Key Research Projects
Clinical Trials | Barwon Biomedical Research
The areas with the greatest number of research projects are cardiology, oncology, and the Clinical and Biomedical Sciences. In the 2006/07 year, 94 new research projects commenced, of these 63 were clinical research or clinical trials.
Barwon Health has developed a strong track record in a number of fields of clinical research. Associate Professor Richard Bell is conducting clinical trials related to cancer at a total budget of $1.5 million which generates employment of 20 EFT positions.
Professor Geoff Nicholson is leading a number of major studies (epidemiology and clinical research) related to Osteoporosis, Diabetes and Metabolism:
1. Epidemiology
The Geelong Osteoporosis study is a major epidemiological study of 1600 females and 1600 males. The results of this study have formed the basis of the Australian National Bone Density Range, defined age and gender specific fracture rates and identified risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture.
2. Clinical Research
The Vital D Study has recruited 2300 women over 70 to assess the effect over 5 years of vitamin supplementation on falls and fractures. In the 2004/05 financial year; 15 clinical studies were conducted, involving 6 staff at a EFT equivalent of 4.8, the total income for that year was $750,000. So far in the 2005/06 year 16 studies are underway using similar staff numbers. The total income for this financial year is likely to be in excess of $750,000.
Dr John Amerena is very active in clinical trials in cardiology, with a current pool of 15 trials, generating income of $500,000 to $600,000 per annum. Employed under Dr Amerena's supervision are 4 EFT staff (one Research Fellow and three EFT nursing positions).
There is also an active profile of clinical studies in psychiatry led by Professor Michael Berk, in Geriatric Medicine led by Dr Alistair Mander and in Infectious Diseases led by Dr Eugene Athan.
Barwon Biomedical Research is part of Barwon Health and is led by Prof Geoff Nicholson and Assoc Prof Mark Kirkland, who also have appointments with the University of Melbourne. BBR was formed through the merger of the Douglas Hocking Research Institute (a department of Barwon Health) and the laboratory research component of the Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Melbourne.
Assoc. Prof Kirkland also has a commercial relationship with the ASX listed biotech company Cygenix, which is involved in cellular therapies and the translation of stem cell research into commercial application.
BBR is investigating the growth and use of cord blood derived stem cells, and particularly the capacity of cord blood derived cells to differentiate into other cell types such as muscle cells and nerve cells. The current focus is examination of culture conditions required to grow primitive stem cells, and exploration of methods for reprogramming cord blood stem cells to display characteristics and growth potential of other cell types.
Of particular note is the recent agreement with Deakin University and CSIRO TFT to create a research program for the Biomedical Applications of High-Performing Materials.
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