Honours Project Book - Faculty of Health Sciences - University of ...

Philippa Middleton
Contact Person
Professor Caroline Crowther
Phone: 8161 7619
caroline.crowther@adelaide.edu.au
Project Background
Clinical research results showing treatments to be
effective are worthless if this information is not then
used by health care workers to benefit their patients.
Several projects will by audit techniques identify
evidence-practice gaps in maternity care and
Breast Biology and Cancer
Supervisors
A/Prof Wendy Ingman
Dr Danielle Glynn
explore reasons for these. Audits will be conducted of
care practices:
• preconception
• antenatal period
Expected outcomes
Identification of care practices where there is an
evidence-practice gap, and exploring the reasons
why. This will lead on to planning intervention studies
to improve patient care.
Keywords
Evidence-practice gap, audit, barrier analysis.
Location: Medical School and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH)
Contact Person
A/Prof Wendy Ingman
Phone: 8313 4100 (Medical School) or 8222 6141 (TQEH)
wendy.ingman@adelaide.edu.au
Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women, with approximately 13,000 new cases
diagnosed each year in Australia. The aim of our research is to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms
that underpin this high incidence of breast cancer. We study how key risk factors, including menstrual cycling and
breast density, lead to increased susceptibility of the mammary gland to cancer, with specific focus on how these
risk factors affect the ability of the immune system to protect this unique tissue against carcinogens and other
cancer initiating factors. The overarching objective of this research is to provide therapies that reduce a woman's
lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
In addition to studies on breast cancer susceptibility, we also conduct mastitis research. Mastitis is a common
inflammatory disease in lactating women that causes pain, fever, low milk supply and leads many to cease
breastfeeding. This research explores the cellular mechanisms that lead to inflammation, and investigates potential
therapies to quickly and effectively stop the symptoms of mastitis.
PROJECT: (Basic) Cytokine expression in breast
epithelial cells.
R. O&G.
Project Background
Previous research in our laboratory has shown that
macrophage phenotype and function in the
mammary gland fluctuate in response to the
changing hormone environment during the estrous
cycle (which is the mouse equivalent to the human
menstrual cycle). This is significant because the
number of menstrual cycles a woman experiences in
her lifetime is an important determinant of breast
cancer risk. Macrophage function is dependent on
the types of cytokines the cell is exposed to. This
project will investigate cytokine production by
human breast epithelial cells in vitro, in response to
ovarian hormone stimulation.
PROJECT: (Basic) Inflammation and mastitis.
R. O&G.
Project Background
Mastitis is a common inflammatory condition that
affects 15-20% of lactating women in the first 6
months postpartum. It causes fever, pain, reduced
milk production and leads many women to cease
breastfeeding. Although bacterial infection is highly
associated with mastitis in dairy cows, the link
between infection and mastitis in women is less clear.
A family of inflammatory signalling pathways have
been identified as playing a crucial role in generating
the symptoms of mastitis. These pathways are known
to be stimulated by not only bacteria and their by-
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