CCS researchers win MS Australia grant for multiple sclerosis research

L-R: CCS's Associate Professor Anneke van der Walt, Dr Yi Chao Foong, 

Dr Daniel Merlo, Dr Steven Petratos,  and BDI's Dr Hugh Reid

MS Australia will make an intensive bid to urgently find ways to repair nerve fibres and their protective covering (myelin), which are damaged in people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The bid will launch this year thanks to $6.9 million in new research grants announced 15 February (see their research snapshot and detail of all grants).

This is the largest research investment in MS Australia’s 50-year history, taking the total amount provided for local investigator-led scientific projects in MS to $54 million since the organisation began in 1972.

Monash University researchers received a total of $754,000 in MS Australia’s 2022 round of funding. They included four Central Clinical School (CCS) researchers and one Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) researcher. Congratulations to CCS's Associate Professor Anneke van der Walt, Dr Yi Chao Foong, Dr Daniel Merlo, Dr Steven Petratos,  and BDI's Dr Hugh Reid!

Sugarcane fibre helps IBS patients on a low FODMAP diet

Dr Dan So is lead author on a paper which is
the first to test sugar-cane fibres for IBS patients
on a low FODMAP diet. Link

A low FODMAP diet is used to manage symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) but does not typically improve bowel habits. Specific types of fibre can improve bowel habits, but their tolerability in IBS and the suitability of coadministration with a low FODMAP diet is unknown.

Dr Daniel So recently completed his PhD in the Central Clinical School's Department of Gastroenterology, and now works with Atmo Biosciences in addition to being an affiliate research dietitian in the department. His PhD explored how specific types of dietary fibre could be used to provide clinical value in patients with IBS. 

Dr So is lead author on this paper, the first to evaluate the benefit that a novel fibre, sugarcane bagasse, could offer to patients with IBS, as an adjunct to a low FODMAP diet.

Independent expert voices to oversee pandemic response

A/Prof Joe Doyle

Congratulations to Associate Professor Joseph Doyle, who has been appointed to a newly formed Independent Pandemic Management Advisory Committee (IPMAC), for his expertise in infectious diseases and public health. A/Prof Doyle has joint appointments with Burnet Institute, Alfred Health and Monash University.

The IPMAC – formally established by the Victorian Minister for Health, Martin Foley and announced 15 Feb – will include members with knowledge and experience in fields such as public health, infectious diseases, primary care, emergency services, critical care, business, law and human rights.

Forthcoming: ABC TV 22 Feb 2022 Catalyst featuring our Dr Gemma Sharp on body image issues

ABC Catalyst will be airing an episode on Tuesday 22 February, 8.30pm, "Forever Young? The Rise Of Injectables". It will feature Central Clinical School's Dr Gemma Sharp (pictured being interviewed by a journalist on Zoom for the episode) talking about body image concerns.

Australians spend over a billion dollars on injectable treatments annually and clients seeking tweakments are getting younger. The Catalyst episode explores the psychology behind this trend and the consequences of pursuing youth and perfection.

Universal HBV screening in China is cost-effective, the earlier the better

A/Prof Lei Zhang is senior author on a paper modelling early
diagnostic screening for HBV infection in China

China has one of the largest disease burdens of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections worldwide, accounting for one-third of the world's infected population. If uncontrolled, chronic HBV infection can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. 

However, estimated only 19% of chronic HBV-infected people are diagnosed in China, versus the 90% target set by the WHO for HBV elimination by 2030. A universal HBV screening program may improve diagnostic rates and aid China in reaching the WHO 2030 target. 

MRFF funding for psychedelic psychotherapy in treatment-resistant depression

Psilocybin is a naturally derived psychedelic that can

potentially assist people with treatment-resistant depression.
Image: ACS

The Medical Research Future Fund Clinical Trials Activity Initiative has awarded $2.7M for Innovative Therapies for Mental Illness to a Monash University-led team, to evaluate the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treatment-resistant depression.   

Welcome to our new senior recruits Rebecca Disler, Yet Khor and Joe Kong

L-R: A/Prof Rebecca Disler, A/Prof Yet Khor, Dr Joe Kong

Welcome to Associate Professors Rebecca Disler, Yet Khor (both of Respiratory Research@Alfred) and Dr Joe Kong (Department of Surgery) for whom we ran welcome notes late last year, and who have officially started with Central Clinical School in January 2022. See detail about our new recruits at:

• Associate Professor Rebecca Disler (CCS news story, Monash Pure profile)
  
• Associate Professor Yet Khor (CCS news story, Monash Pure profile)
  
• Dr Joe Kong (CCS news story, Monash Pure profile)