Dr Richard Head, Flagship Director

Science delivering solutions

Our world is now aware of the challenges which are fast approaching us – changes in environment, resources and our populations.

In all of these challenges, science will play a major role to inform on the problems and to tackle the solutions.

Our Preventative Health Flagship, one of six National Research Flagships investigating research priorities of major national importance, is looking at the diseases which have a major impact on Australia.

With an ageing population, one of our challenges is in neurodegenerative disease.

It is estimated that in 2006, more than 210,000 Australians will have a diagnosis of dementia, 80 per cent of which is Alzheimer's disease (AD). The total number of people with dementia will exceed 730,000 by 2050. (Dementia Estimates and Projections: Australian States and Territories, Access Economics, 2005.)

Alzheimer's study

That is why the Australian Imaging Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) Flagship Study of Ageing has been established by the Preventative Health Flagship through the Australian Government's $97 million Flagship Collaboration Fund.

Bringing together world-leading researchers in a major study of AD, the $10 million AIBL study will involve 1,000 volunteers and aims to improve the understanding of the causes and diagnosis of AD.

The three-year study, one of the world's largest study of its type involving Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, was launched in Melbourne on November 14 by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing Christopher Pyne.

Please read more about this exciting new study in this edition of Update.

Science retreat

More than 130 researchers and key external collaborators with the Flagship were fortunate to receive a briefing about the AIBL study at a three-day science retreat in Melbourne from September 13-15.

The science retreat brought together research teams from 10 different areas across CSIRO and 15 external agencies and universities to hear the latest from the Flagship, including research into neurodegenerative disease, bowel (colorectal) cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Australia's Chief Scientist Dr Jim Peacock spoke to delegates during dinner on Wednesday, September 13, on the topic of "Innovation, have we got it right?"

These retreats provide an excellent opportunity for multi-disciplinary science interaction internally and externally, which is a key part of the Flagship's success.

Flagship reviews

This success has recently been endorsed by two independent performance reviews, a Review of National Research Flagships led by former Chief Scientist Professor Robin Batterham, and an Impact Review undertaken by economic analysts ACIL Tasman.

These reports formed part of the formal review of CSIRO's performance by the Australian Government.

The Flagship Review, conducted during June by an independent panel of experts, found that the flagships are delivering powerful scientific solutions to national problems in a model which facilitates high quality research and defines a route from R&D through to national impact.

Preventative Health was also one of eight areas within CSIRO chosen for investigation for the ACIL Tasman report which reviewed and quantified the economic, social and environmental impacts of activities.

The report findings indicate that the outcomes created through CSIRO's research and development represents a substantial return on investment.

There is a great deal of activity happening in our Flagship. I urge you to read on and enjoy learning more about our work and our people.

In this Update we also cover our quest to discover biomarkers to prevent colorectal cancer, the national Kids Eat, Kids Play survey, and our collaborations in gut health. We also invite you to meet our new team of theme leaders and one of our PhD students who has received a grant to study in Singapore.

Please contact us if you need additional information on any of the topics.

Dr Richard Head
Director, Preventative Health Flagship
Contact: Richard.Head@csiro.au, phone 08 83138819

UPDATE home

Message from the Director

Alzheimer's study launch sparks national interest

New theme leaders appointed to Preventative Health Flagship

Kids Eat, Kids Play - survey begins

Flagship student in Singapore collaboration 

Discovering biomarkers to prevent colon cancer

Scientists and clinicians share gastroenterology knowledge 

Preventative Health Presentations July 2006 to October 2006

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The Preventative Health Flagship is a CSIRO initiative and part of the National Research Flagships program that aims to deliver scientific solutions to advance Australia's most important national objectives. One of the largest scientific initiatives ever mounted in Australia, it aligns closely with the Federal Government's National Research Priorities. The initiative brings together our national research resources to deliver breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to light metals and the environment.

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