Three teams have been funded to collaborate with RBWH
CBT Early and Mid Career Researchers (EMCR) will, together with clinicians at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), co-lead 12-month research projects addressing clinically relevant problems. The projects will be completed by 30 June 2026 and will be based at, or associated with RBWH.
Congratulations
Dr Mehrdad Khamooshi and Associate Professor Jayesh Dhanani
Project Title: A novel nasal interface for high-flow nasal therapy to improve patient outcomes
This project investigates a novel design of a nasal cannula for high-flow nasal therapy, aimed at improving patient oxygenation, enhancing mucociliary clearance, reducing lung dead space, and enabling the attachment of drug delivery devices for administering medications such as antibiotics. The design has the potential to significantly improve care for respiratory patients, including those with COPD and cystic fibrosis, and also offers benefits in intensive care environments.
Dr Silvia Cometta, Professor Michael Schuetz, Professor Andrej Trampuz and Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher
Project title: Validation of an innovative antibiotic-free coating for the prevention of implant-associated infections using clinical isolates
This project aims to develop and test a new antimicrobial coating to prevent infections in patients undergoing implant surgeries, such as joint prosthesis or breast implants. Implant-related infections are a serious complication that can lead to implant failure, additional surgeries, and long physical and mental recovery. Current treatment includes prolonged use of high doses of antibiotics, which can cause side effects and emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
Dr Nanthini Jayabalan, Lucy Young, Dr Abigail Walker and Professor Yi-Chin Toh
Project title: Unraveling CRS: A Patient-Specific Airway Epithelial-Immune Co-culture Model in a Microfluidic System
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a widespread inflammatory sinus disease with the precise underlying pathophysiology remains yet to be elucidated. Our lab has developed a microfluidic airway-immune coculture device that successfully models CRS by infecting human bronchial cells with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (Lucy Young’s PhD). This project will leverage this innovative device to investigate nasal epithelium-immune cell interactions, aiming to better understand the distinct endotypes of CRS.