An Innovation Grant, directly funded by a donor, is enabling Dr Vanessa Bryant to find better treatments for immunodeficiency disease sufferers.

Dr Bryant studies primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs), which affect more than 10 million people worldwide.

“If we don’t investigate the genes causing immune disorders, nothing is going to change for patients.”

Dr Bryant said her research aimed at addressing the cause of the problem by understanding the genetic basis of PIDs.

“The role of the immune system is to protect us from infections yet, tragically, some people have an immune system that does not function properly,” Dr Bryant said.

“These people are at greater risk of serious infections and the only treatment option is regular blood infusions – often every four weeks for their entire life.

“If we don’t investigate the genes causing immune disorders, nothing is going to change for patients. I want to be able to help people with immunodeficiencies, so they can enjoy a better quality of life,” she said.

Bridging the funding gap

In 2016, Dr Bryant applied for a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant to continue her research into PIDs. However, despite her application scoring highly, she missed out.

Professor Doug Hilton said the success rate for NHMRC grant applications was approximately 14 per cent.

“Thanks to our incredible donors I can continue my work so patients can benefit from better diagnosis and potentially a cure."

“We developed the annual Innovation Grant to bridge the gap for promising researchers who have just missed out on NHMRC funding,” Professor Hilton said.

Working together for a cure

Dr Bryant said the Innovation Grant meant everything to her because it offered hope and the opportunity for change.

“Thanks to our incredible donors I can continue my work so patients can benefit from better diagnosis and potentially a cure,” Dr Bryant said.