A roadmap for better child health |
In a world-first, Mātai and Auckland Bioengineering Institute researchers created a roadmap to analyse children's brains, hearts, lungs, and musculoskeletal systems, to better understand child health, for disease prediction and prevention. The first journal paper on the Tairāwhiti Study is now out, with more on the story here.
The Fred Lewis Enterprise Foundation has generously supported a study into the impact of methamphetamine addiction on the brain and heart. Thanks to an additional round of funding through the Foundation, Mātai is continuing the research and expanding the scope to investigate the potential benefits of substitution therapy. Following the cancellation of last month's event due to the cyclone, MRI legend Emeritus Professor Graeme Bydder was able to reschedule his visit to Mātai and spend four wonderful collaborative days guiding the team on several research projects and making new discoveries at the helm of the MRI machine.
While in Queensland as the keynote speaker at the Women in Imaging 2023 event for International Women's Day, Dr Samantha Holdsworth had the opportunity to tour the University of Queensland Centre for Advanced Imaging (UQ-CAI) and the Australian National Imaging Facility (ANIF). Dr Holdsworth also had the opportunity to speak at the Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village on ways to keep your brain healthy.
The GE Healthcare videos by filmmaker Mikey Kay are now online. Find out more about the Mātai prostate cancer project aimed at improving accuracy and equity in prostate cancer in the 'On the Frontline' videos and the recent story. For more information on how to access the pathway in Tairāwhiti, tune in to the interview on TurangaFM.
TŌNUI Collab held their third robotics wānanga with teams of kōhine from across Te Tairāwhiti. Mātai Senior Research Fellow, Dr Eryn Kwon, met the girls to share her experiences.
Mātai was privileged to welcome two exceptional researchers from the University of Auckland, Dr Helen Murray and Dr Sheryl Tan.
Liam Tompkins was awarded a Mātai/HRC Ngā Kanohi Kitea Scholarship.
The Mātai Tairāwhiti Relief Fund has closed. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organisations from around the region and the country, and international support, the fund raised $519K, including $283K raised through the Auckland Relief raffle. For updates on where the funding is being allocated to support those impacted, and for details on how to apply for funding see here.
Top image: Anatomical airway branching structure of a child's lung. Jeanette Lepper | Head of Development
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Emertius Professor Graeme Bydder's four day visit to our group was a true inspiration for all of us. Graeme, a kiwi pioneer of MRI, provided guidance and input into so many of our and our collaborators' research and provided valuable advice on our scientific strategic direction. During a wonderful mihi whakatau led by Pāpā Taina, he inspired the Mātai whānau with his personal journey; we were particularly moved by his humility, strength, humour, and resilience as he spoke about his failures and subsequent successes. We presented Professor Bydder with a pounamu in the shape of an adze. This gift symbolises the strength, courage, wisdom, and ability that he embodies in his work and personal life. The further carvings in the adze take the shape of a koru, which represents the new beginning and hope for the future as we continue our journey of innovation together with Professor Bydder and our collaborators. We are grateful for the inspiration that Professor Bydder has provided us and the many researchers he has touched with his work. His dedication to the field of MR research is a testament to the importance of resilience, passion, and perseverance sprinkled with some mischief and light-heartedness!
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| Above: Graeme Bydder pictured with Mātai Kaumatua Taina Ngarimu |
Above: Graeme Bydder talking with Mātai PhD & Masters students |
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Above: Science can often be seen as a serious and strict field, but breakthroughs that lead to new discoveries come from a fun and light-hearted approach and a willingness to try something new and unconventional. With a little mischief and laughter, Emeritus Professor Graeme Bydder and Paul Condron (Charge MRI Tech), and (not shown) Dr Dan Cornfeld (Mātai Clinical Lead) and Dr Gil Newburn (Mātai Clinical Research Fellow) made ground-breaking discoveries last week at the MRI scanner interface.
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Dr Samantha Holdsworth, Mātai Research Director, had the privilege of serving as the keynote speaker at the Women in Imaging 2023 event for International Women's Day, held at the UQ Centre for Advanced Imaging (UQ-CAI) in Brisbane, Australia, where she completed her PhD in medical physics. Samantha was hosted by several wonderful people including Nicole Atcheson (Senior Research Radiographer, UQ-CAI), Trish Gammer (Senior Coordinator, UQ-CAI), Clare Berry (Chief Radiographer, HIRF) and so many other wonderful scientists and researchers. It was wonderful to share two days alongside her former professors and colleagues, including Professor Katie McMahon (HIRF, QUT, UQ-CAI, Mātai Scientific Advisory Board), Prof Graham Galloway (HIRF, CAI, TRI, Mātai Scientific Advisory Board), Dr Gary Cowin (ANIF), Gail Durbridge (ANIF), Associate Professor Viktor Vegh (UQ-CAI), and Emeritus Professor Ian Brereton (UQ-CAI).
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Top row: Dr Gary Cowin (ANIF) operating pre-clinical equipment at the University of Queensland Centre for Advanced Imaging (UQ-CAI). Middle row: Dr Samantha Holdsworth at the radiochemistry lab at UQ-CAI, which specialises in the synthesis and production of radioactive tracers for use in molecular imaging studies to solve important biomedical and life science problems. Bottom row: Herston Imaging Research Facility with Clare Berry (Chief Radiographer, HIRF), Prof Katie McMahon (Deputy Director, HIRF), Dr Samantha Holdsworth, and Prof Graham Galloway (Director, HIRF; Director of Research, Translational Research Institute).
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WORD FOR OTHER NZ-BASED RESEARCHERS |
While there, Dr Holdsworth had the opportunity to tour UQ-CAI in Brisbane, Australia. The Australian National Imaging Facility (ANIF) – Australia's national research infrastructure – plays a key role within UQ-CAI by providing researchers with access to advanced imaging equipment and services. Dr Holdsworth found their facilities and equipment eye-watering – this is a wonderful place to go for so many of our colleagues struggling to find such resources in New Zealand – particularly those who require much needed support in animal imaging, radiochemistry and molecular imaging, optical imaging, and high-resolution NMR imaging. UQ-CAI houses clinical and animal imaging systems, several high-resolution NMR spectrometers, MR micro imaging, solid states, EPR instruments, and optical imaging systems. UQ-CAI also collaborate with the nearby Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF), which houses MRI, PET-MR, PET-CT, mobile hyperfine MRI, and VECTRA 3D imaging systems, to develop new imaging technologies and to translate imaging research findings into clinical applications. Both the CAI and HIRF facilities are available to support researchers in New Zealand.
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TŌNUI Collab held their third robotics wānanga with teams of Kōhine from across Te Tairāwhiti. Dr Eryn Kwon (Mātai Senior Research Fellow) met the girls to share her experiences that motivated her to pursue a career in academia, and the diverse opportunities she has had in her career with various research projects, including concussion research, forensic ballistic modelling, and bioengineering. The wānanga provides opportunities for girls to learn about and pursue careers in STEM. Each fortnight they meet, build, code, and compete with their VEX IQ robots. The wānanga is generously supported by the Gattung Foundation and Kiwibots.
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Dr Eryn Kwon pictured with the Kōhine Robotics Club. |
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Mātai COO, Leigh Potter, presents at the Aotearoa Brain Project Launch in Auckland |
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Leigh Potter and Dr Samantha Holdsworth were honoured to be keynote speakers at the launch of the Aotearoa Brain Project – Kaupapa Roro O Aotearoa (ABP- KRA). The ABP-KRA is a national collective of researchers, clinicians, and diverse members of the public embracing Te Tiriti ō Waitangi and aiming to increase the impact of brain research by working together more effectively and expansively across the country to benefit the lives of all New Zealanders. It was a privilege for Mātai to be involved in this kaupapa, to be able to share and hear stories with others about the importance of doing brain research alongside our communities.
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Samantha spoke at the Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village on ways to keep your brain healthy alongside brain images taken from the Mātai and Stanford MRI machines. Thanks to Jane Smith, Sam Leahy, Janice Baker, other staff, and residents for their warm welcome and enlightening discussions. |
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Mātai Research Director, Dr Samantha Holdsworth, chats with residents from Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village. |
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Mātai was privileged to welcome two exceptional researchers from the University of Auckland, Dr Helen Murray and Dr Sheryl Tan. Helen, an early career researcher, is a leading figure in the field of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in New Zealand. Sheryl is a Catwalk Trust Fellow and is an expert in spinal cord injury research. Together their insights and perspectives were invaluable to the Mātai team in mTBI/concussion and CTE. Together, the group had engaging and productive conversations about potential collaborations and ways to advance research efforts in these important areas. Mātai looks forward to continued engagement with these outstanding researchers at the University of Auckland.
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Above: All smiles at the modular with (from left) Dr Sheryl Tan, Dr Eryn Kwon, and Dr Helen Murray. |
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Liam Tompkins, a final year Engineering Student at the University of Auckland, is the recipient of a Mātai/HRC Ngā Kanohi Kitea Māori student scholarship. Liam was born in Tairāwhiti and is Ngāti Porou from Tolaga Bay. The scholarship supports Māori students with connections to Tairāwhiti toward career paths in the fields of science and engineering. |
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Tairāwhiti Wellbeing Study |
A huge thanks go to all the awesome whānau and tamariki who joined the Tairāwhiti Study. In a world-first, Mātai and Auckland Bioengineering Institute researchers created a roadmap to analyse children's brains, hearts, lungs, and musculoskeletal systems using imaging and computational modelling, to better understand child health, for disease prediction and prevention.
Over 30 researchers contributed to the first paper Roadmap for an imaging and modelling paediatric study in rural NZ, in the journal Frontiers in Physiology. See also the story in the University of Auckland news.
The scientists have honed techniques to create accurate physiological models of children's organs and systems by combining novel super-fast MRI methods, newly defined protocols on how best to undertake MRI scans with children, and serious number crunching from advanced computational modelling. |
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Special thanks go to GE Healthcare, the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, and Turanga Health. The study will have a major impact on our understanding of child health. Participation in the project provides Tairāwhiti tamariki and their whānau an opportunity to participate in world leading research and stimulate interest in sciences. We are seeking a sponsor(s) for Phase II of the study. Please get in touch if you would like to support this important initiative. |
Above: Computer workflow to generate subject-specific airway branching tree. Starting from MRI, the thoracic cavity or lung is identified within the ribcage (yellow coloured dots dome-like). Then a template lung shape (dark brown shaded surface) is generated. The upper airway (trachea and some large airways) are identified. Then a computer algorithm is used to generate the entire airway tree consisting of about sixty thousand airways. This workflow was applied to each child's lung images to generate a unique airway tree that is specific to each child.
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Above: Insights into the ways that skeletal muscles grow along with other tissues and organs in the body. Our ability to assess individual muscle size against normative databases can help determine individual muscle abnormalities. |
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Pilot Research on Methamphetamine Substitution Therapy |
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Thanks to the Fred Lewis Foundation, Mātai is expanding the research around the impact of methamphetamine addiction on the brain and heart to investigate the potential benefits of substitution therapy, in particular, methylphenidate. While established literature has shown effective use of substitution therapy using methylphenidate, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.
The disproportionately high rates of methamphetamine addiction highlight the urgent need for effective treatments that can break the cycle of use, poverty, and crime. Further research into substitution therapy is a positive development that could potentially provide a solution to this problem.
Our initial pilot study has yielded important findings showing that it may be possible to more effectively track brain recovery with methamphetamine remission using a novel MRI approach. This opens opportunities for exploring treatment programmes, such as those implemented by our local community organisations, and substitution therapy as a potential treatment option.
Moreover, the insights and findings from the research could inform a targeted and effective educational outreach program that addresses the specific needs and concerns of affected communities. By leveraging off this research, communities could be better equipped to tackle the challenges associated with methamphetamine addiction, leading to improved outcomes for individuals and their families.
This sub-arm of the methamphetamine recovery project is led by Dr Gil Newburn (Mātai Neuropsychiatrist) alongside the methamphetamine recovery team led by A/Prof Miriam Scadeng (Director Radiology, FMHS, University of Auckland and Mātai Principal Investigator) alongside local expertise Tuta Ngārimu (Manaaki Moves Trust), Wendy Mohi (Kaiwhakahaere), and Dr Patrick McHugh (Mātai, Turanga Health, and Addiction Services at Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti). Among other support from our researchers and clinicians to conduct this project, the foundation has generously provided a Fred Lewis PhD scholarship to local student Ben Bristow who will feature in our next newsletter.
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Figure 1: Comparison of standard clinical MRI image (left) and MASDIR image (right) on a participant with a history of meth use. Little or no abnormality is seen in the standard clinical image. However, in the MASDIR image, about 90% of the brain's white matter appears abnormal (refer to the dotted circles). Images acquired by Paul Condron Mātai, and post-processed using software developed by Dr Dan Cornfeld (Mātai Clinical Lead) using the new mathematical framework outlined by Emeritus Professor Graeme Bydder. Image reproduced from Condron et al. (2023).
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On Target: Pinpointing Prostate Cancer |
The GE Healthcare On the Frontlines videos are now out, thanks to the team at GE Healthcare and filmmaker Mikey Kay. The short videos highlight how MRI guided biopsies result in a safer and more accurate diagnosis pathway. By bringing this advanced technology to Tairāwhiti we hope to improve equity in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, which will uplift prostate outcomes for our local men, especially Māori men and men living rurally.
A huge thanks goes to the Gisborne Prostate Cancer support group for their mahi and sharing stories to help build awareness around prostate cancer to make a difference in the lives of men in our community. 26 men in Tairāwhiti have undergone the new procedure. Our next step will be around providing education to local men and their doctors about this service in the hope that more men will come forward for prostate cancer testing.
If you have any questions on prostate cancer or would like more information on the MRI guided biopsy project, see Advances in accuracy and equity in prostate cancer. |
(Please note, the videos contain footage that some viewers may find sensitive)
We couldn't have done this without the support of The Hugh Green Foundation, The Prostate Cancer Foundation, Koelis, and Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti. |
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Congratulations to Grace We and the team at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute for their recent review paper on Machine Learning for Brain MRI Data Harmonisation. This study explores how well various machine learning algorithms perform in standardising data across MRI machines, in order to improve the evaluation of MRI data across scanners, sites, and types of brain imaging data. The paper was senior authored by Associate Professor Alan Wang, and involved Dr. Samantha Holdsworth and a number of Mātai collaborators.
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Improving Paediatric Health |
In a world-first, local researchers from the Mātai Medical Research Institute along with other national institutions have created a roadmap study to better understand and improve child health. See full story here. |
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Dr Daniel Cornfeld talks to Matai Smith at TurangaFM about how and when to get checked for prostate cancer, and the global standard pathway for prostate cancer diagnosis in Tairāwhiti. Listen here. |
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MĀTAI TAIRĀWHITI RELIEF FUND |
The recovery and resilience of the Gisborne community hinges on the restoration of its community spaces and clubs. Thanks to the Mātai Tairāwhiti Relief Fund (MTRF), including the operation of Mātai Awhi rooms, numerous Tairāwhiti organisations - such as Hear4U, the Gisborne Kayak Club, the Gisborne Youth Adventure Trust, Pinehollow Riding School, Patutahi play centre, and East Coast Exchange have received much-needed relief assistance. The MTRF has raised $517K, and has provided critical funding for clean-up efforts, enabling these organisations to purchase new equipment to replace that which was lost or damaged. To learn more, and/or download the application form, see information here.
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Total funds raised, as of 5 April 2023 |
Gisborne's rural areas and farms have been particularly hard-hit by the recent disasters. In response, Mātai has partnered with the Gisborne Tairāwhiti Farm Recovery Fund to extend its support even further. Please help us spread the word about this crucial initiative by visiting the Gisborne Tairāwhiti Farm Recovery Fund Facebook page.
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Mātai is a charitable trust. Our work relies on research grants and philanthropic funding to challenge significant health issues; to support the health and well-being of our community; and to provide education and training opportunities in medical research & innovation. Your support will now open new opportunities for scientists at Mātai to push the boundaries in our understanding of the brain, heart, and body. |
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We would like to acknowledge, with appreciation, our supporters who made the establishment of Mātai possible, including Kānoa - RDU, Trust Tairāwhiti, the Mangatawa Beale Williams Memorial Trust, the JN and HB Williams Foundation, the University of Auckland, GE Healthcare, Dame Bronwen and Dr Peter Holdsworth Trust, Pultron Composites Limited, Hugh Green Foundation, the Lotteries Significant Projects Fund, Fred Lewis Enterprise Foundation, local iwi, and many others.
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Copyright © 2023 Mātai Medical Research Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Address: Mātai Medical Research Institute
PO Box 359 Gisborne, 4040 New Zealand |
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