Monash-Alfred's Department of Neuroscience rising star

2018 O’Brien (epilepsy, neuropharmacology) group. Professor
Terry O'Brien in the back row on the far left.

by Anne Crawford

In late August a new force in Australian neuroscience will be officially launched - Monash University’s Department of Neuroscience will be the only department of its kind in an Australian university.

Partnered with Alfred Health, arguably Australia’s number one teaching hospital, the Department of Neuroscience has a team of more than 140 staff and students, and 19 groups researching different brain diseases, with a heavy focus on translational research. More than 20 clinical trials are already underway.

Photo of the week: CCS 3MT heat winners!

Central Clinical School held its heat for the Three Minute Thesis competition on Thursday 21 June 2018. The finalists were, L-R above, Ms Amy Wilson (winner), Ms Rosie Latimer (runner up) and Mr Jasper Cornish (People's Choice). Prof Rob Medcalf, CCS's postgraduate coordinator (far right), presented the awards.  Many thanks to the judging panel Prof Rob Medcalf, Prof Jennifer Hoy, Prof Jennifer Wilkinson-Berka and Prof Ben Marsland and all others who came to support their peers. See more about the participants, their topics and their supervisors at:  https://www.monash.edu/medicine/ccs/education/current-students/hdr-3mt/2018-ccs-3mt

What's on at CCS 25-29 June 2018



VC Margaret Gardner
presenting Tue 26 Jun

Central Clinical School (CCS) has regular seminar series and postgraduate presentations. Event notices are posted on the CCS Events calendar.

CCS staff and 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 CCS intranet's Announcements page.

See CCS seminar index:  https://www.monash.edu/medicine/ccs/headlines/events-calendar

What's on at CCS 25-29 June 2018

Mon	25/06/2018	►	10:00	Diabetes seminar: Development of stealth RNA vector, Dr Mahito Nakanishi
		►	12:00	Neuroscience seminar series
Tue	26/06/2018	►	14:30	President and Vice-Chancellor Monash University to address the precinct
Wed	27/06/2018	►	11:30	Seminar: Paul Beavis (Peter Mac)
Thur	28/06/2018	►	07:30	MPhil Confirmation Milestone: Cheng Lo
		►	11:30	Journal Club: Erica Brodie
		►	12:00	Alfred Grand Rounds: Novel clinical applications of cardiac MRI
Fri	29/06/2018	►	15:30	EMCR Seminar: Jess and Emily

18 Oct 2018 Public Lecture "Obesity - a serious disease that deserves serious treatment"

Professor Wendy Brown in surgery

Obesity: a serious disease that deserves serious treatment

Obesity is the most prevalent disease in Australia affecting 28% of the adult population and has become our most important health care challenge. Prevention would be the ideal. However, for those already suffering effective treatment options are desperately needed. Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is currently the most predictably effective treatment for obesity.

• Date: Thursday 18 October 2018
• Time: 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start. Lecture will be followed by Q&A session
• Cost: Free
• RSVP: Register at Eventbrite
• Web: www.monash.edu/medicine/ccs/headlines/events-calendar/2018-CCS-public-lecture

Recent CCS publications: 16-22 June 2018

When blood is not an option (BNAO) -
review article by Olaussen et al on
how to help Jehovah's Witnesses

Recent publications for Central Clinical School affiliated authors in the following departments. Note, browse down this entry for complete publications list. Linked headings for each section are to the departments' home pages.

Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine 

Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (ACBD)

Diabetes

Gastroenterology

Medicine

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC)

Neuroscience

Surgery

Study showing hayfever tablet stops thunderstorm asthma packs a punch

Rye grass is the major cause of hayfever in
southeastern Australia. Image WA DPRD

by Anne Crawford

Trials conducted by Monash University scientists have shown that a tablet dissolved under the tongue – sublingually – may help safeguard seasonal allergic rhinitis (spring hayfever) sufferers against the deadly effects of thunderstorm asthma.

The allergen immunotherapy Oralair was tested over three years by researchers in the Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine at the Central Clinical School/Alfred Health led by Professor Robyn O’Hehir.

Results showed that none of the patients with seasonal hayfever taking Oralair displayed symptoms of allergic rhinitis or asthma during the catastrophic thunderstorm asthma event in 2016, which affected thousands and claimed 10 lives.

Participants sought: Pain in the brain

Participants sought: Pain in the brain

This research study is exploring changes in the brain in people who suffer from chronic low back pain. We are seeking female volunteers between 20 and 40 years of age who are right handed and currently experiencing low back pain.