Media Release
November 19 2009
Grants assist cutting-edge child health research
The
Channel Seven Children’s Research
Foundation has allocated approximately $200,000 of its annual
project grants to four UniSA
researchers from the School of
Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, with projects earmarked to commence
in 2010.
Dr Sheridan Gentili will examine whether children who are small at
birth have an increased risk of developing insulin resistance and Type 2
diabetes in later life. The study is based on research that suggests
that before birth, fetal growth restriction due to a failure of
placental growth and development results in increased glucose production
in the liver.
Dr Janna Morrison will study links between maternal obesity and the
pathway to childhood obesity in the mother’s offspring. In particular,
Dr Morrison aims to understand the effects of over nutrition on the
embryo, placenta and fetus in order to determine when nutritional
interventions are required during pregnancy to lessen the affect the
impact of maternal obesity has on the fetus.
Dr Beverly Mühlhaüsler will examine whether an increased
availability of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oil) in
pregnant mothers will reduce the body fat in their offspring. The
research is based on fish oil being known to inhibit fat cell formation
and fat storage in adults during the period of fat development.
Associate Professor Cory Xian will use an experimental model to
determine whether a dietary omega-3 oil supplement can prevent bone
erosion caused by chemotherapy in children. Prof Xian hopes his studies
will to lead to a better quality of life for children both during and
after chemotherapy.
Established in 1976, the Children’s Research Foundation supports health,
educational and social research aimed at encouraging further studies
into the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of education,
welfare or health conditions affecting children in South Australia and
the Northern Territory.
Media contact
- Kelly Stone office (08) 8302 0963 mobile 0417 861 832 email kelly.stone@unisa.edu.au