The Lung Institute of Western Australia &CAARR Postgraduate Research For the six million Australians who struggle to take a breath, LIWA offers support and hope for a healthier future.

Why Research Lung Disease 6 Million Australians struggle to breathe. 60 x Melbourne Cricket Ground Almost one in three Australians

Why lung disease? A major problem for Australia; Asthma – Australia &NZ highest in world Emphysema – 4 th most common cause of death Lung cancer – Most lethal of all cancers Cystic fibrosis – most common genetic disease Pneumonia – a major problem for the elderly & & infection indigenous people Bronchiectasis – an emerging epidemic in Australia Mesothelioma – asbestos & WA Pul. Hypertension – poorly recognised

Our Research Philosophy Address the breadth of lung disease using the best research tools available Bridge lab to clinic Encourage a multidisciplinary approach Encourage networking & collaboration Ensure mutual recognition of the merits of both Basic and Clinical science

LIWAs Aims Support high quality research Support young scientists Educational & scientific resource for the community Improve well-being of patients Be an advocacy group for better lung health Cadets, Thomas and Sarah

LIWAs Research Units Biological Sciences Research Clinical Sciences Research Tissue Repair, Inflammation & Cancer Molecular Genetics Pleural Disease Stem Cell Clinical Trials Unit Pul. Vascular Disease Physiotherapy Cardiothoracic Surgery Cystic Fibrosis /Bronchiectasis World Class Researchers

LIWAs Research Units Biological Sciences Research Tissue Repair, Inflammation & Cancer Head – Steve Mutsaers Research Activities Micro RNA and mesothelioma Sonic Hedgehog signalling in mesothelioma & lung cancer STAT signalling in pulmonary fibrosis Stem cells in mesothelial tissue repair Role of kinins in tumour angiogenesis Funding NH&MRC Dust Diseases Board of NSW

LIWAs Research Units Biological Sciences Research Molecular Genetics Unit Head – Phil Thompson Research Activities Antisense therapies for Asthma Pharmacogenetics of Asthma medications Gene regulation & role of splice variants as regulators of inflammatory pathways Candidate gene polymorphisms GWAS for asthma in national/international consortia Funding NH&MRC CRC for Asthma and Airways

LIWAs Research Units Biological Sciences Research Pleural Disease Unit Head – Gary Lee Research Activities Development of biomarkers of mesothelioma Mechanisms of pleural effusion development Better management of Pleural effusion Mechanisms underlying pleural infection Funding Welcome Trust, MRC UK Raine; LIWA; State Government

LIWAs Research Units Biological Sciences Research Stem Cell Unit Head – Yuben Moodley Research Activities Use of mesenchymal stem cells in COPD Animal studies on mesenchymal stem cells for lung repair Development of a tracheal explant model for assessing injury repair pathways Funding RPH UWA

LIWAs Research Units Clinical Sciences Research Clinical Trials Unit Largest respiratory trials unit in Australia Pul. Vascular Disease & Transplantation Recognised internationally for pioneering work on early detection of Pul Hypertenison Physiotherapy Lead group in developing assessments of breathlessness Cystic Fibrosis /Bronchiectasis New unit looking at inflammatory mediators in these diseases and new treatments Cardiothoracic Surgery Prevention of ischaemic injury during surgery

Funding LIWA derives its income from diverse sources. Over 70% of our expenditure is on research.

LIWA RESEARCH Is multifaceted, bridges lab to clinic Has national and international collaborations Welcomes partnering in research either at the laboratory or patient level