MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
are directly influencing clinical practice and improving care for the elderly, including many who take a combination of too many medications. Their research is also helping to identify frail patients in hospital, so that extra support can be offered. Significant progress has been made this year by the Kolling’s large musculoskeletal team, leading valuable trials and publishing sought-after research. Musculoskeletal diseases affect seven million Australians, and the team’s evidenced-based approach will continue to support this large group of people. This year has been an important one for the Kolling with the development of the new research strategy, setting the direction of the institute for the next five years. The strategic framework will strengthen our ability to achieve ground-breaking research and improve patient outcomes. It will support researchers to develop new partnerships and attract additional investment. On behalf of Professor Carolyn Sue, I would like to thank all our researchers for their remarkable contribution in what has been a unique year, and wish them an enjoyable and relaxing time over the festive season.
have gone to Professor Gemma Figtree to establish a Cardiovascular Centre of Excellence and to Executive Director Professor Carolyn Sue for an innovative tool to assist the diagnosis of Mitochondrial disease. Funding administered by the Michael J. Fox Foundation will pave the way for Kolling researchers to help unravel the genetic influences with Parkinson’s disease. Our neuroscience team was selected after a global search for expertise to speed-up the next generation of treatments for Parkinson’s. In recent weeks, two of our cancer researchers have received funding for incredibly promising projects to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, while the group from the Pain Management Research Institute has just received more than $2.8 million for a collection of work to improve the lives of those living with chronic pain. This body of research could influence the way chronic pain is managed across the country. Rehabilitation researchers have launched large-scale trials which may lead to life-long improvements for those who experience a spinal cord injury. One of these trials involves Professors Ashley Craig and James Middleton, who are leading a world-first trial, with an experienced, global team.
This year has been a remarkable one where we have seen unprecedented change. COVID-19 has defined 2020, impacting our work, our families and the global community. Crucially, it has highlighted the importance of a robust scientific and medical research community, and the contribution of institutes like the Kolling, with a large number of highly skilled and respected researchers. Many of our team continue to support COVID-19 related research, working on projects within the Northern Sydney Local Health District, and as part of international and multi-institutional collaborations. Our researchers are involved in trials focusing on early warning tools, the impact on patients with cardiovascular disease, and the use of blood pressure medications to reduce severe COVID symptoms. The pandemic has presented many challenges and affected working arrangements, but despite the impact on research activity, significant progress has been made at the Kolling this year across a broad range of disciplines. A number of the recent successes and exciting contributions of Kolling Institute researchers to improve patient care and community health, are highlighted below and throughout this newsletter. Our expertise has been recognised with state and federal government support, and generous philanthropic funding. Significant NHMRC grants
Professor Chris Little Acting Executive Director
Researchers within the lab of Ageing and Pharmacology
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KOLLINGNEWS | ISSUE 7 | DECEMBER 2020
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