Friday, 17 May, 2002
Health Research Council Announces Over $33 Million Research Funding
Six major new research programmes were awarded a total of more than $11 million by the Health Research Council in its
latest funding round, which was announced today.
Fetal growth and its consequences Babies who grow poorly before birth are at increased risk of health problems
throughout life. Professor Jane Harding at the University of Auckland's Liggins Institute, will lead research into the
role of nutrition and growth factors on growth and health before and after birth. This 36-month study was awarded
$2,362,000. For information on this project - Professor Jane Harding, Phone 09 373 7599 ex 6763
Humoral, ultrasonographic and genetic prediction and protection in heart disease This programme will investigate the
roles of newly discovered hormones, recently validated echocardiographic measurements and selected candidate gene
variants in predicting occurrence and/or progression of disease in new onset coronary illness and in established cardiac
impairment. The bioactivity and potentially therapeutic effects of the urocortins will be assessed in cardiovascular
disease. Professor Mark Richards, Department of Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, will
lead this programme which will run for 36 months and has been awarded $2,260,000 HRC funding. For information on this
project - Professor Mark Richards, Phone 03 364 1116
The pathogenesis and treatment of preterm brain injury Handicap in infants surviving after premature delivery remains a
major problem for which there is not specific treatment. A research team at the University of Auckland's Liggins
Institute, led by Dr Alistair Gunn, will use their well established models of brain injury in the near-midgestation
fetal sheep to study the pathogenesis of both diffuse and cystic white matter injury and develop ways of improving
long-term recovery. The project was awarded $2,054,000 HRC funding and will run for 36 months. For information on this
project - Dr Alistair Gunn, Phone 09 373 7599 ex 6763
Oxidants, antioxidants and inflammatory diseases Reactive oxidants are important in aging and inflammatory diseases. The
Free Radical Research Group at the University of Otago's Christchurch School of Medicine will undertake research to
characterise reactions of these oxidants with biological molecules and how they affect vital functions of cells or
destroy them. They will also monitor oxidative injury and its importance in diseases such as asthma, arthritis and
bacterial infections.Led by Professor Christine Winterbourn, this project will run over 36 months, and was awarded HRC
funding of $1,922,000. For information on this project - Professor Christine Winterbourn, Phone 03 364 0564
Structural biology of proteins of biomedical importance Proteins are the working molecules of life. Disease often
results from malfunction of human proteins or from viral or bacterial proteins that attack humans. Professor Edward
Baker's research team at the University of Auckland will use innovative methods to address the structure of important
proteins. This will give better understanding of the molecular basis of disease and lead to new therapies through
structure-based drug design or protein engineering. The project will run for 36 months and receives $1,257,000 HRC
funding. For information on this project - Professor Edward Baker, 09 373 7599 ex 4415
Causes and control of non-communicable disease This programme addresses the causes and control of non-communicable
diseases including respiratory disease, cancer and diabetes. A key focus of the research will be to identify risk
factors and protective factors for asthma. Led by Professor Neil Pearce at the Centre for Public Health Research, Massey
University Wellington Campus, this research will span 36 months and has been allocated funding of $1,254,000 by the HRC.
For information on this project - Professor Neil Pearce, Phone 04 380 0606
HEALTH RESEARCH ANNUAL FUNDING ROUND RESULTS
The HRC received 221 applications in its annual project round and awarded a total of 58 contracts. These were chosen in
a two-step process involving local and overseas expert referees who work in the same research area, and intense scrutiny
by specialised assessing committees. The total amount for new contracts was $33.39 million (excluding GST).
NEW HRC PROGRAMMES Professor Edward Baker, Professor John Fraser, Associate Professor Peter Metcalf, Dr Clyde Smith,
School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 4415 Structural biology of proteins of biomedical
importance, 36 Months, $1,257,000
Dr Alistair Gunn, Associate Professor Christopher E Williams, Dr Laura Bennet, The Liggins Institute, University of
Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 6763 The pathogenesis and treatment of preterm brain injury, 36 Months, $2,054,000
Professor Jane Harding, Associate Professor Bernard H Breier, Dr Mark Oliver, Professor Stewart Gilmour, Dr Frank
Bloomfield, Dr Mark Vickers, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 6439 Fetal growth and its
consequences, 36 Months, $2,362,000
Professor Neil Pearce, Professor Mason Durie, Dr Evan Dryson, Ms Irihapeti Ramsden, Professor Graham Le Gros, Dr Chris
Cunningham, Dr Sunia Foliaki, Dr Ate Moala, Ms Jacqueline M Cumming, Ms Lis Ellison-Loschmann, Mr David J McLean, Dr
David Phillips, Professor Roger S Morris, Dr Jereon Douwes, Dr Erika von Mutius, Centre for Public Health Research,
Massey University Wellington Campus, 04 380 0606 Causes and control of non-communicable disease, 36 Months, $1,254,000
Professor Mark Richards, Dr Chris Charles, Dr Robert Doughty, Professor M Gary Nicholls, Dr Lynley Lewis, Dr John
Lainchbury, Dr Miriam Rademaker, Professor Tim Yandle, Dr Vicky Cameron, Dr Barry Palmer, Department of Medicine,
Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, 03 364 1116 Humoral, Ultrasonographic and Genetic prediction and
protection in Heart Disease, 36 Months, $2,260,000
Professor Christine Winterbourn, Dr Margret C M Vissers, Dr Anthony Kettle, Free Radical Research Group, Department of
Pathology, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, 03 364 0564 Oxidants, antioxidants and inflammatory
diseases, 36 Months, $1,922,000
EXTENSIONS TO HRC PROGRAMMES Associate Professor Wickliffe Abraham, Dr J Wickens, Dr D S Kerr, Department of
Psychology, University of Otago 03 479 7648 Cellular mechanism of learning and memory in the brain, 36 Months,
$1,213,530
NEW PROJECTS Professor Wickliffe Abraham, Professor Warren Tate, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, 03 479
7648 Mechanisms of nervous system dysfunction early in Alzheimer's disease, 36 Months, $597,441
Dr Annette Beautrais, Canterbury Suicide Project, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, 03 372 0408 A
ten year follow-up study of serious attempted suicide, 36 Months, $167,396
Ms Belinda Borell, Ms Helen Moewaka Barnes, Professor Sally Casswell, Whariki, Alcohol and Public Health Research Unit,
University of Auckland, 09 373 7524 Identity and Positive Youth Development, 24 Months, $198,845
Ms Amohia Boulton, Dr Chris Cunningham, Ms Jackie Cummings, Te Pumanawa Hauora, School of Maori Studies, Massey
University, 06 350 5799 ex 7541 A model for understanding "Cultural" performance standards in Maori mental health, 27
Months, $153,000
Associate Professor Neil Broom, Mr Anthony E Hardy, Mr Rene Flachsmann, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University
of Auckland, 09 3737599 ex 8974 Biomechanical vulnerability of the joint tissues w.r. to maturity and degree of
degeneration, 36 Months, $396,253
Professor John Campbell, Associate Professor Robert Jacobs, Ms Clare Robertson, Mr Gordon Sanderson, Dr Ngaire Kerse,
Professor Steven J La Grow, Dr Dianne Sharp, Mrs Leigh Hale, Faculty of Medicine Administration, University of Otago, 03
479 5056 Interventions to prevent falls and injury in elderly people with impaired vision, 36 Months, $933,036
Professor Sally Casswell, Dr Tim McCreanor, Professor Margaret Wetherell, Ms Helen Moewaka Barnes, Alcohol & Public Health Research Unit, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 6076 Contemporary alcohol marketing: Production and
interpretaion of meaning in youth cultures, 36 Months, $557,719
Associate Professor Lai-Ming Ching, Dr Phillip Kestell, Professor Peter J Browett, Auckland Cancer Society Research
Centre, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 6140 Improving thalidomide-based therapies for cancer, 36 Months,
$553,470
Dr Peter Crampton, Associate Professor Robin Kearns, Associate Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman, Dr Sue Crengle,
Professor Anthony Dowell, Dr Margaret Southwick, Mr Tom Love, Ms Bridget Allan, Dr Roshan Perera, Dr Beverly Sibthorpe,
Department of Public Health, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, 04 385 5999 ex 6045 Performance
indicators for primary care, 24 Months, $128,020
Dr Peter Crampton, Associate Professor Robin Kearns, Dr Sue Crengle, Professor Anthony Dowell, Dr Margaret Southwick, Dr
Kevin Dew, Mr Tom Love, Ms Bridget Allan, Dr Roshan Perera, Dr Beverly Sibthorpe, Department of Public Health,
Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, 04 385 5999 ex 6045 Measurement of community participation in
primary health organisations, 24 Months, $108,845
Professor Julian Crane, Associate Professor Edwin Mitchell, Mr Gordon Purdie, Professor Gerald Tannock, Dr Peter Black,
Dr Penny Fitzharris, Dr Matire Harwood, Dr Kristin Wickens, Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine,
University of Otago, 04 385 5999 ex 5258 A trial of the effect of probiotics on the development of atopy and eczema in
children, 36 Months, $990,462
Professor Julian Crane, Dr Thorsten V Stanley, Dr Penny Fitzharris, Dr Kristin Wickens, Ms Juliette Lane, Department of
Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, 04 385 5999 ex 5258 The use of probiotic bacteria in the
treatment of atopic eczema in children, 12 Months, $120,980
Dr Neil de Wet, Dr Philip Weinstein, Associate Professor Richard Warrick, Dr Simon Hales, Dr Wei Ye, International
Global Change Institute, University of Waikato, 07 838 5683
Hotspots II: Modelling capacity for the analysis of vector-borne disease risks in New Zealand, 24 Months, $260,400
Dr Kevin Dew, Ms Vera Keefe, Mr Tim Rochford, Ms Keitha Small, Department of Public Health, Wellington School of
Medicine, University of Otago, 04 385 5999 ex 6046 Nga Morehu: Negotiating cultures, 24 Months, $354,875
Professor Mason Durie, Mr John Waldon, Ms Harangi Biddle, Dr Taiarahia Black, Dr Gus Habermann, Department of Maori
Studies, Massey University, 06-350-5799 ex 7603 Te Ahuatanga o Te Waiora Tamariki - A picture of child health, 36
Months, $299,000
Associate Professor Marie Dziadek, Professor Peter Smith, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 3748
The role of STIM transmembrane signalling proteins in regulation of invasive cell behaviour, 36 Months, $405,021
Ms Pania Ellison, Dr Papaarangi Reid, Ms Ruth Quirk, Te Puawai Tapu, Wellington, 04 801 8859 To tatou hokakatanga: Maori
action and intervention in sexual and reproductive health, 24 Months, $370,001
Dr Janet Fanslow, Ms Marilyn Brewin, Dr Carolyn Coggan, Ms Elizabeth Robinson, Injury Prevention Research Centre,
University of Auckland, 09 3737599 ex 6175 Assessing violence against women in New Zealand, 36 Months, $784,171
Dr Hilda Firth, Professor Tord Kjellstrom, Professor Neil Pearce, Mr Peter Herbison, Associate Professor Anne-Marie
Feyer, Dr Peter Crampton, Dr Chris Cunningham, Dr Dorothy Broom, Ms Rebecca Lilley, National Environmental and
Occupational Health Research Centre, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, 03 479 7196 Work-related
determinants of health, safety and well-being of New Zealanders, 18 Months, $284,312
Dr Barbara Galland, Dr Eileen Tripp, Professor Barry Taylor, Dr David Reith, Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin
School of Medicine, University of Otago, 03 474 0999 ex 8228 Sleep pathology in children with ADHD, 30 Months, $389,409
Associate Professor Philippa Gander, Professor Alistair Woodward, Dr Alexander Garden, Department of Public Health,
Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, 04 385 5999 ex 6051 Doctors' hours of work: Improving patient safety
and practitioner health, 24 Months, $294,563
Dr Parry Guilford, Ms Maybelle McLeod, Professor Iain Martin, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, 03 479
5116 The initiation, progression, and chemoprevention of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, 36 Months, $1,018,694
Ms Yvette Guttenbeil, Dr Jennifer Hand, Mr Sione Tu'itahi, Public Health Promotion, Auckland District Health Board, 09
845 0955 ex 8112 Gambling issue of Tongan in Auckland, 18 Months, $162,387
Dr Michael Hubbard, Dr Rod Sayer, Mr John Mangum, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, University of
Otago, 03 479 7831 Calbindin phosphorylation in dental enamel cells and brain, 36 Months, $943,088
Professor Michael Kalloniatis, Associate Professor Seong-Seng Tan, Dept of Optometry and Vision Science, University of
Auckland, 09 373 7999
Cellular diversity of developing mouse retina and cortex revealed by multispectral analysis, 36 Months, $444,339
Professor Graham Le Gros, Dr Franca Ronchese, Dr William Paul, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, 04
389 5096 Basic biology of Th2 immune responses in protective immunity and allergic diseases, 36 Months, $822,616
Dr Simon Malpas, Dr Carolyn Barrett, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 4584 Does
angiotensin II play a role in the long term regulation of sympathetic nerve activity?, 36 Months, $680,514
Dr Marion Maw, Dr Michael Denton, Dr Peter Dearden, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, University
of Otago, 03 479 5121 Genes responsible for retinal disorders: Identification and characterisation, 36 Months, $831,851
Ms Kim McGregor, Ms Marilyn Brewin, Dr Carolyn Coggan, Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Auckland, 09 373
7450 Improving public health responses for survivors of child sexual abuse, 30 Months, $241,096
Ms Helen Moewaka Barnes, Professor Sally Casswell, Whariki, Alcohol & Public Health Research Unit, University of Auckland, 09 373 7524 Maori quantitative research methodologies and methods,
24 Months, $200,000
Dr Kathleen Mountjoy, Dr Jurgen Naggert, Department of Molecular Medicine and Physiology, University of Auckland, 09 373
7599 ex 6447 Identification of a novel obesity gene, 36 Months, $758,335
Dr Julie Park, Associate Professor Robin Kearns, Dr Linda Bryder, Dr Heather Worth, Dr Judith Littleton, Dr Carolyn
Dakin, Dr Hans Dieter-Bader, Department of Anthropology, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 8589 Political ecology
of tuberculosis in New Zealand - past and present, 36 Months, $307,197
Dr Lindsay Plank, Associate Professor Edward Gane, Associate Professor Jonathan Koea, Associate Professor John McCall,
Professor Stephen Munn, Department of Surgery, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 6949 Immunonutritional therapy in
liver transplant patients - a randomised trial, 48 Months, $880,796
Professor Anthony Reeve, Associate Professor Han-Seung Yoon, Dr Parry Guilford, Associate Professor John McCall,
Professor Nikola Kasabov, Dr Mark W Thompson-Fawcett, Mr Arend Merrie, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical
Sciences, University of Otago, 03 479 7699 Predicting colorectal cancer outcome using gene expression profiling, 36
Months, $1,286,051
Professor Mark Richards, Dr Ian Crozier, Dr John Lainchbury, Dr John Elliot, Professor Gary Nicholls, Dr Richard
Hillock, Dr David Smyth, Dr Mark Davis, Department of Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, 03
364 1116 BNP infusions and ventricular remodelling in acute myocardial infarction, 36 Months, $158,774
Dr Derelie Richards, Dr Elisabeth Wells, Professor Les Toop, Professor David Fergusson, Associate Professor George
Abbott, Professor Ian Town, Ms Suzanne Pitama, Ms Claire Dowson, Dr Peter George, Department of Public Health and
General Practice, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, 03 364 0497 A study of the dose response
association between infant iron status and later cognitive functioning, 60 Months, $696,036
Dr Franca Ronchese, Professor Graham S LeGros, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, 04 389 5096 ex 828
Regulation of the immune response by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and perforin, 36 Months, $548,664
Mr Robert Siebers, Professor Julian Crane, Professor Ian Town, Dr Penny Fitzharris, Department of Medicine, Wellington
School of Medicine, University of Otago, 04 385 5999 ex 6237 Effects of indoor microbial exposure on the development of
respiratory diseases in children, 24 Months, $75,884
Dr Ralph Stewart, Professor Mark Richards, Dr Robert Doughty, Dr John Lainchbury, Professor Harvey White, Dr Michael
Williams, Dr Andrew Kerr, Dr Ivor Gerber, Auckland Healthcare, 09 630 9903 Natriuretic peptides in heart valve disease,
36 Months, $622,876
Dr Robin Taylor, Dr Martin Kennedy, Professor Ian Town, Respiratory Research Unit, Dunedin School of Medicine, 03 474
0999 ex 8785 Effect of ß-adrenoceptor haplotype on bronchodilator response and tolerance to ß-agonists, 18 Months,
$147,867
Professor Ian Town, Associate Professor Julian Crane, Dr Philip Pattemore,
Dr Penny Fitzharris, Dr Robert Siebers, Dr Matire Harwood, Dr Michael Epton, Dr Kristin Wickens, Ms Robin Kelly, Ms Mary
Duignan, Department of Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, 03 364 0640 ex 89024 Atopy and asthma at age 6 amongst
the infant cohort study, 60 Months, $1,322,757
NEW HRC STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS Associate Professor John Broughton, Ngai Tahu Maori Health Research Unit,
Dunedin School of Medicine, 03 479 7201 Oranga niho: A kaupapa Maori review of Maori dental health service provision, 24
Months, $38,400
Dr Mavis Duncanson, Professor Alistair Woodward, Professor John Langley, Associate Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman, Dr
Papaarangi Reid, Department of Public Health, Wellington School of Medicine, 04 385 5999 ex 5072 Effective interventions
to reduce risk of fire-related injury, 24 Months, $68,142
Mr John Fenaughty, Dr Nicola Gavey, Dr Virginia Braun, Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex
6309 Rape and non-consensual sex: Health issues for gay and bisexual identified men, 30 Months, $99,928
Miss Carla Houkamau, , Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 7198 An exploration of the
relationship between culture and health for Maori women, 12 Months, $8,203
Ms Vera Keefe, Mr Ngahiwi Tomoana, Te Roopu Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pomare, Wellington School of Medicine, 04 385 5924
Kimioranga: He kakano, 18 Months, $99,553
Dr Jacqueline Keenan, Mr Mark Hampton, Associate Professor Stuart Thompson, Dr Anthony Moran, Department of Surgery,
Christchurch School of Medicine, 03 364 0570 Helicobacter pylori infection, host iron deficiency and the risk of
disease, 24 Months, $99,658
Dr Tim McCreanor, Dr Peter Watson, Ms Helen Moewaka Barnes, Dr Melani Anae, Mr Shane Edwards, Ms V Jensen,
APHRU/Whariki, University of Auckland, 09 373 7599 ex 6104 Designing community development for youth in
Counties/Manukau, 12 Months, $76,512
Ms Stephanie Palmer, Professor Mason Durie, Dr Chris Cunningham, Te Pumanawa Hauora ki Manawatu, Te Tari Maori, Massey
University, 07 866 8579 Hei oranga mo nga wahine hapu i roto i te whare ora, 12 Months, $20,000
Mrs Lynne Pere, Professor Mason Durie, Dr Chris Cunningham, Te Pumanawa Hauora, Te Putahi-a-Toi, Massey University, 04
380 0623 The relationship between cultural identity and wellbeing for Maori, 24 Months, $27,000
Ms Janice Wenn, Professor Mason Durie, Dr Chris Cunningham, Te Pumanawa Hauora ki Manawatu, Te Tari Maori, Massey
University, Kaupapa Hauora and quality services - An exploratory study of a changing concept, 30 Months, $28,830
Ends.