The Kolling hosts successful Optogenetics Australia meeting
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New approach targets poor sleep in the fight against muscle pain
Two decades of Kolling research helps recovery after an accident
Northern Sydney Local Health District
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MESSAGE FROM THE ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
I am pleased to share with you the latest Kolling Institute newsletter, a collection of stories demonstrating the invaluable research progress taking place within the institute. It offers an insight into our diverse teams,
Our researchers have led ground- breaking work identifying a new gene linked the Meniere’s disease, launched a clinical trial to prevent knee osteoarthritis with lifestyle measures, and a program for culturally diverse communities experiencing pain. We are focusing on 20 years of progress by the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research which has assessed the true impact of road traffic injuries and the best ways to recover from a motor vehicle collision. The John Walsh team has helped to reform the CTP injury compensation
On a personal note, I recently returned from a trip to NASA in Houston where I had the opportunity to discuss our MuscleMap project which could revolutionise the detection and treatment of a variety of conditions and diseases impacting human health, performance and wellbeing. We are developing a diagnostic tool which could inform treatment for everyone from elite athletes to astronauts and older people with complex conditions. As part of the study, we have produced a dataset of muscle health from head to toe. This will enable a patient’s muscle deterioration to be compared with a healthy person’s within minutes of uploading a scan. It is very rewarding to be part of this innovative project. Next month, we will host the Eva Kolling Research Day within the foyer of Royal North Shore Hospital. The day will involve presentations and poster displays, and provide the opportunity to reflect on our past and celebrate our current research success. I would like to encourage everyone to become involved in the June 12 event, which we hope will attract strong community engagement. Professor James Elliott
their latest wins and our internationally respected investigators.
Encouragingly, our researchers are improving our understanding of complex and challenging conditions, and improving the quality of care we all receive. This edition details the substantial funding flowing to our researchers, new scientific breakthroughs and the launch of a number of exciting clinical trials. There’s a new program targeting insomnia as a first-line treatment for musculoskeletal pain, an international consortium to support those with heart and kidney disease, and close to $3 million for research to revolutionise treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia by targeting stem cells. A landmark clinical trial is being launched following a $14.7 million grant to Royal North Shore Hospital clinician researcher Professor Nick Pavlakis and Professor Ben Solomon to explore the use of a liquid biopsy to inform treatment for lung cancer. The pioneering study will place Australia at the forefront of global precision medicine for lung cancer treatment.
scheme in NSW which is a remarkable achievement.
Importantly, work is progressing on the development of the next Kolling Institute Research Strategy which represents a refresh of the existing strategic framework and a greater focus on inclusivity. A series of consultative meetings are being held following the completion of three externally- led workshops. I would like to thank everyone involved for their valuable advice and engagement. The Kolling Institute’s steering committee is helping to drive progress, with the approved strategy scheduled to be launched in November. The document is expected to align with both the local health district and the University of Sydney’s vision for research growth.
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KOLLINGNEWS | MAY 2025
Associate Professor Michelle Hall
Pioneering study to improve sleep and reduce musculoskeletal pain
An innovative study, led by a team of researchers from the Kolling Institute, has the potential to change the way osteoarthritis and low back pain are managed.
“These conditions are the leading cause of disability worldwide and co-exist with poor sleep. We know that insomnia affects up to 80 per cent of people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and poor sleep actually worsens chronic pain. “Our ground-breaking program will measure the impact of adding cognitive behavioral therapy to physiotherapy care for people with muscle pain and insomnia. “This type of therapy is a proven treatment for both sleep and chronic pain, yet it is not routinely offered due to limited psychologist availability and funding. “Physiotherapists are well- positioned to address this care gap, given they typically manage people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions and are more widely available than clinical psychologists. “Our approach could also represent a significant financial saving.
“Earlier trials have demonstrated a reduction in medication use and costs, and given the $7 billion cost of medications for osteoarthritis and low back pain each year, the projected savings could exceed $60 million a year.” The program will be adopted across nine public hospitals in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, and will involve seven Australian universities and a UK institution. “We would like to thank the many consumers and partners who have helped us develop this project. It has the potential to be upscaled and could improve models of care and patient outcomes for a large number of people across Australia and internationally. “We are looking forward to progressing this important research and reducing the severity of pain experienced by the community.”
More than $4.7 million has been awarded to the project through the Medical Research Future Fund’s program for early to mid-career researchers.
Study lead Associate Professor Michelle Hall said we know that chronic muscle pain and poor sleep often go hand-in-hand, yet sleep is rarely addressed in standard musculoskeletal care. “Our program however, will target insomnia as a first line treatment for a range of musculoskeletal pain conditions, including hip and knee osteoarthritis, and low back pain,” said the University of Sydney researcher.
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MuscleMap project secures strong philanthropic support An innovative tool which could revolutionise the detection and treatment of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions will be further developed following a $230,000 gift. The donation was made following a campaign by the University of Sydney’s Advancement team and the NORTH Foundation to support the world’s first open-source dataset of whole-body muscle composition. The Kolling Institute’s Academic Director Professor James Elliott said there is a critical need for the diagnostic tool with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions among the leading causes of illness and disability worldwide. “With these conditions affecting more than four billion people, they are expected to cost around $21 billion in healthcare expenditure by 2033 in Australia alone,” he said. “Early identification and intervention are crucial if we are to offer long-term health benefits and minimise the disease burden. “We know that these conditions often lead to a steady decline in muscle health, and this decline is evident by an increase in fat deposits in the muscles and the loss of muscle fibres. “CT and MRI scans can be used to identify these changes, but the time it currently takes is prohibitive.
Professor James Elliott
The MuscleMap approach however, will automatically
“For athletes and the general population, the tool will accurately inform the journey from injury to repair, recovery and return to physical activity. “For patients with osteoporosis, the program will provide a detailed analysis of overall health and muscle deterioration, which will then inform personalised strategies to develop healthier muscle mass and improve general health and wellbeing. “We are very appreciative of this generous donation to the MuscleMap project. It will enable the broader team to continue developing the digital infrastructure needed to launch the open-source portal. “It will be a pioneering resource, accessible to clinicians and researchers globally, and supporting the long-term health of communities.”
identify any changes, potentially revolutionising the detection of muscle health in any part of the body. It could inform treatment for everyone from elite athletes to astronauts and older people with complex conditions. Astronauts for instance, experience significant muscle loss due to the effects of prolonged exposure to zero gravity. Using existing MRI and CT scans, the landmark global study has applied a deep learning artificial intelligence model to produce a dataset of muscle health of any part of the body. This will enable a patient’s muscle deterioration to be compared with a healthy person’s. Professor Elliott said this will mean a clinician will be able to upload a scan into the MuscleMap program, and within minutes, will have access to detailed information measuring muscle composition compared to a reference dataset.
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KOLLINGNEWS | MAY 2025
Multi-million grant to improve treatment for lung cancer
Leading RNSH clinician researcher Professor Nick Pavlakis and Professor Ben
Solomon have secured a $14.7 million MRFF grant for a clinical trial which will explore the use of a liquid biopsy to inform treatment for lung cancer. The condition is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia and worldwide, claiming an estimated 9,000 lives in Australia each year. The pioneering study will place Australia at the forefront of global precision medicine by using liquid biopsies to revolutionise personalised lung cancer treatment. It will involve some of the country’s most respected lung cancer clinicians and researchers and will be available to patients across Australia. Professor Pavlakis said the large-scale clinical trial will involve more than 500 people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, offering them access to the exciting new treatment. “Over the last decade, treatment for non-small cell lung cancer has been transformed by the discovery of several genomic mutations that drive tumour growth,” he said. “This has led to effective new therapies which specifically target the mutation, moving away from general chemotherapy to daily tablets at home with tolerable side effects. “Many patients have survived up to 10 years living with their lung cancer, but in most cases, the
Professor Nick Pavlakis
To date, clinicians have relied on invasive tissue biopsies to inform treatment options, but this new clinical trial will investigate the use of a liquid biopsy (circulating tumour DNA) to guide a personalised approach throughout a patient’s journey. It could change the way lung cancer is treated and provide a model for other cancers as well. “A simple blood test will be less invasive, provide quicker results and will enable more frequent
“It is a major step forward and a testament to the many people involved in progressing our work to this point. “We anticipate it will lead to improved survival and quality of life, and may provide supporting evidence for broader liquid biopsy application to transform the treatment for other cancers as well.” The trial, named Aspiration 2L, will be led by the Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia.
feedback on what genomic changes have occurred in response to treatment,” said Professor Pavlakis.
North Star VNP will be participating in the transformative study, utilising the telehealth platform to provide access to patients across its network.
“This will inform what treatments will be the best for a given patient. “The approach represents a unique opportunity to refine personalised medicine for lung cancer, not just at the time of diagnosis.
cancer inevitably develops resistance to the targeted therapies.”
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Pablo Cruz-Granados Travelling to Spain
Dr Kenji Fujita Travelling to Denmark and Japan
Five emerging researchers will have the chance to develop their skills and raise the international profile of offer crucial international opportunities Beryl and Jack Jacobs Travel Awards the Kolling Institute thanks to generous funding from the Skipper Jacobs Charitable Trust. Academic Director Professor James Elliott said a total of $40,000 will be shared by the early-to-mid career researchers to increase their research impact and strengthen their collaborations.
Pablo, a PhD candidate within the Kolling’s Menière’s Disease Neuroscience Lab, will complete a three-month stay with the Otology and Neurotology group at the University of Granada. Pablo said I would like to thank the Skipper Jacobs Charitable Trust for this amazing opportunity.
Kenji, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and Aged Care has helped develop a real-time calculation system to measure frailty in older hospitalised adults. During his trip, he will deliver a keynote address at the International Pharmaceutical Federation conference in Copenhagen on innovative approaches to reduce the inappropriate use of medications in older adults. He will also meet with research partners in Japan to advance their collaborative project analysing medication data from millions of older adults across community pharmacies in Japan. Kenji said he was truly honoured to receive the award. “This international travel will enhance my academic leadership profile, while strengthening cross-institutional partnerships and promoting the Kolling Institute’s innovative translational research globally,” he said.
“During my time, I will be investigating the clinical
phenotypes of Ménière’s Disease to gain a better understanding of its presentation in different populations,” he said. “I will be expanding my skill set by learning advanced bioinformatic tools to analyse structural variants in DNA which could identify mechanisms underlying the disease. “I’m excited to accept the Beryl and Jack Jacobs Travel Award and truly appreciate the generous support. It will be incredibly valuable for my research and upcoming travel.”
Professor Elliott thanked the Skipper family for their generous backing of the program, and the NORTH Foundation for their ongoing support.
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KOLLINGNEWS | MAY 2025
Dr Noriko Sato Travelling to Washington, USA and Wakayama, Japan
Kate Bryce Travelling to North Carolina and Florida, USA
Bimbi Gray Travelling to Florida and North Carolina, USA
Noriko is a research fellow within the Kolling who specialises in frailty research in older patients using data from six hospitals in NSW. She will present the frailty study at the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology conference in Washington and chair an international symposium at the Japanese Society of Social Pharmacy. Noriko said I am very pleased to have received this award and excited about the chance to present our study at the largest and most prestigious pharmacoepidemiology conference. “This travel grant will broaden my expertise, strengthen international collaborations and extend the impact of our Kolling research using data to improve
Kate, a PhD student with the Osteoarthritis Clinical Research Group at Kolling, investigates the use of digital technologies to encourage behaviour change in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Kate will attend the 2026 Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) World Congress in the USA, where she will meet with experts in behaviour change and implementation science, including collaborators from Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University. Kate says their expertise will allow us to enhance the broader rollout of the ATLAS clinician eLearning platform for osteoarthritis and a mobile app for knee osteoarthritis named OA Coach. “Visiting their universities and learning from their work will help refine digital interventions to support clinician and patient behaviour change more effectively, and I’m grateful to have received this travel award.”
Bimbi, a PhD candidate also with the Osteoarthritis Clinical Research Group, will attend the 2026 OARSI World Congress and deliver a presentation on the ATLAS program. The trip will strengthen partnerships with leaders at the Thurston Arthritis Research Centre in North Carolina and the Arthritis Foundation’s Osteoarthritis Action Alliance. These collaborations will speed the implementation of ATLAS with insights to refine and scale the program for broader adoption. Bimbi said she was thrilled to receive the travel award. “As an early-career researcher, this experience will bolster my expertise in knowledge
translation, implementation science and international
collaboration, while also boosting the reputation of our research at the Kolling Institute,” she said.
the use of medications in clinical practice,” she said.
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Associate Professor Jenny Wang and team
Prestigious grant accelerates groundbreaking blood cancer research at the Kolling
A two-decade long commitment to reducing blood cancers has delivered coveted national funding to Associate Professor Jenny Wang to progress her vital cancer research. As the head of the Kolling Institute’s Cancer and Stem Cell Laboratory, Associate Professor Wang has secured a $2.95 million investigator grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council to advance her pioneering research into acute myeloid leukaemia. Jenny said she was overwhelmed by the grant success. “It was thrilled to hear the news,” she said. “To secure a large National Health and Medical Research Council grant is challenging, so I’m really pleased to be able to accelerate our research with this funding boost.”
Acute myeloid leukaemia is the deadliest form of blood cancer, with only 27 per cent of patients surviving more than five years after treatment.
“Encouragingly, this would potentially replace intensive chemotherapy with more targeted treatments.
“This wonderful funding boost will enable my team and I to progress these promising new therapies and offer hope to people with this aggressive cancer. “We expect this funding will lead to renewed optimism for improved outcomes in the fight against acute myeloid leukaemia and other deadly blood cancers.”
“Our research aims to revolutionize treatment by targeting leukaemia stem cells,” she said.
“These cells are resistant to conventional chemotherapy, and are believed to be the primary cause of treatment failure and relapse. “Currently, more than 80 per cent of people with this type of blood cancer will experience a relapse, and the majority will have a poor outcome. “Our research is working to develop stem cell-targeted therapies where we eliminate the leukaemia stem cells altogether.
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KOLLINGNEWS | MAY 2025
International clinical trial to determine if diet and exercise alone can prevent knee osteoarthritis
In one of the first global clinical trials of its kind, researchers have launched a study to investigate if a diet and exercise program aimed at weight loss can prevent crippling knee osteoarthritis. The trial will be led by researchers from the University of Sydney, NSLHD and the Kolling Institute in collaboration with an international team from the US. The Osteoarthritis Prevention Study or TOPS will compare the impact of a dietary weight-loss, exercise and weight-loss maintenance program with health education in preventing the development of knee osteoarthritis. The condition is the leading cause of disability among adults, particularly impacting women over 50 who are overweight or obese. The large-scale clinical trial will be conducted over four years, with participants receiving either a program of regular diet and exercise sessions or a healthy lifestyle program with information sessions, newsletters and text messages.
Internationally recognised rheumatologist and RNSH
“Building on that research, our clinical trial will aim to confirm the most effective lifestyle strategies to prevent knee osteoarthritis before the condition develops.” The research team is now recruiting 320 women who are 50 years or over, who experience little to no knee pain, and who have a Body Mass Index of 30 or more. “Classes are currently available on the Lower North Shore of Sydney and we encourage women who live or work in the area to apply to the program,” said Professor Hunter.” To join the study https://www. osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/ tops-study
clinician Professor David Hunter said the study is one of the first prevention clinical trials which could help women with occasional knee pain reduce their risk of knee osteoarthritis. “Our trial has come at a time when an increasing number of people are turning to medications like Ozempic to assist with weight loss and the management of knee osteoarthritis,” he said “These weight-management medications are a feasible option for managing the condition, but questions remain around safety, cost-effectiveness and the likelihood of weight rebounding. “Recent investigations by our team indicate that despite the promising results from trials of these medications, lifestyle interventions remain the first-line, safest and most cost-effective approach for people who are overweight, obese or living with knee osteoarthritis.
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Crucial new funds to help improve heart and kidney disease treatment
Clinician researcher Associate Professor Brendon Neuen will establish an international consortium to support those with both heart and kidney disease. The nephrologist and Director of Kidney Trials will lead the collaboration after being awarded close to $500,000 from NSW Health through a program to drive groundbreaking projects in heart disease. The grant will support the establishment of the ROCKET Consortium, a global initiative to determine the best way to assess kidney disease progression in
“Nearly half of those with heart failure also have chronic kidney disease, which means they generally do worse overall and are admitted to hospital more often,” he said. “However, without a standard method of measuring loss of kidney function in heart failure trials, we are potentially missing opportunities to identify treatments which could protect the heart and kidneys.” He says the international team is excited by the broad interest in their work to date.
“Our research is already drawing attention from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as it has the potential to inform regulatory standards and the development of new medications for both heart failure treatments and kidney disease. “With a large share of the community living with heart and kidney disease, we are hopeful our work will improve the long-term health and wellbeing of people affected by both conditions.”
people with heart failure. The collaboration will bring
together the team at Royal North Shore Hospital with world leading experts at Harvard Medical School and Tufts Medical Center in Boston, and the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The project will analyse data from 12 landmark heart failure trials involving more than 50,000 patients to confirm the best approach to track the loss of kidney function in heart failure trials. As researcher with the Kolling and The George Institute, A/Professor Neuen said their work has the potential to shape how future clinical trials are designed for those with heart and kidney disease, and improve outcomes for people with both conditions.
Associate Professor Brendon Neuen
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KOLLINGNEWS | MAY 2025
Spotlight on the long-term impact of road traffic accidents Our researchers at the Kolling Institute have spent close to 20 years assessing the true impact of road traffic injuries and the best way to help people recover well after a crash. The work, by the team from the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, has not only highlighted the lingering effect of road accidents but directly influenced reforms to the CTP injury compensation scheme in NSW. Centre Director Professor Ian Cameron said catastrophic injuries like brain and spinal cord injuries are well recognised, but there is less understanding of the long-term impact following less severe injuries. “From our research, we know that most people recover well in the early months after a less severe road traffic injury, but others struggle to recover and go on to develop chronic health problems, psychological distress and impairment,” he said. “Our longitudinal studies have shown that long-term challenges like pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression are common two years after a non- catastrophic road traffic injury, and even in groups where there were no similar problems before the accident.” The findings show that 21 per cent of people reported clinically significant pain two years after their injury, while 25 per cent had depressive symptoms and 9 per cent had ongoing psychological distress.
Professor Ian Cameron and Dr Annette Kifley
“Just over 80 per cent of people had returned to work on full duties, but that meant close to 20 per cent weren’t able to return to what they were doing before their crash. This represents a significant loss,” said Professor Cameron. While the research measured the ripple effects, importantly, it also informed legislative changes in NSW. “Our investigations showed that protracted and stressful injury compensation processes compounded the impacts of the crash,” said Professor Cameron. “We also found that the reforms to the CTP compensation scheme like early access to care, treatment and income support regardless of fault in the crash, were reducing psychological distress and pain. “Our research helped to develop best practice guidelines which included tailored early interventions for people who are more vulnerable and at greater risk of poor outcomes.
“We’re pleased to see that a 20-year collaboration with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority has
contributed to a scheme with better health outcomes for those injured in crashes. “We will continue to work with the authority as the compensation scheme is consistently refined and evaluated.” The commitment has been recognised by the Kolling Institute’s Academic Director Professor James Elliott, who congratulated the renowned research team on 20 years of impactful work supporting the health and wellbeing of the many Australians injured on our roads.
“Their research has helped to drive positive change, improving
road safety initiatives and health outcomes for those injured,” he said.
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Professor Jose Antonio Lopez-Escamez and his research team
Researchers identify new gene linked to Meniere’s disease
In a crucial step towards a better understanding of Meniere’s disease, researchers at the Kolling Institute and the University of Sydney have discovered a gene mutation which could greatly inform future treatment of the disease. Meniere’s is a rare inner ear disease associated with sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo and debilitating tinnitus. There is currently no cure with treatment largely aimed at managing symptoms. Meniere’s can be an inherited condition with approximately 10 per cent of patients having one or more relatives affected by it, but the latest research, led by world leading investigator Professor Jose Antonio Lopez-Escamez, indicates the inherited or genetic form of the disease may be more common than first realised. The team has discovered a rare mutation of the GJD3 gene in both patients with and without a genetic history of the disease. It is the first time this gene has been linked to any disease.
More than 400 people with Meniere’s disease were involved in the study, with 18 people or 4.4 per cent of the group found to have the genetic mutation, a statistically significant percentage. Professor Lopez-Escamez, the Professor of Ménière disease Neuroscience at the University of Sydney and the Kolling Institute, said this new understanding could lead to a “Many people will say that they don’t have the genetic form of the disease, but this research indicates there are many more people whose disease is directly linked to their genetic make-up,” he said. “This is important as it will inform how we treat the disease going forward, particularly given the different forms of the disease and the exciting advances with gene therapy. “Groundbreaking gene therapy is already being adopted internationally to treat hearing loss, and we anticipate this approach will be developed further to treat Meniere’s disease in the years to come.” greater number of patients undergoing genetic testing.
The latest research by Professor Lopez-Escamez and his team also identified a connexin (or connecting protein) linked to the GJD3 gene in the tectorial membrane of the organ of Corti–or the hearing organ. “This is the first time that a connexin has been found in this part of the ear, and it may support the view that connexins regulate the microenvironment in the ear and influence hearing,” he said. “We believe the mutated gene is impairing the function of the connexins within the ear and impacting hearing ability. “We are pleased to have made this exciting progress and we look forward to further investigating the role of this gene mutation in hearing function and Meniere’s disease.” The research has been published in the prestigious Genome Medicine journal. The international collaboration involved researchers from Granada, Madrid (Spain), Berlin (Germany) and Sydney.
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KOLLINGNEWS | MAY 2025
New digital health program to reduce muscle, joint and bone pain across culturally diverse communities
A federal government funding boost will pave the way for a much-needed, tailored program for culturally diverse communities experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Dr Saurab Sharma, the Chief Clinical Scientist from the Pain Management and Research Centre at Royal North Shore Hospital, has received a National Health and Medical Research Council investigator grant to progress his research and develop an innovative treatment plan. Investigator grants are awarded to only a small number of leading scientists in Australia each year to advance health research. As a researcher within the Kolling Institute, Dr Sharma said a specific, co-designed program is needed as culturally and linguistically diverse Australians often miss out on high quality care due to cultural, language, and health literacy barriers. “These communities are often excluded from research including clinical trials, which means evidence-based treatments are designed without their input or experiences,” he said. “Ultimately, this means Australians from diverse backgrounds receive poor care and experience poorer outcomes.” The $700,000 grant will support the development of a digital, pain-management treatment program for communities from Arabic, Chinese, Indian, Nepali, and Vietnamese backgrounds with musculoskeletal pain.
Dr Saurab Sharma
“Importantly, the program will be co-designed with individuals with lived experiences of musculoskeletal pain, healthcare professionals from respective cultural backgrounds, and world- leading musculoskeletal pain experts,” he said. “Our initiative aims to empower marginalised and disadvantaged communities, build research capacity within these communities, and foster a greater understanding of pain among community members and healthcare professionals to transform pain management for these vulnerable communities.
“Encouragingly, our program could be adopted on a global scale as it will be tailored for Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Mandarin, Nepali, and Vietnamese languages, which are spoken by over 2.2 billion people globally. “A cultural and linguistic adaptation of the educational resources could benefit approximately a quarter of the world’s population. “We hope the pain management program will enhance health equity, reduce costs and inform national and international guidelines on musculoskeletal pain.”
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Participants at the Optogenetics Australia meeting
The Kolling hosts the brightest minds in optogenetics
More than 80 top national and international scientists converged on the Kolling Institute for the 4th Optogenetics Australia meeting, featuring the very latest light technologies driving research. The event attracted dynamic keynote speakers from the USA, Europe and China, and leading research institutions across Australia. Chair of Optogenetics Australia and senior Kolling Institute pain medicine researcher, Associate Professor Karin Aubrey said optogenetics is a range of technologies that allow researchers to use light to control biological processors. “New technologies often determine what is possible at the cutting edge of science, accelerating our understanding of what causes disease and how we diagnose, prevent and treat it,” she said.
“Encouragingly, we have a depth of experience in optogenetics at the Kolling within the Pain Management Research Labs, and the event provided a great opportunity for collaboration and networking. “I would like to thank everyone involved in making the event a success, including leading international developers Professor Michael Bruchas from University of Washington, Professor Yulong Li from Beijing University, Deniz Dalkara from the Institute de la Vision in France and Assistant Professor Guosong Hong from Stanford University.
“The first human application of
optogenetics, published in 2021, partially restored vision in a blind patient.
“The technology is also being used to develop less invasive methods for sleep apnoea treatment, to reduce stroke effects and even to modify plants so that they can thrive in space.” Associate Professor Aubrey said optogenetics is a powerful tool in neuroscience, as it allows researchers to study individual components of brain circuits that cause neurological disease. “Australian researchers are using light-sensitive tools and other innovative techniques to study the brain’s stress, addiction, pain, memory and depression circuits.
“These researchers are producing some of the best new tools in the field and it was valuable to hear the latest progress.”
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KOLLINGNEWS | MAY 2025
Inaugural ride builds support for vital rheumatoid arthritis research
Ulysses Club members with Kolling rheumatoid arthritis researchers
The burble of high-powered motorcycles was heard across the Kolling Institute forecourt as part of a 2000 kilometre ride from Melbourne to Armidale to raise awareness and funds for life- changing research. The ride was an initiative of Robert Hunt from the Ulysses Club which has been supporting rheumatoid arthritis research for nearly three decades. The late Stephen Dearnley established the club in 1983. His wife Jo had lived with the debilitating disease for more than 20 years. Today, the club has more than 120 branches.
Leading rheumatologist Professor Lyn March said the club has been a long-time supporter of the Sutton Arthritis Lab and we’re tremendously grateful that the ride has drawn attention to the condition and raising funds. “Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that affects over 500,000 Australians,” she said. “It causes pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints as the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues lining the joints. “It can be a life limiting illness, causing pain, reducing function and mobility.”
“Game changing steps take significant investment and expertise, and we’re indebted to the Ulysses Club members for embarking on this ride and
fostering large-scale community support.”
All funds go directly towards rheumatoid arthritis research, including a PhD scholarship at the Kolling Institute. Professor March encouraged the community to get behind the club. Head of the Sutton Arthritis Research Lab in the Kolling Associate Professor Meilang Xue expressed her gratitude to the club members. “This is a heartwarming initiative by an amazing group of people who’ve supported research and students for over 25 years. They have raised more than $500,000 through the Ulysses Club Arthritis Research Fund since 1997.”
The Ulysses Club has donated funds to the Kolling Institute for over 15 years, consistently investing in our discovery and translational research into rheumatoid arthritis.
As a leading clinician and internationally respected
researcher, Professor March said while many people manage well on current medications, improved options are needed.
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