From shining a spotlight on MS at symposiums to significant sleep research and celebrating STEM stars, it's been an action-packed end to 2024. Check out our final wrap-up of the year for all the highlights!
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Menzies Institute for Medical Research
MS Research Flagship
Newsletter
December 2024
The MS Research Flagship
The MS Research Flagship is a Flagship program of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, and was established from a long history of multiple sclerosis (MS) research at Menzies. Menzies has proudly been at the forefront of research advancements in MS for more than 30 years.
FEATURING THE FLAGSHIP
When they're not in the clinic with MS consumers, working in the lab, preparing grant applications, setting up studies, analysing data, writing papers and everything in between, chances are you'll find our MS Flagship researchers speaking at conferences. Read on for a selection of their recent appearances.
MS Australia Frontiers in MS Research Symposium
In November, several Flagship researchers attended and presented at MS Australia's inaugural 'Frontiers in MS Research' symposium in Sydney. The symposium showcased groundbreaking advancements in MS research with a focus on three key themes: Prevention, Detection, and Management.
Professor Bruce Taylor delivered the Australian Keynote Address, discussing how prioritising MS prevention could significantly reduce its burden on the community.
Professor Ingrid van der Mei shared valuable insights from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS), with a particular emphasis on pain in MS.
The symposium's final session featured a panel discussion with Professor Taylor contributing to the conversation on emerging research and clinical trials that are shaping the future of MS prevention and care.
Professor Ingrid van der Mei
A panel with Professor Taylor
Professor Bruce Taylor
Research presented by our researchers at this symposium was funded by the National Health & Medical Research Council and MS Australia.
Australian Society of Molecular Imaging Symposium
In October, the Australian Society of Molecular Imaging's annual symposium was held in Hobart, with strong representation from the MS Research Flagship.
Professor Kaylene Young, Associate Professor Brad Sutherland, Dr Jessica Fletcher, Jake Cashion, and Dr Tom Lewis presented their cutting-edge research in the imaging space. Meanwhile, PhD students Jerram Sheehan and Surbhi Agarwal showcased their work through posters at the event.
Professor Kaylene Young
Jerram Sheehan
Jake Cashion
Research presented by our researchers at this symposium was funded by MS Australia, the Medical Research Future Fund, Australian Research Council and the National Health & Medical Research Council.
Australian Health Economics Conference
In September, the Flagship's Dr Julie Campbell, Dr Ting Zhao, Tadele Adal and Glen Henson attended the Australian Health Economics Conference in Sydney, where they presented the panel session 'The Health Economics of Multiple Sclerosis: Australian and Global Perspectives'.
Dr Campbell discussed the growing societal cost of MS in Australia, which is approaching $2.5billion annually. Tadele Adal presented his review and meta-analysis of the global economic impact of informal care costs of MS.
Glen Henson shared findings from his review on measuring the smallest meaningful changes in health scores with a focus on MS, and a study comparing life satisfaction between people with MS and the general population.
Dr Zhao presented on the Flagship's cost-effectiveness model which simulates how MS affects life expectancy, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs.
Access our Health Economics Simulation Model
Dr Julie Campbell
(L-R) Tadele Adal, Glen Henson, Ting Zhao, Julie Campbell
Tadele Adal
Research presented by our researchers at this conference was funded by the Medical Research Future Fund.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Poor sleep quality and MS
Poor sleep quality significantly impacts the overall health and wellbeing of people living with multiple sclerosis according to researchers from the MS Research Flagship.
Their study, published in peer-reviewed journal Quality of Life Research, involved 1,717 Australians with MS who completed surveys about their sleep quality and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study (AMSLS).
The researchers looked at eight HRQoL ‘domains’: mental health, happiness, relationships, coping, self-worth, independent living, senses, and pain. They found that poorer sleep quality is closely linked to poorer HRQoL in all domains, with the strongest impacts on mental health and pain.
The study also showed that sleep quality impacts HRQoL via impacts on MS symptoms. The researchers revealed that improving sleep can help reduce MS symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive symptoms, pain, anxiety, and depression, which in turn may improve HRQoL.
For people living with MS, these findings underscore the importance of addressing sleep issues as part of their treatment plan. Better sleep quality could lead to improvements in both mental and physical wellbeing, ultimately improving overall quality of life.
Read the full study here
Funding for this research was provided by MS Australia.
CONSUMER & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN RESEARCH
Why consumer involvement?
The different perspectives and lived experiences that consumers bring to research improves its quality, relevance and impact, which is why consumer and community involvement (CCI) underpins every aspect of the MS Research Flagship's strategy, governance, operations and research projects.
To illustrate this, we've asked consumers and researchers who have embraced CCI to share their experience. This issue we hear from consumer Andrew Potter, a former member of the Flagship's Consumer & Community Reference Committee.
"As a person with over 30 years lived experience I have gained a great sense of fulfillment by being able to share my experiences and offer my thoughts and perspectives with the various projects being undertaken by researchers at the MS Research Flagship.
I know my involvement has been greatly appreciated by the researchers. I feel it has helped improve the impact and reach of their research as we have collaborated together on projects.
While the research may not benefit me directly, I’m certain it will be a positive component of the mosaic puzzle that MS represents for us."
Andrew Potter
ONLINE LEARNING
Understanding MS online course
Course at a glance
- Opens: 10th March 2025
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Closes: 12th May 2025, 5pm (AEST)
- Effort: 2 hours per week
- Completion certificate: Yes
- Cost: FREE
The Understanding MS massive open online course is supported by MS Plus, MS Australia and the Medical Research Future Fund.
RECRUITING NOW
MS Genetics Study (GEMS)
Are you aged 18 to 60? We need your help to advance our understanding of MS in an Australia-wide study, our MS Genetics study (known as GEMS).
We urgently need:
- People diagnosed with MS (Off your DMT meds? We need YOU now!)
- People without MS (YOU can still contribute!)
Why participate?
We’re investigating the connection between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and MS, and your contribution could lead to improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of MS.
Participation is easy!
- Complete a brief questionnaire
- Provide three saliva samples (postal submissions are welcome!)
- Optionally, give a blood sample
Ready to make a difference?
This study is approved by the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee, H0027273 (H-85821) and funded by the Australian Government, Medical Research Future Fund and National Health and Medical Research Council.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Dr Tom Lewis was awarded 2024 ASMI Young Investigator runner up for his presentation at the Australian Society of Molecular Imaging symposium.
Professor Kaylene Young received a College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania Research Excellence Award.
Dr Yuan Zhou was a finalist in the Tasmanian STEM Excellence Awards.
PhDs awarded
Dr Tram Nguyen, Dr Xin Lin, Dr Amin Zarghami, and Dr Ying (Linda) Li.
Dr Tom Lewis
STEM Excellence Awards finalists (Dr Zhou front right)
NEW FACES
Staff
Anne Warby has joined the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS) administration team as a research officer, working with Professor Ingrid van der Mei. With extensive experience as a research study coordinator and executive assistant, Anne previously supported psycho-oncology and geriatric medicine studies at the University of Sydney. In her current role, she conducts phone surveys with AMSLS participants, manages administrative tasks, supports participant recruitment, and contributes to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of research activities, including survey design.
Anne Warby
Consumer and community
Rohan Grant is a seasoned IT manager with over 40 years of experience in senior project management and business analyst roles across the public, private, volunteer and sports aviation sectors. He holds a BA in Computer Science/Informatics and Business Management & Public Administration, enjoys public speaking and is active in scouting, sailing, bushwalking, and photography. Rohan's partner of 35 years was diagnosed with MS in 2010 and for the last few years she has lived with secondary progressive MS. Over the years, he has supported her as she navigates the complex medical, health and government services integral to her care decisions. Having recently retired early to focus on her increasing MS-associated needs, Rohan is excited to join the MS Research Flagship’s Consumer and Community Reference Committee. He aims to improve understanding of MS and advocate for the critical role of carers in supporting people living with the condition.
Rohan Grant
Governance
A very warm welcome to scientific advisory committee members Professor Trevor Kilpatrick, Professor Stuart MacGregor and Andrew Potter.
FAREWELLS
In this issue we bid farewell to staff and students Rosie Cartwright, Cherie Tan, Dr Natalie King, Dr Kalina Makowiecki, Dr Nicole Bye, Dr David Gell, Tom Lewis and Rodgers Ndolo.
We thank you all for your contributions to the Flagship, and wish you the very best in your next endeavours. You will be missed!
MS RESEARCH FLAGSHIP IN NUMBERS
Consumer and community involvement in 2024
- 8089 people from more than 120 countries enrolled in the Understanding MS massive open online course in 2024.
- Members of our Consumer and Community Reference Committee (C&CRC) contributed 329 hours to the Flagship's research strategy, operations, translation and impact across 15 projects, 14 governance and networking meetings and 1 lived experience presentation. The charts below show how this compares with previous years.
FAREWELL 2024
The MS Research Flagship would like to wish our community a wonderful festive season, and a very happy new year.
See you in 2025!
The success of the MS Research Flagship at Menzies has been made possible thanks to support from people like you. Please give now so that we can continue our world class, consumer driven research that translates to better health outcomes for our community.
