Search

Vulnerable from the first breath - epithelial dysfunction and respiratory outcomes in children

We have been studying the importance of the epithelial cells lining the airways in the nose and lungs.

Understanding Otitis Media Among Aboriginal Children in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia: An Opportunity to Improve Health Outcomes

To assess the prevalence, clinical features and treatment of otitis media (OM) among Aboriginal children in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and to determine if a correlation exists between OM and protracted bacterial bronchitis.

The respiratory health effects of heated tobacco product aerosols in a primary human airway epithelial cell model

Heated-tobacco-products (HTPs) are electronic devices that "heat" a processed tobacco/chemical mixture to produce an inhalable emission. They are advertised as a reduced-risk alternative to cigarette smoking. The aim of our research was to assess their potential health impacts using a 3D human airway model.

Tracking Plasmodium knowlesi through faecal DNA for monitoring zoonotic transmission in wild macaques across Southeast and South Asia

We conducted the non-invasive surveillance of Plasmodium knowlesi in wild macaques using 4,752 faecal samples collected across nine endemic countries. 

Personal network inference identifies children at risk of recurrent wheezing and asthma

Wheezing and asthma exacerbations are leading causes of pediatric hospital admissions. Predicting which children will experience persistent exacerbations remains challenging. Prior research has identified immune endotypes in the nasal epithelium of children with acute asthma and wheezing, characterized by varying balances of interferons and inflammatory markers. Notably, children exhibiting low interferon responses coupled with high inflammation are at an increased risk for recurrent respiratory exacerbations.

Strengthening Aboriginal family involvement in the paediatric ESCALATION system: A multi-methods study of Aboriginal families' experiences in raising concerns

To explore Aboriginal families' experiences of recognising clinical deterioration and raising their concerns within the Paediatric ESCALATION system to identify enablers and barriers to family involvement.

Regulating the Irregular: Phage Therapy and the Case for a Regulatory Sandbox Approach in Australia

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that selectively kill bacteria and offer a promising option to address the growing global pandemic of antimicrobial-resistant infections. However, phage therapy does not easily align with traditional regulatory pathways designed for fixed-composition chemical drugs or biologics with fixed non-evolving compositions.

Lentiviral vector gene therapy and CFTR modulators show comparable effectiveness in cystic fibrosis rat airway models

Mutation-agnostic treatments such as airway gene therapy have the potential to treat any individual with cystic fibrosis (CF), irrespective of their CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene variants. The aim of this study was to employ two CF rat models, Phe508del and CFTR knockout to assess the comparative effectiveness of CFTR modulators and lentiviral vector-mediated gene therapy. 

Global participatory wastewater surveillance to understand mpox clade diversity in war and conflict-affected countries

War and conflict severely disrupt public health systems, compromising infectious disease surveillance in many affected regions. Mpox, a re-emerging zoonotic disease, poses a growing global threat, especially in areas where traditional monitoring is inaccessible.The mpox virus has distinct clades with varying transmission and severity.

Azithromycin mitigates human rhinovirus impact on barrier integrity and function in non-diseased airway epithelium

Azithromycin improves symptomology in various chronic airway diseases exacerbated by viral infections. However, the mechanisms underlying the apparent antiviral effects of azithromycin remain unclear.