Groundbreaking new research on cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and the human impact of natural disasters is included in the $74.56M of government research funding announced by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC). The investment covers many of the issues that impact most heavily on the health of New Zealanders, and includes over $18M to new, longer term, programmes of research.
Of the $74.56 million funding offered, 36.6 per cent is for research team salaries, 27.3 per cent is for research expenses, and 36.1 per cent covers the indirect costs of the research to the host institutions. This table (PDF 226kb) shows the dollar distribution between hosts that received contract offers.
“We are supporting some very exciting studies this year, which reflect the very high calibre of New Zealand health research. This year our investment will speed the development of new drugs that attack cancer cells and leave healthy cells unharmed, give new hope to those affected by neurological disorders and provide urgently needed data on how to ameliorate the human impact of natural disasters,” says HRC Chief Executive, Dr Robin Olds.
The new programmes include $3.91M to extend the well-established and world-renowned Christchurch Health and Development Study, led by Professor David Fergusson from the University of Otago, Christchurch. This is a longitudinal study of nearly 1,265 children born in Christchurch in 1977, and studied to age 30. The additional funding will allow the cohort to be interviewed at age 35, on a comprehensive range of issues relating to social background, economic and personal circumstances, mental health and related measures. The team will use this body of data to estimate the impact of the Christchurch earthquake on participants, and produce findings to guide future policy and planning on natural disasters. For the first time, researchers have detailed information on the health and wellbeing of those affected both before and after a natural disaster.
Over 100,000 New Zealanders are currently living with neurodegenerative conditions. The rate of Alzheimer’s disease is increasing in New Zealand, and HRC-funded researchers contribute to the global effort to find more effective treatments to combat this, and other, devastating neurological disorders. Professor Michael Dragunow from The University of Auckland, will lead a five-year programme of research, costing $4.46M, to study the underlying causes and treatments for - Alzheimer's, epilepsy, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease.
Professor Dragunow’s world-class team of neuroscientists and chemists has well-developed linkages with neurosurgeons, gerontologists, other clinical groups in the District Health Boards involved in clinical trials, and with NZ Biotech industries. Their goal is to translate lab-based research into therapies for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. The group is supported by the multidisciplinary Centre for Brain Research at The University of Auckland, and its unparalleled Human Brain Bank - a unique resource of human brain tissue which has been used to advance knowledge on these serious diseases.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading causes of death in New Zealand, yet they are readily preventable. Available treatments can half the likelihood of developing CVD in high-risk individuals, but our ability to identify these patients is poor. Another issue is the differing burden of CVD among population groups, which results from both under-treatment and over-treatment, and results in disparities in outcomes. Professor Rod Jackson from The University of Auckland and his research team have been awarded $4.93M to develop better tools to identify the high-risk patients that will benefit from treatment; quantify and map gaps and disparities in appropriate treatment; and model the impact of treatment disparities on the CVD burden in New Zealand.
Dr Paul Reynolds, from the Independent Māori Institute for Environment and Health: Te Atawhai o te Ao in Whanganui, has received funding for a new programme, which will investigate the ways that people achieve recovery from sexual abuse, imprisonment and cultural disconnection. It is the first HRC programme to be awarded to a community-based organisation, the first to be awarded under a new HRC investment stream dedicated solely to Māori health research, and is only the second Māori-led Programme to be awarded in the HRC’s 20-year history. The research will be undertaken around the country and aims to find pathways to recovery.
To view the spreadsheet which outlines detailed information about the 2011 HRC funding round successful proposals, including recipients, lay summaries, salaries, expenses and overheads, please click here (XLSX 41.2kb).
2011 HRC annual funding round results
The HRC processed 173 full applications for four different types of awards and will offer 52 contracts to the successful applicants. Project proposals were processed through a two-stage process beginning with 387 Expressions of Interest leading to 127 full applications assessed in the second stage. Successful applications were chosen by an assessment process involving national and international expert referees, detailed discussion by Science Assessing Committees, and further review by the Grant Approval Committee before final approval by the HRC Board. The total value of new research to be undertaken within universities, research institutes and District Health Boards is $74.56 million (excluding GST).
The following list of successful applicants includes the named Principal Investigator only.
HRC New Programmes:
Professor Michael Dragunow, The University of Auckland
Neurodegeneration in the Human Brain - Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets
60 months, $4,467,504
Professor David Fergusson, University of Otago, Christchurch
The Christchurch Health and Development Study - Birth to 35 Years
60 months, $3,914,157
Professor Rodney Jackson, The University of Auckland
Vascular Informatics using Epidemiology and the Web (VIEW)
60 months, $4,939,449
Dr Paul Reynolds, Independent Māori Institute for Environment and Health: Te Atawhai o te Ao, Whanganui
He Kokonga Whare: Māori Intergenerational Trauma and Healing
60 months, $4,728,200
HRC Programme Extensions:
Professor Jeroen Douwes, Massey University, Wellington
Building Research in Occupational Health in New Zealand (BROHNZ)
36 months, $2,812,901
Associate Professor Tony Merriman, University of Otago, Dunedin
Application of Genetics to the Pathogenesis of Common Chronic Conditions
36 months, $4,765,885
Professor Mark Richards, University of Otago, Christchurch
Neurohumoral and Genetic Prediction and Protection in Heart Disease
36 months, $3,430,492
Professor Peter Shepherd, The University of Auckland
Signalling Pathways Involved in the Control of Glucose Metabolism
36 months, $2,657,516
Professor William Wilson, The University of Auckland
Physiological Targeting in Cancer Therapy
36 month, $5,252,166
HRC Projects:
Dr Istvan Abraham, The University of Otago, Dunedin
ANGELS as a Potential Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease
36 months, $782,886
Professor Shanthi Ameratunga, The University of Auckland
M-health Delivery for Reducing Alcohol in the Trauma Environment (MoDeRATE) Trial
36 months, $1,185,265
Associate Professor Robert Anderson, The University of Auckland
Potent Reactive Radicals as Hypoxia-Selective Cytotoxins for Cancer Treatment
36 months, $1,194,225
Professor Richard Beasley, Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington
Randomised Placebo-controlled Trial of Paracetamol in Febrile Septic Patients
36 months, $1,197,966
Professor Laura Bennet, The University of Auckland
Can Pluripotent Amnion Epithelial Cells help the Injured Preterm Brain?
36 months, $1,154,402
Dr Amohia Boulton, Te Maruo Ruahine Trust/Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development, Whanganui
Supporting Traditional Rongoa Practice in Contemporary Health Care Settings
36 months, $1,023,301
Dr Rebecca Campbell, The University of Otago, Dunedin
Understanding the Neuroendocrine Abnormalities of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
36 months, $650,735
Associate Professor Brian Cox, University of Otago, Dunedin
Comparative Effectiveness Research: One-off Sigmoidoscopy or iFOBT Screening
20 months, $666,038
Dr Marie Crowe, University of Otago, Christchurch
A Randomised clinical Effectiveness Trial of a Bipolar Disorder Clinic
36 months, $1,189,961
Professor Valery Feigin, AUT University
Extension to the Traumatic Brain Injury Burden in New Zealand Study
14 months, $345,465
Associate Professor Edward Gane, Auckland District Health Board
Can Better Surveillance Prevent Liver Cancer and Death in Maori with Chronic HBV
30 months, $964,393
Associate Professor Parry Guilford, The University of Otago, Dunedin
Synthetic lethal Targeting of the Tumour Suppressor Gene CDH1 in Common Cancers
36 months, $1,080,001
Associate Professor Parry Guilford, The University of Otago, Dunedin
Single Cell RNA Profiling for the Early Detection of Urological Cancers
36 months, $820,303
Professor Allan Herbison, The University of Otago, Dunedin
Understanding Kisspeptin Neurons
36 months, $1,002,385
Dr Tristram Ingham, University of Otago, Wellington
Whiti Te Ra: The Contribution of Housing Conditions to Bronchiolitis Disparities
36 months, $1,157,725
Dr Rhys Jones, The University of Auckland
Marae Food Gardens: Health and Wellbeing through Urban Marae in Tamaki Makaurau
36 months, $1,165,597
Professor Jane Koziol-McLain, AUT University
Internet-based Intervention to Improve Mental Health Outcomes for Abused Women
60 months, $1,187,960
Professor Graham Le Gros, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington
Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Food Allergen Sensitisation
36 months, $1,186,852
Dr Denis Loiselle, The University of Auckland
Energetics of the Diabetic Heart
36 months, $1,009,179
Associate Professor Patrick Manning, The University of Otago, Dunedin
Does Cabergoline Prevent Weight Regain in People with Obesity?
48 months, $1,192,020
Dr Mark Marshall, Centre for Clinical Research & Effective Practice, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland
Sodium Lowering In Dialysate (SOLID) Study
36 months, $1,170,074
Professor Edwin Mitchell, The University of Auckland
Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI): Nationwide Case-control Study
36 months, $1,180,131
Professor Roger Mulder, The University of Otago, Christchurch
Health Anxiety CBT vs TAU for Patients with Non-cardiac Chest Pain
36 months, $726,684
Dr Annemarei Ranta, University of Otago, Wellington
Efficacy and Safety of TIA Electronic Support Tool (FASTEST) Trial
24 months, $624,846
Professor Franca Ronchese, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington
Immunotherapy of Allergic Disease
36 months, $1,170,798
Associate Professor Kate Scott, University of Otago, Dunedin
The Association of Mental Disorders with Subsequent Physical Condition Onsets
36 months, $643,944
Associate Professor Louise Signal, University of Otago, Wellington
C3 - Cancer Care Journeys and Clinical Decision Making
36 months, $1,198,742
Associate Professor Lisa Stamp, The University of Otago, Christchurch
Safety and Efficacy of High Dose Allopurinol in the Management of Gout: a Randomised Interventional Study
36 months, $1,199,225
Dr Cathy Stinear, The University of Auckland
TRIO: Targeted Rehabilitation, Improved Outcomes
36 months, $1,126,268
Dr Denise Taylor, AUT University
Low-cost Telerehabilitation to Improve Outcomes for People with Chronic Stroke
36 months, $986,660
Dr Margreet Vissers, The University of Otago, Christchurch
Ascorbate-mediated Regulation of HIF-1 Mediated Tumour Growth and Angiogenesis
36 months, $812,985
Dr Kristin Wickens, University of Otago, Wellington
A Maternal Probiotic Intervention for Infant Allergic Disease Prevention
36 months, $1,181,991
Dr Marc Wilson, Victoria University of Wellington
Longitudinal Study of Development and Cessation of Self-harm among Adolescents
48 months, $1,122,650
Professor John Windsor, The University of Auckland
Toxicity of Mesenteric Lymph in Critical Illness
36 months, $1,134,445
Dr Conroy Wong, Centre for Clinical Research & Effective Practice, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland
A Randomised Trial of Tiotropium Treatment for Bronchiectasis
36 months, $1,198,253
Associate Professor Lianne Woodward, The University of Canterbury
Neurological Development of the Very Preterm Infant: A Longitudinal Study
36 months, $923,902
HRC Feasibility Study Grants:
Associate Professor Susan Dovey, The University of Otago, Dunedin
Patient Safety In New Zealand General Practices: Records Review Study
12 months, $149,276
Ms Lyndie Foster Page, The University of Otago, Dunedin
A Novel Approach to Caries Management in New Zealand Children
12 months, $146,826
Professor Philippa Gander, Massey University, Wellington
Can Reinforcing the Circadian Clock Improve the Sleep of Alzheimers Patients?
12 months, $146,717
Associate Professor Leigh Hale, The University of Otago, Dunedin
Prevention of Falls for Adults with Intellectual Disability (PROFAID)
12 months, $143,062
Professor Suzanne Purdy, The University of Auckland
SPICCATO: Stroke and Parkinson's Community Choir Engagement and Therapeutic Outcomes
12 months, $149,986
Mr Mattias Soop, The University of Auckland
High vs Low Urine Output Targets in Surgical Patients: A Clinical Trial
12 months, $147,939
Professor Peter Stone, The University of Auckland
Promoting Quality at Birth
12 months, $149,944