Menzies was established on 1 January, 1988 by the University of Tasmania with support from the Menzies Foundation and the Tasmanian Government. Menzies was primarily established to address the health issues facing the Tasmanian community.

Menzies Institute for Medical Researchis located within the University of Tasmania’s state-of-theart Medical Science Precinct, in close proximity to the Royal Hobart Hospital. Over 28 years, significant breakthroughs have been made by scientists into the cause, prevention and treatment of several diseases impacting on Tasmanians and people around the world. Menzies’ impressive record of research discoveries includes:

 ■ The link between babies’ sleeping position and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS);

■ Remodelling of nerve cells in undamaged parts of the brain in response to acquired brain injury;

■ Genetic markers linked to men’s risk of developing prostate cancer;

■ Understanding of how bones develop in childhood and risk factors for childhood fracture;

■ The impact of childhood exposure to parental cigarette smoke on cardiovascular health later in life;

■ Recognition of high rates of vitamin D deficiency in Tasmania, development of ways to improve this and the association of higher vitamin D levels with a lower relapse risk in multiple sclerosis;

■ Development of risk algorithms for prediction of heart failure.

Menzies has five key research areas:

1.  Public Health and Primary Care

Public Health and Primary Care theme seeks to better prevent and manage important population health problems. Projects address a broad range of conditions including cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, multiple sclerosis and depression. Several projects are investigating how lifestyle factors (e.g. smoking, physical activity and diet) affect the risk of developing chronic disease. Research in this area includes epidemiology, behavioural science, environmental health, biostatistics and health economics. Within this theme we have established partnerships with the Tasmanian Government. This theme also includes the management of the Tasmanian Cancer Registry and Tasmanian Data Linkage Unit.

2. Neurodegenerative Diseases / Brain Injury

The neuroscientists aim to understand the mechanisms underlying the brain’s response to trauma (for example, road accidents and falls) and diseases such as dementia (including Alzheimer’s), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and motor neuron disease. This research will help in the development of new ways to diagnose, prevent and treat these devastating disorders.

3. Cardio-Metabolic Health and Diseases

The primary aim of this theme is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular and metabolic disease on our community. Researchers use interventions targeted at identifying and preventing the development of obesity, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Areas of interest include blood pressure assessment, assessment of large and small blood vessel function and cardiac imaging in heart disease. Research techniques from laboratory models, clinical and population health studies and clinical interventions are used to discover new ways to prevent the progression of cardio-metabolic disease. Clinical trials are in progress to reduce the risk of developing cardiac disease in people with early “sub- clinical” disease and in those who have first-degree relatives with heart disease.

4. Musculoskeletal Health and Diseases

Research in this area optimises Tasmania’s unique population characteristics to investigate musculoskeletal disease, with a particular emphasis on osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Epidemiological research into musculoskeletal disease helps us understand the impact of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions on the individual and the community, so the best medical care can be developed and delivered where needed. Volunteer participant-based clinical trials are a key feature of this area.

5. Cancer, Genetics and Immunology

Work in this theme is aimed at identifying the underlying causes of complex disease and the drivers of disease progression. These complex diseases include eye disease, cancer and immune disorders. Innovative technologies are used to identify the genetic changes which underlie risk of developing a disease or influence disease progression, in addition to laboratory-based approaches to understanding the biology of these diseases. The  work includes studies of prostate and breast cancer; eye diseases such as keratoconus and glaucoma; the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease; and immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and lupus.

Potential collaboration

The initial interests are (but not limited to) cardiovascular, palliative care and hepatitis B and C. Menzies Institute for Medical Researchis seeking for potential collaboration to conduct studies and researches on those topics with the aim of co-publishing on international journals.

Useful links:

http://www.menzies.utas.edu.au/

http://www.menzies.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/897515/UTAS153_Menzies_Annual_Report_2015_WEB_FINAL.pdf

Staffs member that is coming to Vietnam:

1. Mr Mark Bennett – General Manager of the Institute

2. Associate Professor Leigh Blizzard: http://www.utas.edu.au/profiles/staff/menzies/leigh-blizzard

3. Mr Petr Otahal: http://www.utas.edu.au/profiles/staff/menzies/petr-otahal

4. Dr Barbara de Graaff: http://www.utas.edu.au/profiles/staff/menzies/barbara-de-graaff