Research Into Breast Cancer, Childhood Leukaemia, & Kidney Failure Receives New Grants
Researchers at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago have won new funding for
research into breast cancer, childhood leukaemia, and kidney failure.
The funding from the Lottery Grants Board, totalling $309,118, will provide equipment and salaries for research groups
at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Associate Professor Christine Morris from the Cancer Genetics Research Group has received $100,000 for ongoing research
into breast cancer. The Lottery grant will be used to further examine chromosomal and genetic factors which correlate
with a particular type of breast tumour. Understanding these mechanisms may uncover new leads to biomolecular targets
within cancer cells and improved treatment of different tumour types.
Dr Michael Sullivan from the Children’s Cancer Research Group and Associate Professor Tim Yandle from the Christchurch
Cardioendocrine Research Group have received $115,007 to investigate the role played by a recently discovered bone
growth factor (CNP) in children who have received chemotherapy for leukaemia. These drugs often cause growth impairment
which is not discovered until later in treatment. This research is aimed at early detection of growth impairment and
poor bone health in children and to prevent it happening.
Kidney specialist, Professor Zoltan Endre, from the Department of Medicine has received $60,000 to investigate new
treatment for chronic kidney failure in diabetes patients. Professor Endre will be researching the development of early
warning signals in the kidney to allow better preventive treatment for acute renal failure.
The balance of the funding of $34,111 will be used for microarray equipment for genetic analysis, to be shared by a
number of research groups.