MCRI researchers awarded over $10m to continue vital research to help children thrive

Seven MCRI researchers have been awarded over $10 million in the latest round of the National Health and Medical Research Council's Investigator grants.

The grants will aid the Institute's efforts to:

• combine advanced brain imaging and cutting-edge genomic technologies to better understand preterm children's brain development; 
• advance our understanding of the biology underlying speech disorders;
• keep children out of hospital, more effectively prevent, diagnose and treat childhood infectious diseases and improve clinicians' management of bacterial infections;
• achieve a triple dividend of adolescent health - reduced death and disability, healthier trajectories throughout life and the best possible start to life for the next generation; and
• reduce premature adult mortality by earlier diagnosis of blood vessel and cardiovascular issues caused by congenital blood vessel problems 

The NHMRC Investigator grants provide researchers with flexibility to pursue important new research directions as they arise and to form collaborations as needed, rather than being restricted to the scope of a specific research project. 

The innovative and creative research outcomes will be delivered over the next five years.