Lewin Lab Farewell

Prof Sharon Lewin, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases has taken on the role of Director at the new Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne. Sharon and co-head A/Prof Paul Cameron are moving with their  research group to the Institute by 5 Sept 2014.

Media mentions

18/08/2014 Professor Sharon Lewin, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, commented on new research into HIV.  Sharon mentioned that although the research was done in mice, it was a significant step in HIV cure research.

The Conversation

 http://theconversation.com/shock-and-kill-approach-cures-mice-of-hiv-in-world-first-30528

20/08/2014 Associate Professor Edwina Wright, Department of Infectious Diseases, commented on an Australian study into the PrEP pill, a highly effective preventative pill for HIV.
Triple J





20/08/2014 Department of Gastroenterology's FODMAP diet and app research was mentioned.  The low-FODMAP diet has been mentioned as something to be "looked into", by people who suffer symptoms, but whose blood test for celiac is "negative" and Endoscopy, colonoscopy is "normal"
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zlata/fodmap-diet_b_5691994.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living&ir=Healthy+Living

21/08/2014 Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, Director, MAPrc, commented on new family violence rules that have been proposed in Victoria, which could allow for domestic violence victims to 'name and shame' offenders.  Jayashri said that there are privacy issues around being able to name offenders but they aim to bring perpetrators to account.

Radio Adelaide

21/08/2014 Professor Peter Gibson, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, and Dr Jane Muir, Head of Translational Nutrition, Department of Gastroenterology's research into healthy diets for gut health was discussed.

Food Australia

21/08/2014, 22/08/2014 MAPrc's work, supported by De Castella Run for Mental Health 2014, mentioned.  Marathon runner Robert de Castella mentioned that the fun run, started in 1981, is one of the longest fun runs in Victoria and that the money raised will support the work that is done by MAPrc.  The fun run is to be held on Sunday 31 August.
ABC Radio

Media mentions

28/07/2014 Professor Sharon Lewin, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, comments on why anti-HIV drugs stop the virus from replicating in the body. Weekend West Perth

29/07/2014 Professor Lewin discussed the AIDS2014 conference.  She explained that this year's theme, "Stepping up the Pace", comes at a "critical time" in the global response to HIV. Australian Jewish News
 

28/07/2014 Professor Peter Gibson, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, commented on  health concerns of a grain free diet. 

Radio National

31/07/2014 A Monash University study saw patients claiming to have Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity followed diets that contained different levels of gluten. AFR
http://healthydebate.ca/2014/07/topic/non-celiac-gluten-sensitivity

29/07/2014 Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, MAPrc, discussed why the shooting down of MH17 has had such a profound effect in Australia, making many afraid to book tickets abroad.
ABC North West WA

29/07/2014 Associate Professor Michele Levinson (pictured), Cabrini-Monash University Department of Medicine, and research fellow Amber Mills, comments on a controversial proposal to end cardiopulmonary resuscitation as the “universal default” for hospital inpatients and replace it with an opt-in system.
Medical Journal of Australia https://www.mja.com.au/insight/2014/27/opt-cpr-dispute

Research explainers: How training lowers immunity; HIV cure - still a way to go

Drs Fabien Vincent and Kim Murphy, Department of Immunology, explain how intense or prolonged exercise can lower immunity, but it's a short term effect, and can easily be counteracted with proper diet and hygiene.
https://theconversation.com/sick-of-exercise-heres-how-training-can-lower-immunity-29390

Professor Sharon Lewin, Department of Infectious Diseases, explains that "what weʼve learnt over the last few years is that both a sterilising and functional cure [for HIV] are indeed possible, and may be something we could eventually achieve." But the 'sterilising' cure, or elimination of all the HIV infected cells is "very, very difficult". The 'functional' cure is treating the disease like cancer in remission - there, but keeping a very low profile.
http://theconversation.com/we-need-a-cure-for-hiv-but-theres-still-a-long-way-to-go-29330

Media mentions

09/07/2014 Professor Sharon Lewin, Head of Department of Infectious Diseases, commented on a setback in the search for a cure to HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. 

ABC Radio National plus 126 regional radio syndications. 

612 ABC Brisbane (Brisbane)

18/07/2014 Professor Lewin, commented on the news that the "Mississippi Baby" who was reportedly cured of HIV, still shows signs of the virus. 

UK News Yahoo!, Yahoo! News Australia 

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/setback-cure-overshadows-aids-council-war-014802387.html#qnp9K35
21/07/2014 Professor Lewin commented on the the 20th International AIDS Conference.   She said that AIDS 2014 is quite an unique meeting and that it's completely multi-disciplinary.  She said that it has three major programs within it, Science, Leadership and Community and those three pillars are really essential in getting advances in the HIV response.

Radio Australia, Intellasia.net, Gay News Network, Reuters UK, Yahoo! UK and Ireland and five other online publications

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/asia-pacific/melbourne-prepares-to-host-worlds-biggest-aids-conference/1344789

09/07/2014 Professor Peter Gibson, Head of Department of Gastroenterology, comments on the 'great gluten debate', clarifying recent research findings which suggest that people who think they are gluten-sensitive might instead be reacting to the #FODMAPs found in wheat.
New Scientist 12 July 2014

Media mentions

30/06/2014 Professor Peter Gibson, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology commented on coeliac disease.  He mentioned that Non-coeliac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) is psychological and that it has "never been a contention we have supported."  ABC Radio, Saturday Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Canberra Times.

Media mentions

23/06/2014 Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, Director, MAPrc, discussed the link between hormones and mental health.

The Conversation

http://theconversation.com/theres-no-rushing-womens-syndrome-but-hormones-affect-mental-health-28136

25/06/2014 27/06/2014 Professor Peter Gibson, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, commented on gluten free diets.  He said that people are adopting a gluten free diet without needing to. Gibson mentioned it as an epidemic across the US, Europe NZ and Australia.

Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, 3AW, The Courier-Mail and two other online publications.
Radio National Canberra and syndicated to 8 regional radio stations

Prof Gibson "will take the newest trend of gluten-free foods head on, exploring whether increasing demand driven by consumers, pseudoscience or science" on the 47th AIFST Annual Convention. Food Australia

26/06/2014 Prof Gibson said that about 1-2 per cent of the adult population has coeliac disease, but about 10 per cent are avoiding gluten.

ABC South East NSW, 774 ABC Melbourne, ABC South West WA, Channel 7, Channel 10, and 17 other publications.

  25/06/2014 Dr Jane Muir, Head of Translational Nutrition, Department of Gastroenterology: "will separate fact from fiction in the emerging story of gut health" on the 47th AIFST Annual Convention.

Food Australia

26/06/2014, 27/06/204 Professor Sharon Lewin, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, is quoted in reference to her study on advancements in HIV treatment and prevention.  She said that there was still no cure or vaccine for HIV.

News Medical, The Age, Canberra Times

ABC Radio Australia

26/06/2014 Professor Paul Fitzgerald, MAPrc, commented about people living with mental illness like bipolar and their use of social media.

3AW Melbourne
27/06/2014 Prof Fitzgerald commented on the recently launched special app for Facebook users to predict mental health relapses.  He said that users would receive a message when their use has changed

612 ABC Brisbane and syndicated to 74 regional radio stations.

Research highlights

Sharon Lewin on the Lancet seminar paper overviewing HIV infection

Prof Sharon Lewin video

Prof Gary Maartens, Prof Connie Celum and Prof Sharon Lewin, Department of Infectious Diseases, have published a seminar article in The Lancet, "HIV infection: epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention". Sharon gives an overview of the article, including her own area of pathogenesis, covering recent developments in immune activation and vaccine development. "No-one clears HIV spontaneously", she says, which is a very unusual feature for a virus. Treatments are now investigating latency, or how to 'wake up' dormant virus hidden within cells. #HIV also causes low level inflammation from immune activation, which contributes to chronic disease development. See The Lancet abstract.

Congratulations to Christina Chang for her PhD award

Dr Chang presenting

Congratulations to Dr Christina Chang, who has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy for her thesis, "Immunopathogenesis and diagnosis of Cryptococcosis-associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (C-IRIS) in persons living with HIV". It was accepted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree by the Graduate Research Steering Committee on Tuesday 1 April 2014.The degree and title will be conferred upon graduation. Christina's supervisors were Professor Sharon Lewin, Dr Julian Elliott, Professor Martyn French and Associate Professor Eunice Moosa.

Media Mentions

03/04/2014 Professor Sharon Lewin, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, comments on a research breakthrough that can awaken a dormant HIV virus and lure it out of infected cells so it may be destroyed. Business Review Australia
http://www.businessreviewaustralia.com/business_leaders/melbourne-researchers-one-step-closer-to-an-hiv-cure


03/04/2014 Dr Steve Ellen, Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, says airbrushing in magazines is believed to be linked to increasing rates of eating disorders and depression. 720 ABC Perth

Media Mentions (03-09 Mar)

07/03/2013 Prof Sharon Lewin, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, commented on the use of gene therapy to upgrade the immune system of HIV patients.  She mentioned that the idea of modifying a T-cell to make it resistant and showing it is feasible and they survive, is exciting.
BBC http://www.bbc.com/news/health-26451427

 

07/03/2013 A/Prof Wendy Brown, Departmentof Surgery, commented on increased spending on supersized ambulances, hospital beds and reinforced toilets as hospitals struggle to cater for Australia's obesity epidemic.  She mentioned that facilities across Australia have had to enlarge hospital rooms, hallways and doorframes to improve access, and reinforce walls and ceilings to support the heavy-duty equipment, and that she'd expect to see more and more bariatric equipment in hospital wards.
Australian Doctor http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/latest-news/millions-spent-on-fat-trucks-extra-large-loos

03/03/2014 Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor Ian Haines, Department of Medicine, commented on prostate cancer surgery. He said there was

no real evidence that prostate cancer surgery changes the natural history of the disease and that we’re good at curing prostate cancers that are not a problem but not good at curing those biologically programmed to kill a person.

The Herald Sun, Geelong Advertiser, Northern Territory News and seven other regional online newspapers. 

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/australian-men-wait-longer-than-women-for-cancer-surgery/story-fnii5yv7-1226841322445