Grants support vital research in epilepsy, cancer and malaria

Patients suffering from cancer, neurological conditions and infectious diseases will benefit significantly from the most recent round of research funding from the Federal Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). 
Melbourne’s Biomedical community has received $39 million in collaborative research grants which will have global reach, improving the lives of patients with epilepsy, cancer and malaria.
The funding round provides support for: Development Grants to foster commercialisation, Postgraduate Research Scholarships for early career researchers, and Program Grants over a period of five years, awarded on the basis of demonstrated excellence.
The University of Melbourne has been directly awarded more than $26 million of the total funds awarded in this year’s NHMRC grants, and maintains its research leadership position.
“Because researchers are embedded in clinical environments the translation of their research into patient treatments is significant,” says Professor Stephen Smith, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
“Collaborations with our affiliates such as The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Austin Hospital highlight the power of a Biomedical community that links research to clinical care,” Professor Smith says.
Among those to have been awarded significant grants are:
Laureate Professor Sam Berkovic AC, who has been awarded $16.1 million to further his groundbreaking, globally recognised research in epilepsy. Professor Berkovic is the Director of the Epilepsy Research Centre at Austin Health and discovered the first known epilepsy gene. He leads a team of researchers from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and the University of Adelaide.
Professor Alan Cowman has been awarded $11 million to lead a collaborative team from the University of Melbourne and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, to better understand malaria in the human host.
Professor David Bowtell has been awarded $7 million to lead a team from the University of Melbourne, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Prince of Wales Hospital to improve outcomes for women with epithelial ovarian cancer and to influence the care of ovarian cancer patients worldwide.
Associate Professor Mathias Ernst has been awarded $5.2 million to lead a collaboration of researchers from the University of Melbourne and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in developmental therapeutics for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.
University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor James McCluskey says the grants recognise the depth and quality of research at the University of Melbourne that can potentially unlock solutions to significant health problems.
“NHMRC funding will enhance the ability of the University and our collaborators to improve health and wellbeing for all Australians. Through engaged and committed research leaders, the University can continue to generate new knowledge through research with meaningful impact on clinical practice,” he says.
www.research.unimelb.edu.au
www.nhmrc.gov.au