University of Melbourne receives NHMRC funding boost for medical research

 The University of Melbourne has welcomed funding as part of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants, announced today by Minister for Health Greg Hunt.

In total, 48 projects shared in nearly $40 million in funding.

Some of the University research supported by these grants include projects that aim to:

• Develop a screening test to identify women at risk of preeclampsia – led by Associate Professor Tu'uhevaha Kaitu'u-Lino
• Identify the correlates of protective immunity against invasive Staphylococcus aureus infection – led by Dr Linda Wakim
• Target neurovascular communication as a novel way of reducing vision loss in diabetes – led by Professor Erica Fletcher
• Discover the cell of origin for rare ovarian cancers – led by Associate Professor Kylie Gorringe
• Exploit messenger RNA export as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat cancer – led by Dr Vihandha Wickramasinghe
• Investigate a new regulator of cardiac rhythm in development and disease – led by Associate Professor Kylie Smith

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Jim McCluskey said the funding will drive new discoveries and innovation in key areas of health need.

“The funding will help solve some of our most pressing medical problems and lead to outcomes that will benefit people around the world.

“We thank the Federal Government for its support. I extend my congratulations to all the staff involved in these projects and acknowledge the valuable contribution of our medical research institute partners and hospital affiliates.”