Clinical and Biomedical Research (SVH)

Unit Code

00050

Department/Institution Offering Unit

University of Melbourne Departments of Medicine, Surgery and St Vincent's Institute
St Vincent's Hospital
Fitzroy
Victoria 3065 Australia

tel: +61 3 9822 2574
fax: +61 3 9288 2581
web: www.medstv.unimelb.edu.au/

Unit Points

Research Points: 100

Coursework Points: (tbc)

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Dr Andrew Wilson
Department of Medicine
St Vincent's Hospital
Fitzroy VIC 3065
tel: 61 3 9288 2574
email: andrew.wilson@svhm.org.au

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Overall Objectives

A clinical or basic biomedical research project will be undertaken under the supervision of a research group leader. The objectives are:

• To provide basic training in the processes of clinical or basic biomedical research.
• To learn how to keep data records and present research material orally and as a written report.
• To encourage critical evaluation of current biomedical literature and to recognise important research issues.
• To evaluate research findings in the broader context of human physiology.
• To motivate and encourage students in the pursuit of knowledge in order to provide a better understanding of human diseases, their prevention and clinical management.

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Content

Coursework: Possibly Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics OR Qualitative Health Research OR Lab Techniques as appropriate to the project selected.

Research: Clinical Research Projects are offered in the areas of: endocrinology/diabetes, dermatology, cardiology, neurology, surgery, oncology, rheumatology, geriatric medicine and palliative care. Many of these projects contain bioinformatics and data evaluation components.
Basic Research Projects are offered in the areas of: cellular signalling, angiogenesis, bone cell biology, immunology, rheumatology, cellular evaluation of cancer therapies, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, endocrinology, diabetes, neuroscience, muscular dystrophy, gastroenterology and renal cell function.

Sample Research Topics:

1. Lipoprotein function in high atherosclerosis risk groups
2. The prevalence and nature of stresses in the lives of women who get breast cancer.
3. Studies of the effects of overexpression of a new regulator of bone resorption in osteoclasts
4. Kallikrein-Kinin system in heart failure

A more detailed list of projects is available.

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 100 points
Research Report (up to 10, 000 words): 85%
Supervisor Evaluation: 15%


Coursework Component: tbc

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Student Numbers

Number of places available:
20 across all areas