17 May 2002
Otago researchers receive 50 per cent of available health research funding
A total of 27 Otago University research projects -- ranging from gene technologies in the fight against colorectal
cancer to exploring attention deficit disorder in children to improving Maori dental services -- received funding from
the Health Research Council this year. In its best performance yet, Otago won $16.58 million or 50 per cent of the total
available funding.
"This is a stellar result for the University of Otago, one which clearly commends the superior quality of health
research being conducted by our researchers," says Vice Chancellor Dr Graeme Fogelberg. "I am immensely proud of our
staff for their outstanding achievements in a highly competitive field."
Last year, Otago also led the way, receiving $14.39 million or 46 per cent of available funding for 17 projects, noted
Dr Fogelberg. Those results were impressive enough, but the fact that the University was able to improve its standing
this year was due in part to the extraordinary efforts of Otago researchers, he says.
"Our very best researchers really came through for us. To a one, they submitted research proposals which not only
demonstrate sound science, but will potentially result in real health benefits to New Zealand society."
OTAGO SCHOOL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES:
Professor Anthony Reeve, "Predicting colorectal cancer outcome using gene expression profiling," $1.286 million over
three years. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in New Zealand. This study will use new gene
technologies to distinguish between cancers that are cured by standard treatment and those that recur.
Dr Parry Guilford, "The initiation, progression, and chemoprevention of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer"($1.019
million over three years). This research aims to improve understanding of an inherited stomach cancer syndrome that is
particularly common in Maori.
Dr Michael Hubbard and Dr Rod Sayer, "Calbindin phosphorylation in dental enamel cells and brain" ($943,000 over three
years). Calbindins are proteins that bind calcium insides cells. The study will look at cellular processes that underlie
dental enamel formation and neurodegenerative disorders.
Dr Marion Maw, "Genes responsible for retinal disorders: Identification and characterization" ($832,000 over three
years). The retina is the light-sensing layer of tissue in the eye. Inherited retinal disorders affect about 1,000 New
Zealanders and impair their ability to readily access education, gain employment and lead active lives. This project
will identify the genes responsible to improve prospects of developing effective treatments.
Professor Wickliffe Abraham (Division of Sciences) and Professor Warren Tate, "Mechanism of nervous system dysfunction
early in Alzheimer's disease" ($597,000 over three years). Amyoloid-related proteins play a role in Alzheimer's disease,
and yet somehow are also involved in normal brain activity. Using the rat brain as a model, the study will attempt to
discover how these proteins work, and how their disruption may underlie memory loss seen early in Alzheimer's sufferers.
Professor Abraham also received $1.2 million for the final 2 years of a 10-year study into brain memory mechanisms.
DUNEDIN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE:
Professor John Campbell, "Interventions to prevent falls and injury in elderly people with impaired vision" ($933,000
over three years). Falls are very common in elderly people with poor vision and such accidents have serious
consequences. This project will test home-based exercises and Vitamin D supplements to improve muscle strength and
balance, and look at ways homes can be modified to decrease the chances of falls and improve independence and quality of
life.
Dr Barbara Galland, "Sleep pathology in children with ADHD", ($389,000 over 30 months). Children with sleep disorders
can have difficulty concentrating during waking hours. How much this contributes to the 44,000 NZ children diagnosed
with ADHD is unknown. This study proposes to find out.
Dr Hilda Firth, "Work-related determinants of health, safety and well-being of New Zealanders", ($284,000 over 18
months). Little is known in New Zealand about the state of work environments or their impact on health. This project
will develop methods and assess the feasibility of characterising work-related hazards in NZ, their associated health
effects and the impact these hazards may have on different worker socio-economic groups.
Dr Robin Taylor, ($148,000 over 18 months). What's known as a 'b-receptor' controls the action of asthma reliever
medication. Genetic differences have been identified in these b-receptors which influence adverse responses to Ventolin,
the commonly-used reliever. This study will further define the relationships between b-receptor genotypes and drug
responses in asthma.
Associate Professor John Broughton, "Oranga niho: A kaupapa Maori review of Maori dental health service provision"
($38,000 over two years). Maori do not enjoy the same dental health status as non-Maori across all age group. There are
barriers to good dental health for Maori, and this study will identify the issues in the development, implementation and
operation of Maori dental services.
CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES:
Professor Mark Richards, two projects: "Humoral, Ultrasonographic and Genetic prediction and protection in Heart
Disease", ($2.260 million, for first 3 years of programme) and "BNP infusions and ventricular remodelling in acute
myocardial infarction" ($159,000 over three years). The first programme directed by Professor Richards will define the
roles of newly-discovered hormones, cardiac ultrasound measurements and gene variants in predicting the progression of
heart failure and new coronary illness The second study will look at the potentially protective action of the cardiac
hormone BNP. This study will test the potential benefits of administering synthetic BNP after heart attack.
Dr Christine Winterbourne, "Oxidants, antioxidants and inflammatory diseases" ($1.922 million for the first three years
of the programme). This programme focuses on reactive oxidants that are important in aging and inflammatory disease and
will determine how these oxidants affect vital functions of cells or destroy them.
Professor Ian Town, "Atopy and asthma at age six amongst the infant cohort study" ($1.323 million over five years).
This project will involve 1,000 children enrolled in the infant cohort study in Wellington and Christchurch. It will
examine, among other factors, risk factors in the first six years of life for atopy, atopic disease and airway disease.
Dr Derelie Richards, "A study of dose response association between infant iron status and later cognitive
functioning"($696,000 over five years). This study will measure iron levels in 500 infants at 15 months, and examine the
relationship of those levels to cognitive ability, behaviour and motor function measured at age six.
Dr Annette Beautrais, "A 10-year follow-up study of serious attempted suicide", $167,000 over three years. Over 300
people who've made serious suicide attempts have been followed up after six, 18, 30 and 60 months to determine how they
are doing. This study will follow up after 10 years which no previous study has done with such a large number of
suicide-attempters.
Dr Jacqueline Keenan, "Helicobacter pylori infection, host iron deficiency and the risk of disease" ($100,000 over two
years). Helicobacter pylori is a stomach bacterium that causes ulcers and gastric cancer. This bacterium releases small
vesicles
WELLINGTON SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES:
Associate Professor Julian Crane, two projects: "A trial of the effect of probiotics on the development of atopy and
eczema in children"( $990,000 over three years), and "The use of probiotic bacteria in the treatment of atopy and eczema
in children" ($121,000 over one year) . Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as yoghurt. When given to infants
they may have a protective effect on the development of allergy by strengthening the immune system. The first study aims
to determine whether probiotic dietary supplements to infants will help reduce the prevalence of atopy and eczema in
children up to two years of age. The second study will look at whether probiotic bacteria may be useful in treatment of
atopic eczema in children as has been suggested by recent European studies.
Dr Kevin Dew, "Nga Morehu: Negotiating cultures" ($355,000 over two years). Maori Health Units and Maori health
providers have a different system of values in the delivery of health care than that which operates in the public health
system. This project will examine how those health providers negotiate between the two sets of values, and to identify
factors that enhance or hinder Maori health development.
Associate Professor Philippa Gander, "Doctor's hours of work: improving patient safety and practitioner health"($295,000
over two years). Long and irregular hours of work that are common in medicine can increase the risk of medical error and
degrade the health and well-being of doctors. This study will develop strategies to improve work practises by comparing
NZ doctors' work patterns with the Australian Medical Association code of practice.
Dr Peter Crampton, two projects: "Performance indicators for primary care"($128,000 over two years), and "Measurement of
community participation in primary health organisations"($109,000 over two years). For the first project, a set of
performance indicators will be developed for primary care services. These indicators will allow assessors to then
measure the impact of primary care on population health as well as on health inequalities. The second study will develop
a tool for assessing the degree of community participation in Primary Health Organisations.
Ms Vera Keefe, "Kimioranga: He kakano" ($100,000 over 18 months). Social and economic circumstances contribute to
health. The aim of this study is to explore in detail how kaupapa Maori is affected by social inequalities in health,
namely racism.
Dr Mavis Duncanson, "Effective intervention to reduce risk of fire-related injury" ($68,000 over two years). This study
will assess key risk factors associated with fire-related deaths or non-fatal injury, including socio-economic
determinants of injury, and investigate whether these factors change following a community-based fire injury prevention
programme.
Dr Robert Siebers, "Effects of indoor microbial exposure on the development of respiratory diseases in children"
($76,000 over two years). This study will look at whether infants' exposure to microbials (e.g. mould spores) increases
their risk of developing allergies or asthma later on in life.
Ends