Providing expertise... Professor Cynthia Whitchurch. Photo: Joanne Saad
Chronic sinus infection is a painful condition that affects up to 16 per cent of Australians.
Despite this, treatment options are poorly targeted and ineffective. But hope is on the way.
A research team consisting of respiratory specialists from the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and the University of Sydney have been awarded a $400,000 grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council to develop a much-needed treatment for chronic sinus infection.
Associate Professor Cynthia Whitchurch from the ithree institute is leading the UTS contingent, which includes a postdoctoral scientist and a PhD student.
“My role is to provide expertise in biofilms to help establish the biofilm infection models used in the project,” says Professor Whitchurch. Biofilms are collectives of microorganisms where cells stick to each other on a surface. They are notoriously resistant to antibiotic treatment and immune defences.
“It is an integral role, as this research could determine a treatment delivered straight to the source of the infection,” she says.
At present sufferers are prescribed antibiotics, mucus dissolvents or steroids administered with a nasal pump or modified nebuliser – approaches that give virtually no access to the sinuses, and so have limited efficacy.
The researchers will work with Australasian health and medical research company AFT Pharmaceuticals to develop a device and formulation that specifically targets the sinuses.