Finding out why your kid’s tummy bug might be a bit fishy

Finding out why your kid’s tummy bug might be a bit fishy

A ground breaking study by James Cook University will examine how and why children develop seafood allergies.

The Federal Government today announced its National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) would provide six grants to JCU, totalling almost $3.7 million, under its 2014 grants round.

The 2014 NHMRC funding to JCU has climbed in comparison to the past three years of $2.9m, $3.3m and $3.3m.

Associate Professor Andreas Lopata will receive $476,795 for his project: Bio-molecular studies for improved diagnosis and management of Australian children with fish allergy.

Associate Professor Lopata said he would be working on developing new diagnostic tests for fish allergies among Australian children.

“We will analyse the allergic reactions of children to more than 40 Australian fish species,” he said.

“We know that for certain Australian fish, there have never been any allergy tests for species such as barramundi, for example.”

Other reef fish such as red snapper would also be tested for the first time, he said.

It is research that in future may benefit children all over the world, Associate Professor Lopata said.

The research is being conducted in conjunction with Sydney’s Westmead Children’s Hospital and Melbourne’s Murdoch Children’s Hospital.

Along with Associate Professor Lopata, Professors Jon Golledge, Alex Loukas, and Dr India Bohamnna and Dr Phurpa Wangchuk will receive funding for their research projects.

Details of other JCU NHMRC funding recipients:

Professor Jonathan Golledge

Upregulating kallistatin to limit abdominal aortic aneurysm.

$648,022

Professor Jonathan Golledge

The role of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in limiting complications of aortic aneurysm

$663,475

JCU Media Liaison: Caroline Kaurila, tel: (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175

First published October 17, 2014