Through our comprehensive interdisciplinary research and leveraging our unique research facilities, we’re working to improve health and wellbeing for all life on Earth.
Our research spans understanding and treating diseases in humans, animals and plants, to pioneering precision medicine and digital health solutions, integrating diverse disciplines such as genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, veterinary medicine and behavioural sciences.
Embracing the One Health and One Welfare frameworks and acknowledging the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health and wellbeing, our research in veterinary science and life sciences addresses complex challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases and animal welfare.
Our work in precision medicine allows us to develop personalised treatments which improve patient outcomes, while our research in human nutrition and psychological disorders allows us to develop evidence-based solutions for health challenges across the human lifespan.
Our research spans six strengths across multidisciplinary research
Directly or indirectly, diseases and psychological disorders impact every human life on Earth. Understanding how they form and how human bodies respond is essential to improving health outcomes, alleviating suffering and enhancing quality of life for all.
Expanding our knowledge in this field also generates vital insights into complex human biology, brain function and the social and environmental factors that influence human health.
Leveraging a wide array of techniques and methodologies, ranging disciplines such as functional genomics, neuropathology, nutrition, microbiology, biochemistry, translational neuroscience, neuropsychology, to psychopharmacology, our research is vital to the development of disease and disorder prevention strategies and treatment interventions.
Researchers in disciplines spanning drug design, synthetic and medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, immunobiology and neuroscience develop both prevention strategies and therapeutic treatment interventions which improve health outcomes, for both humans and animals.
These research areas are vast, covering disease fields such as neurological, cardiovascular, infectious and immunological diseases, as well as cancer with applications ranging new pharmaceutical products, innovative diagnostic tools and developing healthy diets, with breakthroughs promising significant improvements in human and animal health.
Addressing the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, our work in infectious diseases leverages ‘One Health’ principles to combat antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases. Our work in preventing and treating psychological disorders also requires evidenced-based cognitive and behavioural therapies to target maladaptive behaviours and thought patterns. Such therapies are continually changing as a result of clinical research that endeavours to reach new standards in psychological therapies.
Keeping animals healthy and promoting their welfare is a complex challenge requiring both interdisciplinary research and dedicated networks of specialists. From our pets, the livestock we care for or wildlife we want to protect, research in Healthy Animals embraces the One Health and One Welfare frameworks, with research ranging reproduction, welfare, and disease management.
Our commitment to animal welfare drives us to reduce suffering and promote positive welfare. With specialized veterinary teaching hospitals and facilities, we are able to continuously improve clinical care standards, developing and providing accessible treatments for all animals. Together, we aim to create lasting, positive outcomes for animal populations and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Our scientists are addressing major challenges in plant health, focusing on diseases and pests that reduce crop yields. With research integrating genetics, biology, nanotechnology, materials chemistry and advanced farming technologies, we aim to deepen our understanding of plant growth and disease resistance.
Collaborating closely with Australian and international farmers ensures our research is practical and impactful, helping them cultivate more resilient crops, enhance farming efficiency and improve national and global food security. Our efforts not only combat harmful plant diseases and destructive pests but also promote sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.
Critical human health and wellbeing needs vary from early childhood through to later life with many diseases and disorders disproportionately affecting population groups defined by age. Combining expertise in psychology, behavioural sciences, nutritional biology, nutritional ecology and chemistry, our research contributes to the evidence-base determining health and wellbeing solutions across all stages of life.
Through expanding our understanding of age-related mental health conditions, psychological disorders and changing nutritional needs, our researchers develop best practices and solutions ranging healthy diets and sustainable food systems, improving behavioural management, aged-care support and therapeutic interventions. Whether generating therapies for children with behavioural issues, addressing mental health challenges in adolescents or developing best practices for healthy ageing, our research helps individuals and families lead healthier lives.
Our research in precision medicine and digital health spans cell biology, genetics, bioinformatics, biophysics, data-driven technologies, modelling, machine learning and AI to solve health challenges and improve human and animal patient outcomes.
Our scientists explore how RNA and proteins function at the cellular level in diseases, cancer and the human body, improving diagnostic speed and accuracy. Leveraging this knowledge enables the development of computational and mechanism-based models to personalise treatment and provide targeted interventions. This research improves disease detection, cancer treatments, patient care, and overall public health. By integrating fields such as chemistry and life sciences, our researchers aim to personalise treatments, leading to better human and animal patient outcomes and improved efficiency in national and global healthcare systems.
