Blood cell life cycle further unravelled

Professor David Tarlinton (right) with some

of his group in 2016, shortly after the move

to Monash University

by Anne Crawford

A study into a transcription factor important in blood cell development and longevity took the Department of Immunology and Pathology's Professor David Tarlinton and collaborators on a circuitous route to findings that revealed that the factor is far more complex than was first thought.

IRF4 (interferon regulatory factor 4) is critical for the development, maintenance, and function of blood cells. It regulates the transcription of genes that specify the production of plasma cells – the body’s antibody-producing cells – and is crucial for the immune system’s B cells to become activated in response to antigens and to ultimately become plasma cells.

Research into genetics of focal epilepsy wins grant

A/Prof Piero Perucca (centre) with members 
of his group, Dr Shobi Sivathamboo (left)

and Ms Jessica Hutton (right)

Congratulations to Associate Professor Piero Perucca, who has been awarded a grant from the Australian Epilepsy Research Fund for his project, "Uncovering the hidden genetics of non-lesional focal epilepsy". The grant is for $249,815 over two years.

A/Prof Perucca is an epileptologist and leading researcher in the field of epilepsy genetics and the treatment of epilepsy.

Monash University success in multiple sclerosis grants

L-R: Professor Anneke van der Walt, Dr Wei Yeh and Dr Steven Petratos

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic degenerative disease interfering with the central nervous system’s ability to send messages from the brain to the body, is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults. It affects more than 25,000 Australians and is on the rise.

Central Clinical School researchers have scooped two Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia Trish Translational Research Grants and one Postgraduate Scholarship this year.

The surprising prevalence of eating disorders among older people

Dr Gemma Sharp in clinic with a patient

Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are often thought of as diseases that affect young people. However there's growing evidence that thousands of older Australians are also suffering silently. Older women are particularly susceptible, especially when their bodies are going changes like menopause or after pregnancy.
See Dr Gemma Sharp's 22 Jan 2020 7:30 Report interview at www.abc.net.au/7.30/the-surprising-prevalence-of-eating-disorders/11891422

Immune recovery can be precisely measured: Infectious Diseases research wins award

Professor Orla Morrissey

Congratulations to the Department of Infectious Diseases’ Professor Orla Morrissey, who was senior author on a paper that gained a prestigious Publication of the Year Award at the 48th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology in December 2019.

The paper, which appeared in Clinical & Translational Immunology in October 2018, was one of two that received awards for Society publications at the conference. The honours recognise the most outstanding articles based on scientific merit published in the previous year.

Monash University FODMAP Diet App nominated for Edison Award

Congratulations to the Monash University FODMAP Diet App, which has been nominated for the prestigious Edison Awards!

The Edison Best New Product Awards™ is an annual competition honoring excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human-centered design, and innovation.

• Read more about Monash's nomination here. Stay in touch with Monash low FODMAP news by subscribing to their blog.

1-27 January 2020 Central Clinical School publications

Dr James McMahon talking with Professor Jenny Hoy. They
have a joint publication on frailty in the ageing cohort of
people with HIV. Full text link for study

Recent publications as notified by PubMed from Central Clinical School affiliated researchers in the following departments. This is not a comprehensive list:

• AIRmed (Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory medicine)
• APOM (Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine)
• ACBD (Australian Centre for Blood Diseases)
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology and Pathology
• Infectious Diseases
• MSHC (Melbourne Sexual Health Centre)
• Medicine - Alfred
• Medicine - Peninsula
• NTRI (National Trauma Research Institute)
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry: Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre
• Surgery

9-30 Dec 2019 Central Clinical School publications

Geriatric mice needed for age-related studies
CCS researchers recommend. Image: Jax Lab

Recent publications as notified by PubMed from Central Clinical School affiliated researchers in the following departments. This is not a comprehensive list:

• AIRmed (Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory medicine)
• APOM (Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine)
• ACBD (Australian Centre for Blood Diseases)
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology and Pathology
• Infectious Diseases
• MSHC (Melbourne Sexual Health Centre)
• NTRI (National Trauma Research Institute)
• Neuroscience
• Peninsula Clinical School
• Psychiatry: Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre
• Surgery

Participants sought: Will prebiotic dietary fibre reduce blood pressure?

We're trying to find out whether a

particular kind of dietary fibre, called

'prebiotic', influences blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure but are not on medication, we would love to hear from you about participating in a research study investigating whether the use of prebiotic dietary fibre lowers blood pressure.

Our diet has been long known to influence the levels of blood pressure. While our bodies are incapable of digesting some types of fibre, they are fermented in the gut, where they feed the community of ‘good’ microbes. This results in the release of substances that may be beneficial in lowering blood pressure. The present study will test if a modified high fibre supplement could be used to lower blood pressure.

Participants sought: Does dietary fibre affect gut health?

ENOUGH IBS! We are looking for participants for a study investigating the effect of dietary fibre on gut health.

You may be eligible to participate in this research project conducted by the Department of Gastroenterology at the Alfred Centre, if you:

• are currently experiencing persistent gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, flatulence)
• are not currently following a special diet (e.g. low FODMAP, vegan)
• do not have any other gastrointestinal disease (e.g. coeliac, ulcerative colitis)
• are not currently smoking or pregnant

To find out more about this study, please contact Mr Daniel So:
Mobile 0432194929 | Email daniel.so@monash.edu

Project ID: 12804

All information is kept strictly confidential