Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1037-0919
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Address: Department of Anaesthesia, level 5, `E' block, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton 3168
Phone: (03) 9550 5290
Basic studies on the antinociceptive properties of spinally administered drugs; a detailed analysis of the mechanism of their actions; the development of novel drugs targeting these spinal systems: studies include collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology in the study of GABAA receptor subtypes involved in spinal antinociceptive mechanisms; clinical studies of the treatment of acute and chronic pain syndromes; clinical audit of acute post-operative pain services. The department also has an interest in intravenous anaesthesia and cerebral protection during surgery and anaesthesia.
Address: Department of Anatomy, Monash University, Clayton 3168
Phone: (03) 9905 2751
+ Thalassaemic research This project studies in detail the molecular basis, incidence, clinical and public health manifestations of anaemias of clinical significance in selected populations. The molecular diversity of these common disorders is currently being investigated using a variety of methods including restriction enzyme analysis of DNA, the sequencing of PCR amplified globin genes and mutation detection by chemical cleavage of DNA.
+ DNA fingerprinting studies The reproductive fitness of males in natural populations is measured by their capacity to sire progeny which survive to reproduce in the next generation. In these studies we are using genetic fingerprinting and fluorescent-probe techniques to examine population heterogeneity, to determine paternity and to examine the effects of different mating strategies and insemination procedures on sperm competition in some selected mammalian species.
+ Chronic inflammatory bowel disease Ulcerative colitis is a disease whose cause is unknown and treatment unsatisfactory. This project aims to establish a link between the lining cells of the large bowel and the early stages of the development of ulcerative colitis and attempt to define markers that might help identify subjects at risk of developing the disease. It also examines whether exhaustion of energy supply in the lining cells is a factor in the development of the disease. The study of biopsies of human colon using light and electron microscopy is a major part of this project.
+ Cruciate ligament repairs Anterior cruciate injuries (ACL)/rupture are very common in athletes, motor car and other accidents and lead to considerable short and long term disability. Recent work demonstrates that human autograft collagen fibres used to replace the ACL are uniformly of small diameter and do not approach the large diameter fibres seen in the patellar tendon from which the grafts are derived. This study aims to develop improved methods for the repair of ACL injuries in humans.
+ Reproduction in marsupials Six distinct life history strategies have been recognised within the family Dasyuridae (the carnivorous marsupials). The semelparous species have perhaps the most interesting strategy with a mating period that is shorter than gestation and highly synchronised and abrupt mortality of all males, often before females have ovulated, at the end of their first short mating period. The study aims to establish the hormonal control mechanisms for reproduction in marsupials.
+ Hormonal control of testicular function For over 50 years it has been known that the gonadotrophic hormones FSH and LH, together with testosterone, control the process of adult male. We know that testosterone plays a predominant role in the control of spermatogenesis and fertility, though little is known about the biochemical and physiological mechanisms of testosterone action in the testis. This study aims to improve treatments for infertile men.
+ Hormonal control of testicular development The first of these involves the factors controlling testicular size and capacity to produce sperm. Work currently in progress in the laboratory is centred on the role of thyroid hormone in the control of testicular development in the neonatal animal. More recent work has demonstrated that the effects of hypothyroidism are synergistic with elevated levels of FSH. This project is directed at eliciting the mechanisms of these effects.
+ Stereology The application of contemporary stereological methods to the quantification of tissue components, especially methods relating to the estimation of cell number. The biological application of these methods has been both the investigation of the hormonal control of spermatogenesis and the hormonal control of testicular development particularly in the context of spermatogenic potential. This project offers `hands-on' experience in stereological techniques.
+ Neurodegeneration research In vivo and in vitro investigations of neuronal degeneration in order to better understand Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Motor Neurone Disease as well as diabetic neuropathies. This study screens novel therapeutic agents which block neurodegenerative processes and maps postmortem human brain and spinal cord tissue to determine neurodegenerative changes.
+ Control of movement Several experiments are underway examining how the cerebellum and basal ganglia influence the cortex during skilled or learned movements. The student will learn how to perform single cells studies in the live animal.
+ Factors regulating regeneration of motor neurones The regeneration of nerves following damage is often poor. Over recent years many new neural growth factors have been identified and some of these factors show great potential to aid in the repair of the peripheral nervous system. The project will involve the microsurgical repair of peripheral nerve and an assessment of functional recovery.
+ Neural pathways for motor control This project will use the latest techniques to investigate the connections between the different areas of the brain involved in motion control. The project involves injection of very small amounts of neuronal tracer to map neuronal pathways.
+ Transgenic mice without dopamine receptors The molecular neurobiology laboratory aims to investigate neural diseases and normal brain development using recombinant DNA technology. Homologous recombination has been utilised to generate gene knockout mice with functional ablation of the brain dopamine receptors involved in Parkinsons disease. Gene targeting will also be exploited to generate mice in which toxin genes are introduced into specific subpopulations of developing brain cells.
Address: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, 3168.
Phone: (03) 9905 3790
+ Molecular biology (some in association with the Centre for Molecular Biology and Medicine) Application of recombinant DNA technology to gene expression and protein engineering, in relation to protein structure and assembly of protein complexes. Molecular biology of membrane formation: biosynthesis of the mitochondrial organelle; mitochondrial disorders in human disease; molecular biology of the ageing process; bioenergy, cell signalling and apoptosis; mechanism of action of interferons: molecular and clinical studies in cancer and viral diseases; human mucinous cancers: molecular, developmental and clinical diagnostic aspects; analysis of the cause and expression of autoimmune diseases: diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and primary biliary cirrhosis; mechanism and biosynthesis of immune suppressants.
+ Structure and function of connective tissue Mechanism of synthesis and degradation of proteoglycans and structural proteins in cartilage and ligament; pathological changes in cartilage leading to arthritis; biophysical investigations into cell-extracellular matrix interactions in connective tissue; biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of glomerular basement membrane ultrafiltration.
+ Macromolecular structure and function (in association with the Centre for Bioprocess Technology) Biochemistry and molecular endocrinology of growth, fertility and insulin action; mechanisms of tumour-dependent cell proliferation and angiogenesis; mechanism of action of viral proteins; analytical biotechnology; separation and purification of macromolecules: applications of peptide design and synthesis in biomedical research and biotechnology; mechanism of action of growth factors, oncogenes and their receptors in gonadal function and embryogenesis; biochemical and biophysical studies in biorecognition, protein folding and protein-ligand interactions; neuropeptide processing (in association with the Baker Institute of Medical Research).
Address: Department of Community Medicine, 867 Centre Road, East Bentleigh, 3165
Phone: (03) 9579 3188
Computer-based learning software; applications of computers in medical practice; cardiovascular risk factors; attitudinal determinants of general practice prescribing, investigating and referring; health concerns of patients; consulting skills and rational prescribing - developing a national program; smoking prevalence and cessation in people with intellectual disability; evaluation of student use of information technology; communication strategies for health professionals; attitudes of medical students to consulting skills.
Doctor and patient perceptions of the general practitioner as resource manager/gatekeeper; the health service needs of small rural communities; counselling in general practice; promoting health care professions to rural secondary students; asthma and the home environment; rural injury; community health and health promotion in the rural setting; rural health service quality assurance.
Address: Department of Forensic Medicine, 57-83 Kavanagh Street, South Melbourne, 3205
Phone: (03) 9684 4301
Research in many areas of medicine and science that deal with the needs of the law. Specific areas include forensic and analytical toxicology covering research projects on the effect of the post-mortem interval on the concentration of drugs and poisons and the phenomenon of post-mortem redistribution; culpability analysis in motor vehicle fatalities and analysis of the contribution of drugs to fatal accidents; development of a national toxicology database; isolation and identification of DNA from tissues using polymerase chain reaction and other techniques; use of DNA techniques to study disease diagnosis; analysis and review of suicides with particular reference to young people and other patterns of injury in homicide; interactive learning in medicine; traumatic neuropathology; a histological approach to the ageing of injuries; and studies to assist with range determination in gunshot wounds from common .22 calibre rifles.
The department also maintains the national database in relation to the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as a research tool for medical researchers throughout Australia.
Deputy Director: Professor A O Trounson
Associate directors: Associate Professor A M Walker and Dr I Kola
Address: Institute of Reproduction and Development, block E, levels 3 and 5, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, 3168
Phone: (03) 9550 3576
+ Testicular physiology Physiology of inhibin, activin and follistatin in relation to their control of FSH and their potential actions as paracrine regulators within the testis; the role of inhibin and activin in the control of the fetal pituitary-gonadal axis and their sites of production within the foetus; hormonal control of spermatogenesis with particular reference to the sites of action of FSH and testosterone and the manner in which these hormones control Sertoli cell function; factors controlling the division of Sertoli cells in the developing testis; the role of growth factors and their receptors in spermatogenesis; the role of microtubule associated proteins in spermatogenesis; development of the outer dense fibres and fibrous sheath of spermatozoa; immunological aspects of male reproduction including the role of cytokines and growth factor in the modulation of the immune status of the testis.
+ Cellular communications Interaction between steroids and growth factors in the regulation of cell-cell interactions in normal and diseased tissue. Prostate: role of TGF/activin superfamily in the growth of human prostate cancer cells. Regulation of apoptotic cell death in the prostate by activins. Localisation of growth factor expression in BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy) and prostate cancer tissues. Development of markers for monitoring prostate cell function in seminal plasma. Testis: development and maturation of Leydig cells from stem cell precursors. Paracrine/autocrine mechanisms of regulating testicular steroidogenesis.
+ Endometrial physiology and angiogenesis Research areas currently investigated - Angiogenesis (human and animal models, endometrial and ovarian); menorrhagia (dysfunctional and perimenopausal - investigations include evaluations of new clinical treatment methods and of patient satisfaction with outcome); embryo implantation (human IVF related studies and animal models); basic aspects of menstruation (including studies on cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion molecules); contraception (the effects of longterm progestin-only contraceptives on endometrial function and bleeding patterns); endometriosis (clinically related studies on different aspects of the biology of endometriotic implants); ovarian cancer, control of new blood vessel growth and relevance to clinical outcome.
+ Human and animal reproductive biology Human infertility including IVF and other reproductive technologies in human medicine; fertilisation using micromanipulation techniques; the aetiology of polycystic ovarian disease, human oocyte maturation in vitro; embryo culture; embryo transfer; endometrial reception for developing embryos and implantation; ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation; diagnosis for genetic disease by embryo biopsy and molecular genetics techniques; the ultrastructure of fertilisation events and early embryonic development; and legal, ethical and social issues arising from the new reproductive technologies. Embryo physiology including the metabolic requirements for mammalian oocyte maturation, fertilisation and embryo development; formulation of embryo culture requirements; determination of embryo viability, functioning enzyme systems in preimplantation embryos; peroxidation and embryo development and embryo cryopreservation. Embryo biotechnology including nuclear transplantation; embryo production; embryo multiplication; cell fusion and enucleation; nuclear reprogramming; embryo gene imprinting; growth factors involved in oocyte maturation and embryogenesis; stage-specific cell surface antigen expression and the development of bovine embryonic stem cells. Gene vectors and embryonic stem cells including the manipulation of gene function by innovative molecular strategies for the determination of gene function in development and production of transgenic animals. Animal research including genomic storage for endangered species; reproductive technologies for species at risk of extinction; reduction of generation intervals in cattle breeding; embryo recovery and transfer in domestic and wild captive animals; equine reproductive physiology; lactation and dairy product productions in sheep and goats; development of semen collection techniques across species; cryopreservation of semen in dogs and zoo species; production of genetically identical offspring; reproductive studies in farmed deer species and embryo transfer in cameloids.
+ Developmental biology Role of the extracellular matrix in embryogenesis; cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in specification of cell types in the developing brain; genetic and biochemical basis for embryo losses at implantation; analysis of fetal growth retardation in mice; analysis of molecular aspects of genomic imprinting in androgenetic and parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells.
+ Molecular embryology and birth defects Molecular biology of Down syndrome; molecular biology of aging and cellular senescence; molecular biology of cancer; genes regulation and function during differentiation and development; the ETS family of transcription factors - functional analysis; the role of antioxidant genes in cellular processes; the role of SODI gene in aging and Down syndromes; transcription factors and their role in development and disease; the interferon a receptor gene - its biological function and role in disease; transcription factors in spermatogenesis; gene regulation; use of transgenic mice for animal models of human disease; embryonic stem cells and homologous recombination for evaluating the biological role of specific genes.
+ Fetal physiology Initiation and control of ventilation in the newborn lamb; metabolic cost of breathing in the fetus and the newborn; influence of caesarean section on the establishment of breathing at birth; development of the respiratory system in the fetus from very early in gestation; structure of respiratory areas in the hindbrain; metabolic properties of respiratory muscles and heart.
+ Neonatal physiology Development of the fetal heart and circulation from mid-gestation; development, physiology and pharmacology of the cerebral circulation; circulatory adaptation at birth; cardiac structure and function after preterm birth; thermal and cardio-respiratory physiology in sleep in infants - understanding the mechanism of Sudden Infant Death.
Address: Department of Medicine, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, 3181
Phone: (03) 9276 2640
+ Cardiovascular Growth factors; hyperplasia and hypertrophy in hypertension and re-stenosis after balloon angioplasty; sodium-hydrogen exchange; noradrenaline release in myocardial ischaemia; mechanisms of the effects of physical training in experimental hypertension; effects of lipoproteins on vascular reactivity; heart failure; cardiac and vascular hypertrophy in hypertension; novel risk factors; risk markers for coronary disease; sympathetic activity in hypertension; heart failure; autonomic activity and sudden death; non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension; cardiovascular effect of exercise; endothelial dysfunction in hyperlipidaemia and hypertension.
+ Nephrology Growth factors in experimental and human glomerulonephritis; chronic renal allograft rejection; peritoneal dialysis.
+ Medical oncology Clinical trials and programs involving the study of prognostic factors and systemic therapy in various malignancies, including solid tumours and lymphomas; phase II and III collaborative studies of systemic therapy alone or as part of a combined modality treatment program in various malignancies; the role of supportive psychological counselling in the prognosis of women with early stage breast carcinoma who are also receiving adjuvant treatment.
+ Haematology Characterisation of von Willebrand factor variants; clinical studies of transfusion transmitted viral infection in haemophilia; clinical transfusion studies of new plasma derived products for the treatment of haemophilia/von Willebrand's disease.
+ Clinical pharmacology In vitro simulations of aminoglycoside concentration-time profiles and effect on gram negative bacterial kill; hepatic interactions of beta-blockers and calcium antagonists; food effect on drug bio-availability; heavy metal excretion by the kidney and liver; aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics: oxygen supplementation and vasodilator use in patients with cirrhosis; audit of antibiotic prescribing; parenteral nutrition; drug-related hospitalisations.
+ Dermatology Melanoma risk in patients with dysplastic naevi, sunlight in the causation of melanocytic naevi; factors associated with the development of other melanocytic lesions in Australian schoolchildren; biological behaviour between different morphological sub-types of basal cell carcinoma; skin surface microscopy in the early diagnosis of melanoma; cyclosporin in psoriasis; spironolactone in acne.
+ Rheumatology Database development in medicine - the Medical Diagnostic Index Program ; head shock problems and auto immune disease; methotrexate and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug interactions; cyclosporin and grape fruit juice interactions. Clinical use of chondroprotective agents (pentosan polysulphate and hyaluronic acid) in osteoarthritis of the knee. Steroids and bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
+ Geriatrics Drug usage in the elderly; changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with ageing; drugs in the causation of falls in the elderly; anti-rheumatic drugs and their effect on leucocyte function; osteoarthritis; dementia; nocturia and incontinence in the elderly.
+ Respiratory disease Asthma - airway inflammation; cytokines and remodelling and fibrosis of the airways; new drugs; molecular epidemiology; diet; home environment as modulator of asthma. Physiology - exercise limitation post lung transplantation; nitric oxide source in the airways and relation to disease; airway compliance in asthma. CF - new antibiotic regimes; prognostic indicators; home therapy. Transplantation - PCR for cytomegalovirus, relationship to outcomes; airway inflammation and relation to non specific hyperresponsiveness and bronchiolitis obliterans. Use of NO in pulmonary hypertension. Sleep Medicine - OSA and heart disease. Allergy - T cell cytokine responses.
+ Endocrinology Clinical and experimental thyroidology; abnormalities of serum binding; endogenous, exogenous and drug competitors for extracellular and intracellular hormone binding sites; hormone uptake; regulation of hormone responsiveness in cell culture; studies of the mechanism of sick euthyroidism and methods of identification of hormone resistance. Clinical endocrine hypertension. Studies of obesity and weight regulation.
Address: Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, 3168
Phone: (03) 9550 5525
+ Cardiovascular Heart failure - regional sympathetic nerve activity; the role of cardiac afferents; endogenous vasoactive hormones - ANP, AVP, ANG II; cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death; regional blood flow at rest and during exercise; factors influencing exercise tolerance in heart failure; studies in animal models of heart failure, eg AVP analogues, dopamine agonists; clinical trials; nitrate-ACE inhibitor interaction; drug treatment of angina; heart failure in Thalassaemia minor; non-invasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring; cardiovascular pharmacology; clinical trials; clinical research: monitoring progression and regression of atherosclerotic plaques (using B mode ultra sound scanning) in response to modification of cardiovascular risk factors - hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, smoking, diabetes; biochemical and nutritional determinants of angiographically assessed coronary artery disease; vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) supplementation in hypercholesterolaemia; determinants of fatness and coronary risk factor status in adolescents and adults; comparison of lipoprotein (a) in Anglo-Celtic, Greek, Chinese and Indian Australians; fish intake and arterial compliance; food intake in Greek and Chinese Australian pre/post menopausal women and effect on macrovascular risk factors via hormonal status; dietary changes and cardiovascular risks in Chinese Australians.
+ Clinical nutrition See Cardiovascular, endocrinology, gastroenterology, respiratory, neurology, immunology, and oncology.
+ Public health nutrition Nutritional epidemiology; food intake methodology; food beliefs and behaviours; food intake and health status of elderly Greek and Anglo-Celtic Australians; food, health and lifestyle profiles of Anglo-Celtic Australians in region 8 served by Monash Medical Centre - act as database and reference group for migrant studies; nutrition and ethnicity especially of Chinese and Indians; coordinating department for international study on food intake and health of elderly in ten countries; preventive nutrition; obesity; eating disorders; probiotic foods; non-nutrients in food of biological significance such as phytoestrogens, flavinoids and residues.
+ Body composition Alcoholic cirrhosis; alcohol intake and body composition in general population; total body nitrogen facility; low dose D20 assay using FTIR; measurement of bone mineral density, fat and lean mass using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA); use of bioelectrical impedance in the young and old; whole body potassium counter; infrared spectroscopy; distribution of body fat by DEXA, CT scanning and MRI; cystic fibrosis.
+ Respiratory Development of fetal cardio-respiratory system and reflex control of pulmonary circulation; effect of nutrient supplementation on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
+ Neurology The role of peptides in the central and peripheral system, especially in relation to pain; the neuropathology of disorders of memory; l-dopa containing foods and Parkinson's disease.
+ Immunology Nutritional intervention in the aged with immunodeficiency; nutrition and AIDS; the immunological basis of diseases including glomerulonephritis, vasculitis and arthritis; immunological mechanisms of injury in atheroma and other vascular diseases.
+ Oncology Nutrition and colorectal cancer (Australian Polyps Prevention Project).
+ Gastroenterology GI hormones, gastric function, drugs and peptic ulcer, lower oesophageal sphincter function, bile acid function; helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer disease in Chinese and Anglo-Celtic Australians; hepatitis; chronic inflammatory bowel disease; nutritional prevention of large bowel cancer.
Address: Department of Medicine, Box Hill Hospital, Clive Ward Centre, Box Hill, 3128
Phone: (03) 9895 3540
+ Hemostasis (general) Purification and analysis of a novel platelet activator; analysis of a novel platelet inhibitory mechanism involving secretory phospholipase A2; structure and function of a new serine proteinase inhibitor; study of the relationship between apolipoproteins and the protective effect of estrogens on atheromatous; participating centre in an international, triple-blind clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of a platelet inhibitor, Clopidogrel, versus aspirin in patients at risk of ischaemic events (Capri).
+ Natural anticoagulants Molecular analysis of thrombomodulin structure and function; regulation of the thrombomodulin gene in endothelial cells.
+ Fibrinolysis Regulation of the tissue plasminogen activator gene; regulation of the plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 gene.
+ Signal transduction Cell biology, biochemistry and molecular analysis of enzymes mediating inositol polyphosphate turnover; identification of proteins interacting with key receptors and phosphoinositol 3 kinase in platelets; investigation of the role of tyrosine kinases in platelets.
Address: Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, 3168
Phone: (03) 9905 4820
+ Infection and immunity in leptospirosis. Molecular analysis of leptospiral antigens. Development of vaccines against leptospirosis. Genetics of virulence in bacillary dysentery and the regulation of virulence genes of Shigella. Vaccine development in pasteurellosis. Molecular analysis of pathogenesis in pasteurellosis.
+ Molecular analysis of antibiotic resistance determinants of clostridia. Molecular approaches to the pathogenesis of clostridial myonecrosis. Molecular approaches to the pathogenesis and diagnosis of ovine footrot. Molecular genetics of clostridial transponsons. Regulation of toxin production in Clostridium perfringens.
+ The microbiology of the biological removal of phosphate from waste water/sewage. The project is aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the process so that treatment systems can be designed and monitored to operate more efficiently and reliably. The physiology and genetics of Acinetobacter.
+ Genetics of DNA repair and recombination systems in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Biogenesis of pili and other cell surface components of gonococci. Virulence and other gonococcal regulons.
+ Development of vectors for the genetic `tagging' of microorganisms to facilitate studies on release of genetically-modified microorganisms.
+ Development of PCR based methods for the detection of bacterial pathogens in water.
+ Dengue and other flavivirus infections: expression of viral genes in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Structural and antigenic analyses of protective antigens. Assays of virus-encoded protease and polymerase activities.
+ Characterisation of small round-structured viruses associated with gastroenteritis.
+ The molecular analysis of plant potyviruses: the potyvirus are the largest group of plant viruses. The project is aimed at identifying the genes and regulatory sequences involved in viral replication, movement and symptom induction in the host. Gene expression and mutagenesis studies are being performed to identify the functional role of viral proteins in the potyviral lifecycle.
+ Characterisation of viruses infecting Phytophthora cinnamomi: this fungus is responsible for large-scale destruction of native vegetation. The project aims to characterise any viruses which infect the fungus and to assess their potential for biocontrol of the fungus.
+ Molecular microbiology of biodegradation.
+ Seroepidemiology of malaria infection. Interactions between malaria proteins and the human red blood cell. Biorheology of malaria infection. Molecular biology of malaria antigens and design of malaria vaccine.
+ Immunological and biochemical factors in tuberculosis infection.