$27m boost for Uni research

The inflammatory diseases research team, which just received further funding, is (from left) Dr Rebecca Roberts, Associate Prof Tony Merriman and Associate Prof Greg Jones. Photo by Linda Robertson.

Research into inflammatory diseases has received a $4.7 million funding boost from the Health Research Council as part of a $27 million fillip for University of Otago scientists.

Associate Prof Tony Merriman described the three-year funding extension as a "dream".

It would allow him and his co-investigators Dr Rebecca Roberts and Associate Prof Greg Jones to continue research into identifying risk genes for inflammation conditions.

Those included abdominal aortic aneurism, gout, and inflammatory bowel disease.

The trio began the programme, which involves about 10,000 people from across New Zealand, three years ago.

By comparing healthy people with those who suffer from the diseases, the group is trying to find genes which cause the diseases, and any similarity between them.

They have already found one shared pathway between abdominal aortic aneurism and inflammatory bowel disease, and are pushing for Pharmac to fund a drug widely used elsewhere for the treatment of gout.

"The ultimate goal is to prevent the diseases or cure them," Dr Roberts said.

Another 22 research proposals at the University of Otago also received funding worth more than $22 million. The Christchurch health and development study, which has been following 1265 people born in the city in 1977, received a further $3.19 million to extend its research to when the group turns 35.

Prof Mark Richards' Christchurch-based programme received $3.4 million to continue research into heart disease.

Associate Prof Patrick Manning will use $1.2 million to conduct the first controlled trial to identify if a drug which increases dopamine levels is effective in preventing weight gain.

Prof Parry Guilford received $1.08 million to continue working on drugs which are selectively lethal to cancer cells.

$27m boost for researchat University of Otago> From Page 1Acting deputy vice-chancellor of research and enterprise Prof Helen Nicholson said the funding was further recognition of the quality of research being carried out at the university.

"Otago is producing world-class health research in a variety of areas. All of it has the potential to bring significant health benefits, not only in New Zealand, but further afield."

Other recipients: Dr Tristram Ingham, the contribution of housing conditions to bronchiolitis disparities, $1.16 million; Dr Istvan Abraham, Angels as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, $782,886; Dr Rebecca Campbell, understanding the neuroendocrine abnormalities of polycystic ovarian syndrome, $650,735; Associate Prof Brian Cox, comparative effectiveness research: one-off sigmoidoscopy or iFOBT screening, $666,038; Associate Prof Marie Crowe, randomised clinical effectiveness trial of a bipolar disorder clinic, $1.2 million; Dr Anna Ranta, efficacy and safety of TIA electronic support tool trial, $624,846; Associate Prof Parry Guilford, single cell RNA profiling for the early detection of urological cancers, $820,303; Associate Prof Kate Scott, the association of mental disorders with subsequent physical condition onsets, $643,944; Prof Roger Mulder, health anxiety CBT vs TAU for patients with non-cardiac chest pain, $726,684; Dr Louise Signal, cancer care journeys and clinical decision-making, $1.2 million; Prof Allan Herbison, understanding kisspeptin neurons, $1 million; Associate Prof Lisa Stamp, safety and efficacy of high dose allopurinol in the management of gout, $1.2 million; Associate Prof Margreet Vissers, ascorbate-mediated regulation of HIF-1 controlled tumour growth and angiogenesis, $812,985; Dr Kristin Wickens, a maternal probiotic intervention for infant allergic disease prevention, $1.2 million; Dr Lyndie Foster Page, caries management in New Zealand children, $146,826; Associate Prof Leigh Hale, prevention of falls for adults with intellectual disability, $143,026; Associate Prof Susan Dovey, patient safety in New Zealand general practices, $149,276.

ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz