Australian universities join forces to tackle inflammatory lung disease

Professor Merlin Thomas, lead scientist

 in the RAGE Biotech consortium.

A new spin-out company, RAGE Biotech, will develop novel therapies designed to help patients with chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as severe asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), supported by investment from IP Group, Monash University (Monash) and The University of Western Australia (UWA).

Globally, COPD is the fourth leading cause of mortality and morbidity, with chronic inflammation being a key feature and driver of disease progression in COPD, cystic fibrosis and severe asthma.

RAGE Biotech is developing new approaches to modulate the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), an important target in chronic inflammation with links to COPD and cystic fibrosis.

One million epilepsy patients in China missing out on beneficial surgery

Professor Patrick Kwan, lead author of
the Neurology paper

by Anne Crawford

In 2010, Professor Patrick Kwan led an international team researching the causes and outcomes of epilepsy patients in rural China.

A decade later the results indicate that at least one million Chinese people with epilepsy could be candidates for a standard operation that may leave them seizure-free.

Congratulations to our promoted researchers!

L-R top row: Catriona Bradshaw, Kate Hoy, Trish Peel, Caroline
Gurvich. L-R bottom row: Joe Doyle, Lenka Vodstrcil, Jason Ong, 
Gemma Sharp

Eight Central Clinical School researchers have recently been promoted! Well done to all of them for their outstanding efforts in their respective fields.

Professor (Level E): Catriona Bradshaw (Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC)) and Kate Hoy (Department of Psychiatry, aka MAPrc)

Associate Professor (Level D): Trish Peel and Joe Doyle (both Department of Infectious Diseases), and Caroline Gurvich (Department of Psychiatry)

Senior Lecturer (Level C): Lenka Vodstrcil & Jason Ong (both MSHC), Gemma Sharp (Department of Psychiatry)

COVID and women's mental health: Professor Jayashri Kulkarni

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni's public lecture on COVID and
women's mental health. Video 1:02:38

Women's mental health needs looking after more than ever in the time of COVID, as Professor Jayashri Kulkarni explains in this public lecture. Professor Kulkarni is Director of Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) and Head of the Monash Department of Psychiatry in Central Clinical School. Find out more: www.maprc.org.au/
 
If you are interested in learning more about women's mental health, MAPrc have launched a short course with the first module focusing on "Adolescence". See 42:05 in the video or more detail and registration here: www.monash.edu/healthed-institute/short-courses/womens-mental-health

Meng Law's article hits home run

Figure showing the old and new baseball composition
from the article

Professor Meng Law, Department of Neuroscience, has co-authored an article which turns out to have hit the spot in terms of both public and scientific interest.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) Omega publishing group has featured the authors' article titled “Physicochemical Investigation into Major League Baseballs in the Era of Unprecedented Rise in Home Runs” in their just-released special Virtual Issue “Celebrating 5 Years of Open Access with ACS Omega”.

How are you? Living with COVID-19 Restrictions in Australia - Second survey (SPHPM)

Professor Jane Fisher’s team at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine undertook a national survey to determine how people were experiencing the first month of COVID-19 restrictions. This survey was the largest undertaken during the height of the restrictions in Australia in April 2020, and was completed by nearly 14,000 people. Their generous contributions are already informing the government and the community.

The second survey is now live and will be open for one month. Please complete this second survey, whether or not you completed the first survey. Your responses will help us understand what life is like while the COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted in some parts of the country.