2024-5 Baker Department Seed Funding Outcomes

Five applications have been awarded seed funding from the UoM Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health

Following the scores submitted by an independent panel, we identified two clear frontrunners and three second-placed applications. Based on these scores we awarded two seed grants of 100k and three seed grants of 50k.

Recipients:

T cell-targeted, immunomodulatory lipid nanoparticles (tiLNPs) for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). CI: Kevin Sek. Awarded 100k

Harnessing B cell-specific Lipid Nanoparticles (bLNPs) to Target Immune Memory Expansion: A Transient Therapeutic Strategy to Eliminate Fatal Recurrent Heart Attacks. CI: Marcela Moreira. Awarded 100k

Homeostatic feeding and reward: investigating the role of a neuronal antenna in obesity. CI: Adelaide Bernard. Awarded 50k

Discovering the cellular architects of cardiac fibrosis following myocardial infraction. CI: Rebecca Harper. Awarded 50k

Improved Subgroup Identification Reveals Differential Methylation Biomarkers Associated with Future Risk of Diabetic Kidney Disease. CI: Ishant Khurana. Awarded 50k

In this year’s seed funding we focused on supporting early to mid-career scientists, who often have the best research ideas and need support to address these. Being the recipient of a seed grant in addition strengthens the CV of this group of scientists, making them more competitive for national and international grants.

Overall, we hope that our seed funding serves as a great stimulus for fostering research excellence in general, and that the pitch session presentations showcased the breadth and quality that drives the ongoing collaboration between the University of Melbourne and the Baker Institute.