Recent CCS publications: Week ending 22 July 2016

We have a bumper issue this week listing 43 new publications across all departments of the Central Clinical School, including:

• Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine (3)
• Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (8)
• Gastroenterology (6)
• Immunology & Pathology/AIRmed (7)
• Infectious Diseases (6)
• Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (7)
• Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (4)
• Surgery/NTRI (5)

Findings shed light on autoimmune role in thymus

Associate Professor Menno van Zelm

by Anne Crawford

It has been known for almost three decades that B cells exist in the thymus but their function there has been unclear. Associate Professor Menno van Zelm explored this neglected area and has arrived at world-first findings answering this riddle which may lead to a better understanding of the origin of autoimmune diseases.

Study to improve use of antibiotics in hospitals

L-R: Professor Anton Peleg and Dr Jason Trubiano.
Photo: Anne Crawford

by Anne Crawford

A study showing that antibiotics were the cause of nearly half the severe cutaneous drug reactions requiring hospital admission may lead to safeguards for the way antibiotics are prescribed.

Developing bionic visual prostheses

Monash Vision Group's vision prosthesis.

Australian researchers are undertaking world-class research towards the development of bionic visual prostheses. Teams based at Monash University and the University of Melbourne are developing direct-to-brain and retinal-based devices respectively, that elicit the perception of small spots of light called phosphenes. These phosphenes will then be assembled to produce a basic form of imagery akin to early computer games, albeit with the advantage of modern computer processing power to ensure they display only the most relevant details about the user's environment.

In this paper the authors review the latest advances in retinal and visual cortex stimulation and discusse the surgical and functional outcomes reported to date for retinal and cortical prostheses. They conclude with a brief discussion of advances in the field and an outlook for the future.

Reference: Lewis PM, Ayton LN, Guymer RH, Lowery AJ, Blamey PJ, Allen PJ, Luu CD, Rosenfeld JV. Advances in implantable bionic devices for blindness: a review. ANZ J Surg. 2016 Jun 14. doi: 10.1111/ans.13616. [Epub ahead of print]

Congratulations to Professor Anton Peleg for ASM award

Professor Anton Peleg with the award
Photo: Anne Crawford

Professor Anton Peleg has won the Australian Society of Microbiology’s bioMerieux ASM Identifying Resistance Award.

The award is given on the basis of career achievements in the field of the identification of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials in a clinical setting.

The award committee took into account the quality and originality of Professor Peleg’s published research and service to Australian microbiology in general.

Professor Peleg is an international expert in the field of hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance, and has been the recipient of many awards including the prestigious 2013 Commonwealth Ministers Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research.

He will receive his recent award at the ASM Conference in Perth on 3rd July. See more. 

Congratulations to Justin Hamilton & co-authors for selection of Plenary Paper

Congratulations to Dr Justin Hamilton and his co-authors on their recent publication for selection as the Plenary Paper in the latest edition of the journal Platelets. If you would like to share the reference, use the Platelet links:

• https://twitter.com/plateletjournal/status/755298258579230720
• https://www.facebook.com/plateletsjournal/posts/1017882728303175

Reference: Petitjean C, Setiabakti NM, Mountford JK, Arthur JF, Ellis S, Hamilton JR. (2016) Combined deficiency of PI3KC2α and PI3KC2β reveals a nonredundant role for PI3KC2α in regulating mouse platelet structure and thrombus stability. Platelets, 27:5, 402-409, DOI: 10.3109/09537104.2016.1145202

New: 'The Pulse', news from the MNHS Research Office

The Faculty's research office is now issuing "The Pulse," a newsletter for all MNHS researchers. Each edition will include useful information to help you access new funding opportunities, sign up for training and development opportunities, and keep up to date with other news. The Faculty Research Office will publish The Pulse every one or two weeks depending on what's happening around the Faculty. The first issue came out on 5 July. For more information, contact med-announce@monash.edu