Research Grants
Parkinson’s Queensland’s Inc. research grants are funded through the generosity of individual and corporate donors and bequests.
The primary aim of the Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. Seeding Grant Scheme is to support individual researchers and research teams to conduct high quality research into Parkinson’s disease. This includes both basic and applied science research. In 2009 PQI awarded funding to qualified research students for innovative research projects related to Parkinson’s disease. In total, four scholarships were granted; 1 PhD Research Grant Scheme and 3 Research Seeding Grants.
Effects of Enhanced Somatosensory Information on Postural Stability in People with Parkinson’s Disease
QUT PhD student, Mr Feng Qiu, will be researching how changes in the somatosensory information (sensory signals from all tissues of the body including skin, muscles and joints), affects postural stability in people with Parkinson’s disease. The project will also investigate whether textured insoles, used to enhance somatosensory information from the feet, can be an important intervention to prevent falls in PD patients – thus providing a low-cost means of improving postural stability.
Dynamical Postural Stability and Falls Prediction in Parkinson’s Disease
QUT Associate Professor, Dr Graham Kerr, will be initiating a study to enable the development of a prospectively validated falls risk test for people with PD. It will combine demographic, clinical tests and measures of dynamic postural stability to derive independent risk factors for falls. The falls risk tool will have wide application across medical and allied health areas for risk assessment and prescription of primary therapy.
How Does Genetic Background Interact With Environmental Exposure to Modify Parkinson’s Risk?
Griffith University Associate Professor, Dr George Mellick, will undertake experiments to identify gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that will substantially modify risk for PD. In particular, pesticide exposure, cigarette smoking and genetic variability across a biological pathway that influences a body’s ability to detoxify such exposures will be examined.
Activation of the Antioxidant Pathway Restores Metabolic Functions in Parkinson’s Disease Patient-Derived Cell Lines
Dr Stephen Wood’s (Griffith University) research project will compare cells from patients with typical Parkinson’s disease with those from healthy controls. The cells will be used to identify molecular differences between the groups. To date, a significant dysregulation of pathways involved in the body’s response to chemicals and oxidative stress has been identified and functional differences in these pathways in PD cells have been restored. Subsequently, the purpose of the project is to determine whether the disrupted pathways are symptomatic or causative of typical PD.
2010 Grant Round Now Open
Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. (PQI) invites applications from suitably qualified research students and researchers for grants supporting research into Parkinson’s disease.
The PQI PhD Research Grant Scheme funds high quality applications from current full-time PhD students who are undertaking innovative research projects related to Parkinson’s disease. Funding will be available for the duration of the applicant’s candidature – up to a maximum of three years. Grants of up to $10,000 each will be awarded.
The PQI Research Seeding Grant Scheme funds high quality applications from Queensland based researchers or teams of researchers to undertake innovative research projects related to Parkinson’s disease. Funding will be available for one year, after which successful applicants will be required to apply to external funding agencies for further funding support. The value of the Research Seeding Grants will be up to a maximum value of $30,000. Applicants will be required to provide matching funds, with at least 20% cash contribution.