A research team will be highlighted in the next edition of the Bulletin.

CARAT Study, Investigator Meeting Dinner - Adelaide

Professor Nicholls and his team in Heart Health are excited to have been awarded the leadership and operational control of an international multicentre study titled:

A Phase II Multi-Center, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Dose-focusing Trial Of CER-001 In Subjects With Acute Coronary Syndrome CER-001 Athersclerosis Regression ACS Trial (CARAT study). 

The study is assessing the impact of ten intravenous infusions of CER 001 (this is a high density lipoprotein (HDL) mimetic) vs. placebo in 292 patients, given at weekly intervals, on atherosclerotic plaque volume as measured by coronary Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) administered to subjects presenting with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Changes to plaque volume will be measured via a second coronary IVUS that will be undertaken at the end of the course of infusions. 

The study has sites in Australia, Hungary, Netherlands and United States.  Recruitment is expected to commence in the coming weeks.  This is a huge win for SAHMRI, and the Heart Health team, it is rare for international studies to be coordinated from Australia.  The study budget is just over $20 million, and about 15% of this will remain within SAHMRI to cover costs associated with the operation of the trial including imaging core lab services, project management, site management and monitoring (Australia), data management and IT services and infrastructure.

An Investigator Meeting was held at Adelaide Oval on June 4th to commence the activities in Australia.

Congratulations to Matthew Maiden who has recently had his PhD thesis accepted. Matt’s supervisors were Professor Guy Ludbrook, Professor Marianne Chapman, Professor David Torpy, Professor Iain Clarke and Dr Tim Kuchel. The title of his thesis is “Tri-iodothyronine (T3) therapy in a preclinical model of septic shock”, and the majority of the studies were conducted at PIRL.

Congratulations to the following staff from the Cancer Theme:

• Agnes Arthur – Selected to attend the Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank - The stem cell revolution: Lessons and imperatives for Australia
• Thao Nguyen - Finalist of the Ross Wishart Memorial award: The role of EphB4 in bone marrow stromal cell–mediated support of haematopoiesis.
• Krzysztof Mrozik – selected oral presentation at ASMR: Therapeutic targeting of N-cadherin is an effective treatment for multiple myeloma
• Esther Camp-Dotlic – selected oral presentation at ASMR: Twist-1 regulated microRNA-376c is a novel player in mesenchymal stem cell growth a and osteogenic differentiation
• Ben Leow – selected poster presentation at ASMR: The T315I Bcr-Abl mutation in CML and ALL: A mere case of altered drug binding?
• Kartini Asari – selected oral presentation ASMR: Investigating Drug Sensitivity and Modes of Therapeutic Resistance in High-Risk Philadelphia-chromosome-like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (Ph-Like ALL)
• Jackie Wang – selected oral presentation ASMR: Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-gamma in the Regulation of Functional OCT-1 Activity in BCR-ABL1+ Cells
• Liu Lu – selected oral presentation ASMR: Modelling ponatinib resistance in BCR-ABL1+ cell lines: implications for ponatinib resistance
• Dr Duncan Hewett, Myeloma Research Group, Invited presentation at Celgene Multiple Myeloma Education Meeting on Saturday, July 18th.
• Heather Armstrong – selected oral presentation at ASMR: New series of c-terminal Hsp90 inhibitors elicit anti-tumor effects without promoting pathways involved in inhibitor resistance in prostate cancer.
• Heather Armstrong – selected oral presentation at SA Men’s Health Research Symposium: The Hsp90 inhibitor, NVP-AUY922, produces anti-tumour activity through altered cytoskeletal reorganization and concomitant modulation of fibronectin secretion
• Lisa Butler – keynote presentation at SA Men’s Health Research Symposium  Lipids and Prostate Cancer

Professor Tim Hughes has been appointed NHMRC Research Committee for a period of three years. Congratulations Tim!

Congratulations to Maria Makrides, Philippa Middleton and Zohra Lassi on their work led by David Wilson on receiving World Bank funding:
2015–2016 US$583,798  “Expanding the Optima Model to TB and Health, and for Applying the Model in Different Contexts”

The World Bank proposal will develop a tool to assess allocative efficiency to minimize mortality among children who are less than 5 years old. The work will draw heavily on the Optima approach (basically a formal mathematical optimization algorithm) that has been successfully used in the HIV sector in over 30 countries to facilitate an optimal allocation of defined resources to best achieve reduced disease burden.

David Wilson spoke at a Friday seminar a couple of months ago, a great collaboration stemming from that seminar/visit.

Gould JF, Anderson AJ, Yelland LN, Smithers LA, Skeaff M, Zhou SJ, Gibson RA, Makrides M.  Association of cord blood vitamin D levels at delivery with postpartum depression in Australian women.   Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2015 Jun 30 [Epub ahead of print]

Lu L., Saunders VA, Leclercq TM, Hughes TP White DL. Ponatinib is not transported by ABCB1, ABCG2 or OCT-1 in CML cells, Leukemia EPUB April 15th 2015

Watkins DB, Timothy P Hughes TP and White DL. OCT1 and imatinib transport in CML: is it clinically relevant? Accepted Leukemia May 2015.

White DL and Hughes TP. Living with CML – Is death no longer the end (point)? Blood Accepted June 2015.

Nguyen TM, Arthur A, Panagopoulos R, Paton S, Hayball JD, Zannettino AC, Purton LE, Matsuo K, Gronthos S.  EphB4 Expressing Stromal Cells Exhibit an Enhanced Capacity for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Maintenance. Stem Cells. 2015 May 28. doi: 10.1002/stem.2069. [Epub ahead of print]

Forristal CE, Brown AL, Helwani FM, Winkler IG, Nowlan B, Barbier V, Powell RJ, Engler GA, Diakiw SM, Zannettino AC, Martin S, Pattabiraman D, D'Andrea RJ, Lewis ID, Levesque JP. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-2α accelerates disease progression in mouse models of leukemia and lymphoma but is not a poor prognosis factor in human AML. Leukemia. 2015 Apr 29. doi: 10.1038/leu.2015.102. [Epub ahead of print]

Hughes TP, Saglio G, Quintas-Cardama A, Mauro MJ, Kim DW, Lipton JH, Bradley B, Ukropec J, Hochhaus A.  BCR-ABL1 mutuation development during first-line treatment with dasatinib or imatinib for chronic myeloid Leukemia in chronic phase. Leukemia. June 2015 15-LEU-0382

Darren S. Miller, Anne Michelle Parsons, John Bresland, Paul Herde, Duc Minh Pham, Angel Tan, Hung-yao Hsu, Clive A. Prestidge, Tim Kuchel, Rezaul Begg, Syed Mahfuzul Aziz, Ross N. Butler   A simple and inexpensive enteric-coated capsule for delivery of acid-labile macromolecules to the small intestine. Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B (Biomed & Biotech) 2015 16(7):586-592

The Foundation awards grants up to the value of $22,000. These grants are awarded to support the direct costs of research, typically tangibles including laboratory equipment and consumables. Applications close 1 September 2015. Further information may be found here.

This $25,000 award recognises the valuable contribution of emerging health researchers to health outcomes for all Australians by providing the winner with help to pursue research in their chosen area. Applications close 22 September 2015. Further information may be found here.

Cancer Council SA is inviting applications for the inaugural Lin Huddleston Ovarian Cancer Research Fellowship for scientific research that contributes to reducing the burden of ovarian cancer.

The Fellow’s work needs to be of national importance, in line with the National Action Plan for Ovarian Cancer Research. The Fellow will also need to mentor future researchers in this field, and drive national collaborations as part of the work. A requirement of the trust is that the researcher needs to be based in South Australia.

Further information is available at the website.

JDRF Strategic Research Agreements are designed to provide research funding for single or multiple investigators to address critical gaps and challenges and potential breakthroughs in Type 1 diabetes research.

The Strategic Research Agreement is a partnership between Investigator(s) and JDRF Scientists to help address roadblocks and accelerate JDRF’s mission through support of cutting-edge scientific investigation.

Further information available on the website.

Applications are now invited for a Senior/Principal Research Fellowship in Otorhinolaryngology.

Please visit the website for further information.

The A-T Children’s Project provides competitive grant awards for basic and translational research grants related to ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T).

A-T Children’s Project is currently focusing its funding efforts on proposals that apply innovative and novel strategies for suggesting, developing and evaluating specific disease-modifying and symptomatic interventions with an emphasis on:

• translational (bench to bedside) research
• clinical studies

As such, these types of applications will be given priority funding.

Please visit the website for further information.

The purpose of the ICE Award is to assist in improving access to high quality IBD care in Australia.

Please visit the website for further information.

IBRO International Travel Grants aim to foster neuroscience research, especially in less well-funded countries, by providing support to high-quality neuroscientists from diverse geographic and scientific areas (US/Canada Region excluded), who wish to participate in international neuroscience meetings.

Please visit the website for further information.

Further information will be provided in future newsletters.

Dates: 9-12 September

Location: Adelaide Convention Centre

To register for conference, please visit the website.

This includes a session on Tuesday 8 September 2015:

9.00am – 5.30pm, ASCIA 2015 Conference Satellite meeting; Food, Allergy and Nutrition Symposium Program

Hosted by the Centre for Food and Allergy Research (CFAR) and the Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) in Foods for Future Australians

Date: 27th August

Further information available on website.

Date: October 6, 10am - 5pm

Location: SAHMRI main auditorium

Speakers from Harvard, Oxford, and throughout Australia, on basic and translational biology of colorectal cancer.

Free but need to register via email by 28th September.

Date: October 17, 9:30am - 2pm

Location: SAHMRI main auditorium

Contact Hayley King from Myeloma Australia, for further information. 

Date: 28th October

Location: SAHMRI

The aims of this event are:

1.       To raise the profile of molecular imaging within Australia and its ability to contribute to better health outcomes in various diseases.

2.       Present clinical care and research at the cutting edge of molecular imaging on a world-wide scale allowing best practices in this area to be implemented within the state.

This will be the first time that this type of forum based solely on molecular imaging research and clinical practices has been presented and discussed in a broad setting in South Australia.

The audience will include clinicians and researchers, government health decision-makers and policy makers. Of particular relevance will be attendance by radiologists, oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists, researchers associated with local and national health services and academics from Australian universities.

Please go to website for more information and to register for this event.

A colloquium to explore the use of new technologies in clinical care and health promotion.

When: Friday 30th October, 2015, 12.00pm – 6.00pm
Where: Education Development Centre, Hindmarsh, South Australia

Keynote speakers:

Professor Deborah Lupton, University of Canberra
Professor Maria Crotty, Flinders University
Associate Professor Jennifer Tieman, Flinders University
The colloquium explores how digital technology has changed health and health care through impacts on treatments and clinical care, consumer engagement and the promotion and representation of health.

The colloquium will be of interest to allied health practitioners, clinical and community health staff, health and medical researchers, and policy makers in clinical services, community care and population health.

Certificates of attendance will be provided for continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.

1. Wed, Jul 8, 2015 11:00 PM - Thu, Jul 9, 2015 12:00 AM CST
2. Wed, Jul 15, 2015 11:00 PM - Thu, Jul 16, 2015 12:00 AM CST
3. Wed, Jul 22, 2015 11:00 PM - Thu, Jul 23, 2015 12:00 AM CST
4. Wed, Jul 29, 2015 11:00 PM - Thu, Jul 30, 2015 12:00 AM CST

4-part miRNA webinar series.
Part 1: Biofluid miRNA Profiling: From Sample to Biomarker
Jul 8, 9:30 am EDT, 2:30 pm GMT
This webinar presents an integrated, PCR-based system that reduces the amount of sample required for full miRNome profiling and provides unparalleled reproducibility and precision. This advance opens up new possibilities for biomarker development.

Part 2: Meeting the challenges of miRNA research: miRNA Biogenesis, Function, and Analysis

Jul 15, 9:30 am EDT, 2:30 pm GMT

This webinar discusses the challenges associated with miRNA quantification by real-time PCR, and the latest strategies for miRNA quantification and profiling. The critical parameters of profiling miRNA gene expression and a free web-based miRNA data analysis tool will also be presented.

Part 3: microRNA RNA PCR Array Data Analysis Tutorial
Jul 22, 9:30 am EDT, 2:30 pm GMT

Using data generated with miScript miRNA PCR Arrays, we will demonstrate how our web-based data analysis portal can be used to calculate fold-change values from raw Ct values. The webinar will discusses the challenges with miRNA data analysis and solutions that the miRNA PCR Arrays provide for researchers interested in identifying miRNAs from cells, tissues and FFPE samples.

Part 4: Functional analysis of miRNA

Jul 29, 9:30 am EDT, 2:30 pm GMT

This webinar highlights the use of miRNA mimics, inhibitors and target protectors to increase, decrease and adjust the cellular concentration of miRNA and disrupt specific miRNA-mRNA interactions. We will also present a ready-to-use screening tool for identifying miRNA targets, how to predict mRNA targets using miRNA expression data.

Further information will be provided in future editions of this bulletin.

SA Health Human Research Ethics Committee
Proposals due: 17 August

RAH Human Research Ethics Committee
Proposals due: 10 August

QEH Human Research Ethics Committee
Proposals due: Pre Review 5 August Final Submission 12 August

WCH Human Research Ethics Committee
Proposals due: Therapeutic Substances 27 August – Other Applications 12 August

Southern Adelaide Clinical Human Research Ethics Committee
Proposals due: 3 August or 17 August

University of Adelaide HREC
Proposals due: 22 September

University of South Australia HREC
Proposals due: 4 August

Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee HREC
Proposals due: 24 August

Aboriginal Health Research Ethics Committee
Proposals due: 20 August

Future AEC meetings:

Submission date                           Meeting date

3rd September                               17th September

8th October                                     22nd October                                 

19th November                              3rd December

Further information about the Committee meeting dates can be found on the website.

Further information will be provided in future editions of this bulletin. Information about this committee is available on our website.

Training and Induction Sessions – Bioresources.

Please note – All sessions must be booked and can be done so through PPMS, or via email

Bioresources Inductions – Fortnightly 3pm Monday
Next dates 27/7, 10/8 and 24/8

Animal Handling – Fortnightly 2pm Thursday
Next dates 30/7, 13/8 and 27/8

Emus Training – Fortnightly 2pm Tuesday
Next dates 28/7, 11/8 and 25/8

Techniques training – every Wednesday at 2pm. Must be booked. Contact Bioresources for the techniques being covered.

Ethics Training – Bi-monthly
Next dates 29/7 and 12/8

Booking equipment and rooms

All procedure/specialist rooms and equipment (Including anaesthetic machines/heat box) are now bookable through PPMS.  Please contact a member of Bioresources if you need assistance with accessing the system.
 

INTERNAL STORES OPENING TIMES

A reminder to all staff: Internal Stores is open 2-3pm Mon-Thurs.

After hearing your feedback regarding what learning & development you are seeking, we have organised two workshops in the coming months:

Turbocharge Your Writing – Thursday 13 August 2015

Presenting Your Research with Confidence – Wednesday 14 October 2015

Both workshops will be run by ThinkWell who have developed award winning programs for researchers across Australia and the UK and have featured in Nature Journal.
Each session will run for three hours (9.30 – 12.30) and will be held in the SAHMRI Auditorium.

To attend, you must register for the event by clicking on the link(s) below:

Turbocharge your Writing
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/turbocharge-your-writing-workshop-tickets-17648504151

Presenting your Research with Confidence
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/presenting-your-research-with-confidence-tickets-17651704724

We are excited to announce the launch of the inaugural SAHMRI Mentoring Program!

Applications are now open for both Mentors and Mentees.

Please visit the HR section of MUSE for more information regarding the program and to access the application forms (see link below).

Training will be provided for both Mentors and Mentees in August (date to be advised) and the program will officially commence after the training date (August).

The time commitment is only one hour, for seven sessions over the course of the 10 month mentoring program period, plus attendance at the one hour August training session.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something that can have a huge impact on your career, whether you’re a mentor or a mentee.

Mentoring Program Applications
https://sahmrionline.sharepoint.com/Working/Pages/Mentoring.aspx

Register now! Applications close Friday 24 July 2015