The institute
is involved in many areas of research in Respiratory Physiology and breathing
disorders during sleep. Some of the major areas of research are:
Diaphragm and Control
of Breathing
Neuro-mechanical efficiency of the diaphragm
Respiratory failure
and the chemical control of breathing in chronic obstructive lung
disease.
Researchers
Dr Bhajan Singh, Consultant Physician, Research Scientist
Dr Bill Finucane, Emeritus Consultant Physician, Research Scientist
Sleep Apnoea, Upper Airway and Respiratory Muscles
Collapsibility of the upper airway at different levels of Propofol
anaesthesia
Electromyographic activity of the human genioglossus (EMGgg)
muscle during wakefulness and sleep
Invivo size and shape measurement
of the upper airway using endoscopic optical coherence tomography
Mechanism
of reflux in obstructive sleep apnoea
Modulation of upper and lower
oesophageal sphincter tone during sleep
Non-invasive acoustic detection
of aerophagia sounds during wakefulness, anaesthesia and sleep
The
effect of arm bracing during exercise in subjects with COPD
The effect
of continuous positive airway pressure on blood vessel function
and erectile function
Researchers
Clinical Professor David Hillman, Medical
Director, Research Scientist
Winthrop Professor Peter Eastwood, Senior Research Fellow
Dr Jeniffer Walsh, Postdoctorial Fellow
Ms Kate Smith, PhD candidate
Ms Kathleen Maddison, PhD candidate
Airway Remodeling and Inflammation
Airway Remodelling
- Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth muscle in asthma
- Assessment of smooth muscle phenotype
Airway Inflammation
- Validation study of biopsy to assess airway and lung
inflammation
-
Identification of dendritic cells with immunohistochemical
labeling (DC-SIGN) Inflammation in allergen-sensitised
and exposed mice
Population Studies Burden of Obstructive Lung
Disease 2007- 2008: Busselton
- Busselton Health Survey 2005-2007 Collaborative (The Netherlands;
Italy; Hungary) study of bronchodilator response of forced oscillatory
technique Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnoea
Genetic
influences on airway disease and allergy Single nucleotide
polymorphisms Genome screen HLA-DR
SIDS Influence of parental smoking on airway
structure and inflammation
Clinical Trials
Researchers
Clinical Professor Alan James, Consultant Physician, Research Scientist
Mr John Elliot, Research Officer
Ms Peta Grayson, Research Officer
Ms Robyn Jones, PhD candidate
Sleep Epidemiology
Establishment of the WA Sleep Disorders Cohort, a population based
resource to investigate the epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnoea
in WA
Occupational exposures and health effects with particular interest
in asbestos and diesel exposure
Researchers
Dr
Bhajan Singh, Consultant Physician, Research Scientist
Dr Nigel McArdle, Consultant Respiratory Phycician, Research Scientist
Ms Laila Simpson, PhD candidate
Ms Kim Ward, PhD candidate
Ms Cass Edwards, PhD candidate
Sleep Apnoea
Predictors of sleep apnoea
using questionnaires and laser measurements of oral dimensions
Treatment
of sleep apnoea:
- Mandibular advancement splints: new models
- Positional therapy: new appliances
Heart rate monitoring to detect psychiatric
conditions and sleep apnoea
Researchers
Dr Stewart Cullen, Consultant Respiratory Physician
Sleep Apnoea
Treatment of the sleep apnoea/hypopnoea sydrome
Vascular disease in
the sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome
Non-invasive ventilation
Researchers
Dr Nigel McArdle, Consultant Respiratory Phycician