Menzies Bulletin

Bulletin #0105

Exclusive Tasmanian skin cancer statistics show promising results Tasmania’s skin cancer rates, while still high, appear to be plateauing as seen in exclusive data reported by the Menzies Institute.

The study, led by PhD student Bruna Silva Ragaini, examined non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) in Tasmania since 1978. These NMSCs, which include basal and squamous cell carcinomas, are the most common types of cancer in Australia and outnumber the total of all other cancers.

The data is particularly significant as Tasmania is the only Australian jurisdiction that collects information on NMSCs, and this is the first paper to be published with the Tasmanian

As we start to enter the summer period the key message is to be sun smart

data since the 1990s. The paper shows about 10,000 Tasmanians are diagnosed with a NMSC every year, with men more likely to develop these cancers than women, and the average age at first

diagnosis is 71. The paper also shows that incidence rates increased steeply in Tasmania through the 1980s and ’90s, but began to level off and decline since 2014, which may highlight the impact of sun smart messaging and changed behaviour in the community.

While the trend may be declining, the economic impacts are staggering.

A recent estimation showed that the direct costs of NMSCs to Australia in 2020 was $1.2 billion. Skin cancer is costly in more ways than one, and prevention is always better than cure.

These NMSCs are very common, but up until now we were not able to say whether trends were improving in Tasmania.

While there are encouraging signs, we still see one in three Tasmanians diagnosed with this type of skin cancer by age 75.

As we start to enter the summer period the key message is to be sun smart.

Wearing a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses, using sunscreen and seeking shade are all ways we can protect our skin.

UPCOMING EVENT During the COVID pandemic we decided not to hold any in-person functions to help keep the community safe.

Thank you to everyone who continued to connect with us by following us on social media, reading the Bulletin and participating in our online forums.

We are delighted to invite you to Save the Date for an inperson event for our supporters and donors in March.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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Director’s message As we draw to the end of another year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support.

We have had a record-breaking appeal which is a testament to your generosity

The community contributes to our research in many ways including through participation in our studies and clinical trials despite the added complexity that COVID-19 has brought to inperson activities.

Your contributions to our fundraising are also appreciated.

We have had a record-breaking appeal which is a testament to your generosity.

Our aim is to conduct world class research to improve the lives of Tasmanians and we couldn’t do it without you!

One of our strongest supporters, former Chair of the Menzies Advisory Board Bruce Neill, has been awarded an honorary degree from the University to recognise the incredibly active role he has played as a philanthropist and champion of our Institute.

A big thank you and

congratulations on behalf of myself and the wider Menzies community to Bruce on receiving this honour.

Kind Regards,

Distinguished Professor Alison Venn Director

Menzies will be increasingly contacting our supporters via email. If you would like to provide Menzies with your current email address, please email Menzies.Advancement@utas.edu.au or phone 6226 7707 as soon as possible. Thank you.

Medical research funding success for Menzies In a further boost to our world-class research capability, we have received three National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grants totalling more than $5 million.

This funding will target some of the main areas of research focus at Menzies; multiple sclerosis (MS), heart disease and blinding eye disease.

Professor Bruce Taylor has been granted $2.3 million to understand what causes MS and what drives its progression. This research will use advanced genetic techniques to look at how genes, the environment and personal behaviours influence MS risk and progression.

Professor Taylor’s NHMRC funding will build upon the many years of MS research at Menzies and contribute to the MS Research Flagship’s extensive body of work.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and there is increasing evidence to suggest that the risk factors begin to develop in childhood. Dr Rachel Climie will use the $650,740 grant to identify factors contributing to cardiovascular health in childhood, establish new ways to detect children at risk, and will develop strategies to improve heart health in children that can be easily implemented into practice.

Professor Alex Hewitt has a joint appointment with Menzies and the Tasmanian School of Medicine and has received just over $2 million to look at reducing blindness and visual impairment from

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Menzies Bulletin

glaucoma through improving the prediction of the people most at risk to develop the disease. He will also work on the development of new therapies in glaucoma which is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

Menzies’ researchers also successfully secured grants in the highly competitive NHMRC Ideas grant program.

Dr Carlie Cullen and Dr Barbara de Graaff from Menzies, and former Menzies researcher Dr Catherine Blizzard from the Tasmanian School of Medicine, have each been awarded funding for research projects.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide

The funding will support new research into symptoms of mental health disorders and assist NT Indigenous communities respond to chronic infection with hepatitis B. Dr Cullen received $794,000 to look at the underlying biological processes that contribute to mental ill health.

This project aims to show how brain insulation adapts to and regulates brain function and learn how inappropriate insulation could underpin symptoms of mental health disorders.

Dr de Graaff was granted $750,000 to continue her work generating health economic evidence to address chronic infection with hepatitis B which can cause liver disease, including liver cancer, and is prevalent in Northern Territory Indigenous communities.

Would you like to keep up to date with the latest Menzies news?

Find us on Facebook and ‘like’ our page. You can read all our Bulletins and reports electronically at issuu.com

ADVOCACY Recognised: Bruce Neill’s service and dedication has been rewarded with an honorary degree from the University of Tasmania.

His ongoing advocacy, philanthropy and fundraising has been critical in shaping the Menzies Institute

Honorary degree for businessman and philanthropist Bruce Neill As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for investment and interest in the highest quality medical research has come to the forefront.

Someone who has always championed the importance of this is the former longstanding Chair of the Board of Menzies, Bruce Neill.

His service and dedication has been rewarded with

Mr Neill receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Tasmania.

Since becoming Chair of the Board in 2013 he quickly became the Institute’s most active donor, volunteer

and advocate. He has been personally involved in the establishment of six postdoctoral Select Foundation Fellowships, which are ongoing, and led the fundraising campaign to build the Medical Science Precinct in Hobart near the Royal Hobart Hospital where Menzies is currently located.

His success as a business strategist, developer and manager, as well as his accomplishments as a cricketer, gave him extensive networks. He used these networks to provide opportunities for Menzies that would have remained untapped without his efforts.

Mr Neill’s ongoing advocacy,

philanthropy and fundraising has been critical in shaping Menzies.

In more recent years he was committed to the concept of a flagship focusing on multiple sclerosis research.

He advocated for the work and facilitated meetings with stakeholders, including political representatives in Canberra. The MS Research Flagship subsequently received $10 million in government funding plus millions more in philanthropic and other funds. Tasmania has the highest prevalence of the disease in Australia, and Menzies has become a national hub for research into MS. His support for Menzies and the University of Tasmania has had a profound impact on our capacity to undertake world-class medical research, and this major contribution will have a legacy of improving the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians for generations.

CAN YOU SEE OR SMELL SMOKE? NEW TOOLS HARNESS CITIZEN SCIENCE TO REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF BUSHFIRE SMOKE ON OUR COMMUNITIES A new feature of the popular AirRater smartphone app, developed by Menzies will harness the power of citizen science to help reduce the impacts of bushfire smoke on Australian communities.

The updated AirRater app now includes a ‘smoke reporting tool’ to crowd source reports of smoke from bushfires and planned burns.

The reports will feed directly into the smoke forecasting system called AQFx, developed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, in collaboration with the Bureau of Meteorology and Australian universities.

This feature will help fire and air quality managers around Australia understand how smoke is moving in the landscape.

“Our research estimates more than 400 people died from the impacts of bushfire smoke during the Black Summer bushfires,” said Professor Fay Johnston, chief investigator of the AirRater project.

“As a community, we need to get better at making sure people have the information they need when it is smoky.

“By downloading AirRater and reporting bushfire smoke, people can help us understand how bushfire smoke is moving

and impacting communities in real time.”

As well as providing a tool for the community to contribute smoke reports, for the first time, the AirRater app will also provide members of the public with access to real-time information sourced from AQFx. “AQFx is an Australian developed and focused air quality forecasting system,” said CSIRO Air Quality Scientist Dr Fabienne Reisen.

“The cutting-edge system uses Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts, information from state and territory environment department air quality sensors, satellites, fire information and now, the

smoke reports from AirRater.

This update will enable the Australian public to access AQFx air quality modelling for their region using the AirRater app. This is important for members of the community who are particularly vulnerable to smoke such as children, the elderly and people with asthma and heart disease.

For Australians living far from government air quality monitors, it will mean vastly improved estimates of smoke pollution, particularly during bushfire events.”

AirRater is free to download and available in iOS and Android versions from www.airrater.org

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Exploring the genetic links of multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel diseases New research explores the genetic relationship between multiple sclerosis (MS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The association between MS and IBD is well understood, but it’s still unknown if there is a shared genetic cause and if consistent genetic relationships exist between MS and the two main types of IBD, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Dr Yuan Zhou and Professor Bruce Taylor, in collaboration with Dr Yuanhao Yang and Dr Jacob Gratten from Mater Research and the University of Queensland, used results from several large genomewide association studies to investigate the shared genetic structure between MS and IBD. “We found a significantly greater genetic link between MS and ulcerative colitis than between MS and Crohn’s disease,” Dr Zhou said.

“This suggests that genetic factors make a stronger contribution to having MS and ulcerative colitis than MS and

IBD or ulcerative colitis having a contributing effect on MS.” The findings of this research highlight the genetic links between MS and IBD and the biological basis behind both diseases occurring at the same time. This research could have significant implications for the individual and collective treatment of MS and IBD. “One of the many challenges that clinicians face is how to

treat patients with both MS and IBD,” Professor Bruce Taylor said.

“This is because some drugs used to treat MS can increase the severity of IBD symptoms, and some treatments for IBD have been found to worsen the clinical course of MS. “Through an improved understanding of the genetic relationships between MS and IBD, we could develop new treatments that may lead to safer and more effective interventions for both diseases individually and when they occur together.”

This research was conducted in co-operation with colleagues from Mater Research, The University of Queensland, the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, the National Centre for Registerbased Research, and the Department of General Surgery.

These findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications and featured on the Nature Communications Editors’ Highlights page.

By supporting our research, you can help us improve health outcomes

bed. Steve Tully was a teacher for most of his adult life so for Callum, his mother and brother to witness Steve’s frustration as he became a prisoner in his own body was heartbreaking.

Steve was just 62 when he passed.

At Menzies, we are focusing on the earliest changes in the brain and mapping how the disease spreads. We hope this knowledge will enable us to slow or even stop the disease progressing, thus limiting the symptoms, and preserve the quality of life for those living with chronic disease.

Donate now at www. menzies.utas.edu.au/donate by calling 1800 638 124 or completing the donation form attached to the Bulletin.

Finding: Dr Yuan Zhou looked into the genetic relationship between multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Crohn’s disease. There is also suggestive evidence of MS having a contributing effect on ulcerative colitis and IBD, but very little consistent evidence of

We found a significantly greater genetic link between MS and ulcerative colitis

Picture a world without Parkinson’s Callum Tully will always feel the loss of his father, Steve.

Cal was just 21 when Steve died of a cerebral haemorrhage, six years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

However, the way Cal has channelled his grief into raising funds for research into brain health and disease has inspired many.

Through “Captured by Cal”, Callum is doing photo shoots all over Tasmania and in return asking for donations to Menzies to support research that could reduce the symptoms of those living with Parkinson’s and extend their quality of life.

More than 100,000 Australians have Parkinson’s disease, and 38 new cases are diagnosed every day.

In Tasmania, about 1,200 people live with the degenerative neurological disorder which presents differently in every case.

There is currently no cure, but Parkinson’s symptoms can be managed with medication.

Callum’s mother likened Steve to a wind-up clock, with the medication providing him with the energy to get through the day, but towards the evening, when the medication began to wear off, he would “wind down”, become exhausted and end up confined to an armchair or

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AWARDS

Menzies research recognised at the College of Health and Medicine Awards a manager and mentor, David consistently demonstrates excellent leadership, and is a true champion of the University.

David is passionate about the research being undertaken within the MSP laboratories and values the benefit this will have on improving the health outcomes of Tasmanians and the wider community.

Awards: Assoc Prof Des Graham, Exec Dean Prof Denise Fassett, Prof Alison Venn and Natasha Stevens at the College of Health and Medicine Awards.

The College of Health and Medicine, which Menzies is a part of, recently gathered to celebrate and acknowledge the efforts and achievements of staff over the past year.

Staff gathered in Hobart, Launceston and via Zoom to congratulate this year’s recipients in the 2021 CoHM Staff Awards. We were fortunate enough to receive a number of awards and recognition.

These were: 2021 Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Adjunct, Clinical, University Associate, and Professional Fellow Title Holder Adjunct Associate Professor Des Graham & Professor Peter Dargaville Des and Peter have made exceptional contributions to Menzies and the College of Health and Medicine, having considerable impact on how we engage effectively with our community and have both been outstanding champions and ambassadors for the University.

Des has shown considerable skill in his ability to engage MS consumers and leverage opportunities for MS research, significantly increasing the

profile of Menzies as a hub of research excellence in MS. Peter has been an exemplar of the values espoused by the University and his research into neonatal pulmonology, contributions to the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health and Disease theme at Menzies, and supervision and teaching make him truly deserving of this recognition.

2021 Service Excellence Award Dr David Steele As Laboratory Manager for the College of Health and Medicine, David regularly collaborates with stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure that the research in the laboratory is carried out in a safe, sustainable, and efficient manner. David is ever the professional, is always friendly and willing to assist staff and students within the College, as well as those seeking advice from outside the college. As

We were fortunate enough to receive a number of awards and recognition

2021 Research Medal Distinguished Professor Alison Venn Alison is a consistent and constructive communicator, contributor and leader, playing important roles in the University as the Director of Menzies and also as a member of the College Leadership Team.

Alison acts with integrity and honesty, but always with an eye to excellence. Alison’s research is internationally significant with far reaching impact.

Alison’s consistent response to the challenge of improving the health of Tasmanians is that “these solutions will be found together”. The power of collaboration and partnerships is central to Alison’s experience as a researcher and her vision for, and leadership of,

Menzies. Alison is currently championing and facilitating the Tasmanian Collaboration for Health Improvement, a key partnership for health research and impact in Tasmania that aims to implement a shared translational research agenda to deliver improved health outcomes for our community.

Alison’s development and stewardship of the Menzies mission is to be commended, and her dedication to research has been evidenced throughout her distinguished career.

2021 Engagement Award Associate Professor Verity Cleland Associate Professor Verity Cleland has demonstrated outstanding leadership, collaboration and engagement.

Cleland focuses on opportunity by closely listening to and respecting community and collaborator voices and needs, and actively seeks input into her research programs and other professional activities.

Her research focuses on working in partnership with end-users to solve logical issues affecting Tasmanians that have national and global relevance.

STEM AWARD WINNER In November, the Tasmanian Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Awards were announced.

The Tasmanian STEM Awards acknowledge local scientific achievers and inspire others by showcasing innovative achievements across the core fields of study and research.

Dr Niamh Chapman, postdoctoral research fellow at Menzies and Founding

Director and host of ‘Now That’s What I Call Science!’, was awarded the Tasmanian STEM Communicator of the Year award for her advocacy shifting the stereotype of what it means to work in STEM. Congratulations to Niamh and all the other winners!

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PROFILE

RESEARCHER PROFILE

Dr Carlie Cullen

Senior Research Fellow

What brought you to Menzies?

I was recruited to join Associate Professor Kaylene Young’s lab as a junior postdoc in 2014, after completing my PhD at the University of Queensland just a few months earlier. My PhD research focussed on understanding the longterm neurobehavioural consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure and I was planning on continuing to work in this field for my postdoctoral training, but after talking to Kaylene at a conference, I became very interested in her research relating to the generation of new myelin (insulation) in the brain. I was eager to become involved and apply the skills I gained during my PhD candidature to this exciting new area of research.

What is the current focus of your research?

In the brain, neurons extend long, thin processes called axons, to connect and communicate with other neurons via the transfer of electrical impulses (action potentials).

My team and I are keenly interested in how the insulation (myelin) around these axons helps our neurons communicate appropriately. Ultimately,

we aim to understand how myelin influences our ability to think, feel and behave.

What are some of the recent findings from this work?

Earlier this year, we published what I believe is one of our most exciting findings so far. We showed that myelin generated in the developing brain remains adaptable throughout life. It can subtly change shape to help regulate the speed at which electrical signals move from one neuron to another.

During spatial learning, this myelin remodelling increased electrical impulse speed, and this was associated with better learning outcomes.

Have you been involved with any other research-based activities or awards?

In 2019, I published research demonstrating that a form of noninvasive brain stimulation, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), can promote the generation of new myelin producing cells in the brain.

Over the past couple of years, I have been privileged to be part of a collaborative effort within the MS Research Flagship working to translate this exciting research discovery

from the lab bench to the clinic as a potential brain repair therapy for people living with multiple sclerosis. Our small, phase 1 safety trial, ‘magnetic brain stimulation for people with multiple sclerosis (TAURUS I)’, is almost complete and we are expecting to commence a national phase 2 efficacy trial in 2022.

I am also very proud to have received a Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2021) from the Australian Institute of Policy and Science, in recognition of both my research achievements and my efforts in communicating my science to the community.

What is the most interesting aspect of this work?

It is all exciting! This research describes a completely new aspect of brain plasticity and identifies a potential underlying mechanism that contributes to brain miscommunication that can occur in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and a range of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions.

How will you be remembered?

In Memoriam

One sentence in your Will can fund life-saving medical research.

If you would like more information, please contact the Advancement Office on 03 6226 1920.

Bequests save lives by funding research. Thank you.

We gratefully acknowledge gifts made from the following estates: Estate of the late Maureen Brennan Estate of the late Rodney Andrew Sinclair We gratefully acknowledge gifts made in honour of: Robert Bearham Alan R Cato Heather Crow Mary Patricia Di Nisi Angus James Harpham Rickie Lette Andy MClymont Helen Purdon Kevin John Reeve Chris Spencer Allan Willmott

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Sleeping! Like most academics the concept of “spare” time feels unfamiliar, but I am learning to take down time more regularly. I usually always have a novel that I read a bit of each day, this helps me switch off at the end of the day and prepare my brain for sleep.

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Please post this slip to: Menzies Institute for Medical Research University of Tasmania Reply Paid 77465 Hobart TAS 7000