1. family and parenting
2. motherhood
3. pregnancy

05
ISSUE 60
MIMR has received almost
$9 million funding in National
Health and Medical Research
Council (NHMRC) grants
announced in October. More
than $2.5 million was awarded
in fellowship funding while
project grants attracted more
than $6 million funding.
MIMR Director Professor Bryan Williams
said the large number of grants across all
Centres demonstrated the high calibre of
the Institute’s research and was a credit to
all research teams.
This year Professor Stuart Hooper and
Professor Brendan Jenkins were both awarded
research fellowships as well as project grants.
Prof Hooper’s research focuses on the
transition that newborn babies make from
the fluid-filled environment of the mother’s
womb to an air-filled environment after birth.
He has been awarded a five-year Professorial
Research Fellowship to investigate the
physiological challenges of transitioning
from fetal to newborn life, with the aim of
reducing the risk of death in newborns.
Prof Hooper is also chief investigator of a
$597,562 project grant to investigate the
factors that affect blood flow through the
lungs at birth.
Prof Jenkins was awarded a five-year
Senior Research Fellowship for research to
identify the specific genes of the immune
system that trigger the chronic inflammatory
responses that can lead to cancer.
He is also the chief investigator of a $606,226
project grant that aims for the first time to
define an alternative IL-6 signalling pathway,
termed ‘trans signalling’, in the molecular
pathogenesis of lung cancer.
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
In other funding news, Dr Hayley
Dickinson and Dr Daniel Gough were
awarded highly competitive Career
Development Fellowships which will
fund their salary for four years.
Dr Dickinson is interested in how care of
the unborn baby can optimise life-long
health, and has developed research tools to
improve our understanding of the processes
that underlie pregnancy. Her aim is to save
babies’ lives and reduce the long-term
health, emotional and economic burdens
of major perinatal conditions.
Dr Gough is investigating the protein
transcription 3 (STAT3) and its role in
tumour growth.
INSPIRES
Professor Stuart Hooper Professor Brendan Jenkins
Dr Hayley Dickinson
Dr Nicole de Weerd
He recently discovered that STAT3 controls
the altered metabolic state required for cancer
progression, both by control gene expression
and by entering the mitochondria. Dr Gough
aims to define the mechanism of STAT3
mitochondrial activity and then translate
these findings into animal models of cancer.
MORE PROJECT GRANTS
Professor Neil Watkins received an extension
to his NHMRC Fellowship. And Dr Miranda
Davies-Tuck was awarded an Early Career
Fellowship to investigate ethnic inequalities
in birth outcomes in Australia and identify
mechanisms underlying these inequalities.
Dr Graeme Polglase was awarded $626,226
to investigate procedures that help stabilise
circulation in newborns and protect them
from large swings in cardiac output and blood
flow that can lead to vascular-related injury.
NEW INVESTIGATOR GRANTS
Prof Williams was pleased to see
MIMR scientists Dr Claire McCoy and
Dr Nicole de Weerd awarded new
investigator grants. He said it was a great
achievement for early career researchers
to receive major competitive funding for
the first time and be recognised for their
valuable contribution to medical science.
Prof Williams received $737,110 to study
the mechanisms underlying the actions
of transcription factor ATF3 in bladder
and colorectal cancer, and test whether
therapeutically activating ATF3 can inhibit
cancer progression.
Associate Professor Mark Hedger received
$592,562 for his research into male
reproductive disease including malformations
of the male reproductive organs, infections and
chronic inflammation of the genitourinary tract.
Professor David Walker was awarded
$588,568 to investigate how cell migration
results in the development of the fetal
brain and how a lack of oxygen supply
and maternal alcohol consumption during
pregnancy affect this important process.
Dr McCoy is investigating the influence of
the small RNA molecule, miR-155, on the
innate immune system, and its contribution
to inflammatory disorders such as multiple
sclerosis, arthritis, inflammatory bowel
diseases and many cancers.
Professor Rosemary Horne conducts
research into the associations between
severe sleep disordered breathing (SDB)
and neurocognitive and behavioural deficits.
She received $537,670 to investigate the
mechanisms that underpin these deficits.
Research at MIMR has identified a
mechanism that can switch off miR-155
expression through the anti-inflammatory
cytokine, IL-10. The aim of the $337,111 new
investigator grant is to further understand the
molecular mechanism of this inhibition.
Dr Ashley Mansell received $494,757
to characterise a novel regulator of
anti-viral immune responses. Understanding
the regulation of infection models may
provide the means of manipulating immune
responses to control infections and provide
better health outcomes.
Dr de Weerd received the $342,111 grant
for her project to characterise for the first
time how interferon beta (IFNβ) proteins bind
to cells and activate an immune response.
Despite being useful for the treatment of a
number of diseases, in certain circumstances
IFNβ can also have toxic side effects, such
as those seen in sepsis. Recent research at
MIMR found that when IFNβ binds to a cell, it
transmits an unusual signal that seems linked
to some of these toxic side effects.
By improving our understanding of how
these interferons function, researchers can
refine their use of interferon in treatments for
diseases from multiple sclerosis to cancer.
Dr Michael Gantier is interested in drugs that
inhibit small RNAs, called microRNA, and
their potential in the diagnosis and prognosis
of disease such as cancer. He received a
$419,291 grant to define the non-specific
effects of such drugs and investigate new
avenues for their delivery.
Professor Euan Wallace received $419,734
for translational research that seeks to
develop the first new therapy for preeclampsia
in more than 50 years.
In addition, MIMR scientists Dr Ashley Mansell
and Professor Paul Hertzog were awarded
project grants in collaboration with other
institutions.
SCIENCE
Students expressed a genuine interest
in pursuing careers in biological
science and appreciated the hard work
supervisors took to provide an insight
into medical research careers.
STUDENTS
Identifying DNA from a
saliva swab, observing
sheep surgery and
handling spiny mice
were among the
highlights for nine work
experience students
at MIMR this year.
Mrs
Ms
Dr
Prof
ISSUE 60
Dr Cumming said that most of the funding for
the Institute’s research comes from the tax
payer and it was important to engage with the
community, educate young Australians about
the significant work done at the Institute, and
inspire future medical scientists.
INSIDE
According to MIMR Education Manager
Dr Susan Cumming, the students were
pleased with the number of hands-on
practical activities planned and they
found the staff “very friendly and fun to
be around.”
02 Director’s Message
student wins
02 MIMR
prestigious travel grant
“In addition they appreciated the
explanations particularly on stem
cells, as well as the importance of
sleep for infants and children.”
fund career
04 Staff
growth opportunities
Work experience students gown up for sheep surgery
First NameSurname
for young scientists
funding
05 NHMRC
success
lab work
06 Hands-on
inspires science
students
Address
SuburbPostcode
E-mail
Telephone I wish to make a donation of $
with
Visa
Mastercard
Amex
Associate Professor Terrance Johns
Diners
Cheque (made payable to Monash University)
Donations over $2 are tax-deductible
OR I wish to make a regular gift of $
to be charged to my credit card
Monthly
Annually
OR I would like my gift to remain anonymous
In publications or honour rolls, I wish my/our name to read as
Card Number
Expiry date
Card holder name
/
Signature
For office use: 2013XMAS
To make a donation online please visit:
https://community.monash.edu/givetomimr
Or to make a donation over the phone please call:
(03) 9903 1608
Please send donations to:
External Relations, Development & Alumni. Monash University.
PO Box 197, Caulfield East, Victoria 3145, Australia
Or fax this donation coupon to:
(03) 9903 4885
Telephone (general enquiries): 1800 424 055
ABN: 12 377 614 012
Email: info@monashinstitute.org
PO Box 5418
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
CRICOS Provider: Monash University 00008C
PIONEERING DRUG
TREATMENT FOR
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
DEVELOPED AT MIMR
MIMR SCIENTISTS HAVE
DEVELOPED A NEW
TREATMENT FOR ECTOPIC
PREGNANCY THAT MAY
REDUCE THE NEED FOR
SURGERY AND IMPROVE A
WOMAN’S CHANCE FOR A
HEALTHY PREGNANCY IN
THE FUTURE.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an
embryo implants in the fallopian tube
instead of the uterus. Affecting one to two
per cent of all pregnancies, the condition
is a potential medical emergency, and
when not treated properly, can lead to
fatal internal bleeding.
Research led by MIMR’s Associate
Professor Terrance Johns, Melbourne
University’s Associate Professor
Stephen Tong and Dr Andrew Horne
from Edinburgh University, found
that a new combination of drugs
significantly improved the treatment
of ectopic pregnancy.
Most ectopic pregnancies currently
require surgery to remove the embryo
and fallopian tube. However some smaller
ectopic pregnancies can be treated with
a drug called methotrexate which hinders
the development of rapidly-dividing
embryonic cells and effectively ends
the pregnancy.
Since the placenta relies heavily on
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
signalling to survive, the researchers
reasoned that gefitinib, a lung cancer
drug that blocks EGFR signalling, could
help interrupt placental growth.
In initial laboratory experiments at MIMR,
A/Profs Johns and Tong found that
the combination of methotrexate and
gefitinib could provide a fast and effective
treatment for ectopic pregnancy.
They followed up with a world-first
clinical trial of 12 women suffering
ectopic pregnancies, conducted at
Monash Health and Edinburgh University.
CONTACT US:
Monash Institute of Medical Research
NOVEMBER 2013
The program is very popular with secondary
school students, with demand for places far
exceeding available places. Priority is given to
students who show an interest and aptitude
in maths and biology.
DONATION COUPON: I WANT TO FURTHER THE RESEARCH AT MIMR
Mr
06
!
HANDS-ON
LAB WORK
NHMRC FUNDING SUCCESS
The Year 10 and 11 students from
Victoria and interstate participated in the
week-long programs run in June and
September. The students visited MIMR’s
Centres and a number of its core facilities –
such as the neonatal intensive care
unit - allowing them to observe how the
research conducted in the lab directly
influences the treatment of patients.
NOVEMBER 2013
Continued on page 3
www.monashinstitute.org
02
PIONEERING DRUG TREATMENT FOR ECTOPIC PREGNANCY DEVELOPED AT MIMR
The drug combination cured ectopic
pregnancies 34 per cent faster and more
effectively than methotrexate alone.
This edition of Mi NEWS showcases the latest research
news and funding accomplishments at MIMR.
The scientists have found that a new
combination of drugs significantly improves
the treatment of ectopic pregnancy.
In recent clinical trials, the medicationbased treatment reduced the need
for surgery for women with an ectopic
pregnancy, preserving their fallopian
tubes for healthy pregnancy in the future.
I would like to congratulate MIMR
staff featured in this edition who have
received awards and grants, in particular,
recipients of fellowships and project grants
from the National Health and Medical
Research Council (NHMRC).These grants
are a reflection of the high standard
of research being pioneered across all
Centres of the Institute.
This year, the staff philanthropy campaign
provided 10 MIMR early career scientists
with grants to travel overseas to present
their work at conferences and visit research
laboratories in their field.
ISSUE 60
Continued from page 1
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
The work of Associate Professors Terrance
Johns and Stephen Tong was highlighted in
the media in September after their research
was published in the prestigious journal
Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
03
The research was published in a recent
issue of the prestigious journal Obstetrics
and Gynaecology.
“
THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY ON
SCHEDULE WITH DESIGN DRAWINGS
COMPLETED AND THE BUILDING SITE
BULLDOZED AND PREPARED FOR
CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN EARLY 2014
These professional development
opportunities are vital to the success
of a scientific career. I am very pleased
to see our staff supporting their
colleagues through this campaign.
Progress continues on the Monash
Health Translation Precinct (MHTP)
Translational Research Facility (TRF).
The project is currently on schedule
with design drawings completed
and the building site bulldozed and
prepared for construction to begin
in early 2014.
”
The planning team is also considering the
allocation of research groups and scientific
themes into different laboratory floors.
I hope you find the latest edition of
MI News informative. On behalf of all the
staff and students at the Institute, I would
like to thank you for your continued interest
and support and wish you a healthy and
happy festive season.
Dr Monika Skubisz, first author of the clinical
trial research paper, said the major potential
benefit of the medication-based treatment
was that the need for surgery to remove the
fallopian tube was reduced in a significant
number of cases. The salvaged tube may still
function and women could spontaneously
conceive future healthy pregnancies.
“
One of the women in our trial,
Elizabeth Cacencu, had endured a
previous ectopic pregnancy where
one of her fallopian tubes was
removed. This time the embryo
had implanted in her second
and only remaining fallopian tube
so it was vital for her to avoid
surgery in order to naturally
conceive again.
We successfully treated her and
she has since conceived and
delivered a healthy baby.
”
Dr Skubisz said.
“If verified, a significantly faster time to
cure with this new treatment may not only
be clinically beneficial, but could make
medical treatment of ectopic pregnancies
the preferred option economically instead
of surgery,” he said.
The treatment may have most significant
impact in developing countries where
surgery is often expensive and not
easily available.
MIMR Director Professor Bryan Williams
said the grants would not be possible
without the support of the MIMR
research community. “It’s very pleasing
to see staff supporting each other’s
careers in this way.”
Grants were awarded to Sarah Biggs, James
Aridas and Karinna Fyfe from The Ritchie
Centre; Hazel Tye, Niamh Mangan and Sam
Forster from the Centre for Innate Immunity
and Infectious Diseases; Vanessa Yeung and
Amanda Notini from the Centre for Genetic
Diseases; and Aaron Irving and Kieren Marini
from the Centre for Cancer Research.
“I was impressed with the large number
of quality applicants. Professional
development is vital to the success of a
scientific career and this type of funding is
often difficult to obtain,” Prof Williams said.
Postdoctoral fellow Aaron Irving
Postdoctoral fellow Hazel Tye travelled to Scotland in July to attend the Beaston International
Cancer Conference, to learn more about the latest trends and developments in cancer research.
TOP: Associate Professor StephenTong
Professor Bryan Williams
Institute Director
In its second year of operation, the
campaign has provided 10 MIMR Education
and Training Fund grants of $2,500 for
recipients to pursue education and training
opportunities. This offering is up from four
grants of $1,500 in 2012.
Postdoctoral fellow Aaron Irving is researching innate immunity signalling and cross-talk
with infectious diseases. He used the grant to visit various world-class facilities in Singapore,
Japan and the USA in October to increase his microscopy expertise with super-resolution
imaging on cutting-edge equipment. He also had the chance to present his research at the
Cytokines 2013 conference, a leading conference in the field of innate immunity, in San Francisco.
A/Profs Johns and Tong were supported
by funding from the MIMR Flagship grant
and the National Health and Medical
Research Council of Australia.
Her work aims to identify a gastric cancer biomarker to develop personalised treatment options
and significantly improve survival rates of the aggressive disease.
BOTTOM: Elizabeth Cacencu successfully conceived and delivered a healthy baby after participating
in a trial of the medication-based treatment for ectopic pregnancy
“As it was a relatively small conference, I was able to interact with other cancer biologists to
exchange ideas and gain valuable feedback on my research,” she said.
Postdoctoral fellow Hazel Tye
MIMR STUDENT
WINS PRESTIGIOUS
TRAVEL GRANT
Melatonin may be the key to
reducing newborn death and
disability caused by a lack
of oxygen during delivery,
according to MIMR doctoral
student James Aridas.
James believes the early administration of the
strong antioxidant to asphyxiated (oxygen
deprived) newborn babies can dramatically
improve long-term health outcomes and
significantly reduce health care costs.
He was awarded a highly competitive grant
to travel to China to discuss his research
findings with doctoral students from China
and Australia at the C9-Go8 HDR forum at
Shanghai Jiao Tong University in October.
The event, co-sponsored by the Group of
Eight (Go8) and the Consortium of China 9
Research Universities (C9), allows students
to exchange ideas across disciplines on
key global issues relating to sustainable
health futures.
James has undertaken an animal research
project with the help of Dr Suzie Miller and
the neuroprotection group at The Ritchie
Centre, to study the potential beneficial
effects of melatonin for the acutely
asphyxiated newborn.
The treatment was also very expensive and
often not available in low-resource countries.
“We know that an imbalance in the
production of oxygen species following
asphyxia leads to many of the cells within the
brain being damaged and dying in the days
after delivery. Melatonin has been shown
to help the body fight oxygen species and
prevent brain damage,” James explained.
Every year four million babies around the
world die within the first month of life,
more than a million of these deaths occur
before the baby is one day old. According
to the World Health Organization, birth
asphyxia accounts for more than 20 per
cent of these newborn deaths, the vast
majority in low-resource countries.
His research on newborn asphyxiated
lambs found that the administration of
melatonin soon after delivery improved
behavioural outcomes, reduced cell
death and oxidative stress in the brain.
James said the current treatment for
asphyxiated newborns - cooling them to
33.5°C to slow metabolism - was only
marginally effective. Fifty per cent of babies
still died or suffered permanent disability
such as cerebral palsy.
As part of the discussion on key global
issues at the forum in China, James told
fellow doctoral students that melatonin
was cheap, readily available, stable at room
temperature, safe and easily administered
by health workers in any birth setting.
“It has the potential to decrease the cost
of initial medical and lifetime care for a
worldwide population.”
04
STAFF FUND CAREER
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS
MIMR staff and students
are travelling to international
conferences, networking
with world-leading experts
in their field, and developing
long-term research
collaborations, with funds
raised from the Institute’s
staff philanthropy campaign.
A/Prof Tong, whose initial investigation
into gefitinib while working at MIMR
inspired the research, said the team
had begun an expanded clinical trial to
validate the results more broadly.
NOVEMBER 2013
In September, postdoctoral fellow Sarah Biggs attended the World Association of Sleep Medicine
Congress in Spain. She was invited to speak in a symposium with international experts in sleep
medicine to share her findings from two world-first, long-term studies of the cardiovascular,
neurocognitive and behavioural implications of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children.
Dr Biggs said the presentation generated significant interest from sleep medicine experts which
she hopes will lead to future research collaborations.
Postdoctoral fellow Sarah Biggs
Her other main research interest is the examination of mechanistic pathways linking sleep disorders
with poor daytime outcomes in children, using electroencephalogram (EEG) and novel analysis
techniques to detect changes in brain waves during sleep.
PhD student Vanessa Yeung used the grant to attend her first international conference, the Stem Cell Biology conference in
New York in late September, followed by the conference, Mitochondrial Diseases: Translating Biology into New Treatments at
the University of Cambridge, UK in early October.
Ms Yeung is investigating the role of mitrochondrial DNA in multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, and glioblastoma multiforme,
a type of solid brain cancer. She has developed a new method to identify previously unreported mitochondrial DNA variants.
Her long-term goal is to develop a clinical tool to screen patients with these cancers to predict the stage of the disease.
“Attending the conferences provided me with insight into translational research and the future of therapies for the treatment of
rare mitochondrial diseases and an opportunity to network with some of the leading scientists in the stem cell field,” she said.
“I am grateful to MIMR for providing me with the opportunity to attend both these world-renowned conferences. It certainly has
provided me with a head start as an early career scientist.”
02
PIONEERING DRUG TREATMENT FOR ECTOPIC PREGNANCY DEVELOPED AT MIMR
The drug combination cured ectopic
pregnancies 34 per cent faster and more
effectively than methotrexate alone.
This edition of Mi NEWS showcases the latest research
news and funding accomplishments at MIMR.
The scientists have found that a new
combination of drugs significantly improves
the treatment of ectopic pregnancy.
In recent clinical trials, the medicationbased treatment reduced the need
for surgery for women with an ectopic
pregnancy, preserving their fallopian
tubes for healthy pregnancy in the future.
I would like to congratulate MIMR
staff featured in this edition who have
received awards and grants, in particular,
recipients of fellowships and project grants
from the National Health and Medical
Research Council (NHMRC).These grants
are a reflection of the high standard
of research being pioneered across all
Centres of the Institute.
This year, the staff philanthropy campaign
provided 10 MIMR early career scientists
with grants to travel overseas to present
their work at conferences and visit research
laboratories in their field.
ISSUE 60
Continued from page 1
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
The work of Associate Professors Terrance
Johns and Stephen Tong was highlighted in
the media in September after their research
was published in the prestigious journal
Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
03
The research was published in a recent
issue of the prestigious journal Obstetrics
and Gynaecology.
“
THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY ON
SCHEDULE WITH DESIGN DRAWINGS
COMPLETED AND THE BUILDING SITE
BULLDOZED AND PREPARED FOR
CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN EARLY 2014
These professional development
opportunities are vital to the success
of a scientific career. I am very pleased
to see our staff supporting their
colleagues through this campaign.
Progress continues on the Monash
Health Translation Precinct (MHTP)
Translational Research Facility (TRF).
The project is currently on schedule
with design drawings completed
and the building site bulldozed and
prepared for construction to begin
in early 2014.
”
The planning team is also considering the
allocation of research groups and scientific
themes into different laboratory floors.
I hope you find the latest edition of
MI News informative. On behalf of all the
staff and students at the Institute, I would
like to thank you for your continued interest
and support and wish you a healthy and
happy festive season.
Dr Monika Skubisz, first author of the clinical
trial research paper, said the major potential
benefit of the medication-based treatment
was that the need for surgery to remove the
fallopian tube was reduced in a significant
number of cases. The salvaged tube may still
function and women could spontaneously
conceive future healthy pregnancies.
“
One of the women in our trial,
Elizabeth Cacencu, had endured a
previous ectopic pregnancy where
one of her fallopian tubes was
removed. This time the embryo
had implanted in her second
and only remaining fallopian tube
so it was vital for her to avoid
surgery in order to naturally
conceive again.
We successfully treated her and
she has since conceived and
delivered a healthy baby.
”
Dr Skubisz said.
“If verified, a significantly faster time to
cure with this new treatment may not only
be clinically beneficial, but could make
medical treatment of ectopic pregnancies
the preferred option economically instead
of surgery,” he said.
The treatment may have most significant
impact in developing countries where
surgery is often expensive and not
easily available.
MIMR Director Professor Bryan Williams
said the grants would not be possible
without the support of the MIMR
research community. “It’s very pleasing
to see staff supporting each other’s
careers in this way.”
Grants were awarded to Sarah Biggs, James
Aridas and Karinna Fyfe from The Ritchie
Centre; Hazel Tye, Niamh Mangan and Sam
Forster from the Centre for Innate Immunity
and Infectious Diseases; Vanessa Yeung and
Amanda Notini from the Centre for Genetic
Diseases; and Aaron Irving and Kieren Marini
from the Centre for Cancer Research.
“I was impressed with the large number
of quality applicants. Professional
development is vital to the success of a
scientific career and this type of funding is
often difficult to obtain,” Prof Williams said.
Postdoctoral fellow Aaron Irving
Postdoctoral fellow Hazel Tye travelled to Scotland in July to attend the Beaston International
Cancer Conference, to learn more about the latest trends and developments in cancer research.
TOP: Associate Professor StephenTong
Professor Bryan Williams
Institute Director
In its second year of operation, the
campaign has provided 10 MIMR Education
and Training Fund grants of $2,500 for
recipients to pursue education and training
opportunities. This offering is up from four
grants of $1,500 in 2012.
Postdoctoral fellow Aaron Irving is researching innate immunity signalling and cross-talk
with infectious diseases. He used the grant to visit various world-class facilities in Singapore,
Japan and the USA in October to increase his microscopy expertise with super-resolution
imaging on cutting-edge equipment. He also had the chance to present his research at the
Cytokines 2013 conference, a leading conference in the field of innate immunity, in San Francisco.
A/Profs Johns and Tong were supported
by funding from the MIMR Flagship grant
and the National Health and Medical
Research Council of Australia.
Her work aims to identify a gastric cancer biomarker to develop personalised treatment options
and significantly improve survival rates of the aggressive disease.
BOTTOM: Elizabeth Cacencu successfully conceived and delivered a healthy baby after participating
in a trial of the medication-based treatment for ectopic pregnancy
“As it was a relatively small conference, I was able to interact with other cancer biologists to
exchange ideas and gain valuable feedback on my research,” she said.
Postdoctoral fellow Hazel Tye
MIMR STUDENT
WINS PRESTIGIOUS
TRAVEL GRANT
Melatonin may be the key to
reducing newborn death and
disability caused by a lack
of oxygen during delivery,
according to MIMR doctoral
student James Aridas.
James believes the early administration of the
strong antioxidant to asphyxiated (oxygen
deprived) newborn babies can dramatically
improve long-term health outcomes and
significantly reduce health care costs.
He was awarded a highly competitive grant
to travel to China to discuss his research
findings with doctoral students from China
and Australia at the C9-Go8 HDR forum at
Shanghai Jiao Tong University in October.
The event, co-sponsored by the Group of
Eight (Go8) and the Consortium of China 9
Research Universities (C9), allows students
to exchange ideas across disciplines on
key global issues relating to sustainable
health futures.
James has undertaken an animal research
project with the help of Dr Suzie Miller and
the neuroprotection group at The Ritchie
Centre, to study the potential beneficial
effects of melatonin for the acutely
asphyxiated newborn.
The treatment was also very expensive and
often not available in low-resource countries.
“We know that an imbalance in the
production of oxygen species following
asphyxia leads to many of the cells within the
brain being damaged and dying in the days
after delivery. Melatonin has been shown
to help the body fight oxygen species and
prevent brain damage,” James explained.
Every year four million babies around the
world die within the first month of life,
more than a million of these deaths occur
before the baby is one day old. According
to the World Health Organization, birth
asphyxia accounts for more than 20 per
cent of these newborn deaths, the vast
majority in low-resource countries.
His research on newborn asphyxiated
lambs found that the administration of
melatonin soon after delivery improved
behavioural outcomes, reduced cell
death and oxidative stress in the brain.
James said the current treatment for
asphyxiated newborns - cooling them to
33.5°C to slow metabolism - was only
marginally effective. Fifty per cent of babies
still died or suffered permanent disability
such as cerebral palsy.
As part of the discussion on key global
issues at the forum in China, James told
fellow doctoral students that melatonin
was cheap, readily available, stable at room
temperature, safe and easily administered
by health workers in any birth setting.
“It has the potential to decrease the cost
of initial medical and lifetime care for a
worldwide population.”
04
STAFF FUND CAREER
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS
MIMR staff and students
are travelling to international
conferences, networking
with world-leading experts
in their field, and developing
long-term research
collaborations, with funds
raised from the Institute’s
staff philanthropy campaign.
A/Prof Tong, whose initial investigation
into gefitinib while working at MIMR
inspired the research, said the team
had begun an expanded clinical trial to
validate the results more broadly.
NOVEMBER 2013
In September, postdoctoral fellow Sarah Biggs attended the World Association of Sleep Medicine
Congress in Spain. She was invited to speak in a symposium with international experts in sleep
medicine to share her findings from two world-first, long-term studies of the cardiovascular,
neurocognitive and behavioural implications of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children.
Dr Biggs said the presentation generated significant interest from sleep medicine experts which
she hopes will lead to future research collaborations.
Postdoctoral fellow Sarah Biggs
Her other main research interest is the examination of mechanistic pathways linking sleep disorders
with poor daytime outcomes in children, using electroencephalogram (EEG) and novel analysis
techniques to detect changes in brain waves during sleep.
PhD student Vanessa Yeung used the grant to attend her first international conference, the Stem Cell Biology conference in
New York in late September, followed by the conference, Mitochondrial Diseases: Translating Biology into New Treatments at
the University of Cambridge, UK in early October.
Ms Yeung is investigating the role of mitrochondrial DNA in multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, and glioblastoma multiforme,
a type of solid brain cancer. She has developed a new method to identify previously unreported mitochondrial DNA variants.
Her long-term goal is to develop a clinical tool to screen patients with these cancers to predict the stage of the disease.
“Attending the conferences provided me with insight into translational research and the future of therapies for the treatment of
rare mitochondrial diseases and an opportunity to network with some of the leading scientists in the stem cell field,” she said.
“I am grateful to MIMR for providing me with the opportunity to attend both these world-renowned conferences. It certainly has
provided me with a head start as an early career scientist.”
02
PIONEERING DRUG TREATMENT FOR ECTOPIC PREGNANCY DEVELOPED AT MIMR
The drug combination cured ectopic
pregnancies 34 per cent faster and more
effectively than methotrexate alone.
This edition of Mi NEWS showcases the latest research
news and funding accomplishments at MIMR.
The scientists have found that a new
combination of drugs significantly improves
the treatment of ectopic pregnancy.
In recent clinical trials, the medicationbased treatment reduced the need
for surgery for women with an ectopic
pregnancy, preserving their fallopian
tubes for healthy pregnancy in the future.
I would like to congratulate MIMR
staff featured in this edition who have
received awards and grants, in particular,
recipients of fellowships and project grants
from the National Health and Medical
Research Council (NHMRC).These grants
are a reflection of the high standard
of research being pioneered across all
Centres of the Institute.
This year, the staff philanthropy campaign
provided 10 MIMR early career scientists
with grants to travel overseas to present
their work at conferences and visit research
laboratories in their field.
ISSUE 60
Continued from page 1
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
The work of Associate Professors Terrance
Johns and Stephen Tong was highlighted in
the media in September after their research
was published in the prestigious journal
Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
03
The research was published in a recent
issue of the prestigious journal Obstetrics
and Gynaecology.
“
THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY ON
SCHEDULE WITH DESIGN DRAWINGS
COMPLETED AND THE BUILDING SITE
BULLDOZED AND PREPARED FOR
CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN EARLY 2014
These professional development
opportunities are vital to the success
of a scientific career. I am very pleased
to see our staff supporting their
colleagues through this campaign.
Progress continues on the Monash
Health Translation Precinct (MHTP)
Translational Research Facility (TRF).
The project is currently on schedule
with design drawings completed
and the building site bulldozed and
prepared for construction to begin
in early 2014.
”
The planning team is also considering the
allocation of research groups and scientific
themes into different laboratory floors.
I hope you find the latest edition of
MI News informative. On behalf of all the
staff and students at the Institute, I would
like to thank you for your continued interest
and support and wish you a healthy and
happy festive season.
Dr Monika Skubisz, first author of the clinical
trial research paper, said the major potential
benefit of the medication-based treatment
was that the need for surgery to remove the
fallopian tube was reduced in a significant
number of cases. The salvaged tube may still
function and women could spontaneously
conceive future healthy pregnancies.
“
One of the women in our trial,
Elizabeth Cacencu, had endured a
previous ectopic pregnancy where
one of her fallopian tubes was
removed. This time the embryo
had implanted in her second
and only remaining fallopian tube
so it was vital for her to avoid
surgery in order to naturally
conceive again.
We successfully treated her and
she has since conceived and
delivered a healthy baby.
”
Dr Skubisz said.
“If verified, a significantly faster time to
cure with this new treatment may not only
be clinically beneficial, but could make
medical treatment of ectopic pregnancies
the preferred option economically instead
of surgery,” he said.
The treatment may have most significant
impact in developing countries where
surgery is often expensive and not
easily available.
MIMR Director Professor Bryan Williams
said the grants would not be possible
without the support of the MIMR
research community. “It’s very pleasing
to see staff supporting each other’s
careers in this way.”
Grants were awarded to Sarah Biggs, James
Aridas and Karinna Fyfe from The Ritchie
Centre; Hazel Tye, Niamh Mangan and Sam
Forster from the Centre for Innate Immunity
and Infectious Diseases; Vanessa Yeung and
Amanda Notini from the Centre for Genetic
Diseases; and Aaron Irving and Kieren Marini
from the Centre for Cancer Research.
“I was impressed with the large number
of quality applicants. Professional
development is vital to the success of a
scientific career and this type of funding is
often difficult to obtain,” Prof Williams said.
Postdoctoral fellow Aaron Irving
Postdoctoral fellow Hazel Tye travelled to Scotland in July to attend the Beaston International
Cancer Conference, to learn more about the latest trends and developments in cancer research.
TOP: Associate Professor StephenTong
Professor Bryan Williams
Institute Director
In its second year of operation, the
campaign has provided 10 MIMR Education
and Training Fund grants of $2,500 for
recipients to pursue education and training
opportunities. This offering is up from four
grants of $1,500 in 2012.
Postdoctoral fellow Aaron Irving is researching innate immunity signalling and cross-talk
with infectious diseases. He used the grant to visit various world-class facilities in Singapore,
Japan and the USA in October to increase his microscopy expertise with super-resolution
imaging on cutting-edge equipment. He also had the chance to present his research at the
Cytokines 2013 conference, a leading conference in the field of innate immunity, in San Francisco.
A/Profs Johns and Tong were supported
by funding from the MIMR Flagship grant
and the National Health and Medical
Research Council of Australia.
Her work aims to identify a gastric cancer biomarker to develop personalised treatment options
and significantly improve survival rates of the aggressive disease.
BOTTOM: Elizabeth Cacencu successfully conceived and delivered a healthy baby after participating
in a trial of the medication-based treatment for ectopic pregnancy
“As it was a relatively small conference, I was able to interact with other cancer biologists to
exchange ideas and gain valuable feedback on my research,” she said.
Postdoctoral fellow Hazel Tye
MIMR STUDENT
WINS PRESTIGIOUS
TRAVEL GRANT
Melatonin may be the key to
reducing newborn death and
disability caused by a lack
of oxygen during delivery,
according to MIMR doctoral
student James Aridas.
James believes the early administration of the
strong antioxidant to asphyxiated (oxygen
deprived) newborn babies can dramatically
improve long-term health outcomes and
significantly reduce health care costs.
He was awarded a highly competitive grant
to travel to China to discuss his research
findings with doctoral students from China
and Australia at the C9-Go8 HDR forum at
Shanghai Jiao Tong University in October.
The event, co-sponsored by the Group of
Eight (Go8) and the Consortium of China 9
Research Universities (C9), allows students
to exchange ideas across disciplines on
key global issues relating to sustainable
health futures.
James has undertaken an animal research
project with the help of Dr Suzie Miller and
the neuroprotection group at The Ritchie
Centre, to study the potential beneficial
effects of melatonin for the acutely
asphyxiated newborn.
The treatment was also very expensive and
often not available in low-resource countries.
“We know that an imbalance in the
production of oxygen species following
asphyxia leads to many of the cells within the
brain being damaged and dying in the days
after delivery. Melatonin has been shown
to help the body fight oxygen species and
prevent brain damage,” James explained.
Every year four million babies around the
world die within the first month of life,
more than a million of these deaths occur
before the baby is one day old. According
to the World Health Organization, birth
asphyxia accounts for more than 20 per
cent of these newborn deaths, the vast
majority in low-resource countries.
His research on newborn asphyxiated
lambs found that the administration of
melatonin soon after delivery improved
behavioural outcomes, reduced cell
death and oxidative stress in the brain.
James said the current treatment for
asphyxiated newborns - cooling them to
33.5°C to slow metabolism - was only
marginally effective. Fifty per cent of babies
still died or suffered permanent disability
such as cerebral palsy.
As part of the discussion on key global
issues at the forum in China, James told
fellow doctoral students that melatonin
was cheap, readily available, stable at room
temperature, safe and easily administered
by health workers in any birth setting.
“It has the potential to decrease the cost
of initial medical and lifetime care for a
worldwide population.”
04
STAFF FUND CAREER
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS
MIMR staff and students
are travelling to international
conferences, networking
with world-leading experts
in their field, and developing
long-term research
collaborations, with funds
raised from the Institute’s
staff philanthropy campaign.
A/Prof Tong, whose initial investigation
into gefitinib while working at MIMR
inspired the research, said the team
had begun an expanded clinical trial to
validate the results more broadly.
NOVEMBER 2013
In September, postdoctoral fellow Sarah Biggs attended the World Association of Sleep Medicine
Congress in Spain. She was invited to speak in a symposium with international experts in sleep
medicine to share her findings from two world-first, long-term studies of the cardiovascular,
neurocognitive and behavioural implications of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children.
Dr Biggs said the presentation generated significant interest from sleep medicine experts which
she hopes will lead to future research collaborations.
Postdoctoral fellow Sarah Biggs
Her other main research interest is the examination of mechanistic pathways linking sleep disorders
with poor daytime outcomes in children, using electroencephalogram (EEG) and novel analysis
techniques to detect changes in brain waves during sleep.
PhD student Vanessa Yeung used the grant to attend her first international conference, the Stem Cell Biology conference in
New York in late September, followed by the conference, Mitochondrial Diseases: Translating Biology into New Treatments at
the University of Cambridge, UK in early October.
Ms Yeung is investigating the role of mitrochondrial DNA in multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, and glioblastoma multiforme,
a type of solid brain cancer. She has developed a new method to identify previously unreported mitochondrial DNA variants.
Her long-term goal is to develop a clinical tool to screen patients with these cancers to predict the stage of the disease.
“Attending the conferences provided me with insight into translational research and the future of therapies for the treatment of
rare mitochondrial diseases and an opportunity to network with some of the leading scientists in the stem cell field,” she said.
“I am grateful to MIMR for providing me with the opportunity to attend both these world-renowned conferences. It certainly has
provided me with a head start as an early career scientist.”
05
ISSUE 60
MIMR has received almost
$9 million funding in National
Health and Medical Research
Council (NHMRC) grants
announced in October. More
than $2.5 million was awarded
in fellowship funding while
project grants attracted more
than $6 million funding.
MIMR Director Professor Bryan Williams
said the large number of grants across all
Centres demonstrated the high calibre of
the Institute’s research and was a credit to
all research teams.
This year Professor Stuart Hooper and
Professor Brendan Jenkins were both awarded
research fellowships as well as project grants.
Prof Hooper’s research focuses on the
transition that newborn babies make from
the fluid-filled environment of the mother’s
womb to an air-filled environment after birth.
He has been awarded a five-year Professorial
Research Fellowship to investigate the
physiological challenges of transitioning
from fetal to newborn life, with the aim of
reducing the risk of death in newborns.
Prof Hooper is also chief investigator of a
$597,562 project grant to investigate the
factors that affect blood flow through the
lungs at birth.
Prof Jenkins was awarded a five-year
Senior Research Fellowship for research to
identify the specific genes of the immune
system that trigger the chronic inflammatory
responses that can lead to cancer.
He is also the chief investigator of a $606,226
project grant that aims for the first time to
define an alternative IL-6 signalling pathway,
termed ‘trans signalling’, in the molecular
pathogenesis of lung cancer.
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
In other funding news, Dr Hayley
Dickinson and Dr Daniel Gough were
awarded highly competitive Career
Development Fellowships which will
fund their salary for four years.
Dr Dickinson is interested in how care of
the unborn baby can optimise life-long
health, and has developed research tools to
improve our understanding of the processes
that underlie pregnancy. Her aim is to save
babies’ lives and reduce the long-term
health, emotional and economic burdens
of major perinatal conditions.
Dr Gough is investigating the protein
transcription 3 (STAT3) and its role in
tumour growth.
INSPIRES
Professor Stuart Hooper Professor Brendan Jenkins
Dr Hayley Dickinson
Dr Nicole de Weerd
He recently discovered that STAT3 controls
the altered metabolic state required for cancer
progression, both by control gene expression
and by entering the mitochondria. Dr Gough
aims to define the mechanism of STAT3
mitochondrial activity and then translate
these findings into animal models of cancer.
MORE PROJECT GRANTS
Professor Neil Watkins received an extension
to his NHMRC Fellowship. And Dr Miranda
Davies-Tuck was awarded an Early Career
Fellowship to investigate ethnic inequalities
in birth outcomes in Australia and identify
mechanisms underlying these inequalities.
Dr Graeme Polglase was awarded $626,226
to investigate procedures that help stabilise
circulation in newborns and protect them
from large swings in cardiac output and blood
flow that can lead to vascular-related injury.
NEW INVESTIGATOR GRANTS
Prof Williams was pleased to see
MIMR scientists Dr Claire McCoy and
Dr Nicole de Weerd awarded new
investigator grants. He said it was a great
achievement for early career researchers
to receive major competitive funding for
the first time and be recognised for their
valuable contribution to medical science.
Prof Williams received $737,110 to study
the mechanisms underlying the actions
of transcription factor ATF3 in bladder
and colorectal cancer, and test whether
therapeutically activating ATF3 can inhibit
cancer progression.
Associate Professor Mark Hedger received
$592,562 for his research into male
reproductive disease including malformations
of the male reproductive organs, infections and
chronic inflammation of the genitourinary tract.
Professor David Walker was awarded
$588,568 to investigate how cell migration
results in the development of the fetal
brain and how a lack of oxygen supply
and maternal alcohol consumption during
pregnancy affect this important process.
Dr McCoy is investigating the influence of
the small RNA molecule, miR-155, on the
innate immune system, and its contribution
to inflammatory disorders such as multiple
sclerosis, arthritis, inflammatory bowel
diseases and many cancers.
Professor Rosemary Horne conducts
research into the associations between
severe sleep disordered breathing (SDB)
and neurocognitive and behavioural deficits.
She received $537,670 to investigate the
mechanisms that underpin these deficits.
Research at MIMR has identified a
mechanism that can switch off miR-155
expression through the anti-inflammatory
cytokine, IL-10. The aim of the $337,111 new
investigator grant is to further understand the
molecular mechanism of this inhibition.
Dr Ashley Mansell received $494,757
to characterise a novel regulator of
anti-viral immune responses. Understanding
the regulation of infection models may
provide the means of manipulating immune
responses to control infections and provide
better health outcomes.
Dr de Weerd received the $342,111 grant
for her project to characterise for the first
time how interferon beta (IFNβ) proteins bind
to cells and activate an immune response.
Despite being useful for the treatment of a
number of diseases, in certain circumstances
IFNβ can also have toxic side effects, such
as those seen in sepsis. Recent research at
MIMR found that when IFNβ binds to a cell, it
transmits an unusual signal that seems linked
to some of these toxic side effects.
By improving our understanding of how
these interferons function, researchers can
refine their use of interferon in treatments for
diseases from multiple sclerosis to cancer.
Dr Michael Gantier is interested in drugs that
inhibit small RNAs, called microRNA, and
their potential in the diagnosis and prognosis
of disease such as cancer. He received a
$419,291 grant to define the non-specific
effects of such drugs and investigate new
avenues for their delivery.
Professor Euan Wallace received $419,734
for translational research that seeks to
develop the first new therapy for preeclampsia
in more than 50 years.
In addition, MIMR scientists Dr Ashley Mansell
and Professor Paul Hertzog were awarded
project grants in collaboration with other
institutions.
SCIENCE
Students expressed a genuine interest
in pursuing careers in biological
science and appreciated the hard work
supervisors took to provide an insight
into medical research careers.
STUDENTS
Identifying DNA from a
saliva swab, observing
sheep surgery and
handling spiny mice
were among the
highlights for nine work
experience students
at MIMR this year.
Mrs
Ms
Dr
Prof
ISSUE 60
Dr Cumming said that most of the funding for
the Institute’s research comes from the tax
payer and it was important to engage with the
community, educate young Australians about
the significant work done at the Institute, and
inspire future medical scientists.
INSIDE
According to MIMR Education Manager
Dr Susan Cumming, the students were
pleased with the number of hands-on
practical activities planned and they
found the staff “very friendly and fun to
be around.”
02 Director’s Message
student wins
02 MIMR
prestigious travel grant
“In addition they appreciated the
explanations particularly on stem
cells, as well as the importance of
sleep for infants and children.”
fund career
04 Staff
growth opportunities
Work experience students gown up for sheep surgery
First NameSurname
for young scientists
funding
05 NHMRC
success
lab work
06 Hands-on
inspires science
students
Address
SuburbPostcode
E-mail
Telephone I wish to make a donation of $
with
Visa
Mastercard
Amex
Associate Professor Terrance Johns
Diners
Cheque (made payable to Monash University)
Donations over $2 are tax-deductible
OR I wish to make a regular gift of $
to be charged to my credit card
Monthly
Annually
OR I would like my gift to remain anonymous
In publications or honour rolls, I wish my/our name to read as
Card Number
Expiry date
Card holder name
/
Signature
For office use: 2013XMAS
To make a donation online please visit:
https://community.monash.edu/givetomimr
Or to make a donation over the phone please call:
(03) 9903 1608
Please send donations to:
External Relations, Development & Alumni. Monash University.
PO Box 197, Caulfield East, Victoria 3145, Australia
Or fax this donation coupon to:
(03) 9903 4885
Telephone (general enquiries): 1800 424 055
ABN: 12 377 614 012
Email: info@monashinstitute.org
27-31 Wright Street
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
CRICOS Provider: Monash University 00008C
PIONEERING DRUG
TREATMENT FOR
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
DEVELOPED AT MIMR
MIMR SCIENTISTS HAVE
DEVELOPED A NEW
TREATMENT FOR ECTOPIC
PREGNANCY THAT MAY
REDUCE THE NEED FOR
SURGERY AND IMPROVE A
WOMAN’S CHANCE FOR A
HEALTHY PREGNANCY IN
THE FUTURE.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an
embryo implants in the fallopian tube
instead of the uterus. Affecting one to two
per cent of all pregnancies, the condition
is a potential medical emergency, and
when not treated properly, can lead to
fatal internal bleeding.
Research led by MIMR’s Associate
Professor Terrance Johns, Melbourne
University’s Associate Professor
Stephen Tong and Dr Andrew Horne
from Edinburgh University, found
that a new combination of drugs
significantly improved the treatment
of ectopic pregnancy.
Most ectopic pregnancies currently
require surgery to remove the embryo
and fallopian tube. However some smaller
ectopic pregnancies can be treated with
a drug called methotrexate which hinders
the development of rapidly-dividing
embryonic cells and effectively ends
the pregnancy.
Since the placenta relies heavily on
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
signalling to survive, the researchers
reasoned that gefitinib, a lung cancer
drug that blocks EGFR signalling, could
help interrupt placental growth.
In initial laboratory experiments at MIMR,
A/Profs Johns and Tong found that
the combination of methotrexate and
gefitinib could provide a fast and effective
treatment for ectopic pregnancy.
They followed up with a world-first
clinical trial of 12 women suffering
ectopic pregnancies, conducted at
Monash Health and Edinburgh University.
CONTACT US:
Monash Institute of Medical Research
NOVEMBER 2013
The program is very popular with secondary
school students, with demand for places far
exceeding available places. Priority is given to
students who show an interest and aptitude
in maths and biology.
DONATION COUPON: I WANT TO FURTHER THE RESEARCH AT MIMR
Mr
06
!
HANDS-ON
LAB WORK
NHMRC FUNDING SUCCESS
The Year 10 and 11 students from
Victoria and interstate participated in the
week-long programs run in June and
September. The students visited MIMR’s
Centres and a number of its core facilities –
such as the neonatal intensive care
unit - allowing them to observe how the
research conducted in the lab directly
influences the treatment of patients.
NOVEMBER 2013
Continued on page 3
www.monashinstitute.org
05
ISSUE 60
MIMR has received almost
$9 million funding in National
Health and Medical Research
Council (NHMRC) grants
announced in October. More
than $2.5 million was awarded
in fellowship funding while
project grants attracted more
than $6 million funding.
MIMR Director Professor Bryan Williams
said the large number of grants across all
Centres demonstrated the high calibre of
the Institute’s research and was a credit to
all research teams.
This year Professor Stuart Hooper and
Professor Brendan Jenkins were both awarded
research fellowships as well as project grants.
Prof Hooper’s research focuses on the
transition that newborn babies make from
the fluid-filled environment of the mother’s
womb to an air-filled environment after birth.
He has been awarded a five-year Professorial
Research Fellowship to investigate the
physiological challenges of transitioning
from fetal to newborn life, with the aim of
reducing the risk of death in newborns.
Prof Hooper is also chief investigator of a
$597,562 project grant to investigate the
factors that affect blood flow through the
lungs at birth.
Prof Jenkins was awarded a five-year
Senior Research Fellowship for research to
identify the specific genes of the immune
system that trigger the chronic inflammatory
responses that can lead to cancer.
He is also the chief investigator of a $606,226
project grant that aims for the first time to
define an alternative IL-6 signalling pathway,
termed ‘trans signalling’, in the molecular
pathogenesis of lung cancer.
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
In other funding news, Dr Hayley
Dickinson and Dr Daniel Gough were
awarded highly competitive Career
Development Fellowships which will
fund their salary for four years.
Dr Dickinson is interested in how care of
the unborn baby can optimise life-long
health, and has developed research tools to
improve our understanding of the processes
that underlie pregnancy. Her aim is to save
babies’ lives and reduce the long-term
health, emotional and economic burdens
of major perinatal conditions.
Dr Gough is investigating the protein
transcription 3 (STAT3) and its role in
tumour growth.
INSPIRES
Professor Stuart Hooper Professor Brendan Jenkins
Dr Hayley Dickinson
Dr Nicole de Weerd
He recently discovered that STAT3 controls
the altered metabolic state required for cancer
progression, both by control gene expression
and by entering the mitochondria. Dr Gough
aims to define the mechanism of STAT3
mitochondrial activity and then translate
these findings into animal models of cancer.
MORE PROJECT GRANTS
Professor Neil Watkins received an extension
to his NHMRC Fellowship. And Dr Miranda
Davies-Tuck was awarded an Early Career
Fellowship to investigate ethnic inequalities
in birth outcomes in Australia and identify
mechanisms underlying these inequalities.
Dr Graeme Polglase was awarded $626,226
to investigate procedures that help stabilise
circulation in newborns and protect them
from large swings in cardiac output and blood
flow that can lead to vascular-related injury.
NEW INVESTIGATOR GRANTS
Prof Williams was pleased to see
MIMR scientists Dr Claire McCoy and
Dr Nicole de Weerd awarded new
investigator grants. He said it was a great
achievement for early career researchers
to receive major competitive funding for
the first time and be recognised for their
valuable contribution to medical science.
Prof Williams received $737,110 to study
the mechanisms underlying the actions
of transcription factor ATF3 in bladder
and colorectal cancer, and test whether
therapeutically activating ATF3 can inhibit
cancer progression.
Associate Professor Mark Hedger received
$592,562 for his research into male
reproductive disease including malformations
of the male reproductive organs, infections and
chronic inflammation of the genitourinary tract.
Professor David Walker was awarded
$588,568 to investigate how cell migration
results in the development of the fetal
brain and how a lack of oxygen supply
and maternal alcohol consumption during
pregnancy affect this important process.
Dr McCoy is investigating the influence of
the small RNA molecule, miR-155, on the
innate immune system, and its contribution
to inflammatory disorders such as multiple
sclerosis, arthritis, inflammatory bowel
diseases and many cancers.
Professor Rosemary Horne conducts
research into the associations between
severe sleep disordered breathing (SDB)
and neurocognitive and behavioural deficits.
She received $537,670 to investigate the
mechanisms that underpin these deficits.
Research at MIMR has identified a
mechanism that can switch off miR-155
expression through the anti-inflammatory
cytokine, IL-10. The aim of the $337,111 new
investigator grant is to further understand the
molecular mechanism of this inhibition.
Dr Ashley Mansell received $494,757
to characterise a novel regulator of
anti-viral immune responses. Understanding
the regulation of infection models may
provide the means of manipulating immune
responses to control infections and provide
better health outcomes.
Dr de Weerd received the $342,111 grant
for her project to characterise for the first
time how interferon beta (IFNβ) proteins bind
to cells and activate an immune response.
Despite being useful for the treatment of a
number of diseases, in certain circumstances
IFNβ can also have toxic side effects, such
as those seen in sepsis. Recent research at
MIMR found that when IFNβ binds to a cell, it
transmits an unusual signal that seems linked
to some of these toxic side effects.
By improving our understanding of how
these interferons function, researchers can
refine their use of interferon in treatments for
diseases from multiple sclerosis to cancer.
Dr Michael Gantier is interested in drugs that
inhibit small RNAs, called microRNA, and
their potential in the diagnosis and prognosis
of disease such as cancer. He received a
$419,291 grant to define the non-specific
effects of such drugs and investigate new
avenues for their delivery.
Professor Euan Wallace received $419,734
for translational research that seeks to
develop the first new therapy for preeclampsia
in more than 50 years.
In addition, MIMR scientists Dr Ashley Mansell
and Professor Paul Hertzog were awarded
project grants in collaboration with other
institutions.
SCIENCE
Students expressed a genuine interest
in pursuing careers in biological
science and appreciated the hard work
supervisors took to provide an insight
into medical research careers.
STUDENTS
Identifying DNA from a
saliva swab, observing
sheep surgery and
handling spiny mice
were among the
highlights for nine work
experience students
at MIMR this year.
Mrs
Ms
Dr
Prof
ISSUE 60
Dr Cumming said that most of the funding for
the Institute’s research comes from the tax
payer and it was important to engage with the
community, educate young Australians about
the significant work done at the Institute, and
inspire future medical scientists.
INSIDE
According to MIMR Education Manager
Dr Susan Cumming, the students were
pleased with the number of hands-on
practical activities planned and they
found the staff “very friendly and fun to
be around.”
02 Director’s Message
student wins
02 MIMR
prestigious travel grant
“In addition they appreciated the
explanations particularly on stem
cells, as well as the importance of
sleep for infants and children.”
fund career
04 Staff
growth opportunities
Work experience students gown up for sheep surgery
First NameSurname
for young scientists
funding
05 NHMRC
success
lab work
06 Hands-on
inspires science
students
Address
SuburbPostcode
E-mail
Telephone I wish to make a donation of $
with
Visa
Mastercard
Amex
Associate Professor Terrance Johns
Diners
Cheque (made payable to Monash University)
Donations over $2 are tax-deductible
OR I wish to make a regular gift of $
to be charged to my credit card
Monthly
Annually
OR I would like my gift to remain anonymous
In publications or honour rolls, I wish my/our name to read as
Card Number
Expiry date
Card holder name
/
Signature
For office use: 2013XMAS
To make a donation online please visit:
https://community.monash.edu/givetomimr
Or to make a donation over the phone please call:
(03) 9903 1608
Please send donations to:
External Relations, Development & Alumni. Monash University.
PO Box 197, Caulfield East, Victoria 3145, Australia
Or fax this donation coupon to:
(03) 9903 4885
Telephone (general enquiries): 1800 424 055
ABN: 12 377 614 012
Email: info@monashinstitute.org
27-31 Wright Street
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
CRICOS Provider: Monash University 00008C
PIONEERING DRUG
TREATMENT FOR
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
DEVELOPED AT MIMR
MIMR SCIENTISTS HAVE
DEVELOPED A NEW
TREATMENT FOR ECTOPIC
PREGNANCY THAT MAY
REDUCE THE NEED FOR
SURGERY AND IMPROVE A
WOMAN’S CHANCE FOR A
HEALTHY PREGNANCY IN
THE FUTURE.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an
embryo implants in the fallopian tube
instead of the uterus. Affecting one to two
per cent of all pregnancies, the condition
is a potential medical emergency, and
when not treated properly, can lead to
fatal internal bleeding.
Research led by MIMR’s Associate
Professor Terrance Johns, Melbourne
University’s Associate Professor
Stephen Tong and Dr Andrew Horne
from Edinburgh University, found
that a new combination of drugs
significantly improved the treatment
of ectopic pregnancy.
Most ectopic pregnancies currently
require surgery to remove the embryo
and fallopian tube. However some smaller
ectopic pregnancies can be treated with
a drug called methotrexate which hinders
the development of rapidly-dividing
embryonic cells and effectively ends
the pregnancy.
Since the placenta relies heavily on
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
signalling to survive, the researchers
reasoned that gefitinib, a lung cancer
drug that blocks EGFR signalling, could
help interrupt placental growth.
In initial laboratory experiments at MIMR,
A/Profs Johns and Tong found that
the combination of methotrexate and
gefitinib could provide a fast and effective
treatment for ectopic pregnancy.
They followed up with a world-first
clinical trial of 12 women suffering
ectopic pregnancies, conducted at
Monash Health and Edinburgh University.
CONTACT US:
Monash Institute of Medical Research
NOVEMBER 2013
The program is very popular with secondary
school students, with demand for places far
exceeding available places. Priority is given to
students who show an interest and aptitude
in maths and biology.
DONATION COUPON: I WANT TO FURTHER THE RESEARCH AT MIMR
Mr
06
!
HANDS-ON
LAB WORK
NHMRC FUNDING SUCCESS
The Year 10 and 11 students from
Victoria and interstate participated in the
week-long programs run in June and
September. The students visited MIMR’s
Centres and a number of its core facilities –
such as the neonatal intensive care
unit - allowing them to observe how the
research conducted in the lab directly
influences the treatment of patients.
NOVEMBER 2013
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