Media Release

Thursday, 1 November 2001

MORE than $12 million has been awarded to two research teams at Adelaide University for new ground-breaking medical research projects.

In its latest round of funding, the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced two major New Program Grants in South Australia starting next year ( both were awarded to Adelaide University.

The winners are:

Understanding the human genome
The aim of this project is to research a number of areas of the human genome linked to genetically inherited illnesses, such as epilepsy, some forms of intellectual impairment, and tumours (particularly breast cancer).

The funding is for $7.7m over five years, awarded to Professor Grant Sutherland (Paediatrics) ph 8161 7284 wk.

The early origins of adult disease
Looking at how certain factors in children, such as hormones that restrict growth before and soon after birth, can impact on the development of diseases later in life ( such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and diabetes.

The funding is more than $4.5m over five years, awarded to Professor Jeffrey Robinson (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) ph 8303 5100, Professor Caroline McMillen (Physiology) ph 8303 5911 and Associate Professor Julie Owens (Physiology) ph 8303 4088.

These two New Program Grants were among the 16 announced nationally by the NHMRC.

The NHMRC also announced a number of Project Grants and Fellowship Grants in South Australia, bringing the total to $30m in funding for medical research in this State. Projects Grants awarded to Adelaide University staff include:

The use of vitamins C and E to prevent premature delivery of babies
Associate Professor Caroline Crowther (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
Telephone: +61 8 8161 7619

The impact of long-term hormone replacement therapy
Professor Alastair MacLennan (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
Telephone: +61 8 8161 7619

Understanding genes in normal and cancer cells
Associate Professor Robert Richards (Molecular Biosciences)
Telephone: +61 8 8303 7541

Which is the better way to remove colon cancer?
Mr Peter Hewett (Surgery) ph 8222 6248.