Free public forum: Cerebral palsy – a brighter future

The Ritchie Centre is hosting a free public forum on cerebral palsy - a physical disability that affects movement and posture, caused by damage to the developing brain before, during or soon after birth.  CP affects 37,000 Australians.

Fetal growth restriction the focus of the second Ritchie Centre European Workshop in Prato, Italy

Members of The Ritchie Centre met at the Monash Campus in Prato, just north of Florence, this month to showcase the Centre’s research and to establish and further develop collaborations with their European colleagues.

Attended by more than 60 researchers from 10 different countries, this year’s workshop focused on fetal growth restriction (FGR), a serious, but common, pregnancy complication describing the fetus that fails to achieve normal growth.

The Ritchie Centre’s Professor Rosemary Horne said FGR is present in up to 9% of pregnancies in Australia and is strongly associated with stillbirth, or serious health complications in survivors. 

Latest Ritchie Centre success stories

Dr Courtney McDonald, Professor Alistair Gunn and
Madison Paton in Osaka

PhD student Madison Paton from The Ritchie Centre participated in the prestigious Australian Academy of Science "Falling Walls Lab Australia Program", an innovative forum for young researchers, last week in Canberra.

Established in 2009, 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Falling Walls Lab is an international forum that promotes interdisciplinary connections between aspiring academics, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and professionals, known for the excellent work.

Participants are given three minutes to present their work.

Madison presented her research into the use of stem cells to assist brain injury in preterm babies. Watch Madison's presentation HERE (go to 1 hour, 19 mins and 30 seconds).

In further news, Madison Paton and Dr Courtney McDonald took out the two major awards at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Fetal and Neonatal Physiological Society Meeting in Osaka, Japan last week.

Madison received the Tanya Gunn prize for best oral presentation by a PhD Student for her talk entitled “Assessing human umbilical cord blood therapy as an early treatment for preterm brain injury”; while Courtney took out the Tanya Gunn prize for best oral presentation by a Post Doc for her talk entitled “Differential effects of umbilical cord blood cells to reduce neuroinflammation following neonatal Hypoxic-Ischaemic brain injury.

Courtney and Madison were ably supported by other members of The Ritchie Centre who gave excellent oral and poster presentations, including a memorable keynote lecture by Flora Wong, Department of Paediatrics and Ritchie Centre entitled “Cerebral haemodynamic functional response in fetus and neonate”

The Ritchie Centre's research recognised at PSANZ

(L-R) Jonathon Morris, PSANZ President,
Dr Erin McGillick, Azu Aminath,
Aidan Kashyap, Fiona Stemming

Monash University and Hudson Institute researchers were recognised at the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) Annual Congress in Canberra last week.

The Ritchie Centre's Deputy Director Professor Rosemary said a number of staff and students were invited to give presentations, run workshops and practical skills sessions, and presented their research in both oral and poster presentations covering a variety of topics related to "a healthy start to life". 

"Our students and ECRs all gave great presentations, including Aidan Kashyap, who had to step in and give his supervisor's invited presentation after Qantas cancelled the Monday early morning flight," said Professor Horne.

The following students from The Ritchie Centre received awards at the meeting:

PSANZ New Investigator Award for Best Oral Basic Science 

Fiona Stenning

PSANZ President's New Investigator Award for Best Overall Oral Presentation

Aidan Kashyap

PSANZ Ritchie Centre Award for Translational Research

Azu Azhan

PSANZ David Henderson-Smart Scholarship

Dr Erin McGillick

$10,000 over 2 years

To undertake clinical research project focussed on improving the cardiorespiratory transition and respiratory outcomes in preterm babies in collaboration with A/Prof Arjan te Pas at the Leiden University Medical Centre in The Netherlands

Travel awards

Azu Azhan

Aidan Kashyap

The Ritchie Centre’s 2016 Colloquium and Public Forum: cell therapy and translational research

Professor Bill Sievert

Innovations in stem cell and regenerative medicine research and women’s and children’s health was the focus of this year's Ritchie Centre Colloquium and Public Forum last week at the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP).

Stem cells and regenerative medicine have been identified by the National Institutes of Health in the USA as the next pillar in modern medicine, and according to a recent Academy of Science ‘Think Tank’, stem cell science is poised to revolutionise the field of medicine. The Asia-Pacific stem cell market alone is projected to increase to $US18.7 billion by 2018, from $US7.10 billion in 2014.

“The Ritchie Centre (Monash University and Hudson Institute of Medical Research) is a leading centre for stem cell and regenerative medicine research and clinical translation in Australia,” said Colloquium organiser Professor Graham Jenkin from Monash University’s  Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Deputy Director of The Ritchie Centre.

The Ritchie Centre hosts the annual Colloquium and Public Forum to inform and educate the general public and scientific community on women’s and children’s health issues.

“This year’s forum explored stem cell treatments and trials as well as the regulatory environment in which clinicians currently operate in this rapidly growing area,” said Professor Stuart Hooper, Director of The Ritchie Centre.

Keynote invited speakers at the event included Professor John Rasko, Associate Professor Jerry Chan, Professor David Gardner, and Professor William Sievert.

An Australian pioneer in the application of adult stem cells and genetic therapy, Professor Rasko delivered the plenary lecture on progress in gene therapy for genetic diseases, including evidence of improved outcomes in haemophilia B, immune deficiencies, haemoglobinopathies, immunotherapies and blindness. He also participated in this year’s Public Forum.

Clinician scientist Associate Professor Chan from Duke-NUS Medical School presented his research on deriving novel biomarkers for endometriosis.

“Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent disease affecting 6-10% of women (up to half of infertile women), and is associated with both pain and infertility,” said Associate Professor Chan.

“Current biomarkers for this disease have limited clinical utility and novel biomarkers reflecting disease pathophysiology are needed.”

Associate Professor Chan said that a biobank repository of serum, peritoneal fluid, eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues has been set up at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital to facilitate their biomarker discovery program.

This year’s Public Forum was chaired by Dr Susan Hawes, a researcher and policy advisor on science and innovation policy for the Australian Government, and who also manages programs to support the Australian medical technologies and bio-pharmaceutical sector.

The topic, ‘Stem Cell Therapies: Where are we now, and where are we heading’ gave members of the public an opportunity to hear about and discuss cutting edge developments in stem cell therapies. 

With a panel of experts including Professor Euan Wallace, Professor John Rasko, and Professor Iona Novak, Head of Research for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, the forum explored topics including current and potential stem cell treatments and trials as well as the regulatory environment in which clinicians currently operate in this growing, but sometimes controversial area.

Leading Ritchie Centre researchers also presented their ground-breaking research during the Colloquium on topics including clinical applications of stem cells and biomatrices, fertility and infertility and the use of stem cells in women’s and paediatric health.

“Our scientists are pioneering a number of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, including using mesenchymal stem cells in paediatrics, neurosurgery, multiple sclerosis and liver fibrosis,” said Professor Jenkin, who is also Research Group Head, Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine at the Ritchie Centre.

Douglas Blank from The Ritchie Centre wins Faculty's 3MT competition

Watch Dr Douglas Blank's award winning 3MT performance.

10% of all babies born worldwide require assistance to breathe in the first few minutes of life. 800,000 babies die annually from birth asphyxia. 

Douglas' study will help design and conduct two clinical trials to determine if cord clamping improves hemodynamic stability in newborn babies at birth.

WATCH DOUGLAS' VIDEO HERE.

Ritchie Centre Colloquium, Public Forum 25-26 August

Innovations in stem cell and regenerative medicine research and women’s and children’s health will be the focus of this year's Ritchie Centre Colloquium and Public Forum at the TRF, from August 25 – 26. The forum will explore stem cell treatments and trials as well as the regulatory environment in which clinicians currently operate in this rapidly growing area.



 Stem cells and regenerative medicine have been identified by the National Institutes of Health in the USA as the next pillar in modern medicine. The Asia-Pacific stem cell market alone is projected to increase to $US18.7 billion by 2018, from $US7.10 billion in 2014.


The Ritchie Centre (Monash University and Hudson Institute of Medical Research) is a leading centre for stem cell and regenerative medicine research in Australia. The Centre hosts the annual Colloquium and Public Forum to inform and educate the general and scientific communities on women’s and children’s health issues.

Keynote invited speakers at this year’s event will include Professor John Rasko, A/Professor Jerry Chan, Professor David Gardner, and Professor William Sievert.

Public Forum
On Thursday night The Ritchie Centre will host a Public Forum on the topic Stem Cell Therapies: Where are we now, and where are we heading, where members of the public can hear about, and discuss, cutting edge developments in stem cell therapies.

The Forum will be chaired by eminent obstetrician and researcher, Professor Euan Wallace, with a panel including stem cell pioneer, Professor Alan Trounson (Hudson Institute), and Professor John Rasko (clinical haemotologist, University of Sydney).

The Forum will explore topics including current and potential stem cell treatments and trials as well as the regulatory environment in which clinicians currently operate in this growing area. The Forum will be moderated by the founder and past chair of the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research, Dr Susan Hawes. Questions and public and participation in the discussion are welcome.

Colloquium
Leading Ritchie Centre researchers, and invited speakers, will present their ground-breaking research during the Colloquium on topics including clinical applications of stem cells and biomatrices, fertility and infertility and the use of stem cells in women’s and paediatric health.

“Our scientists are pioneering a number of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, including using mesenchymal stem cells in neurosurgery, multiple sclerosis and liver fibrosis,” Professor Jenkin, Research Group Head, Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine at the Ritchie Centre.

“We are also using amnion cells, taken from the amniotic membrane of the placenta, to treat preterm lung disease and liver cirrhosis, and umbilical cord blood stem cells in the treatment and prevention of cerebral palsy.

“We are one of the few centres to fully utilise these placental stem cells in clinical trials,” he said.

Register or find out more details. 

The Ritchie Centre 2016 Colloquium and Public Forum “Cell Therapy & Translational Research”, 25-26 August

• Visit the Ritchie Colloquium website for all the program details.
• 
  
• To register: click here 

Cell therapies and regenerative medicine are rapidly growing industries identified by the National Institutes of Health in the USA as the next pillar in modern medicine.  The awareness of the innate capacity of the fetus to repair and regenerate tissues is being used to develop unique models of organ and tissue regeneration using stem cells. The Ritchie Centre has established the Cell Therapies Platform within the Translational Research Facility at the Monash Health Translation Precinct to capitalise on this opportunity and currently leads a number of Phase I and Phase II stem cell clinical trials.  

This year’s Ritchie Colloquium will highlight clinical translation research in Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine being undertaken by members of The Ritchie Centre and by national and international colleagues. The Ritchie Centre Public Forum international panel of experts will address topical issues of Stem Cell Therapies and discuss clinical trials currently being undertaken and the potential of future treatments.

Rosemary Horne speaks with Red Symons about the Ritchie Centre Sleep Forum

ABC Breakfast with Red Symons, May 11, 2016
Professor Rosemary Horne speaks about the Ritchie Centre Sleep Forum. Listen here.> (from around 1.17)

Healthy sleep in school aged children - the role of commercial sleep trackers: good or bad? 11 May, 6pm

To register your attendance, email Caroline Menara or phone 85722877.

Better Sleep. Better Learning: A practical guide for teachers and school counsellors to improve sleep health in students, 5 March

Dr Sarah Biggs

Sleep education course for teachers - encourage your children's teachers to attend!

Sunday 5 March, Royal Automobile Club Victoria, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne

Speakers include Sarah Biggs, The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute and Gillian Nixon, Melbourne Children's Sleep Centre, Monash Children's Hospital

Flyer is attached here and link to website here. 

Congratulations Dr Graeme Polglase for his NHMRC fellowship

Congratulations Dr Graeme Polglase from The Ritchie Centre, recipient of an NHMRC Career Development Level 2 Fellowship.

This fellowship will support his work on "Reducing perinatal lung, heart and brain injury in preterm infants – from bench to the clinic."

Dr Polglase also recently received a Heart Foundation fellowship and innovation award to support similar projects.

Monash sleep researchers well represented at Sleep DownUnder

Dr Sarah Biggs

Researchers from The Ritchie Centre’s Infant and Child Health group and the Melbourne Children's Sleep Centre, Monash Children’s Hospital attended Sleep DownUnder, the annual scientific meeting of the Australasian Sleep Association and the Australasian Sleep Technologists Association held at the Melbourne Convention Centre last week.

In the largest meeting ever held, the group of Monash researchers presented 14 of the 49 Paediatric sleep presentations, including a plenary talk by Associate Professor Gillian Nixon and two researchers winning prizes.

“Sleep DownUnder saw over 700 expert sleep clinicians and scientists from Australia and New Zealand come together to share the latest advancements and innovations in the world of sleep science and clinical practice,” said conference Chair Dr Sarah Biggs from The Ritchie Centre.

The diverse five-day program included a variety of professional development courses across a number of specialties such as dentistry, surgery, occupational health and safety, nursing, and cardiology.

“There were also three solid days of presentations by both international and local experts on every facet of sleep health from sleep apnoea, insomnia, and narcolepsy through to the damaging effects of stimulants and using electronics in the bedroom on sleep,” added Dr Biggs. 

Neonatal trainee Dr Katharine Jamieson who worked this year in the Melbourne Children’s Sleep Centre at Monash Children’s Hospital won the best poster prize for the advanced trainee section.

Dr Jamieson’s project, ‘Understanding respiratory compromise on the first post-operative night after paediatric adenotonsillectomy- the contribution of downloadable oximetry recordings’ aims to understand more about the serious respiratory complications that some children have during their recovery from adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea.

“We measured children’s oxygen levels overnight on the first night after their surgery and compared the result to the tests they had before the surgery, allowing us to see how quickly the sleep apnoea improves after surgery,” said Associate Professor Nixon.

“It also helps us better predict who might run into trouble with their breathing during their recovery from surgery and helps us plan the care of children having this operation in the future.”

This work is part of ongoing collaboration between specialists in the departments of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, ENT and Anaesthesia at Monash Health that aims to optimise care of children having adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Also acknowledged at the meeting for her research, Dr Lisa Walter from The Ritchie Centre was awarded the Early Career travel award to attend the American Sleep Meeting in Denver in 2016.

Professor Rosemary Horne congratulated conference Chair Dr Sarah Biggs for organising a fantastic meeting.

Monash researcher recognised by World Sleep Association

Dr Sarah Biggs from The Ritchie Centre has been awarded the 2015 Distinguished Activity Award from the World Association of Sleep Medicine for her efforts in organising the Australian and New Zealand World Sleep Day event held 13 March, 2015.

World Sleep Day is an initiative aimed to increased awareness and provide education on all aspects of sleep health around the world.

This year, Sarah developed an education package for school counsellors and teachers designed to educate children and adolescents about the importance of sleep and provide tips to improve sleep health.

Launched on World Sleep Day, the education package was immediately downloaded by over 60 schools across Australia and New Zealand.

This is the second consecutive year that Sarah has won this prestigious award, ahead of other World Sleep Day events organised in over 40 countries around the world.

The Ritchie Centre Colloquium: 21-22 October

The Ritchie Centre of Hudson Institute of Medical Research, in collaboration with Monash University and Monash Health is holding it's annual Ritchie Centre Colloquium on 21 and 22 October 2015.

The Ritchie Centre is the research arm of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Department of Paediatrics, Monash University.  Our research activities are clustered into four distinct but integrated themes, namely Women's Health, Fetal and Neonatal Health, Infant and Child Health and Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine. 

Each year the Colloquium addresses the research activities of one of those themes - Infant and Child Health this year.  The 2015 Ritchie Colloquium will focus on aspects of child health and will be of interest to paediatricians, family physicians, maternal and child health nurses and health researchers in the field.

See program and further information here.

Monash-led research team announces latest advice about SIDS

Professor Horne

The most up-to-date information for parents and healthcare professionals about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and infant safety while sleeping was published last month in the prestigious journal, The BMJ.

The international clinical review led by The Ritchie Centre’s Deputy Director, Professor Rosemary Horne reveals the latest advice and recommendations against a background of currently confusing guidelines.

“Although the incidence of SIDS has more than halved after public health campaigns publicised the known major risk factors in the early 1990’s, SIDS remains the leading cause of unexpected death in infants in western countries,” said Professor Horne.

According to most recent statistics, 2671 infants died from SIDS in the United States in 2010 and there were 50 deaths in Australia in 2012.

“In the last thirty years it has become well known that sleeping position (face down on the stomach) is the major risk factor for SIDS, and parents have generally accepted this and sleep their baby on their backs” said Professor Horne.

Birthing policies must be based on women's desires, needs and safety

The Ritchie Centre's Professor Euan Wallace comments on birthing policies in The Age.

Read the story here.