College of Medicine & Dentistry

Semagn Abate

Doctor of Philosophy (Health)
semagn.abate@my.jcu.edu.au

Joseph Kamara

Senior Lecturer Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance
joseph.kamara@jcu.edu.au

Eric Kalo

Lecturer Medical Education
eric.kalo@jcu.edu.au

Erin Waters

JCU Associate Professor
erin.waters@jcu.edu.au

Kannan Maharajan

Associate Professor, Pharmacy
kannan.maharajan@jcu.edu.au

Fahmida Begum Mina

Doctor of Philosophy (Medical, Molecular and Veterinary Sciences)
fahmidabegum.mina@my.jcu.edu.au

Lynsey Brown

Adjunct Senior Lecturer
lynsey.brown@jcu.edu.au

Ali Isin

Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
ali.isin@jcu.edu.au

Muideen Olaiya

Senior Research Fellow
muideen.olaiya@jcu.edu.au

Mila Grinblat

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
mila.grinblat@jcu.edu.au

Development of bivalent degraders targeting Aurora kinase A for the treatment of polycystic kidney disease (Old ID 31137)

Andrew Mallett

01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2025

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most common, potentially fatal, monogenic disease. It is characterised by hyperproliferative formation of fluid-filled cysts from renal epithelia, which progressively ablate healthy renal tissue requiring dialysis or renal transplant to prevent death. It affects 1 in 500-1000 Australians and makes up 5% of end stage renal disease patients. The only approved therapy is a drug called tolvaptan, which inhibits the vasopressin receptor, thereby treating a symptom. Unsurprisingly, tolvaptan has only modest benefits, increasing patient lifespan by ~2.6 years at a cost of US$744K per quality-of-life-year gained. The drug has considerable side effects, including the potential for liver toxicity, with a borderline cost-benefit-risk profile. Consequently, ~24% patients discontinue use. Recently, a Phase II/III trial of Sanofi’s heralded breakthrough therapy, venglustat, was halted due to failure to prevent cyst growth. Rapamycin has also failed in clinical trials previously. As such, any therapeutic treatment that could halt/slow disease progression would be paradigm-shifting to meet this unmet need. We have shown that ADPKD can be halted by genetic ablation of Aurora kinase A (AURKA). Thus, AURKA is a key driver of this disease. We have now developed a small molecule that potently degrades AURKA at low nanomolar levels. This targeted protein degrader (TPD), which we call TPD100, is on the precipice of a significant value inflexion point that will be realized through the combination of its current in vitro cell-based and in vivo potency, combined with a future strong intellectual property position, and evidence of efficacy and safety in ADPKD animal models. This grant will support the development of a novel and patent-protected TPD that is safe and efficacious in ADPKD animal models with once-weekly subcutaneous dosing, representing a very attractive investment package as we progress towards a human ADPKD therapy.

Megalithic connections: Investigation and Digital Conservation of imperilled cultural heritage in Laos and India (Old ID 27791)

Kate Domett

01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2027

This interdisciplinary project aims to explore the cultural connections between the geographically disparate megalithic cultures of Laos and India and to create an enduring digital record of these threatened cultural assets. Using archaeological science and pioneering technologies the project will create new knowledge, museum exhibitions, strengthening cultural relations and public diplomacy. The research will advance archaeological knowledge, heritage management processes and lead to economic, social and cultural benefit in these regions. With an increasing awareness of the need to protect and conserve global cultural assets, there is an opportunity for Australia to take a lead in developing innovative technological solutions.

Development and Evaluation of Lived Experience Peer Support Intervention for Mental Health Service Users in Primary Care

Sam Manger

01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2025

2 aspects to this project including a primary care co-design phase and then an intervention phase, with the overall goal of hosting peer support workers in primary care to provide mental health support. Lived experience peer support has been used in many mental healthcare contexts, but not in primary care. Peers walk alongside consumers to improve their self-efficacy and personal recovery. Peer support will improve access, engagement and support for people with mental ill-health in primary care.

Better Blood Biomarkers for ME/CFS

Subir Sarker

07 Jun 2024 - 30 Jun 2027

Recent ME/CFS research focuses on blood biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. Immune dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic changes are highlighted as key pathways. Omics technologies aid in discovering novel biomarkers and understanding disease heterogeneity. Challenges like sample variation and reproducibility underscore the importance of collaboration and standardization. Despite obstacles, biomarker discovery offers potential for early detection, personalized treatment, and better outcomes. This research signals a move towards precision medicine in ME/CFS management, promising transformative impact in clinical practice.

Suspected Pulmonary Embolism Exclusion with D-dimers in Emergency Departments (SPEED-ED)

Iyke Emeto

16 Jul 2024 - 01 Dec 2026

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is defined as obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches, most often by blood clot circulating from a distant site. Acute PE is common, potentially fatal and is associated with a major global burden of disease. predicted to increase in an ageing society Global hospital admission rates have also increased in recent years. The clinical presentation of PE is non-specific due to an overlap of clinical features with other conditions and can vary from asymptomatic to sudden death, meaning the diagnosis is both challenging to make, and important. This has resulted in the development of clinical decision rules (CDRs) and algorithms to aid the diagnostic process and minimise practice variation. These rules employ a combination of clinical probability assessment, laboratory plasma D-dimer measurement and imaging modalities like Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) or Ventilation-Perfusion(V/Q) scan. Modified Wells’ score, Revised Geneva Score, Pulmonary Embolism Rule out Criteria (PERC) and Age-adjusted D-dimer threshold are the major validated CDRs in current clinical use that aim to improve consistency and minimise variation.

Leveraging NQ telehealth experience for contextually-informed process guidelines to optimise health service access, quality and safety in rural and remote Australia

Sarah Larkins

17 Sep 2024 - 16 Sep 2029

Use of telehealth in north Queensland has evolved early and rapidly in response to the health service needs of a culturally diverse population spread over a large area. This project maps knowledge about existing telehealth usage, examines strategies for safe and high quality use, including cultural acceptability and co-develops guidelines for health care providers and consumers for the optimal usage of telehealth across north Queensland. This is likely to be applicable across other RRR areas.

Seed funding -improving stroke management by characterising the ischaemic penumrba proteome.

Joseph Moxon

01 Jul 2024 - 30 Jun 2025

Current therapies for stroke work by restoring the blood supply to the brain to rescue oxygen-starved tissue at risk of dying (known as the ischaemic penumbra). Consumer groups highlight that therapies to slow the death of cells in the penumbra is a priority, however, surprisingly little is known about the biology of this tissue. This study will utilise laboratory models of stroke, and apply modern imaging, proteomic and bioinformatic approaches to characterise the major pathways driving penumbra phenotype. Generated data will provide a world's first perspective into penumbra biology as an important foundation for subsequent grants seeking to test potential therapuetic targets.

Comparison of PoCT for salivary cortisol with Salimetrics ELIZA Salivary Cortisol

Donna Rudd

31 Jul 2024 - 31 Jul 2025

Salivary cortisol has always been a useful tool for measuring and monitoring stress in individuals particularly in a research setting. This tool is now very much moving into a diagnostic setting with the use of salivary and hair cortisols as a part of routine psychiatric investigation. Methodological validation is important to ensure that the methods employed in research trials are validated to a standard expected in pathology laboratories and recommended by ISO15189 and local guidelines. This project will utilise salivary cortisol samples collected for two ongoing research trials to validate the Salimetrics Salivary Cortisol assay and provide researchers with quality assurance around their results.

Enhancing notification-driven linkage to care for people living with hepatitis C in Queensland: System constraints and solutions

Iyke Emeto

14 Aug 2024 - 14 Aug 2026

This project aims to identify and address system barriers hindering the effective use of notification data to identify individuals with untreated hepatitis C (HCV) infection in Queensland, Australia. The study will focus on improving surveillance and linkage to care processes. Despite the availability of curative treatments, HCV remains a significant public health issue, particularly among high-risk populations. Current surveillance systems and case definitions are inadequate for identifying individuals with active HCV infection who require treatment. The project involves a comprehensive approach, including a literature review, system mapping, and gap analysis of the Queensland HCV surveillance system. Additionally, a pilot study will analyze HCV notification data to inform potential data outputs and system improvements. The ultimate goal is to develop recommendations for enhancing HCV surveillance and linkage to care in Queensland, contributing to Australia’s HCV elimination targets

Autologous Platelet-Derivated Grown Factors for the Functionalization of PCL-3D Printed Construct: an in-vitro and in-vivo study

Tulio Fernandez Medina