TRIPLE I NEWS

Triple I Clinical Academic Group: Infectious Disease, Immunity and Inflammation
Maridulu Budyari Gumal SPHERE: Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise 

7 OCTOBER 2020

News

Triple I Clinical Academic Group Seed funding awards 2020
Congratulations to the following awardees:

• Mandeep Singh (Garvan/UNSW), Golo Ahlenstiel (WSLHD/WSU) and a team from USYD/WIMR/UNSW/WEHI/Monash Uni receive the Maridulu Budyari Gumal Triple I E/MCR Seed Grant for a project entitled “An integrated approach to dissect the immunopathogenesis in coeliac disease by identifying lymphocytes going rogue”. Autoimmune diseases share a common pathological process that involve rare immune cells becoming “rogue” by escaping checkpoints and driving disease. Coeliac disease, an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine results from an adverse immune reaction to gluten. This project tests the idea that rogue cells acquire DNA mutations in critical genes allowing them to escape checkpoints and become pathogenic.
   
• Philip Hansbro (UTS/Centenary Institute), Paul Thomas (SESLHD/UNSW) and a team from UTS/UNSW/Garvan receive the Maridulu Budyari Gumal Triple I Laboratory Seed Grant for a project entitled “Impact of bushfire smoke exposure on respiratory health”. The incidence of bushfires is increasing globally. Bushfire smoke (BFS) is a complex mix of inhalable particles, volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide. People with chronic respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma, COPD/emphysema) are most affected by BFS, resulting in increased hospitalization. The impact of BFS is not known. This project aims to understand the harmful inflammatory effects of hazardous BFS.
   
• Mark Hanly (Centre for Big Data Research in Health, UNSW Sydney) and a team from Ingham Institute/SWSLHD/SESLHD/UTS/UNSW receive the UNSW Sydney Triple I E/MCR Seed Grant for his project entitled: “Open source modelling tools to support policy decision-making throughout the COVID-19 post-pandemic phase”. In the absence of a safe and widely available vaccine, governments face an extended period where they must balance practical suppression measures with the social and economic imperatives to reopen society. This project will provide policy-makers with a suite of decision-support modelling tools to compare COVID-19 suppression strategies. Accessible, robust, and flexible modelling tools will guide this effort.
   

Triple I Annual Meeting: Postponed until early March 2021
Please stay tuned for further details. 
 

Finalists announced in 2020 Eureka Prizes
The Australian Museum Eureka Prize finalists have been announced including:

• Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research: Prof. Gregory Dore, Kirby Institute at UNSW
• Department of Defence Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia: UNSW Biodefense, lead by Prof Raina MacIntyre, The Kirby Institute at UNSW and A/Prof David Heslop, UNSW Medicine 

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COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rare inborn immune disorders
Garvan’s Prof Stuart Tangye and KU Leuven’s Prof Isabelle Meyts have co-led a multi-centre international consortium to assess the severity of COVID-19 in individuals with inborn errors of immunity.
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Potential drug target for E. coli infections identified
Treatment for a deadly E. coli strain may be possible, after UNSW Sydney researchers identified a new molecular pathway that controls the potent Shiga toxin.
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UNSW adds expertise to team tackling harmful bacterial biofilms
Healthcare, food production and manufacturing industries will benefit from manufacturing research partnership.
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Events & Opportunities 

AAHMS 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting
Join the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science's 2020 Annual Meeting, which will explore ‘Progressing precision medicine, disease prevention and control‘. Free and online. 
When: 15-16 October 2020
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Biobank seminar
The next NSW Health Statewide Biobank seminar will feature A/Prof Craig Gedye, Clinical Research Director NSWHSB presenting Clinical Trials: needed, astray, retrievable.
When: 19 October 2020 
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Maternal, Newborn and Women's CAG planning roundtable
All welcome to attend via Zoom.
When: 29 October 2020
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Early Career Women in STEMM Paper & Grant Writing Workshop
CWR 2020 will provide mentoring, transparent peer review and centralised writing training opportunities that young women in STEMM may not have at their home institutions.
Where: UTS, Broadway 
When: 4-6 November 2020
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SPHERE Implementation Science Webinar
The SPHERE Implementation Science Platform is hosting its annual workshop facilitated by Prof Chris Levi, and include a small panel of expert implementation Scientists, recipients of this year’s Implementation science seed grants and a consumer representative.
Where: On-line details TBC
When: 18 November 2020
 

SPHERE KT Strategic Platform
The SPHERE Knowledge Translation Strategic Platform has been launched, under the leadership of A/Prof Ann Dadich and Prof Katherine Boydell. SPHERE - In The Know includes theoretical insights, resources and links to Artists-in-Residence who can create messages to bring research alive and increase the dissemination of findings. 
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Learn Genomics Website
Melbourne Genomics recently updated their learning hub of free educational resources on genetic and genomic testing for healthcare professionals. The site now also includes resources to support consultations with patients and informed consent.
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Free Nature Masterclass: Focus on Peer Review 
Delivered by 11 journal editors from Nature Research, as well as active researchers from King's College and Imperial College London, this course is for those new to peer review or who wish to refresh their skills.
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Funding

Australian Laureate Fellowships 2021
Up to 17 five-year Australian Laureate Fellowships will be awarded, providing a salary supplement, in addition to a Level E professorial salary provided by the Administering Organisation; funding for up to two Postdoctoral Research Associates and two Postgraduate Researchers; and up to $300K p.a project funding.
Deadline: 4 November 2020
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MRFF Clinical Trials Activity Initiative – 2020 Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need 
Applications to this grant opportunity must propose a clinical trial that addresses a gap in current research and/or knowledge in rare cancers, rare diseases and areas of unmet medical need.
Deadline: 11 November 2020
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MRFF Clinical Trial Activity Initiative - 2020 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Grant Opportunity
Applications to this MRFF Clinical Trial Activity Initiative -2020 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Grant Opportunity must propose a clinical trial in Australia, in collaboration with international counterparts.
Deadline: 3 March 2021
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Triple I Vision: A world where human health is enriched by controlling infection, enhancing immunity and managing inflammation.