Dr Tobias Merson NHMRC Funding Could Unlock MS Puzzle

Dr Tobias Merson NHMRC Funding Could Unlock MS Puzzle

Researchers at the University of Melbourne could uncover crucial information about how to treat neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) after receiving more than $650,000 from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to fund a ground breaking project in 2014.

Dr Tobias Merson and his team at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health are examining the death of cells that produce myelin, a fatty coating that insulates nerve fibres that is damaged by neurological conditions such as MS. The researchers will explore whether providing nerve cells with alternative sources of energy can reduce damage and restore function.

Dr Merson said it is the first time this process has been applied to MS research and it is hoped the project sheds some light on the complexities of the condition.

'The aim of the project is to identify whether we could reduce damage to nerve cells and protect them from the type of injury that is created by neurological conditions like MS," Dr Merson said. 'If we achieve what we hope, this could be a game-changer that could lead to all new, better targeted therapeutic treatments."

Dr Merson, who is one of 14 MS research groups across the country to receive NHMRC funding, said it is a welcome boost for his team.

'Ultimately this funding will help us to really accelerate this area of research, which is unique to MS."

MS Research Australia, the leading body for MS research in the country, welcomed the NHRMC funding commitment to MS Research, which totalled almost $8 million for 2014.

MS Research Australia CEO Dr Matthew Miles said it goes to show how far MS Research has come in Australia.

'Australia is graced with some truly great research minds who are discovering new information all the time about MS, how it affects the body and how it progresses," Dr Miles said.

'This is leading to new treatments and new technology which is bringing us closer and closer to our ultimate goal of a cure."

MS Research Australia is the largest National not-for-profit supporter of MS Research in the country having previously supported 11 of the recent funding recipients with more than $2.5 million in research grants.

'We're delighted so many of our supported researchers have secured this additional funding," Dr Miles said.

'It shows people who support our cause that we invest in the best, most advanced projects that have the potential to really make a difference for the MS community in Australia and abroad."

The NHMRC has awarded 14 grants related to MS worth $7,967,676
This included 11 grants ($6,069,289) to researchers previously funded by MS Research Australia
Past funding from MS Research Australia for these researchers totals $2,723,100
This is a multiplier effect of 2.2

MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young Australian adults, often diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40 and affects three times more women than men. As yet, there is no cure. MS is the result of damage to myelin – a protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged, this interferes with messages between the brain and other parts of the body. The symptoms of MS differ for each person; sometimes they even vary within the same person. For some, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission, while for others it has a progressive pattern.

MS Research Australia is the only national organisation dedicated to funding and coordinating multiple sclerosis research in Australia, as part of the worldwide effort to solve MS. Its goal is to accelerate research: into the cause, better treatments and prevention, with the aim of ultimately finding a cure for MS.

The Florey is one of the world's top 10 brain research centres. We employ 600 people and educate 150 post-graduate students each year. Our scientists comprise the largest neuroscience research team in Australia.

Our teams work across a variety of disease states such as stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, motor neuron disease, traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, a range of mental illnesses and addiction. We are world leaders in imaging technology, stroke rehabilitation and epidemiological studies.

Interview with Dr Tobias Merson

Question: What will the NHMRC grant, you've received, be used for?

Dr Tobias Merson: The grant will be used to investigate how nerve cell damage is caused when myelin-producing cells die in the brain as occurs in MS. We will also test new potential therapeutic interventions to protect nerve cells from damage.


Question: How many researchers will work on this particular project?

Dr Tobias Merson: Two research staff and one student will be involved in the study.


Question: What are you hoping to find, from this study?

Dr Tobias Merson: We are hoping to discover new ways that we can protect nerve cells from the type of damage that occurs in the brain and spinal cord of people living with MS.

Question: How soon should we see the results of this study released to the public?

Dr Tobias Merson: A study of this kind takes about 3 years to complete. Results of the study are released by publishing the data in peer-reviewed international journals. As soon as the work is in published it is available for public release.


Question: How do you hope to find information surrounding the complexities of the condition?

Dr Tobias Merson: Our study is testing some new theories about what may cause nerve cell injury in MS, our hypotheses are based on the most current scientific literature about the complexities of MS and MS-like conditions.


Question: Can you talk us through what this may means for those with MS?

Dr Tobias Merson: Our research will help tease apart the mechanisms that cause damage to nerve cells and test whether new approaches to protect nerve cells from damage could be an effective treatment approach. Establishing this information will help us to understand the types of new therapies that could be tested in future clinical trials for treating MS.


Question: What inspired you to research MS with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health?

Dr Tobias Merson: The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health houses a world-class research team that use a broad multi-disciplinary approach and cutting-edge research approaches to study disease processes that affect patients with MS.


Question: What's a typical day like for you, when researching?
Dr Tobias Merson: I catch up with the PhD students and staff that work in my team, undertake experiments, plan research activities and discuss our results. This involves work both in the laboratory, meetings with staff and students and time spent writing and reviewing manuscripts and research grants. Every day is brings new challenges but being involved in discovery and helping to uncover the secrets of biology and disease is a very rewarding and exciting career.


Interview by Brooke Hunter