Cancer of the large intestine, also known as colorectal cancer, affects one in 23 people in their later years. Precancerous growths called polyps sometimes develop into cancer. The adenoma polyp has long been considered the most likely polyp type to develop into a cancer; however, recent evidence has shown that some types of hyperplastic polyps may also develop into cancers. In this laboratory, studies are being undertaken to identify the mostly likely hyperplastic polyps which will grow into cancers. This is just one of the studies being undertaken in this laboratory.
Adequate amounts of iodine and thyroid hormone are essential for normal intellectual development of the
unborn child. Examination of the processes that control the supply of maternal iodide and thyroid hormone to the fetus are being researched. A mechanism for iodide transport to the fetus has been discovered; consequently an important protein that is probably involved in thyroid hormone transport has been identified. This is just one of the studies being undertaken.
One in three Australians are at risk of developing kidney disease and this number will grow as our community ages and more people develop high blood pressure and diabetes. Scientists in the conjoint renal laboratory are focusing on two important topics: the study of progressive kidney disease, and kidney cancer.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic infl ammatory bowel disorders affecting up to 0.5% of the Australian population. The Crohn’s and colitis research program aims to use detailed clinical observation to drive epidemiological and genetic research in this fi eld, leading to a better understanding and better management of inflammatory bowel disease.
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