Monitoring Crohn's disease after surgery

Prof Peter Gibson, one of the
study's authors

Crohn's disease (CD) usually recurs after intestinal resection; postoperative endoscopic monitoring and tailored treatment can reduce the chance of recurrence. The researchers investigated whether monitoring levels of fecal calprotectin (FC) can substitute for endoscopic analysis of the mucosa. In this analysis of data from a prospective clinical trial, FC measurement has sufficient sensitivity and NPV values to monitor for CD recurrence after intestinal resection. Its predictive value might be used to identify patients most likely to relapse. After treatment for recurrence, the FC level can be used to monitor response to treatment. It predicts which patients will have disease recurrence with greater accuracy than CRP level or CDAI score.

Low FODMAP research team launches Facebook page

The Department of Gastroenterology's low FODMAP research team launched their Facebook page two weeks ago, and have accrued over 3,000 'likes' in that time. Their research program on low FODMAP food and a diet which assists with the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome has proved to be of enormous popular interest as continued sales of their diet app and large public interest in information feeds such as this demonstrate. See more:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MonashFODMAP
• Twitter: twitter.com/MonashFODMAP
• Blog: fodmapmonash.blogspot.com.au/
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/CCSMonash/fodmap-research-ccs-monash/
• Web: www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/gastro/fodmap/

Participants sought: Do gender and hormones influence the effects of brain stimulation?

A research group at the Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre is seeking healthy, right-handed adults aged between 18-40 years who are eligible for Medicare to help us investigate the influence of gender and hormones on the effects of brain stimulation. Participation will involve visiting our research centre in Prahran for one (for men) or two (for women) research sessions. Each session will take approximately three hours. Participants will be reimbursed $30 per session.

Photo of the Week: A/Prof Ross Dickins' group in the ACBD

L-R: Mr Oliver Le Grice (2015 UROP student), Ms Emilia Saminkowicz, Dr Margherita Ghisi, Dr Ross Dickins

Welcome to Dr Ross Dickin's group, new to the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases. Their laboratory is interested in understanding tumour suppressor gene function, focusing on several hematopoietic transcription factors recurrently mutated in acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemias (ALL and AML).  Cancer results from an accumulation of genetic mutations that disable the normal regulation of cell growth and survival. In the last decade, large scale cancer genome sequencing of all the major cancer types has identified ~150 genes that promote oncogenesis when mutated. The key challenge, they believe, is to understand how these cancer ‘driver genes’, comprising a similar number of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes, contribute to tumourigenesis and treatment response.

See more:

• Photo gallery
• Dickins lab page

ACBD researcher receives CTx Top Up Clinician researcher PhD scholarship

Congratulations to ACBD's Viki Ling who has been awarded a CTx Top Up Clinician researcher PhD scholarship,

Cancer Therapeutics CRC supports careers in drug discovery, in particular through building capacity in translational biology and medicinal chemistry. 

CTx is governed by an independent skills-based board and led by a highly experienced management team. The collaborative research and business model allows innovative approaches to drug discovery as well as commercialisation of the research pipeline. The major focus for drug discovery is early intervention in the metastatic cascade.

Well done Viki! 

Forthcoming CCS events: PhD seminars, public events, general notices

Central Clinical School has regular seminar series and postgraduate presentations. All event notices are maintained on the CCS Events calendar.

CCS staff & students can see details of both public and local events (including professional development courses, trade fairs and Graduate Research Student calendars) and deadlines, at the Intranet's Announcements page.

Various Departments have their own calendars, see CCS seminar index: www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/events/seminars.html

What's on for next week (25 - 29 May 2015)

Mon May 25 12:30 PM ► Psychiatry Professorial Grand Round Tue May 26 1:00 PM ► Confirmation of PhD Candidature - Mrs Judith Moore 1:00 PM ► Honours Coursework Research Seminar : Understanding the role of CD8 T cells and brain injury
In the Future 15 June 3MT thesis deadline for registration

Burnet Institute and Monash University Department of Immunology present...

"Transcriptional network regulating development of Tregs and Th17 cells"

Presented by: Professor Vijay K. Kuchroo, D.V.M., Ph.D.

When: Wednesday 27 May 

Time: 12:00noon – 1pm 

Where: AMREP Lecture Theatre

Professor Vijay Kuchroo is the Samuel L. Wasserstrom Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Senior Scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Co-Director of the Center for Infection and Immunity, Brigham Research Institutes, Boston. Professor Kuchroo is also an associate member of the Broad Institute and a participant in a Klarman Cell Observatory project that focuses on T cell differentiation.