NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grant Success: CRISPR point-of-care testing for congenital cytomegalovirus

Dr Xinyang Hua and Prof Kim Dalziel at Health Economics Unit are part of team successful in an NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grant (2021-2025, $2 million). The project is led by A/Prof Valerie Sung (CIA) from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. The project will focus on whole-of-population CRISPR point-of-care testing for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) to prevent newborn hearing and neurodevelopment disabilities through a public health approach. Dr Hua and A/Prof Dalziel will lead the economic evaluation alongside the trial, including costing different statewide cCMV screening strategies with point-of-care CRISPR testing, and conducting decision analytic modelling to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the screening strategies.