Research MSRA Funds
MSRA has increased the amount of money available in the annual funding round to over $2.721 million. This translates to eleven new projects that begin in 2010.
The MSRA Research Review Board has identified five areas in which Australian scientists make a significant contribution to the world wide effort.
The five areas in which MSRA funds research are:
- Genetics and Epidemiology - The cause of MS remains unknown but there is enough evidence to suggest interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Finding if the genes are switched on or off, the triggers and their role in the disease, we can develop preventative strategies and treatments to reduce or even eliminate MS.
- Immunology and Virology - What happens during the early stages of MS remains a hotly debated issue in scientific circles. We do know that the immune system plays an important role in causing the inflammation and lesions characteristic of MS. This process may even be triggered by a virus. Work in this area involves trying to understand the molecular pathways involved in MS. The results have applications in finding ways to protect and repair tissue, and finding ways to stop the immune system attack.
- Neurobiology - Neurobiology is the study of MS in human neural tissue, such as the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord. Human tissue afflicted with MS is the ideal tissue to help us understand MS.
- Social and Applied Research - Research in this area is crucial to finding immediate solutions to improve quality of management of physical, cognitive and psychosocial aspects of MS.
- Clinical Trials - Clinical and therapeutic trials have an important role in evaluating the performance and benefits of new treatments and therapies for People with MS.
Significant MSRA 'Platforms' to Accelerate Research
MSRA funds major collaborations that address a significant scientific question in MS research. Currently these include:
- ANZgene: Major Genetics Collaboration across Australia and New Zealand
- MS Life Study: Long-term collection of data from people with MS about the economic, social and physical impact of the disease
- Ausimmune: Investigating the environmental factors which potential trigger MS
- Epstein - Barr Virus and MS
- MSRA Brain Bank
- MSRA Clinical Trials Network
Projects and People Support
MSRA also funds scientists in smaller projects through grants. There are several different types of grants available including Scholarships, Fellowships, Project Grants and Seeding Grants.