Peter Mac researchers secure $9 million in NHMRC funding
30 August 2024
Peter Mac researchers have been awarded three significant National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants totalling $9 million to drive forward innovative approaches in cancer treatment, lymphatic health and antimicrobial stewardship.
The three NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence grants will be led by Professors Monica Slavin, Ben Hogan and Karin Thursky, who will each receive $3 million over a five-year period.
Executive Director Cancer Research, Professor Ricky Johnstone, said this funding is crucial to providing better outcomes for cancer patients.
“The funding will support groundbreaking research undertaken across multiple collaborating institutions nationally and internationally and are aimed at addressing critical challenges in infection management for cancer patients and advancing treatments for lymphatic diseases,” he said.
“We are thrilled the NHMRC is supporting these crucial projects that not only invest in the future of cancer treatment and lymphatic health, but positions Peter Mac as a leader in pioneering solutions that will benefit patients around the world."
The $9 million was included in a total $60 million in grants announced today as part of the NHMRC’s Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) scheme.
NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh said the CRE scheme supports a dynamic range of research that addresses national needs and the emerging health challenges of our time.
“Funding will provide support for research teams to pursue collaborative research, and develop capacity across the spectrum of basic science, clinical, health services and public health research,” Prof Wesselingh said.
Professor Thursky's grant relates to work she is undertaking with the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
Read more about each project below.
Professor Ben Hogan - Centre of Research Excellence in Lymphoedema and Lymphatic Regeneration.
Professor Hogan, together with Professor Natasha Harvey from the Centre for Cancer Biology at University of South Australia, will co-lead lead an initiative dedicated to tackling lymphoedema, which affects up to 300,000 Australians at any one time, most recovering from cancer treatment.
This project will focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind lymphatic vessel development and regeneration, as well as their role in both inherited and acquired forms of lymphoedema.
The project aims to uncover new insights and potential treatments for these often-overlooked disorders by investigating genetic factors and developing regenerative therapies.
It will include establishment of a Centre of Research Excellence in lymphoedema and lymphatic regeneration, represents a significant leap forward in understanding and addressing lymphatic diseases.
Professor Monica Slavin - Transforming infection management in the era of emerging cancer therapies.
Professor Slavin will lead a project aimed at improving infection management for patients undergoing new cancer therapies.
With the rise of immune system-targeting treatments like CAR T-cell therapy and small molecule inhibitors, survival rates for cancer patients have increased dramatically.
However, these therapies come with a heightened risk of infections, which remain a leading cause of mortality among treated individuals.
Professor Slavin’s research will utilise real-world data to better understand infection rates, risk factors, and outcomes in patients post-therapy. The goal is to develop new care models and enhance infection prevention strategies by leveraging digital health technologies, such as electronic health records.
This approach promises to optimise patient outcomes and establish new standards in infection management for cancer care.
Professor Karin Thursky - Redesign of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in the Digital Era (with the Doherty Institute)
This Centre of Excellence will bring together clinician researchers from human and animal health, implementation scientists, human factors and digital health experts.
The goal of the centre is to optimise the use of antimicrobials using digital innovation in the community and in hospitals.
Rational antimicrobial use is not only essential for patient safety, but is a fundamental requirement to limit the emergence of antibiotic resistant infections.