the nanoparticles and in the following months he will stromal cell death Title: A nanofi bre “textile-like” dressing which slowly Killing cancer cells without destroying healthy cells is optimum test them in pancreatic tumour cell cultures, before using the (PricewaterhouseCoopers Foundation Scholar) releases wine waste bioactives to prevent bacterial in chemotherapy but often the anti-cancer drugs available are treatment in a mouse model with pancreatic cancer. growth not as effective as they could be, due to poor absorption and/ Summer student Chloe Squires working with Dr Sarah Baird (Otago Medical Research Foundation Scholar) or the body’s ability to break down drugs before they take full Khaled’s work was further supported in 2013 by two summer has found that coffee has anti-oxidant properties that can effect. Khaled’s work uses known drugs and by packaging them student grants: Monica Archibald’s research found that change the growth of cancer cells. This initial research has New Zealand wine waste contains a high amount of in nanoparticles, he enhances their effi ciency by targeted drug a combination treatment of two nanomicelles containing suggested that depending on the amount, coffee can have a polyphenols with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and delivery and improved absorption. prostate cancer cell inhibitors had the strongest anti-cancer preventative effect on the development of cancer cells and may help protect wounds from infection, and increase healing. effect; and because we’d all prefer to pop a pill than get future work will help determine if that daily espresso might To take advantage of these properties, summer student Iun The Foundation has supported Khaled’s work since 2011 an injection, Paul Hsu’s summer work aimed to develop also be providing us with some protection against cancer. Kao, with Dr Greg Walker, has been developing a nanofi bre when he and Assoc. Prof Rhonda Rosengren were awarded a nanoparticle medicine in tablet form which would be absorbed textile containing wine marc (grape skin and pulp) and seed Laurenson grant for the project: “Utilising nanotechnology for without breakdown in the stomach. extracts for wound dressings. producing effective anticancer therapy against breast cancer”. It is clear that Khaled’s impressive research, thanks to support Their breakthrough study showed marc extracts contained in Research has found that curcumin from tumeric has anti- from the Foundation, will make a huge impact on treatment the nanofi bres were potent against a common skin infection oxidant, anti-infl ammatory and other anti-tumour properties, regimes of a range of cancers by making chemotherapy more (Staphylococcus aureus) and Dr Greg Walker will focus future but due to solubility and absorption issues, it can be diffi cult to simple and successful. studies on increasing the nanofi bre extract-loading dose to use as a treatment. Khaled therefore set about manufacturing improve outcomes. a synthetic form of curcumin with enhanced toxicity against cancer and packaged the drug into micelles; spheres of drugs encased in a fat layer, which cells can absorb. The nanomicelles drug overcomes solubility and absorption issues, and the micelles are ‘targeted’ to the breast cancer, because the tumour makes abnormal blood vessels allowing the nanoparticles to pass through into the tumour and accumulate, which doesn’t happen in healthy tissue with normal vessels. iPods used for good and not evil in the fi ght against childhood obesity. Brittany Davison A HUGE IMPACT ON (Dr Paula Skidmore, Department of Human Nutrition, and Dr Robin Quigg, Department of Preventive & Social Medicine) TREATMENT REGIMES Title: Pilot testing an electronic food diary app in nine Summer student Brittany Davidson investigated if iPod-based OF A RANGE OF and ten-year olds food diaries are an appropriate tool to measure nutrient intake (Foodstuffs Community Trust Scholar) in children aged nine to 12 years. The results from her study of eight Dunedin children showed that iPod-based food diaries CANCERS BY MAKING Childhood obesity is a worldwide issue and some say partly to produce similar results to written diaries for all macronutrients blame is the shift in how children play and socialise in the 21st (carbohydrates, protein and fats) and major micronutrients CHEMOTHERAPY century; with their thumbs on a screen instead of being on their (e.g. calcium, fi bre, vitamin C). However, the new technology feet in the big wide world. But what if hand-held gadgets could reduced the burden on the children and had a novelty factor MORE SIMPLE AND be on the frontline of the fi ght against obesity, rather than an they enjoyed. Brittany concluded that iPod-based diaries are enabler to the epidemic? University of Otago researchers hope therefore likely to be suitable, after additional testing, for use this will be the case, thanks to digital diet diaries. in measuring nutrient intake in children. SUCCESSFUL

06 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 07 Map reading not the only difference between FUNDING BREAKDOWN male and female brains. OF STUDENTSHIPS, GRANTS, TRUST GRANTS, LAURENSON GRANTS AND JACK THOMSON GRANTS 1ST SEPTEMBER 2013 – 31ST AUGUST 2014 Dr Megan Wilson and Professor Ian Male and female brains develop subtle differences in the McLennan womb, and neurological disorders occurring at a greater rate in males could be a result of these variations. Certain sex specifi c (Department of Anatomy) hormones alter the brain and one in particular may have a role Summer Studentships Annual Grants The molecular factors underlying male susceptibility to in the development of autism. Brain anatomy cannot show neurological disorders and injury – AG 315 how differences lead to complex disorders, so using gene technology Megan and Ian’s work will increase understanding Sponsored by the Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust & Southern of brain gene pathways. Victorian Charitable Trust Megan and Ian have examined DNA from male and female It’s long been joked, ‘Men are from Mars brain cells during development and are mapping differences in and Women are from Venus’ and it doesn’t the genes, comparing them with genes involved in neurological Infection treatment Cancer treatment CANCER NEURO disorders. Their work is providing important new information Spread $29,005 SCIENCE take a neuroscientist to tell us male and showing the infl uence of the sex hormones on gene variation $5000 $5000 Blood $33,470 during early development in male and female brains. In the Prostate treatment $33,881 Injury $13,500 female brains work differently. This future this will be used to help fi nd ways to decrease the doesn’t just result in better map reading increased risk in males for developing neurological disorders abilities but could have an important like autism. Community Trust impact on the occurrence of neurological disorders, including autism. Dr Megan Cancer Heart Wilson and Professor Ian McLennan’s $ $ research, supported by the Foundation, 20,000 8,000 aims to identify sex differences in the CANCER NEURO TB brain contributing to neurological SCIENCE TREATMENT disorders. Infection Neuroscience Prostate $25,687 Memory $20,000 $23,000 treatments (brain) $16,000 $4,000 Jack Thomson

Muscle Nutrition/ degeneration Diet $4,000 $4,000 OSTEOARTHRITIS GOUT Shoulder $10,127 $34,578 Hip $26,320

Vaccine Laurenson Eye developement $4,000 $4,000

Pancreas PANCREATIC BRAIN PROSTATE Dental Physiology CANCER INJURY CANCER $ 4,000 $4,000 $19,882 $29,931 $29,265

08 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 09 some have been discovered to act by directly inhibiting RyR2. 2. SUMMER RESEARCH Currently, tools used to screen drugs for inhibiting RyR2 are SCHOLARSHIPS 2013/2014 time-consuming and expensive processes. This project aimed SCIENTIFIC to develop a higher throughput cell model to allow effi cient One hundred and two applications (compared with 95 the screening using calcium measurement techniques. The results previous year) were received from the University of Otago in indicated that our model will help rapidly identify drugs with early September 2013, of which 21 were recommended for the potential to prevent arrhythmia. COMMITTEE REPORT funding by the OMRF (and a further 41 gained scholarships from other funding bodies and the Division of Health Sciences Deepa Mistry and its Schools). Of the 21 students funded by the OMRF, (Professor Richard Cannon, Dr Masakazu Niimi & Dr Kyoko 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2014 four were studying dentistry, three medicine, one pharmacy Niimi, School of Dentistry) and thirteen science or biomedical science. It should be noted Title: Understanding how fungal drug effl ux pumps that the ten-week summer research is not part of the study (Cdr1p) work required in a student’s tertiary qualifi cation and any data obtained during the summer research cannot contribute to the (Deloitte Scholar and Renshaw Prize Winner) 1. MEMBERSHIP dissertation or thesis of such a qualifi cation. Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen affecting the immunocompromised, can become resistant to currently Chair: Associate Professor Pat Cragg Dr Beulah Leitch Each scholarship was worth $4,000 except for the two used azoles. A drug effl ux pump Cdrlp in the plasma membrane (Nominee of the Otago School of Medical Sciences) (Co-opted) students with the highest scores who were awarded named is responsible for this azole resistance. Amino acids, G521 and Summer Research Scholarships ($5,000) – named in honour A713, have been found to be important for Cdr1p function. We Deputy Chair: Associate Professor Greg Jones Associate Professor Russell Poulter of the late Allan Wilkinson and the late Emeritus Professor hypothesised that G521 affects inhibitor binding and the entry Garth McQueen. Allan was Secretary of the Foundation from (Nominee Otago Medical School Research Society) (Co-opted) of substrates into the pump. DNA sequencing and phenotypic its inception in 1967 until his retirement in 1993 and Garth characterisation of G21R-derived resistant strains revealed Professor Antony Braithwaite Professor Clive Ronson was a foundation member of the Foundation and one of the that G521 acts like a gate and controls Cdrlp substrate and instigators of the formation of the Foundation’s Auxiliary. One inhibitor access and binding. This discovery will facilitate future (Co-opted) (until May 2014) of the projects was funded from the Foundation’s own funds, development of drugs that inhibit Cdr1p-mediated effl ux. another from its Iverach Fund and another was administered Associate Professor Colin Brown Dr Joanna Kirman by the OMRF but sponsored by the Otago Diabetes Research Monica Archibald (President Otago Medical School Research Society, ex offi cio) (from June 2014) (Co-opted) Trust. (Dr Sebastian Taurin and Dr Khaled Greish, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology) Due to the continuing sponsorship drive of the OMRF, all Dr Tamlin Conner Title: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of Dr Ivan Sammut the other 16 OMRF scholarships were funded from such (Co-opted) (Co-opted) sponsorship: Crowe Horwath, Deloitte, Foodstuffs Community hormone refractory prostate cancer Trust, Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust, Hughes Family Trust, (OceanaGold – Prostate Scholar) Dr Peter Gootjes Dr Paula Skidmore Kingston Sedgfi eld Charitable Trust, Lions Club of Dunedin Overall, the fi ve-year survival essorof patients with hormone (Nominee Otago Branch of the NZ Medical Association) (Nominee Otago Medical School Research Society) South, OceanaGold, Otago Service Clubs Medical Trust, Pub refractory prostate cancer is less than 25%. We assessed a Charity (2), PricewaterhouseCoopers Foundation, Southern new combination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, sorafenib and Associate Professor Bob Hancox Associate Professor Joel Tyndall Trust (2) and Southern Victorian Charitable Trust (2). The nilotinib, for the treatment of prostate cancer. These inhibitors involvement of Otago commercial companies and the Otago however, are extensively metabolised and inactivated in vivo. (Nominee Dunedin School of Medicine) (Co-opted) community for a third year in supporting summer research by Through the use of poly(styrene co-maleic acid) (SMA) to Dr Nick Heng tertiary students is much appreciated. create nanoparticles containing these inhibitors, SMA-drug Professor Rob Walker particles were synthesised that had the desired characteristics (Co-opted) (Co-opted) All scholars returned good to excellent reports by the end of for tumour targeting and increased cytotoxic effects in vitro February 2013. The Renshaw Prize ($250) for the best report than the free drugs. The combination of the two nanoparticles was awarded this year to two students: Katie Hoeksema, demonstrated the strongest anti-cancer effect when compared The Scientifi c Committee is primarily concerned with Note: Most, but not all research projects, have protocols that require who worked under the guidance of Dr Pete Jones of the to the free drug. adjudicating on applications for Research Grants and on approval by the appropriate Ethics or Safety Committee prior to Department of Physiology, and Deepa Mistry, guided by commencement of the research. Agreement by the Foundation to fund Professor Richard Cannon of the School of Dentistry. applications from students for Summer Research Scholarships. research projects is thus subject to receipt by the Scientifi c Committee’s John Brady To cover the breadth of topics submitted, the committee is Chairperson of a letter from the University of Otago Animal Ethics The following is a list of the summer scholars and summaries (Associate Professor Phil Sheard, Department of Physiology) relatively large to ensure it has representatives from all the Committee, Human Ethics Committee or Human Ethics Committee (Health) of the projects undertaken – additional information on these major sub-disciplines of medical research. (or the Ethics Committee of a Health Funding Authority) indicating that Title: MuSK: A muscle protein involved in Age-related the research has received full ethical approval. Work involving genetically projects can be obtained from the Chairperson of the OMRF weakening? In mid 2014 there was one retirement from the committee: modifi ed organisms requires evidence of approval from ERMA or from the Scientifi c Committee or from the supervisor concerned. University of Otago’s Institutional Biological Safety Committee. (Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust Scholar) Professor Clive Ronson who joined the committee in June 2011 and has provided excellent input to our deliberations. Katie Hoeksema With age a loss of muscular strength compromises our The scientifi c activities of the Foundation (advertising of independence and quality of life. In order to mitigate this For 2014 we welcomed in Clive’s place: Dr Jo Kirman as a co- (Dr Pete Jones, Department of Physiology) up-coming grants and listings of awards) can be found on the inevitable process, the causes of age-related weakening opted member representing the Department of Microbiology following web site http://www.omrf.org.nz Title: Development of a cellular anti-arrhythmic drug & Immunology. To help spread the workload and aid succession must fi rst be elucidated. Currently, the cause of age-related screening model planning, the Scientifi c Committee now has from 2014 weakening is attributed to a process whereby the nerves, which onwards a Deputy Chair – Associate Professor Greg Jones. (Southern Victorian Charitable Trust Scholar and Renshaw are responsible for activating the muscle, lose contact with Prize Winner) the muscle. As the contact between the nerve and the muscle is reliant on maintenance proteins, an age-related decline in Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats that can be triggered these proteins may account for the age-related decline in the by the spontaneous opening of a calcium channel named the nerve-muscle contact. Therefore I have attempted to answer cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2). Anti-arrhythmic drugs this question and determine whether a decline in an important typically act by blocking ion channels or sympathetic nervous maintenance proteinMuSK occurs with age. However, due activity to alter cardiac action potentials, although recently to problems with associated with the antibodies used for the

10 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 11 experiment, no tangible results were yielded and therefore no Paul Hsu Joanne Lee Tara Miller conclusions could currently be made on this topic. (Dr Khaled Greish and Dr Sebastian Taurin, Department of (Dr Joanna Kirman, Department of Microbiology & (Dr Heather Brooks, Department of Microbiology & Brittany Davison Pharmacology & Toxicology) Immunology) Immunology) Title: Use of nanotechnology for oral delivery of Title: Development of a test to measure memory Title: Antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from (Dr Paula Skidmore, Department of Human Nutrition, and Dr Robin Quigg, Department of Preventive & Social Medicine) targeted anti-cancer drugs immune responses to tuberculosis (TB) Oamaru school children (Lions Club of Dunedin South Scholar) (Pub Charity Scholar) (Southern Trust Scholar) Title: Pilot testing an electronic food diary app in nine and ten-year olds Oral medicine is more patient friendly than intravenous Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a known cause of TB. With Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common pathogen injection, but bioavailability is low due to gastrointestinal growing rate of TB incidence on top of multidrug-resistant TB, in New Zealand and can be found living on our skin, in our (Foodstuffs Community Trust Scholar) absorption dynamics. Here, styrene malic acid (SMA)-paclitaxel there is a need for an effective vaccine. However, there is only throats and up our noses. S. aureus causes many infections, Childhood obesity is a global issue and is largely determined has been developed as a potential oral nano-medicine one vaccine currently on the market called Bacille Calmette- some requiring hospitalisation. The aim of this study was to by diet. The aim of this study was to investigate if iPod-based for cancer. SMA-paclitaxel was prepared at 100 uM and Guerin (BCG). This vaccine offers effective protection against determine the antibiotic susceptibility of 30 S. aureus samples food diaries are appropriate to measure nutrient intake translocation across in vitro intestinal epithelial cells was mycobacterium meningitis but has varying effi cacy against which were isolated from Oamaru school children. Doctors in children aged nine to 12 years. The results from eight 119.89 ± 8.7 % (n = 3) and absorption by ex vivo rat everted pulmonary tuberculosis. Understanding the mechanisms of prescribe antibiotics before knowing what bacterium is causing Dunedin children show that iPod-based food diaries produce intestinal sacs was 3.4 ± 0.46% (n = 3). Fundamentally, the the development of T memory cells using the BCG is vital for the infection and what antibiotics will work against them. similar results to written diaries, for all macronutrients and detection method for paclitaxel in this project is fl awed and a development of more effective vaccine. In this experiment, Knowing the antibiotics that S. aureus are susceptible to could major micronutrients (e.g. calcium, fi bre, vitamin C) The results were inaccurate as evident by the 119% translocation we are developing a new immunophenotyping panel that can help guide antibiotic administration for infections caused by S. new technology reduces the burden on participants and has in the in vitro study. In conclusion, to fully evaluate SMA- measure different types of CD4 T memory cells. aureus to achieve better outcomes of treatment. a novelty factor the children enjoy. iPod-based diaries are paclitaxel as an oral chemotherapeutic, high performance liquid therefore likely to be suitable, after additional testing, for use chromatography should be employed to detect paclitaxel Ivor Malahay Danny Nam in measuring nutrient intake in children. (Associate Professor Fiona McDonald, Department of (Dr Jeff Erickson, Department of Physiology) Mark Huang Regina Hegemann Physiology) Title: CaMKII Hyperactivity: does it play a role in cell (Dr Harry Bradshaw and Associate Professor Gordon Title: Effect of a novel protein on pancreatic secretion death in the human diabetic heart? (Professor Cliff Abraham, Department of Psychology) Sanderson, Department of Medicine) (Pub Charity Scholar) (Otago Diabetes Research Trust Scholar) Title: Do hippocampal granule cells “retire” as they age? Title: Prevalence of short-sightedness in people with Digestive enzyme secretion by pancreatic acinar cells is a vital Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is (Kingston Sedgfi eld Charitable Trust Scholar) rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in New Zealand and highly regulated process required for the digestion of a protein that, when activated, modifi es other proteins in Episodic memory formation is believed to require information (J.A. Iverach Scholar) food. Secretion defects or premature activation of digestive the body and contributes to specifi c physiological functions. processing in the hippocampus. Previous work showed that Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a medical enzymes may lead to the illness pancreatitis. COMMD (Copper Normally CaMKII is in an inactive state in cardiac tissue. young cells born in this brain region during adulthood are emergency that can lead to blindness if left untreated. It has Metabolism MURR1 Domain containing) proteins are a family Recent studies in the context of the heart have shown that particularly responsive to incoming information, while older been suggested that myopia (short-sightedness) is a major risk of recently discovered proteins, known to be important in diabetics have increased mortality compared to non-diabetics, granule cells “retire”. However, overall low activation rates factor for developing a RRD. This study aimed to investigate protein traffi cking. One of those proteins, COMMD10, was and CaMKII hyperactivity has been implicated. One of the may have biased these results. The present research aimed the prevalence of myopia in 92 participants from the Otago shown to decrease the production of a digestive enzyme, and proposed downstream consequences is cell death. Our study to replicate previous work and provide a more accurate and Southland regions. Of the 62 participants with known COMMD10 expression appears to be infl uenced by hormones found there was no difference in cell death between the human estimate of the contribution of young and old granule cells refractive error (powers of glass/contact lens) 72% were involved in digestion and food absorption. Further related diabetic and non-diabetic heart. These observations may to hippocampus-dependent processing by amplifying cell myopic and 32% were highly myopic. The fi ndings can be research will advance the understanding of enzyme handling indicate CaMKII may play a protective role over a pathological activity through exposure to an enrichment environment. used to estimate the relative risk of developing a RRD given a and secretion in the pancreas. role in diabetes. While environmental enrichment was suffi cient to increase cell person’s refractive error. This allows clinicians to estimate the activity, the results showed no difference between cell ages likelihood of retinal detachment from the refractive error of Kate Mcelroy Hazel Nissen suggesting that the time of neurogenesis during development their patients and appropriately counsel their patients. (Lara Friedlander, Dr Ben Motidyany, Associate Professor Mary (Professor Ian McLennan, Department of Anatomy) may determine cell incorporation. Cullinan and Dr Claire Cameron; School of Dentistry) Iun Kao Title: Why do the brains of autistic boys develop Adelaide Hopkins Title: Evaluation of direct pulp capping of permanent rapidly? (Dr Greg Walker, Department of Microbiology & Immunology) (Dr Anita Dunbier, Department of Biochemistry) teeth in general practice -A PBRN study (Southern Victorian Charitable Trust Scholar) Title: A nanofi bre “textile-like” dressing which slowly (Southern Trust Scholar) Autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) are male-biased, Title: The role of DNA variants in controlling expression releases wine waste bioactives to prevent bacterial of genes involved in breast cancer ARCH (Applied Research through Clinicians Hands) was and associated with accelerated early brain development. growth recently established as Practice Based Research Network Testicular Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) putatively slows (Otago Service Clubs Medical Trust Scholar) (Otago Medical Research Foundation Scholar) (PBRN) in New Zealand (NZ) with the objective of engaging development and may protect against ASDs. I investigated Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women accounting New Zealand wine waste contains a high amount of academics and clinicians in collaborative research. This whether AMH causally slows brain development, by comparing for 400,000 deaths per year worldwide. The majority of polyphenols with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. An inaugural PBRN study investigated the use of direct pulp AMH-defi cient male mice with normal male littermates. breast cancers produce the oestrogen receptor and require electrospun nanofi bre textile could be a controlled delivery capping (DPC) as a treatment procedure in NZ dental practices. A method was developed using sequentially developing the hormone oestrogen to grow. Drugs that act by preventing dressing for application in wound healing or prevention of A literature review informed the project prior to distribution layers of the cerebral cortex to measure maturity. Pilot data the production of oestrogen are the most effective treatment dental caries requiring antimicrobial activities. The study of an online survey to NZ dentists. Quantitative and qualitative did not show any consistent differences, possibly due to currently available for this type of cancer. However, these showed advantages in using marc extracts over seed extracts data analysis was undertaken. Respondents indicated that biological variation between individual mice. Future studies drugs do not work well for all patients. We investigated the as it is more potent against Staphylococcus aureus despite DPC is part of routine practice for NZ dentists. Most had could therefore benefi t from a larger sample, with more expression of three genes which are thought to infl uence how exhibiting similar total phenolic content and antioxidant updated their knowledge, understanding and practices around developmental time points. The anterior commissure was also the gene that encodes the oestrogen receptor is turned on. activities. Nanofi bre containing wine seed extract was not the management of an exposed pulp and DPC was seen to be a identifi ed as an alternate sensitive indicator of maturity. This has potential to help evaluate risk of breast cancer and effective against bacterial growth. This lack of activity may be viable treatment option for patients. develop new treatments. due to the low loading, therefore future studies will focus on increasing the nanofi bre extract-loading dose.

12 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 13 Jeffrey Ong transporters may be electrogenic primary pumps because ATP publication. The results will assist in the development of differences in neurological development. We have profi led hydrolysis generates protons and transported substrates are diagnostic and intervention strategies to improve clinical gene expression (by RNA-sequencing) to understand how the (Dr Mikhail Kenita and Dr Brian Monk, School of Dentistry) partially positively charged. This study aimed to confi rm the outcomes for cancer patients. sex of an individual affects differentiation of the brain and how Title: Genetic regulation of drug resistance in yeast concept that overexpression of the Candida albicans Cdrlp AMH infl uences male brain development using a mouse model (Allan Wilkinson Scholar) drug effl ux pump confers on yeast the ability to produce an Dr Euan Roger and Professor Ian Morison with a mutation in the AMH gene. This research project aimed to identify the component(s) in enhanced electrochemical gradient at the plasma membrane (Department of Pathology) RNA was collected from male and female heterozygotes, and Bacto™ Peptone that activates Pdrlp mediated multidrug and to test whether this applies more broadly to effl ux pumps Does a New Zealand family hold the key to mutant embryos, at two important time points (E12.5 and resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Fractions soluble of the ABC transporter superfamily. myelodysplastic syndrome? – AG 313 E15.5) during brain development. Three biological replicates in 80% acetone or in chloroform methanol that were eluted Sponsored by the Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust & Southern were collected and sequenced individually to control for with ~40% acetonitrile in 0.1% trifl uoroacetic acid from a Aaron Yap Victorian Charitable Trust any biological variation. Following RNA-sequencing, we C-18 column by reverse-phase chromatography contained (Professor Anthony Molteno and Associate Professor Gordon determined what pathways are disrupted by AMH loss in species making a major contribution to the activation of Sanderson, Department of Medicine) Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a common blood cancer of addition to the pathways that are expressed differentially Pdrlp. It is proposed that those species might be sterols the elderly. We have discovered a novel abnormality called an Title: The detection of choroidal melanoma in the New between the sexes. Pathway analysis supports an important and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry can be used inversion in chromosome 5 of a patient with MDS. Other family Zealand population role for AMH in male brain development. Unexpectedly, we to test this idea. By identifying the molecules activating to members with this inversion have consistently low neutrophils, also identifi ed differences in gene expression in the female Pdrlp, antagonists may be developed to block the xenobiotic (Hughes Family Trust Scholar) which is a common feature of this condition. We predicted that mouse brain upon mutation of AMH. RNA-sequencing data binding site of Pdr1p and prevent the activation of multi- drug This audit aimed to investigate the pathways of detecting the inversion has disrupted a gene or genes required for normal indicated that AMH is expressed in both the male and female resistance. choroidal melanoma in New Zealand. A case note review was neutrophil production, which has led to MDS presented in the mouse embryonic brains during development and this was undertaken of 222 patients with choroidal melanoma identifi ed patient. We used next generation sequencing to pinpoint the confi rmed by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Currently we at Dunedin and Auckland hospitals from 1999 to 2013. It exact location of the inversion. Using state-of-the-art genome Dan Preston are validating our data using qRT-PCR on biological replications found that 24% of patients presented incidentally and the fi rst sequencing and software analysis methods we determined (Dr James Crowley, Department of Chemistry) and by using a mouse model that over-expresses AMH (thus health professional most commonly seen were optometrists location of the inversion on the genome of one of the siblings. we would expect to see pathways regulated by AMH altered Title: Cisplatin containing supramolecular cages (55%) followed by ophthalmologists (32%). Thirteen patients One end of the inversion locates in a gene that encodes a in this model as well). We will then map sex-dimorphic genes (Garth McQueen Scholar) (6%) were found to have choroidal metastases and 35 (16%) putative tumour suppressor in colorectal and liver cancer. We back to the human genome to identify those associated with were deceased. This audit found that optometrists played predict that the inversion truncates the transcription of this While cisplatin is an effective anti-cancer agent, its utility susceptibility loci for human neurological disorders exhibiting an important role in detecting choroidal melanoma and gene, which we are currently characterising further in the is hampered by its cytotoxicity. Drug delivery vectors carry a strong sex-bias. This will allow for the fi rst time, on a genome- more frequent eye checks in those over 65 years should be family. drugs direct to the target tissue, circumventing their toxicity. wide scale, a study of the molecular differences between the The cages previously synthesised by the Crowley group bind considered. Dr Sebastien Taurin, Dr Khaled Greish and sexes during the early stages of brain development in addition cisplatin, but require improvements to be viable vectors. This to the infl uence of a hormone AMH, associated with human project has worked on improved cisplatin binding through 3. RESEARCH GRANTS Associate Professor Rhonda Rosengren neurological disorders. working towards anthracene-linked ligands that would more (Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology) fully encapsulate the drug within the cavity. A range of ligands Encapsulation of raloxifene into styrene maleic acid Dr Joel Tyndall and their cages with alterations conferring greater stability in AWARDED micelles for the treatment of hormone refractory (Department of Pharmacy) the presence of biological nucleophiles have been synthesised, (A) ANNUAL GRANTS AND OTAGO prostate cancer – AG 314 with accurate kinetic studies quantifying the stability increase Optimizing protease inhibitors against HtrA in to follow. COMMUNITY TRUST GRANTS Sponsored by OceanaGold & Southern Victorian Charitable Chlamydia – AG 319 These one-year grants are for research concerned with human Trust Sponsored by the Otago Medical Research Foundation’s Chloe Squires health and the scientifi c basis of medicine. In June 2013 The survival of patients with hormone-resistant prostate General Funds (Dr Sarah Baird, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology) there were 43 applications from the University of Otago (cf cancer is less than 25% over fi ve years. Studies have The pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for 28 the previous year) totalling $1,128,850 and eight of these highlighted the potential of raloxifene, a drug currently used the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection Title: Effect of coffee and its constituents on tumour were funded at a total expenditure of around $181,000 of for the treatment of breast cancer, in the control and treatment stromal cell death worldwide. This is commonly an asymptomatic infection which $60,000 was provided most generously by the Otago of prostate cancer. However, raloxifene is rapidly metabolised. resulting in infertility, pelvic infl ammatory disease or ectopic (PricewaterhouseCoopers Foundation Scholar) Community Trust. These grants commenced between July and To enhance raloxifene effi cacy, we have encapsulated the drug pregnancy. In addition this bacterium causes trachoma, an Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), part of solid tumours, October 2013 and are nearing completion with full reports due in a nanomedicine carrier. Preliminary data show the superior infectious eye disease which is the leading cause of infectious contribute to cancer malignancy and therefore are good 3 months after the one-year grant ends. Progress as at the end toxicity of the nanomedicine containing raloxifene against blindness worldwide, especially in Africa. The hydrolytic targets for cancer therapy. This project investigated the effect of July 2014 is summarised below: prostate cancer cells. In this project, we aim to further evaluate enzyme, HtrA, has been identifi ed as being at high levels of coffee and its constituents on cancer cells and MSCs. Overall our system in animals with prostate cancer to develop an in Chlamydia. The grant-in-aid has enabled us to purchase it was found that they hold potential as therapeutics, although (i) Annual Grants effi cient therapeutic alternative for prostate cancer treatment. chemicals and complete the synthesis of 5 new molecules for only on cancer cells themselves, not MSCs, as MSC growth was Associate Professor Alex McLellan inhibition of HtrA (with others partly completed) based on our partially enhanced at high doses. Possible benefi ts could be had Dr Megan Wilson and Professor Ian initial inhibitor. These have been sent to our collaborators in for people that regularly consume coffee as these compounds (Department of Microbiology & Immunology) McLennan Australia for testing against both the enzyme and Chlamydia can act as anti-oxidants enabling protection from cancer Understanding how cancer spreads to the lymph nodes (Department of Anatomy) cells. development. Therefore, depending on concentration, coffee – AG 312 and its constituents can be both preventative or curative. The molecular factors underlying male susceptibility to Sponsored by the JN Lemon Trust neurological disorders and injury – AG 315 Joyce Tang The fi rst line treatment for most cancers is chemotherapy. An Sponsored by the Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust & Southern inevitable consequence of chemically-induced tumour cell Victorian Charitable Trust (Associate Professor Brian Monk, School of Dentistry) death is the release of tumour cell fragments (vesicles) into Human male and female brain development is sexually Title: Understanding the electrochemistry of the fungal the lymphatics. We have recently found that tumour vesicles dimorphic; the male and female brains acquire subtle ABC transporter Cdr1p bind to a specifi c receptor on lymph node macrophages and suppress the immune response - potentially allowing differences during embryonic development. This dimorphic (Crowe Horwath Scholar) tumour escape. Using a novel model of metastatic disease, development is infl uenced by circulating sex-specifi c hormones ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters play a pivotal role we determined that tumour vesicles interfere with the host during fetal development such as anti-Müllerian hormone in the development of xenobiotic resistance. Two highly immune response against cancer. We have also developed (AMH), a molecule that has recently been linked to autism. conserved features, the pairs of nucleotide binding domains a new test to allow us to quantify the invasion of tumour Many common childhood brain disorders have a strong and the pairs of transmembrane domains, suggest ABC cells into draining lymph nodes that will be submitted for male bias, including autism, and this is likely to be linked to

14 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 15 (ii) Otago Community Trust Grants Some men have organ-confi ned indolent disease that can Associate Professor Rhonda Rosengren and Dr Cushla McKinney and Associate Professor be safely followed without immediate treatment, whereas The Otago Community Trust supports biomedical research in Dr Sebastien Taruin Tony Merriman others have aggressive prostate cancer and need immediate the Otago area with the proviso that the research is selected (Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology) intervention. There are limitations with the current clinical (Department of Biochemistry) on topics that can relate well to issues understandable by the variables used to predict the likelihood of cancer progression and Dr Elspeth Gold Identifi cation and characterisation of a potential layperson. The three projects selected were: and they give little information concerning best treatment. This (Department of Anatomy) functional variation in TLR4 associated with gout Professor Cliff Abraham grant is working towards identifying a panel of biomarkers for Using raloxifene in a drug combination for the – JT 320 use in prostate tissue sections to identify those cancers that treatment of metastatic hormone refractory prostate (Department of Psychology) Gout is the most common form of infl ammatory arthritis are likely to recur following prostate removal, as it is these cancer – LA 325 and Dr Joanna Williams affecting New Zealand males, especially those of Maori and cancers that are the most aggressive. We have shown that raloxifene, a drug that is approved for Pacifi c Island descent, and is also strongly associated with other (Department of Anatomy) the prevention of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women metabolic conditions. It arises when levels of urate in the blood A study nurse has been working on the project for 6 months Defi ning the novel contribution of microRNA to long- also has a role in the treatment of aggressive prostate cancer, (arising from both diet and normal physiological processes) to identify all men who underwent prostate surgery in Otago term memory mechanisms – CT 316 especially when used in combination. Our results in cell become high enough (hyperuricaemia) that urate crystals form. in the last 15 years. Archival prostate tissue blocks are being cultures have shown that, in combination, raloxifene and a These crystals deposit in joints and soft tissues, where they MicroRNA are important negative regulators of protein located through Southern Clinical Labs. Sections are being curcumin analog (RL91) kill 90% of aggressive prostate cancer trigger the body’s immune system, leading to acute infl ammation synthesis in nerve cells, and we hypothesise that microRNA stained with our panel of markers and once staining is complete cells. This work is being further explored in a mouse model and pain, and, if untreated, permanent damage. At this point are gate-keepers controlling gene expression and the analysis will be undertaken to determine which markers offer of metastatic prostate cancer. The model we have developed in time, treatment options are focussed on decreasing serum production of proteins specifi cally related to the changes at clinical utility to identify those men at highest risk of prostate is highly relevant to human prostate cancer because human urate levels by decreasing production and/or enhancing the nerve cell synapses critical for memory formation. Our aim cancer recurrence. in this project has been to develop an easily manipulated prostate cancer cells are injected directly into the mouse body’s ability to excrete uric acid. However these approaches do experimental system that can be used to determine the direct If we are able to identify a “signature” indicative of aggressive prostate. The growth of the tumor over time is then measured not work for a signifi cant number of people, and an alternative link, if any, between specifi c microRNA and the activation of prostate cancer, the next step will be to undertake analysis using a technique called live imaging. Importantly, this allows approach would be to target the immune response to urate. these memory mechanisms. To this end, we have studied two on many more tissues New Zealand wide and move towards us to track the growth of the tumor over time in the same Recent genetic studies have identifi ed a variation in a gene versions of cultured nerve cells from a brain region important placing our biomarker panel into pathology clinics in New animal. We have established the model and are currently called TLR4 that is more common in Chinese and Caucasian gout for memory, the hippocampus. The second methodology has Zealand. treating the mice daily with raloxifene, RL91 and the two drugs patients than in healthy controls, suggesting it may be important revealed itself capable of producing the changes at synapses in combination. When the treatment period has concluded in immune-cell recognition of urate crystals. However this same that are considered to be related to memory formation. We (iii) Recent Annual Grant Round we will be able to report on the effectiveness of each drug variation does not seem to increase the risk of gout in Maori have shown that these changes are associated with changes in and determine if the combination has a superior ability to halt and Pacifi c Island populations, and we think that it is more likely In June 2014 there were 38 applications from the University the expression of specifi c genes known to be linked to memory metastasis. that the real causal variant is in the promotor region of the of Otago totalling $975,468. Five of these applications were as well. Thus we are now prepared to determine whether gene, which infl uences the amount of the gene product made. funded by the Foundation and their sub-sponsors, JN Lemon microRNA are key regulators of this gene expression response, We are now preparing to test whether naturally-occurring Trust, OceanaGold, Southern Trust and Southern Victorian Dr Khaled Greish as well as of the changes at the synapse. Ultimately this study variations in this region alter the way cultured cells respond to Charitable Trust, (~$90,500), and two by the Otago Community (Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology) will shed new light on memory storage mechanisms, potentially urate, to identify which of them is involved in gout susceptibility, Trust ($60,000). Abstracts of the proposed work can be found Dual nano-miceller system for enhanced delivery of identifying new therapeutic targets for neurological diseases and potentially confi rm TLR4 as a new therapeutic target for on the following web site http://www.omrf.org.nz chemotherapeutics to resistant pancreatic cancer affecting memory, such as Alzheimer’s disease. treatment or prevention. – LA 326 Professor Gregory Cook (B) LAURENSON AWARDS We are working on improving the treatment outcome for Dr Daniel Ribeiro and Dr Gisela Sole Laurenson Awards are one-year grants for research concerned pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is especially diffi cult to (Department of Microbiology & Immunology) (Department of Physiotherapy) with the effects of diet and/or drugs on human health. In treat because it has limited blood vessels, which are essential Prognostic markers to determine PSA failure in December 2013 there were 21 applications (compared to deliver anticancer drugs. Our new strategy relies on fi rst Can we optimise rotator cuff motor control? prostate cancer – a pilot study with 14 the previous year) from the University of Otago increasing the blood supply to pancreatic tumours through a Exploring novel rehabilitation exercises for shoulder – CT 318 totalling $504,856 and three of these were funded at a total nitric oxide donor that causes selective vasodilation upon light osteoarthritis treatment – JT 321 Tuberculosis (TB) kills 1.7 million people annually and 10 expenditure of around $84,000. Final reports are not due until exposure. This is followed in the next step by applying targeted The aim of this study is to quantify shoulder rotator cuff muscle million new cases of TB are diagnosed per year. Treatment of the end of March to June 2015, depending on start date of anticancer micelles. So far, we have successfully prepared the activity during selected shoulder exercises, and to determine TB is diffi cult and new drugs are urgently required to combat grant. Work in progress is summarised below: targeted anticancer system to be delivered to the tumour. which exercises actually increase rotator cuff muscle activity increasing drug resistance and tolerance in Mycobacterium Within the next few months we are planning to test the system levels. Thirty young asymptomatic individuals took part in the tuberculosis. The fi rst anti-TB drug to be developed in Associate Professor Dorothy Oorschot in cell cultures of pancreatic tumours to be followed by testing study, and completed the protocol. We monitored the activity 40 years, bedaquiline, was licensed in December 2012. (Department of Anatomy) in animals inoculated with pancreatic cancer. In addition, we of seven shoulder muscles using surface electrodes. Our results Bedaquiline targets the F1Fo ATP synthase, a nanosized ATP- have a review article from OMRF funded research accepted to suggest that by applying an anterior gentle pressure over Can brain injury due to extreme prematurity be be published in the Journal of Therapeutic Delivery describing the humerus and sustaining it, while participants performed generating motor that is fuelled by the respiratory chain of prevented? – LA 324 M. tuberculosis. We have identifi ed succinate dehydrogenase the advantages of micelles for targeted delivery of tumours. shoulder movements, resulted in reduced shoulder muscle This translational research aims to investigate whether (SDH) as a key component of the respiratory chain and activity when compared to control conditions (shoulder treatment with melatonin rescues the brain injury of extreme propose that SDH represents a potential target for inhibitor (C) JACK THOMSON ARTHRITIS FUND movement without manual mobilisation). Up to now, it has prematurity. Specifi cally, we are investigating if treatment design. We have successfully developed a high throughput This OMRF fund was made possible by a bequest from the been unclear what the effect of shoulder mobilisation is on with melatonin prevents the death of brain glia (i.e. pre- screening method for inhibitors of succinate dehydrogenase late Jack Thomson and commenced in 2011. For the third shoulder muscles. Our data suggest that the therapist’s hand oligodendroglia), and prevents myelin and memory defi cits, and identifi ed a number of hits. These hits are currently being grant round in December 2013 there were fi ve applications may help to increase joint stability. Our data also suggests that in an innovative, clinically relevant animal model. The animal tested against M. tuberculosis during replicative growth and in (compared with eight in the previous year) from the University superfi cial shoulder muscles (pectoralis major and latissimus model was developed by Associate Professor Oorschot and non-replicative cells (hypoxic cultures) to further validate SDH of Otago totalling $140,900 and three of these were funded at dorsi) together with rotator cuff muscles contributed to the her research team at the University of Otago. This model was as a target for TB drug development. a total expenditure of ~$71,000. All grants commenced on 1 dynamic relocation test. Finally, supraspinatus presented published in the prestigious international journal, the Journal March or April 2014 and fi nal reports are due at the end of May higher mean activity levels during the ‘dynamic relocation test’, of Neuroscience, in July 2013. Detailed analyses on coded Dr Elspeth Gold or June 2015. Work in progress is summarised below: when compared to external shoulder rotation exercise. brains are currently underway to determine if treatment with (Department of Anatomy) melatonin rescues pre-oligodendroglia and prevents myelin Succinate dehydrogenase: a new target for tuberculosis defi cits. Memory defi cits are also being investigated. A positive drug discovery – CT 317 outcome would drive clinical trials to develop an effective Optimal management of prostate cancer presents unique treatment for brain damage due to extreme prematurity. challenges because of the highly variable nature of the disease.

16 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 17 Dr Stephanie Woodley, Professor Helen The Student Speaker awards are given to the student speakers Nicholson and Dr Natasha Flack who, in the opinion of a panel of fi ve judges, gives the best and second best oral presentation – based on both the components (Department of Anatomy) of the presentation and its scientifi c merit. To be eligible the OMRF GRANTS and Dr Cathy Chapple candidates must report work that has been performed under (Department of Physiotherapy) the auspices of the University of Otago. Can prehabilitation improve patient outcomes Awarded June 2013 and December 2013 following hip joint replacement? – JT 322 OMRF-sponsored Invited Speaker for the Osteoarthritis of the hip is a common chronic condition that Otago Medical School Research Society: affects the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders with The opportunity for such sponsorship occurred in September Dr Elspeth Gold approximately 7,000 people undergoing hip joint replacement 2014 when an excellent Annual Review Lecture was given by OTAGO MEDICAL RESEARCH per year. This pilot study will examine the feasibility and Professor Christine Theoret, Director of the Comparative (Anatomy) effectiveness of implementing an exercise programme for FOUNDATION Veterinary Tissue Healing Laboratory, Department of $25,687 patients awaiting hip replacement (prehabilitation). It will Veterinary Biomedicine, University of Montreal on the topic Assoc Prof Alex McLellan also investigate whether ultrasound can be used as a reliable of “Wound healing across the species: naturally occurring Prognostic markers to determine prostate-specifi c tool to assess hip muscle volume, a modifi able parameter with conditions that model those in man”. (Microbiology & Immunology) antigen (PSA) failure in prostate cancer – a pilot potential as an outcome measure. To date, we have started $29,006 study recruiting patients from the waiting list of the Orthopaedic OMRF-sponsored prizes at the Otago School’s Department, Dunedin Hospital. We will soon commence Science Fair: Understanding how cancer spreads to the lymph baseline assessments and imaging. Participants will then take nodes Prof Greg Cook part in an exercise programme, attending two sessions (1-hour The Foundation sponsors prizes each year in the Special (Microbiology & Immunology) duration) per week for 8 weeks as well as performing some of Prize category at the Otago Aurora Science & Technology the exercises at home on a daily basis. Fair for secondary schools for projects involving medically Dr Euan Rodger & Prof Ian Morrison $23,000 orientated topics. This year fi ve awards were given at $40 (Pathalogy) Succinate dehydrogenase: a new target for each. In August 2014 the recipients were “Singing isn’t tuberculosis drug discovery 4. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE Everything” by Charlotte Mason & Tam Chanthasen (Year $33,470 SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE 7), “Optical Confusion” by Charlotte Smith & Sophie Palmer Does a New Zealand family hold the key to (Year 7), “Familial Fingerprints” by Tamara Mason (Year 8), “M myelodysplastic syndrome LAURENSON GRANTS is for Mummy” by Thomas Geary (Year 8) and “Sup, Brew?)” OMRF Student Speaker Awards at the Otago by Krystal Lamsdale (Year 9). The Foundation’s judges were Dr Joel Tyndall Assoc Prof Dorothy Oorschot Medical School Research Society: Dr Nick Heng, Associate Professor Greg Jones and Dr Beulah (Anatomy) (Pharmacy) (1) At the September 2013 scientifi c meeting of the Otago Leitch. Medical School Research Society (OMSRS) there were nine $2,350 $29,931 doctoral candidates (selected from 11 applicants based on Treatment of brain injury due to extreme ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Optimizing protease inhibitors against HtrA in their submitted abstracts). The fi rst Prize ($1,000) funded prematurity: Is melatonin protective by Otago Postgraduate Medical Society was awarded to The Foundation continues to play an ever increasing role in Chlamydia Simon de Croft (supervised by Professor Allan Herbison, funding Medical Research in Otago – may I thank the Scientifi c Assoc Prof Rhonda Rosengren Department of Physiology) on the topic of “Peptidergic Committee for its dedicated efforts in the arduous, though Dr Megan Wilson & Prof Ian McLennan intercommunication between kisspeptin neurons of the satisfying, work of assessing the scholarship and merit of (Anatomy) & Dr Sebastien Taurin arcuate nucleus of the male mouse”. The second prize the many summer research projects and grant applications (Pharmacology & Toxicology) ($500), which was funded by the OMRF, was awarded to that it receives. We thank the Council of the Foundation for $13,500 Maggie Corr (supervised by Associate Professor Greg the support, advice and enthusiasm with which our funding & Dr Elspeth Gold The molecular factors underlying male Anderson, Department of Anatomy) on the topic of “Insulin recommendations are endorsed and the many Benefactors and (Anatomy) receptor signaling in gamma-aminobuutyric acid (GABA) Sponsors of the Foundation whose fi nancial support has made susceptibility to neurological disorders and injury neurons play a role in regulating metabolic function, but not all this possible. $29,265 reproductive function, in female mice”. Dr Sebastien Taurin, Dr Khaled Greish Using raloxifene in a drug combination for the treatment (2) At the May 2014 scientifi c meeting of the OMSRS there - Associate Professor Patricia A. Cragg & Assoc Prof Rhonda Rosengren of metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer were ten candidates (selected from 23 applicants based Chairperson, Scientifi c Committee (Pharmacology & Toxicology) on their submitted abstracts). All were summer research Dr Khaled Griesh & Dr Greg Giles scholars and one of the ten (and six of the 23) had been $33,881 (Pharmacology & Toxicology) sponsored by the OMRF. Two fi rst prizes were awarded Raloxifene micelles for the treatment of hormone ($500 each, funded by the OMRF with $250 from the $19,882 OMSRS) to Ivor Malahay (supervisor Associate Professor refractory prostate cancer Fiona McDonald, Department of Physiology, sponsored Dual nano-miceller system for enhanced delivery of via the OMRF by Pub Charity) on the topic of “COMMD10 OTAGO COMMUNITY TRUST chemotherapeutics to resistant pancreatic cancer is important for zymogen granule formation in AR42J pancreatic acinar cells” and to Chris Marshall (supervisor Prof Cliff Abraham & Dr Joanna Dr Rebecca Campbell, Department of Physiology) for “Measuring pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in a Williams prenatal androgen treated model of polycystic ovarian (Psycology & Anatomy) syndrome”. $20,000 Defi ning the novel contribution of microRNA to long-term memory mechanisms

18 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 19 JACK THOMSON GRANT Dr Cushla McKinney & Assoc Prof Tony Dr Daniel Ribeiro & Dr Gisela Sole Merriman (Biochemistry) EVENTS (Physiotherapy) $10,127 $34,578 Identifi cation and characterization of a potential Can we optimize rotator cuff motor control? functional variation in TLR4 associated with gout Exploring novel rehabilitation exercises for BLACK TIE: shoulder osteoarthritis treatment An Evening to Remember Dr Stephanie Woodley, Prof Helen Nicholson & Dr Natasha Flack The Otago Medical Research Foundation’s (Anatomy) fi rst-ever black tie fundraising dinner, was & Dr Cathy Chapple a resounding success in the Dunedin Town (Physiotherapy) Hall in mid-October 2013 with just over $26,320 $35,000 being raised. Can prehabilitation improve patient outcomes following hip joint replacement? More than 400 attended the multi-faceted event which encompassed singing, dancing, story-telling, magic, ventriloquism, illusion, education, fi ne food, beer and wine, and a world-class auction.

Forsyth Barr was the major naming rights’ sponsor, being RENSHAW PRIZE joined by OceanaGold NZ (associate), and with Taylormade Media, Dunedin Venues, Speight’s Brewery and the Ali McD The Renshaw Prize is named after one of the founders of the Otago Medical Research Aart Agency as supporting partners. Foundation Inc., the late Dr P.K. Renshaw. The prize of $250 is awarded to the Summer Included in the list of entertainers and speakers were ‘unusualist’ Raymond Crowe, who amazed the crowd with Research Student, who in the opinion of the Scientifi c Committee, amongst the Research his repertoire of mime, ventriloquism, magic and shadow Scholars supported, has made the most worthwhile contribution to medical research in puppetry; former Wallaby rugby international ‘undercover prop’ Dan Crowley; the Beat Girls music trio; celebrity chef that particular year. Alison Lambert; and Professor Greg Cook, a world-renowned microbiologist. In recognition of their contribution, prize winners’ names are listed below: Models from the Ali McD Aart Agency added glamour to the occasion and auctioneer Chris Kennedy’s gavel was busy 1970 Mr A.G. Yule 1985 Miss B.C. Galland 2001 Mr M Rahimi during the auction.

1971 Mr K.J. Davey 1986 Mr R.G. Snell 2002 Ms S Jordan On offer were the chance to ride at full speed with a world 1972 Mr F.M. Patrick 1987 Mrs T.E. Inder 2003 Ms E Szymlek-Gay or European rally champion at the 2014 Otago Classic Motor Rally, beautiful art works from Sam Foley and Geoff 1973 No Award 1988 Miss M. Kuipers 2004 Mr D Kieser Williams, the chance to walk with the golfi ng gods at the 1974 Mr J.C. Montgomery 1989 Miss E.R. Dennett 2005 Mr C Young 2014 Ryder Cup in association with Animation Research, a 1975 Mr A.S. McLean 1990 Miss A. Charlton 2006 Mr C Young luxury package (made up of accommodation, meals and spas at the Queenstown Hilton, K-jet boat rides and a Southern 1976 Mr N.K. Given 1991 Mr B. McKenzi 2007 Mr S Smart Discoveries Mt Nicholas experience, luxury driving with 1977 Miss F.M.F. McQueen 1992 Mr J.W. Corboy 2008 Ms S Saunderson Armstrong Prestige and cosmetics donated by the Farmers Trading Company), and a $10,000 MediaWorks RadioLIVE 1978 Mr K.D. Jolly 1993 Ms S.M. Dillon 2009 Ms J Lee advertising campaign.

Mr J.P. Scott 1994 Ms N. Dalbeth Ms E Winsley With the fi nal Bledisloe Cup rugby test between the All Blacks 1979 Mr R.A. Henderson 1995 Mr T Zaharic 2010 Mr J Zhang and Wallabies scheduled for the city the following night, the 1980 Mr D.W. MacFarlane 1996 Mr M Morrison 2011 Miss E Gavey Cup itself was on show for much of the evening with many taking the opportunity to have their photos taken alongside the Mr D.W. Shaw 1997 Mr A Brown Mr E Ottley trophy. 1981 Mr N.E. Dickson Ms S Safari Mr W Parkyn Mr Wong Ooi 1998 Mr J Mangum 2012 Miss Su Zhou 1982 Miss C. Page 1999 Ms J Pitchforth 2013 Mr Fly Ing-Aram 1983 Mr I.L. McLean Ms A Steyn 2014 Katie Hoeksema 1984 Mr I.L. McLean 2000 Mr J Wales Deepa Mistry

20 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 21 DINNER: A Night to Remember GOLF: Foundation’s annual golf tournament The Foundation’s 2014 annual dinner With the dinner plates cleared, Brad Blaze – reputed to be the Low scoring was the order of the day at Our appreciation is also extended to our prize and refreshment world’s fastest portrait painter – entertained by bringing Buck, sponsors, and others who played a part in the success of the A Night to Remember in the Dunedin Bono, Elvis and Pink to life in the space of just a few minutes, the Foundation’s annual golf tournament day – Dr Jenny McMahon, Dr Brian McMahon, Orbit Corporate Town Hall on March 1st 2014 was an his work completed upside down – not him, his paintings – on the St Clair course in association with Travel, Aravin Central Otago, Dunedin Venues, Valspar Paints before being spun to reveal to subject of his talents. New Zealand, Neil Metcalfe (St Clair pro shop), Cadbury outstanding success. OceanaGold in early-October. Confectionery, Rialto Cinemas (Dunedin), Henry’s Beer Wines A world-class raffl e and auction followed dessert with a rare & Spirits, Rockburn Wines, Gardens New World, Craft Bar, Not only was $64,000-plus raised – through sponsorships, commemorative Rugby World Cup jersey, donated to the In near-perfect conditions and with the St Clair course in Body Synergy, Paper Plus Dunedin, Bunnings Warehouse ticket sales, auction items, a high-class raffl e and donations Foundation by All Black captain Richie McCaw, selling for magnifi cent condition, birdies were the norm as the fi eld of 100 Dunedin, Otago Cricket, Luna Bar & Restaurant, Scotia Bar & – but the message about the value of medical research was $10,000; a golfi ng package at the Hills, Millbrook Resort and players banded together to raise funds for the Foundation’s Bistro, Sky’s Rugby Channel, Forbury Park Trotting Club and portrayed in spectacular fashion. Jack’s Point for $5,100; and Brad’s four pieces of art fetching annual research grants’ allocation. Polson Higgs. between $2,000 and $3,000 each. A brand new Volvo V40 Non-Hodgkins lymphoma cancer survivor, legendary unbeaten D2 hatchback, as supplied by the dinner’s major sponsor OceanaGold continued its strong support as the naming rights’ There were also a number of team entries and their support All Black captain Buck Shelford opened up about his illness and Armstrong Prestige, was knocked down for just over the sponsor, all 18 holes were sponsored and there were a number was also appreciated – our thanks to Ken and Liz Dempster, how he tackled it head-on. Buck was diagnosed in 2007 and reserve price at $38,000. of team entries. With prizes being donated and a number of Dave Sharp, Opus International Consultants and Lab Supply is currently in remission. He spoke candidly about his battle other supporters also involved, and with the ‘mulligans’ and Ltd. and how he responded to its treatment, having been especially And to fi nish off in style A Night to Remember brought the raffl e selling well, a profi t of just under $18,500 was made on interested in the presentation about the development of country’s best rock ‘n’ roll band The Class of ’58 on to the stage the day. research by Dr Chris Jackson prior to his own appearance on for 90 minutes of high energy, exhilarating performance with The day’s results were: stage, and he also gave a very stern message to the men in the the majority of the crowd singing and dancing for the full set. Those funds have been directed into the annual OceanaGold Closest to the pin – 4th; Tom West, 7th; Matthew audience about ensuring they took their health seriously. research grant which is investigating how best to prevent a bacterium, prevalent in infections in hospitals, from causing Smith, 13th; Colin McNaught, 16th; Chris Timms Buck’s daughter Leah was also diagnosed with non-Hodgkins those infections and become more easily controlled by Longest drive – 18th; Andrew Cessford lymphoma four years ago and she too is in remission. antibiotics. Researchers in Dunedin are collaborating with an Italian-based study. Straightest drive – 14th; Richard Roberts Eight recipients of 2013/2014 Foundation summer research scholarships – Monica Archibald, John Brady, Brittany Davison, Money raised at the 2011 event was invested into a study into Adelaide Hopkins, Mark Huang, Ivor Malahay, Kate McElroy why women are more prone to diabetic heart disease while the Team results: and Hazel Nissen – were introduced to the audience and they proceeds from the 2012 tournament launched an examination 1st playing off a team handicap of 8, net then had the opportunity to mingle with the crowd during of refractory hormone prostate cancer, a particularly virulent score of 53– Forsyth Barr the serving of the main course. Many and varied were the strain of the disease. questions of them about their specifi c areas of research. 2nd 8.375, 53.625 – Mitchell’s Tavern In the last three years more than $60,000 has been raised 3rd 1, 54 – Sport Otago through the tournament. (16 birdies off the tee!!) Again supporting the OceanaGold commitment were our hole 4th 5.25, 55.75 – Orbit Corporate Travel sponsors and the Foundation acknowledges their enthusiasm. Our thanks to Silicon Coach, Orbit Corporate Travel, Dr John 5th 6.125, 55.875 - Deloitte Greaves and Keith Newton (Mornington Health Centre), 6th 7, 56 – Dr Alan Wright’s team Speight’s Brewery, Mr Simon McMahon, Dr Alan Wright, Dr Patrick Dawes, Dr David Peart and Mr Andrew Swan (all 7th 6.75, 56.25 – Gardens New World Marinoto Clinic), Forsyth Barr, Mitchells Tavern, Deloitte, 8th 5.625, 56.375 – WhatsoEver Ltd Palmers Mechanical, Body Synergy, Sport Otago, Southern Colour Print, Newstalk ZB, Craigs Investment Partners and the 9th 5.25, 56.75 – Palmers Mechanical Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. 10th 7.375, 57.625 – Body Synergy

22 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 23 OUR MEMBERS ARE: Individual Adam La Hood (Cook Brothers Construction), Dave Callon (Share), Mark Thompson, Craig Brook (Southern Honda), CLUB OTAGO Sarah Saunderson-Warner (Aspinall Joel), Ron Lewis (Craigs Patrons Investment Partners), Ian Shore (Shore Associates), Hudson Biggs (Keogh McCormack), Mike Pearce (Strawberry Sound) Adam Binns (Barlow Justice Binns Ltd), Donna Club Otago combines the very best in speakers, Gale (NZI), Andrew Carmody (Brooker Travel), Adam Gain (Metro Realty), Grant Sime (Fulton Hogan), Jules Radich (ActionCoach), Stuart McLauchlan (GS McLauchlan & Co), camaraderie and charity Peter Taylor (Peter J Taylor & Associates), Dave McPhedran (YBT), Carl Spruyt (10X), Simon Parker (Parker Warburton Team Architecture), Fred Gianone (Etrusco at the Savoy), That was the rationale for the Joining us in the 2013/2014 year were the Murray Hughes (Aotea Electric Group), John White (Telfer Electrical Otago Ltd), Bernie Cull (Hamburg Sud NZ Ltd), establishment of Club Otago in inaugural captains of the Highlanders and Warriors, John Leslie and Dean Bell, as Dunedin celebrated Senior Fellow Roger Owen (Road Materials), Malcom Farry (Farry Group), the hosting of a Super Rugby/National Rugby Phil Tizard (Otago Electrical & Communications), Andrew early-2012 … and that philosophy Mercy Hospital Campbell (Wattyl NZ), Rachel Bird (Bird Event Management), has been well and truly embraced League double; outspoken businessman Sir Bob Paul Buckner (Downie Stewart), Justin & Eterei Stonelake Jones; another local boy, New Zealand cricket Fellow (McDonald’s Dunedin), Bill Haydon (Roman Catholic by Dunedin’s corporate sector and coach Mike Hesson; and new Dunedin Venues boss Allied Press, Carpet Court Dunedin, Farmlands Cooperative, Diocese of Dunedin), Sherman Weatherall (Agility Logistics), individual enthusiasts. Terry Davies. Orbit Corporate Travel, Deloitte, Dunedin City Motors, Russell Quin (Spicers), Sharon Hyndman (Metro Realty), McMahon Investments, RD Petroleum, Fitzgerald Family Trust, Paula & Peter Anstey (Progressive Plastics), Bruce Carvell There are four lunches each year, featuring the Membership numbers now tally more than 100. Crombie Lockwood. (Williams Signs & Graphix), Michael Bird (Ambi Properties), Will McMillan (Fernbrae House), Steve Brocklebank (PWC), topical speakers of the moment (whatever their With members bringing guests, the attendance at Associate Fellow Garry Clarke (Arbi Monograms), Richard Roberts (Dunedin area of expertise), the gatherings are utilised by lunches generally number around the 200 mark. International Airport), Rosey McConnon (Happy With That), MediaWorks Otago, Forsyth Barr, Kiwibank, HSBC, Southern members for their own hosting purposes and ALL Amy McFadzien (Cook North & Wong), John Freeland (Aon, Wide Real Estate, Seperex Nutritionals, Dunedin Casino, As noted, membership subscriptions are available Mosgiel), Dr Michael Schultz (Gastroenterology Otago Ltd), funds raised are directed towards the Foundation syndicate of James Reid, Grant Paterson, Mark Scully, Russell IN FULL to the Foundation with the lunches run at Professor Ian Morison (Pathology Department, University of and its on-going mission of identifying and Cassidy, This Way Ltd, Living Corporation, Jenepher Glover, Otago), Neil & Jamie Lyons (Signature Property Ltd), Dr Paul breakeven, thanks to a quartet of Club Patrons – Opus International Consultants, Forays Consulting Ltd, nurturing world-class medical research in the city. Templer (Sandman Anaesthesia Services), Nadene Moore Armstrong Prestige, Oyster Executive Recruitment, Dunedin International Airport, Body Synergy, Asteron Life, (International Freight Logistics), Barry Timmings (Timmings After enjoying presentations from All Black coach ANZ Private and Dunedin Venues. Otago Cricket, Immersion Marketing, Harvie Green Wyatt. Partners), John Buckingham (Alert Monitoring), Ian Hogg (ANZ and former local lad Steve Hansen, evergreen Funds raised in 2012 tallied $53,000 while Club Bank, Commercial), Michael Turner (Polson Higgs), Sergio Salis broadcaster Keith Quinn, former doctor and now (London Street Specialists), Chris Timms (Craigs Investment Otago’s 2013 calendar year accrued a further successful businessman David Kirk and Sir Peter Partners), Grant Chirnside (Southern Realty), Dr Norman & $77,000. Leitch (the ‘Mad Butcher’) in 2012, the latest 12 Mrs Barbara Fitzgerald, Sarah Anderson (Regent Theatre), Alan months have been as equally enjoyable. Nicholls.

24 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 25 CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Council Membership • Once again, we must acknowledge the contribution of the Scientifi c Committee and special thanks must go to • In last year’s report it was noted that John Adams and Helen the members of this Committee, under their longstanding TH Nicholson would be absent from the Council table as ex– and dedicated Chairperson, Associate Professor Patricia offi cio members. John’s replacement was Prof Barry Taylor. Cragg. Although all busy with their own career activities, and Assoc Prof Pat Cragg is the Acting Dean of the School $423,965 the Scientifi c Committee still continue to fi nd the time to of Medical Sciences. but is already a Council Member. provide professional assessment and advice on three rounds 46 Decrease of Assoc Prof Colin Brown has replaced Dr Stephen Bunn as of Grant applications and then make their recommendations the representative of the Otago Medical School Research to the Council. Without this group of dedicated people we ANNUAL REPORT Society. $32,716 would not be able to achieve the object of the Foundation, Since 2013 • Since 31 March we have also been joined at the Council “The Furtherance of Medical research in Otago”. table by Sarah Ramsay, who has been co-opted onto Council • To all Council Members, for your contribution and support, to provide specialist marketing and promotion advice. YEAR Total amount funded my sincere thanks for your continued interest in, and work Since the Foundations inception • We welcome these new members to Council and thank done, for the Foundation. John, Helen & Stephen for their positive contributions to the • To the Deloitte team of Mike Horne, Trudy Reveley and Luke Foundation. $7,222,999 Murdoch for continuing to provide very professional and 2014 effi cient administration services for the Foundation. Louisa Patron Homersham, who took over the responsibility for the day to • I am sorry to record the passing of our Patron. Emeritus day organisation of the Foundation upon the retirement of Professor Barbara Heslop on 20 December, 2013. Although this writer in December, 2009, recently left Deloitte and we only our Patron for a relatively short period we were thank Louisa for her efforts over this period and welcome fortunate that Barbara thought the OMRF was a worthy Megan Vintiner as Louisa’s replacement. As recorded in the Notes to the Financial The Investment Sub-Committee has continued to face the cause for her to lend her name to. challenge of fi nding suitable low risk investments while • Dr Gil Barbezat has very kindly agreed to take on the On behalf of the Council Statements there has been a change acknowledging that income and growth are also important. It is Patron’s role and we thank him for this and look forward pleasing to report that at balance date, the market value of our in the Accounting Policy regarding to benefi ting from his very wide experiences in the medical Ken Dempster Company Securities and Shares shows an unrealised gain on fi eld. Research Grant Expenditure which was cost of $334,309, which is 8.97% of cost, with the New Zealand Chairperson previously recognised when paid. For the and Australian investments being the main contributors. Thanks year under review and subsequent years At 31 March, 2014, Accumulated General Funds total • Firstly, to all those Trusts, Companies, Individuals, Members $427,887,and Accumulated Special Funds $4,350,647, both and Non –Members listed further on in this Annual Report this expenditure has been, and will be, these fi gures comprising Capital and Income. who have supported the Foundation in the year under recognised when the Grant Applicant has review. The Foundation is very grateful that it has continued This year marked the 17th year in which the Otago Community to receive the support that it has in these diffi cult economic been notifi ed of a successful application. Trust awarded an Annual Grant to the Foundation with the times. details of grants awarded from this year’s funding being Last year’s fi gures have been adjusted published earlier on in the Scientifi c Committee Report. This • To Steve Davie, our Director of Development, for his and the above fi gures are based on the brings the total grants received from the Otago Community commitment to the Foundation. It impresses me that Trust to $1,221,000 a truly generous contribution. On behalf Steve is always coming up with new, innovative ideas for amended fi gures. of all members of the Foundation and all Researchers based in fundraising and raising the profi le of the Foundation and The extract from the Financial Statements, as published Dunedin I would like to sincerely thank the Otago Community we look forward to a continuation of this. Since Steve took further on in the Annual Report, shows a surplus for the year of Trust for their very generous, and much needed, continuing on the position the profi le and funds of the Foundation $204,614, this result being attributable in the main to Bequest contributions. have improved greatly and I say thank you Steve for the income, two Evenings to Remember falling in the same fi nancial enthusiasm with which you approach everything you take on The Foundation is deeply indebted to those people who for the Foundation. year and Profi ts on disposal of Investments. The timing of have named the Foundation as a benefi ciary in their wills. two Evening to Remember functions in the same year was Medical research is a never ending activity and the role of the • Steve’s report can be found on page 03. due to the desire to have this function earlier in the year. The Foundation will continue as long as there are medical scientists Foundation endeavours to invest surpluses in project grants willing to ask critical questions and people willing to help fund • To my fellow Investment Sub-Committee members, Mike rather than build up funds but further injections of capital for these researchers in their quest for the vital answers. I would Horne, Ron Lewis and Jenny McMahon for their wise investment are vital if the Foundation is to continue supporting ask members to consider the Foundation when preparing their counsel, advice and time so willingly given to serve on this research, at least at the same rate that we have been. wills. A bequest to the Foundation will be effectively used and Sub-Committee, I thank you most sincerely. your infl uence will be felt beyond your lifetime.

26 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 27 FINANCIAL AUDITOR’S REPORT HIGHLIGHTS Otago Medical Research Foundation Inc.

28 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 29 INFORMATION LIST OF MEMBERS ABOUT THE ORDINARY MEMBERS Prof W C Abraham Dr S J Greaves Assoc Prof D Oorschot Mr S G Amsden * Ashburn Hall * Prof D G Palmer Dr F J Austin Dr R J Harvey Assoc Prof D J Perez FOUNDATION Assoc Prof M A Baird * Mr J H Heslop Prof G B Petersen Mr M G Bell Prof B F Heslop Dr E L Phelan Rev Dr John R Brinsley Dr M Hibma Prof A E Reeve Charities Registration Number CC33444 Mr John Burton Prof J Highton Assoc Prof J J Reid Mr N A Carroll Dr R S J Highton Assoc Prof A Rich Caversham Pharmacy(2005)Ltd Mrs L Homersham Prof A M van Rij * Dr S O Chin Dr C Mck Holmes Prof L R Robinson Rebate Form in support of the claim. From 1 SUBSCRIPTIONS * Mr E J Chronican Mr M C Horne Mrs M I Rowe April, 2008 taxpayers are able to claim a 33.33% Dr J I Clayton * Prof J B Howie S Saunderson-Warner Current subscriptions are $30 per annum for tax rebate on all donations up to their annual net Ordinary Members, $100 per annum for Research Dr M Coleman Mr A K Jeffery Dr M Schlup income. Dr A Cook Prof D T Jones Prof D C G Skegg Patrons (business fi rms or corporate bodies), and a Assoc Prof P A Cragg Mr & Mrs S D Jones Prof R D H Stewart minimum of $500 paid by individuals, ($1,000 for GIFT AND DEATH DUTIES Mr K G Dempster Dr R B Keillor Dr W Sutherland corporate bodies), applying asLife Members. * Mr G G Dunckley Assoc Prof I L Lamont Mr M Thompson-Fawcett • No gift duty is payable by an individual on gifts to Dr J M Faed Prof R Laverty Dr M Turner Although business fi rms are welcomed as Ordinary the Foundation. * Fairmaid Chance & Crawford Dr Liz Ledgerwood Dr & Mrs G P White Members, in order to assist in expanding the work Mr M Farry Mr R Lewis Dr S Wilbanks of the Foundation, they are invited to consider REMEMBRANCE DONATION * Prof F N Fastier Mrs J W McChesney * Mrs S M Wilkinson joining as Research Patrons or Life Members. Dr B Galland Prof A C B Molteno Mr T J Williams The Foundation is an approved body for Income • When you consider this substitute in place of a Mrs H L Gibson Prof J G Mortimer Prof D Wilson Tax purposes, and is registered for GST purposes. fl oral tribute, write or telephone the Secretary Prof W Gillett Dr R Nada-Raja Dr R A Wright The taxation position in respect of donations and giving the name of the deceased, the relationship Dr P R F Gootjes Dr J Ng Dr M E Wyatt subscriptions is as follows: to the deceased, the relationship to the bereaved, Prof A Goulding Dr H Nukada Dr A I Yelavich and the name and address of the bereaved. A letter of condolence will be sent to the bereaved * Indicates Founder Member COMPANIES notifying them that you have made a donation in • From 1 April, 2008 a company making cash place of a fl oral tribute. RESEARCH PATRONS donations, or paying a membership subscription An acknowledgement, with a receipt for your to any one doner may treat the amount as a donation (which may be tax deductible), will AMI Insurance Limited Hope & Sons Limited deductible item for tax purposes up to the be sent to you. This is a dignifi ed and practical Respiratory Research Unit Asthma Society Inc. amount of their net income. way of expressing your condolence, which is (University of Otago) invariably appreciated by the bereaved. MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS LIFE MEMBERS • Annual subscriptions - claim as a deduction. MEMBERSHIP Cadbury Confectionary Ltd HealthCare Otago Ltd Dr J A McMahon • A form for membership application or • Donations - can be claimed as a rebate as for Mrs J Callon Dr R S Henderson Northern Southland Transport Ltd donations is included within this report. Further individual taxpayers. Cerebos Gregg Ltd Mr L Chronican Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd Schering (NZ) Limited information or brochures will be supplied on Ciba-Geigy NZ Ltd Lions Club Dunedin South Roche Products NZ Ltd request to the Secretaries, Deloitte, P.O. Box Donaghys Industries Ltd Ms S Mackinlay St Margaret’s College Council INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS 1245, Dunedin. Telephone (03) 474-8630. Dunedin City Council Mr D Marsh Mr I A Thomson Mr S Davie Mr G J Marsh Mr H R Wilson & Mrs N Ellis (INCLUDING FULL Farra Dunedin Engineering Ltd Mr W J Marsh TIME SALARIED DOCTORS) Dr C M Goodall Marsh Family Trust • All taxpayers are entitled to a rebate on HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS subscriptions and donations in excess of $5. Mr & Mrs L J Brown Rotary Club of St Kilda Receipts should be attached to the Donations Rotary Club of Dunedin South Prof J I Mann Mr G T Adams Dr C N A & Mrs J Trotman Mr P C L Gibson

30 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 31 FUNDING PATHWAYS

The Otago Medical Research Foundation made steady progress as it applied a conscious and deliberate funding VWUDWHJ\GXULQJWKHĆQDQFLDO\HDU$QXPEHURI 'XULQJWKHĆQDQFLDO\HDU charitable Trusts, organisations and companies joined the the following individuals have made Foundation in partnership with the details as follows: donations to the Foundation:

Southern Victorian Charitable Trust $31,000 Mr M G Bell Otago Service Clubs Medical Trust $5,000 Mr J Burton Lions Club of Dunedin South $5,000 Mr N A Carroll Crowe Horwath $5,000 Dr S O Chin MM & JH Hughes Family Trust $5,000 Dr M Coleman Deloitte $5,000 Dr A Cook The Southern Trust $20,000 Mr K G Dempster Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust $20,000 Mr G G Dunckley ACE Shacklock Charitable Trust $500 Mr & Mrs S D Jones Givealittle (Steve Davie) $50 Prof R Laverty Givealittle (Ken Dempster) $20 B C Galland Givealittle (Sarah Saunderson-Warner) $50 J Mortimer Givealittle (Jenny McMahon) $50 J Robinson ,QĆQLW\)RXQGDWLRQ $5,000 M Thompson-Fawcett Pub Charity $10,000 W Sutherland Foodstuffs Community Trust (SI) $5,000 Ms S Saunderson-Warner PWC Foundation $5,000 Estate of Mrs S A Rowley (bequest) $89,990.73 ACB Molento Dr Ailsa Goulding $4,000 Steve Davie Ltd JN Lemon Charitable Trust $30,000 Dr B J McMahon Emeritus Prof Barbara Heslop $5,000 Dr J A McMahon HJ Wilson Charitable Trust $5,000 Dr M Turner Gardens New World $1,500 Dr & Mrs G P White Howard & Jane Fraser $5,000 Mr T J Williams Gavin & Lesley Craw $200 Mrs S M Willkinson Trish & Roger Oakley $100 Caversham Pharmacy (2005) Stu Stevenson $100 Ltd RD Petroleum $315.54 Payless Energy $350 JAD Iverach Memorial Fund $2,000 Otago Diabetes Trust $4,000 The Community Trust of Otago $60,000

32 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014 OTAGO MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION Annual Report to 31st March 2014 & Notice of Annual General Meeting

34 | OMRF ANNUAL REPORT 2014