Victoria University Researchers Awarded Two Major NHMRC Grants For Critical Health Research

Study in Australia: Victoria University researchers have received a combined $2.25 million grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for critical health research.

Professor David Bishop and Professor Emma Rybalka from Victoria University have received National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants of combined $2.25 million.

Professor Rybalka’s grant will go towards a rare genetic disorder known as AdenyloSuccinate Synthetase 1 (ADSS1) myopathy. Only around 200 active cases of this disorder are known in the world. There is no cure for this and in this situation, there is progressive loss of muscle mass and function which becomes fatal later on.

“We believe we have found a way to provide quality of life back to those suffering. We’re excited about the possibilities a successful trial could offer not just to these families, but others affected by muscle-wasting diseases,” Professor Rybalka said.  

Professor David Bishop research will focus on the mitochondria, the energy “powerhouses” of our cells.

“We live in a world that is rapidly ageing. This has major social, economic, and health impacts, and threatens our ability to maintain sustainable health and aged-care systems. We believe properly understanding the role of exercise could be a major breakthrough on how we manage our ageing population on a personal and community level,” Professor Bishop said.

Deakin Researchers Get $1.5 Million In NHMRC Ideas Grants

Professor Tim Silk from the Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development (SEED Lifespan) and Professor Tania de Koning-Ward from the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) have received NHMRC grant of over $1.5 million dollars. Tim will focus on the premonitory urges in Tourette Syndrome and Tania de Koning-Ward will focus on the red blood cell reaction in malaria infection.

"Despite the fact that extracellular vesicles EVs contribute to the severity of malaria disease, the mechanism by which they are generated by red blood cells infected with malaria parasites remains unknown. We will be using a range of approaches to identify potential strategies to block EV production with anti-malaria drugs, aiming to prevent malaria disease and potentially even parasite transmission to mosquitos," Professor Koning-Ward said.

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