Five new Flinders University projects have been funded by the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation (CRF) to advance research for the benefit of children in South Australia and beyond.

They include support for special studies to help children suffering from RSV bronchiolitis, childhood dementia and juvenile-onset Parkinson’s disease.

Associate Professor Timothy Chataway was also awarded the Colin Matthew AO Award for Achievement in Children’s ‘Health’ Research for his work with peanut allergies.

The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation 2024 Grant Round is awarding almost $1.3 million in funding into SA-led research into children’s health, education and welfare. The grants are underpinned by an ambition to help every child live out the happiest and healthiest life they can and deserve.

The CRF Research Committee reviewed 97 Expressions of Interest for the latest round of grants, with 18 projects selected from 47 projects invited to submit a full grant application.

Details of the five grants awarded to Flinders University projects running in 2024 are:

1. Optimising the use of the tripeptide feG for treatment of RSV bronchiolitis and subsequent airway hypersensitivity (led by Associate Professor Dani-Louise Dixon – College of Medicine and Public Health)

2. From tank to treatment: Using zebrafish to find therapies for Sanfilippo syndrome childhood dementia and juvenile-onset Parkinson’s disease (led by Dr Karissa Barthelson – College of Medicine and Public Health)

3. Circular RNAs indicate placental ageing, signalling stillbirth risk and infant morbidity in survivors (led by Dr Anya Arthurs – College of Medicine and Public Health)

4. Young carers from migrant and refugee backgrounds: recognising contributions and supporting mental health and wellbeing (led by Dr Moira Walsh – College of Medine and Public Health)

5. Alcohol advertising in disguise? How exposure to zero-alcohol products and promotions drives children’s perceptions of alcohol.  (Led by Dr Ashlea Bartram – College of Medicine and Public Health)

Each year, the CRF dedicates around $1.5million towards basic science projects, clinical studies or community-based studies in children’s research, in fields including, but not limited to, allied health, fertility and pregnancy, education, environment, dentistry, nursing, medicine, mental health, midwifery, welfare and protection, and social sciences, within South Australia.

They also remain committed to supporting research careers and capability in South Australia by:

• Fostering early career researchers
• Funding ‘proof of concept’ research
• Providing seed funding for early-stage research where other grant funding is unavailable, and
• Supporting established researchers and retention of local research talent to deliver outcomes within South Australia