$3.1 million for research

A planned investigation into the most cost-effective form of osteoarthritis treatment is among several University of Otago research projects boosted by about $3.1 million in new funding for up-and-coming researchers.

Otago University scientists gained the largest share of any university of the $7.29 million allocated this week by the Health Research Council for fellowships to develop the careers of emerging health researchers.

Auckland University researchers gained about $1.93 million.

Otago University researchers gained four out of five Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowships offered by the HRC, the Otago fellowships amounting to $500,000 each, spread over four years, to support advanced postdoctoral research.

One recipient, Dr Haxby Abbott, a senior research fellow in the Otago medical and surgical sciences department, will investigate what kind of treatment for osteoarthritis is most cost-effective, and what type of patient is most likely to respond best to one kind of treatment versus another, to reduce disability and cost.

Dr Abbott was "absolutely stoked and honoured" to receive the fellowship, which would enable him to continue an "exciting programme" of research he had planned, including projects with colleagues in the United States and Australia.

He hoped the research would lead to people with osteoarthritis having access to "high-quality, effective treatment to reduce the pain and disability of osteoarthritis"- which was affordable for the healthcare system and the individual - during those years between onset of the disease and "the eventual need for joint-replacement surgery".

Over three quarters of women diagnosed with breast cancer receive anti-oestrogen therapy.

Dr Anita Dunbier, who has a biochemistry doctorate from Otago, will return from Britain to take up her fellowship at the Otago biochemistry department and investigate why some women respond to the therapy better than others.

Dr Anna Pilbrow, of Otago's Christchurch campus, will explore links between family history and susceptibility to heart disease, which could help in developing blood tests to indicate impending risk of a heart attack.

Dr Shieak Tzeng, of Otago's Wellington campus, and Dr Mark Bolland, of Auckland University, also received Sir Charles Hercus fellowships.

Dunedin-based Otago University recipients of other HRC awards: clinical research training fellowship, Dr Ruth Cunningham, Silke Kuehl, $250,000 each; disability research placement programme, Elizabeth Mayland, $107,105, and Janet McDonald, $113,450; PhD scholarship in Maori health research, Jennifer Reid, $78,550; Maori health research summer studentships, Abbey Corbett, Brendan McIntosh, $5000 each; Pacific health research career-development awards, PhD scholarship, Radilaite Delaibatiki, $110,510; Pacific summer studentships, Rhys Faavae, Shivanjali Lingam, $5000 each.