Spotlight on Tanya Smith – Abcuro IBM Trial Coordinator
Tanya Smith recently joined the Perron Institute clinic as the Abcuro IBM Trial Coordinator. Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) is a...
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Research Focus
Our Myositis Research Group, led by Professor Merrilee Needham, has a longstanding dedication to the investigation of clinical, genetic and immunological aspects of the inflammatory myopathies, with a focus on Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), the most common muscle disease associated with aging.
The research team aims to improve understanding and treatment of myositis, through the translational ‘Myositis Discovery Program’. This program of research is broad-spanning, from projects looking at genetics and biomarkers of disease to research studies aiming to gain a better understanding of the functional impact of the disease. The Myositis Discovery Program is structured with consideration of the pillars of the Rare Voices Australia National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases 2021:
Pillar 1: Awareness and Education
Pillar 2: Care and Support
Pillar 3: Research and Data
Researchers
Awards
- 2021 Member of the Order of Australia (Frank Mastaglia)
- 2021 Educator of the Year, Notre Dame School of Medicine (Prof Merrilee Needham)
- 2021 MNDAWA Health Professional of the Year (Prof Merrilee Needham)
- 2019 Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group (FSFHS) Consultant of the Year Award (Prof Merrilee Needham)
- 2018 Rare Disease Day Inaugural Award by the Genetic and Rare Disease Network/WAHTN (Prof Merrilee Needham)
Grants
- Needham (CI). NHMRC Grant for "Harnessing neural plasticity to improve functional outcomes following burn injury" (2021-2024)
- Needham as CI. WA Department of Health for "Biobank interim support program 2021, WA Future Health Research & Innovation Fund. Myositis Discovery Program Biobank" (2021-2022)
- Needham (CI). WA Department of Health for "Biobank interim support program 2021, WA Future Health Research & Innovation Fund. WA MND Consortium Biobank" (2021-2022)
- Needham (CIA). Department of Health, WA for "Building a digital WA-wide research platform, known as TRANSFORM, to provide access to quality, real-time prospective data on COVID-19 patients for a range of research purposes." (2021)
- Needham (AI, Coudert, Hird. Government of Western Australia Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation for "Financial Assistance COVID-19 Special Initiative Scheme. Telemedicine during a pandemic: Impact on well-being of patients with chronic disease (an observational study)." (2020-2021)
- Needham (AI, Coudert, Hird. Government of Western Australia Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation for "Financial Assistance COVID-19 Special Initiative Scheme. Why does COVID-19 cause severe disease in some and only mild disease in others? Investigation of the influence of immune genes." (2020-2021)
- Needham, Coudert & Hird. Government of Western Australia Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation Financial Assistance for Murdoch University COVID-19 Research Projects (2020-2021)
- Needham, Henderson, Corbett, Reddel, Liang, Reardon, Ghaoui, Bulsara & Dimachkie. Medical Research Future Fund "Optimism in IBM: A dbRCT Phase III trial of Sirolimus in patients with Inclusion Body Myositis, to slow or stabilise otherwise relentless disease progression, as measured by the IBM Functional Rating Scale (IBMFTS) " (2020-2024)
- Needham, Henderson, Corbett, Reddel, Liang, Reardon, Ghaoui, Bulsara & Dimachkie. NHMRC Grant led by University of Notre Dame for "Optimism in IBM: A dbRCT Phase III trial of Sirolimus in patients with Inclusion Body Myositis, to slow or stablise otherwise relentless disease progression, as measured by the IBM Functional Rating Scale (IBMFTS)" (2020-2024)
- Needham, Coudert, Beer & Henderson. Civic Solutions Inc. Research Grant for "Investigation of the ‘omics’ Profile in Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM)" (2019-2021)
- Needham (CI) Medical Research Future Fund ALS Trials Australia (ALSTA) "To develop precision medicine" (2018-2022)
- Kiernan and Wray as CI, Needham (AI). NHMRC Grant for "Motor Neurone Disease: Patient centered care for a progressive neurological disease – evidence driving policy" 2018-2023
Inflammatory Myopathies Clinic
The Inflammatory Myopathies Clinic also known as the Neuromuscular Clinic, offers patients opportunities to take part in research.
Clinicians
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