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Current Studies

The Western Australian Epithelial Research Program (WAERP) biobank is undertaking a number of research projects intended to improve the understanding and preclinical assessment of therapeutics for respiratory conditions.

Research

The potential of antisense oligonucleotide therapies for inherited childhood lung diseases

Antisense oligonucleotides are an emerging therapeutic option to treat diseases with known genetic origin. In the age of personalised medicines, antisense oligonucleotides can sometimes be designed to target and bypass or overcome a patient's genetic mutation, in particular those lesions that compromise normal pre-mRNA processing. Antisense oligonucleotides can alter gene expression through a variety of mechanisms as determined by the chemistry and antisense oligomer design.

News & Events

Top researchers recognised for respiratory research

Two leading researchers from The Kids received significant endorsements to advance their research at last night’s Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science (TSANZSRS) Annual Scientific Meeting in Adelaide.

News & Events

Cure4CF Grant a boost for innovative Cystic Fibrosis research

A $350,000 Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis grant is set to propel the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre’s Phage WA program forward, supercharging its fight against antimicrobial resistant (AMR) lung infections in people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) using  cutting-edge phage therapy.

News & Events

Respiratory researcher named joint winner of prestigious Premier’s Science Award

Congratulations to respiratory health researcher and clinician Dr Pam Laird, who was last night named joint winner of Early Career Scientist of the Year at the 2024 Premier’s Science Awards.

News & Events

Toxic, harmful chemicals found in popular Australian e-liquids

Perth researchers have found toxic and harmful chemicals in several dozen e-cigarette liquids readily available in Australia.

Research

Antenatal creatine supplementation reduces persistent fetal lung inflammation and oxidative stress in an ovine model of chorioamnionitis

Chorioamnionitis is a common antecedent of preterm birth and induces inflammation and oxidative stress in the fetal lungs. Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the fetal lungs may improve respiratory outcomes in preterm infants. Creatine is an organic acid with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Research

Current and novel therapies for management of Acinetobacter baumannii-associated pneumonia

Acinetobacter baumannii is a common pathogen associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia showing increased resistance to carbapenem and colistin antibiotics nowadays. Infections with A. baumannii cause high patient fatalities due to their capability to evade current antimicrobial therapies, emphasizing the urgency of developing viable therapeutics to treat A. baumannii-associated pneumonia.

Research

Lung structural and functional impairments in young children with cystic fibrosis diagnosed following newborn screening – A nationwide observational study

Non-invasive and sensitive clinical endpoints are needed to monitor onset and progression of early lung disease in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We compared lung clearance index (LCI), FEV1, functional and structural lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes in Swiss children with CF diagnosed following newborn screening. 

Research

Erdosteine in children and adults with bronchiectasis (BETTER trial): study protocol for a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial

Bronchiectasis is a worldwide chronic lung disorder where exacerbations are common. It affects people of all ages, but especially Indigenous populations in high-income nations. Despite being a major contributor to chronic lung disease, there are no licensed therapies for bronchiectasis and there remain relatively few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in children and adults.