Research Projects for 2008 2008 RESEARCH - 9 projects, $143,973.76 Developing a standardised venom extract from Western Australian bull ants for therapeutic use Chief Investigators: Dr Shelley Stone, Dr Susan Aulfrey, A/Prof Simon Brown Amount Awarded: $14,489.76 SPONSORED BY BREMICK Serious allergic reactions to stings from ants is a common problem in Australia. The researchers aim to collect bull ants from around WA and extract venom from the predominant species. This will then be used to develop a generic venom extract that can be used to prevent allergic reactions. How does exercise affect the iron metabolism in sports people? Chief Investigators: Dr Debbie Trinder, Prof John Olynyk, Prof Brian Dawon, Mr Peter Peeling Amount Awarded: $14,859.00 SPONSORED BY FREMANTLE FOOTBALL CLUB Iron is a key element required for the deliver of oxygen to tissues and an iron deficiency in athletes may negatively impact on performance. The team will measure changes in inflammatory markers and hormone activity after the completion of exercise to see how they affect the iron status. Evaluation of the effect of laser therapy in the healing of chronic leg ulcers Chief Investigators: Dr Antonina Volikova, Dr Hilary Wallace, Prof Michael Stacey Amount Awarded: $15,000.00 SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF COCKBURN Chronic leg ulcers affect approximately 5% of the elderly population and are painful, long-term and significantly affect a patient's quality of life. This study will investigate the effects of laser therapy on the healing of venous leg ulcers. This study will assess the effect on the process of wound healing, on the reduction of the size of ulcers and on the level of pain experienced by the individuals. Do zinc transporters play a role in iron overload? Chief Investigators: Dr Ross Graham, Dr Debbie Trinder, Prof John Olynyk Amount Awarded: $15,000 SPONSORED BY AUSTAL Hereditary haemachromatosis is a common genetic disorder that affects one in 200 Australians, and causes the liver and other organs to become overloaded with iron. Based on this team's previous grant, this project will investigate the roles of three zinc transporters I iron metabolism, defining the roles they play in the development of haemachromatosis Studies on the role of dietary iron in bowel cancer Chief Investigators: Dr Borut Klopcic, Dr Anita Chua, Dr Ian Lawrance Amount Awarded: $15,000.00 SPONSORED BY THE STAFF OF THE SMAHS - FREDOCTORLOTTERY Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and is more prevalent in western countries. Apart from inherited forms, environmental factors such as diet also play a role in the development of the disease. Red meat consumption is high in western societies and is a rich source of iron. High dietary iron intake has been linked to increased cancer risk. This project investigates the role of iron in the development of bowel cancer. A study of the causes of dementia in older people with diabetes Chief Investigators: Ms Kylie Van Minnen, Prof David Bruce, Dr Wendy Davis, Prof Tim Davis Amount Awarded:    $15,000 SPONSORED BY FREMANTLE HOSPITAL LADIES AUXILIARY Studies have consistently shown diabetes to be associated with cognitive impairment and dementia but just why is not understood. This project will survey a large sample of patients with diabetes, recruited from the Fremantle community, who will have their blood tested for a range of biochemical markers considered to be important in the cause of Alzheimer' s disease. This will enable the team to determine the most important areas for targeting future research and disease prevention for people with diabetes. Nutritional status and inflammatory bowel disease. Chief Investigators: Dr Callum Pearce, Dr Ian Lawrance Amount Awarded:    $14,925.00 SPONSORED BY LITTLE CREATURES Malnutrition is often reported in people with inflammatory bowel diseases and the team believe that the use of nutritional support may be an important therapeutic tool improving disease outcome and reducing the rates of disease-related complications. A preliminary assessment of factors that may lead to the development of sitting acquired pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injuries Chief Investigators: Ms Jillian Swaine, Prof Michael Stacey, Dr Hilary Wallace Amount Awarded:    $15,000 SPONSORED BY LITTLE CREATURES This study will seek to identify factors in individual patients that are associated with the development of sitting-acquired pressure ulcers following spinal cord injury. Biomechanical testing of different screw positions in the humeral head Chief Investigators: Dr Johannes Erhardt, Dr Karl Stoffel, Dr Marcus Kuster Amount Awarded:    $24,700 SPONSORED BY PETER BATH Since the introduction of fixed angled plates for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures the treatment opportunities increased, but there are no recommendations in which areas of the humeral head screws should be positioned to give greatest stability. These questions should be addressed in this biomechanical study.

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