A world-first stem cell biobank and a groundbreaking clinical trial for brain repair treatment are among the significant advances in multiple sclerosis (MS) research at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania. These achievements come in the wake of a $10 million funding boost to the Institute's MS Research Flagship program in 2019.
Nearly five years after receiving the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant under the Emerging Priorities in Consumer Driven Research initiative, the MS Research Flagship is celebrating its impact. Looking to the future, it will continue to build on its well-developed collaborations and research platforms and accelerate discoveries in MS research leading to the prevention, better treatment and better management of MS.
For more than 30 years, Menzies has been at the forefront of MS research. This is in part driven by the unique concentration of people living with MS in Tasmania, which has the highest rate of MS in the country — the further away from the equator people live the higher the prevalence of MS.
The MRFF funding has significantly accelerated the Flagship's advancements in several key areas:
Understanding the cause of MS
- The MS Family Study, by examining the genetics of families with a high incidence of MS, has expanded our knowledge of the rare genetic variations and biological pathways associated with MS.
- The establishment of the MS Stem biobank enhances our understanding of the biological causes of MS, provides a platform for drug candidate screening, and advances MS research both nationally and internationally.
Professor Kaylene Young, neuroscientist and brain health team leader at the Flagship said, "MS stem cells can be directed to make any cell type from the body. We are using them to learn how genes lead to MS and how we can protect and repair brain cells."
"Our research has the power to link gene mutations identified in the MS Family Study with cell changes critical for MS development. We are also using MS Stem to find out whether the cause of MS is different for each family or has a shared trigger," Professor Young said.
MS treatment
- A free, online health economic simulation model has been developed to help researchers and clinicians assess the impact of MS treatments (including drug therapies, lifestyle interventions, public health programs, medical devices and surgical interventions) on clinical and cost outcomes.
- Groundbreaking national clinical trials TAURUS 1&2 have assessed the safety and efficacy of magnetic brain stimulation (MBS) as a potential brain repair (remyelination) therapy for MS, improving our understanding of brain cell regeneration and myelin repair. Final study results are expected by the end of the year.
"For MBS we place a magnetic coil over the head. The coil non-invasively activates nerve cells in the brain to subtly change their activity," said Professor Bruce Taylor, neurologist and academic lead of the Flagship.
"MBS is already used to treat depression, but in our TAURUS trial we delivered the treatment in a different way that we think will protect and repair the brain cells damaged in people with MS," Professor Taylor said.
MS education and management
- Our Understanding MS massive open online course (MOOC) has achieved global reach, with over 50,000 participants from more than 180 countries. The MOOC significantly improves MS knowledge, health literacy, self-efficacy, communication confidence, and self-reported behaviour change.
- We have developed new MOOCs on 'Mental Health and MS,' 'Deciding About Disease Modifying Therapies for MS,' 'Ageing Well with MS' and 'Supporting MS Carers.' Additionally, we have developed the apps MS WorkSmart and My SymptoMS to help people with MS manage their symptoms and remain active in the workplace.
To share these resources with the MS community, the MS Research Flagship recently launched its MS Education and Management platform at www.msresearchflagship.org.au
Since 2019 the MS Research Flagship has grown significantly, expanding from around 30 founding members to more than 90 members. Additionally, its consumer and community reference committee has grown from seven to 17 members, collaborating closely with the Flagship at every stage of research, strategy, and governance. This committee is now recognised as a leader in consumer and community involvement within the Australian research landscape.
On 28 June the MS Research Flagship hosted it's fourth successive 'Research with Connections' symposium in Hobart. Around 130 people — 80% MS consumers and community members — attended the event which connects researchers with the MS community through presentations, conversations and celebrations.
Menzies director Professor Tracey Dickson said "The $10 million funding boost from the MRFF has had a profound impact, catalysing significant advancements in our mission to conduct high impact, interdisciplinary and consumer driven research on the causes, treatment, management and prevention of MS."
"Not only has it expanded our research capabilities, it has also strengthened our commitment to reduce the impact of MS on individuals and the community," Professor Dickson said.
