Projects and People MSRA Funds

Quick Links: Projects Starting in 2009 | Projects Starting in 2008 | Projects Starting in 2007 | Projects starting in 2006

Projects Starting in 2010

Project Title	Lead Investigator	Total Funding (AU$)	Duration (yrs)
PROJECT GRANTS
Understanding the events that control myelination in the brain and spinal cord	Dr Ben Emery, University of Melbourne	150,000	2
Working out why lesions occur where they do in MS	Dr Judith Greer, Prof Michael Pender, University of Queensland	270,000	3
Understanding mechanisms of brain and spinal damage in MS	Dr Helmut Butzkueven, Florey Neurosciences Institute	90,000	2
The role of immunity to Epstein-Barr virus in the development of MS	Prof Michael Pender, University of Queensland	390,000	3
IN-DEEP - High quality health information and decision tools to help people with MS manage their health: Integrating and deriving evidence, experiences and preferences	Dr Sophie Hill, Dr Graziela Fiplipino, La Trobe University Prof Richard Osbourne, Deakin University Dr Michael Summers, MS Australia The MS Australia National Services Leadership Group (NSLG), represented for the proposal by Ms Sue Shapland.	195,000	3
Proteomics of MS	Prof Shaun McColl, The University of Adelaide, Prof Claude Bernard, Monash University, Dr Bill Carroll, Sir Charles Gairdener Hospital,Dr Judith Greer, TheUniversity of Queensland, Dr Peter Hoffmann, The University of Adelaide, Prof Ian Smith, Monash University	675,000 (inc 375,000 from ARC)	4
INCUBATOR ("SEEDING") GRANTS
Biomarkers in early paediatric CNS demyelination, and risk of progression to multiple sclerosis	Dr Fabienne Brilot-Turville, The Children’s Hospital Westmead	26,000	1
FELLOWSHIPS
Understanding the role of white blood cell signalling in MS	Dr Iain Comerford, University of Adelaide Supervisor: Prof Shaun McColl, University of Adelaide	240,000	3
Can MRI at presentation predict permanent vision loss after optic neuritis	Scott Kolbe, Florey Neurosciences Institute Supervisor: Prof Gary Egan	150,000	2
Functional and health service outcomes for persons with MS and other neurological conditions: Evaluation of an Australian Rehabilitation Dataset.	A/Prof Fary Khan, University of Melbourne	35,000	1
Senior Fellowship - still to be announced		500,000	5
	Total	2.721,000

Projects Starting in 2009

Project Title	Lead Investigator	Total Funding (AU$)	Duration (yrs)
PROJECT GRANTS
An Examination of Prospective Memory and Employment in MS	Dr Rhonda Brown, University of New England	72,000	2
Understanding the cellular response to oligodendrocyte death in the central nervous system	Dr Tobias D. Merson, Florey Neurosciences Institute	100,000	2
Cognitive, behavioural and social skills in childhood-onset MS and childhood demyelination	Prof Vicki Anderson, University of Melbourne	150,000	2
Designing specific therapeutic agents for MS	Dr Judith Greer, University of Queensland	300,000	3
MS tissue proteomics	Dr Michael Barnett, University of Sydney	278,000	2
Identification of the cells responsible for nerve sheath repair in MS	Dr Alison Jennings, University of Western Australia	210,000	2
Analysis of myelination	Dr Simon Murray, University of Melbourne	160,000	2
How does pregnancy affect MS?	Dr Pamela McCombe, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital	85,000	1
INCUBATOR ("SEEDING") GRANTS
Developing a new blood test for brain injury in MS patients	Dr Melissa Gresle, Howard Florey Institute	26,000	1
Manipulation of supportive brain cells to release factors that can treat MS	Dr Tomris Mustafa, Florey Neurosciences Institute	25,080	1
FELLOWSHIPS
How do genetic changes in people with MS lead to the development of disease?	Dr Judith Field, Florey Neurosciences Institute	150,000	2
SCHOLARSHIPS
Identifying protein markers of disease in MS	Laura Gianni, University of Melbourne	78,000	3
Identification of Genes showing Altered Expression in MS Brain and Blood Samples	Jason McKenzie, Griffith University	78,000	3
	Total	1,712,080

Projects Starting in 2008

Project Title	Lead Investigator	Total Funding (AU$)	Duration (yrs)
PROJECT GRANTS
Tryptophan analysis in adult stem cells	Prof Bruce Brew, St Vincent's Hospital	53,500	1
Gene expression in brain blood vessels in MS	Prof Simon Hawke, Brain and Mind Research Institute	250,000	2
Promotion of Natural Immune Regulatory Mechanisms to Prevent Inflammation in the Brain	Dr Suzanne Hodgkinson, University of NSW	110,000	2
Antigen presentation in the CNS	A/Prof Heinrich Koerner, James Cook University	87,600	2
Analysing how key molecules protect the nervous system in MS	Prof Trevor Kilpatrick, University of Melbourne	86,000	1
Living Well: An online fatigue self-management program for adults with neurological conditions	Prof Tanya Packer, Curtin University of Technology	92,000	2
Role of a nerve growth regulatory molecule in a mouse model of MS	A/Prof Ann Turnley, University of Melbourne	76,000	1
Granzyme B expressing cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis: Identification of cellular targets	Prof John Prineas, University of Sydney	40,000	1
INCUBATOR ("SEEDING") GRANTS
Regulation of Brain Immunity	Dr David Alexander Brown, The St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research	25,000	1
Isolation and purification of human oligodendrocyte precursor cells from embroyonic neural stem cells	A/Prof Tailoi Chan-Ling, University of Sydney	15,000	1
Involvement of the kynurenine pathway in the pathogenesis of MS	Dr Gilles Guillemin, St Vincent's Hospital	15,000	1
Changes in passive mechanical properties of muscle fascicles and tendons in people with advanced MS	A/Prof Rob Herbert, University of Sydney	15,000	1
Development of the optic nerve as a model for the morphological and immunocytochemical study of normal and MS-affected human brain	Dr Alison Jennings, University of Western Australia	25,000	1
SCHOLARSHIPS
Modulating signalling in neural precursor cells to enhance repair in demyelinated brains	Jennifer Sabo, Florey Neurosciences Institute	66,800	3
	Total	956,900

Projects Starting in 2007

Project Title	Lead Investigator	Total Funding (AU$)	Duration (yrs)
PROJECT GRANTS
The role of EBNA-1 in MS	Prof Michael Pender, University of Queensland	429,000	3
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis	Dr Mark Slee, Flinders University	30,000	2
A randomised controlled trial of progressive resistance strength training for people with MS who have difficulty walking	A/Prof Karen Dodd, La Trobe University	90,000	2
Defining roles of TRAIL in MS	Dr Lisa Sedger, Westmead Millennium Institute	120,000	2
Inflammatory Cells in the Brain and Spinal Cord in MS. What are they Targeting	Prof John Prineas, University of Sydney	112,000	2
Mechanisms leading to development of chronic progressive MS	Dr Jun Yan, University of Queensland	150,000	2
INCUBATOR ("SEEDING") GRANTS
Investigation of the psychological needs and issue of parents with MS and their children: informing practice and policy	A/Prof Kenneth Pakenham	10,000	1
Grey matter changes in pre-onset stages of EAE	Dr Jaqueline Orian, La Trobe University	10,000	1
FELLOWSHIPS
Analysis of molecular mechanisms driving repair in responses to oligodendrocyte death	Dr Tobias Merson, Florey Neurosciences Institute	140,000	4
Role of the Lingo-1/p75NTR axis in modulating myelination	Dr Junhua Xiao, University of Melbourne	140,000	4
SCHOLARSHIPS
Developing magnetic resonance imaging bio-makers of neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis	Scott Kolbe, Florey Neurosciences Institute	66,380	3
Antigen post translational modification in MS	Brett Drummond, University of Melbourne	66,380	3
	Total	1,363,760

Projects Starting in 2006

Project Title	Lead Investigator	Total Funding (AU$)	Duration (yrs)
PROJECT GRANTS
Analysis of the genetic networks operating in autoimmune mediated demyelination	Dr David Bandin, Australian National University	60,000	1
The role of neutrophins in promoting myelination	Prof Trevor Kilpatrick, University of Melbourne	50,000	1
Immunogenetic profile of MS	Dr Jeanette Lechner-Scott, John Hunter Hospital	40,000	2
The study of T-cell responses to EBV in MS	Dr Lenarczyk, University of Queensland	55,000	1
Investigation of potential mchaenisms by which BAFF-transgenic mice are protected from MOG35-55 - induced EAE	Dr Ian Sutton, Garvan Institute of Medical Research	100,000	2
Fine mapping and characterisation of the genes for MS in a cohort of Australian families	Dr Rachel Tan, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute	110,000	2
Elucidating the role of autoimmune modulator roquin and follicular helper T cells in the prevention of EAE	Dr Carola Vinuesa, Australian National University	110,000	2
INCUBATOR ("SEEDING") GRANTS
Polymorphisms of the gene P2X7 and the role of CD5+ B-lymphocytes in MS	Prof Jim Wiley, University of Sydney	10,000	1
FELLOWSHIPS
Protecting Nerve cells from MS injury	Dr Helmut Butzkueven, Florey Neurosciences Institute	92,500 (co-funded with the NHMRC and Trish MS Research Foundation)	4
Interleukin 7 modulation of regulatory T cells in PPMS	Dr Fiona Mackay, Westmead Millennium Institute	178,000	2
The Australian Multi-centre Study of Enviroment and Immune Function	Dr Robyn Lucas, Australian National Univeristy	179,500	3
Novel radiolabelled peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands for imaging and treating neuroinflammation	Dr David Bandin, Canberra Hospital	150,000	2
SCHOLARSHIPS
The fate of oligodendrocytes in the pathogenesif of murine EAE	Mr Anton Ramp, La Trobe University	31,650	2
	Total	1,166,650