MESSAGE FROM THE ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
I am pleased to present this edition of Kolling NEWS which offers an insight into the latest specialised research activity and impact across the institute. It has been an encouraging few months at the Kolling with investigators securing significant financial support, and a wealth of innovative and translational progress being made. Behind the headlines, a large amount of work is underway to finalise the Kolling’s next five-year research strategy and plan. I would like to thank the many people who have shared their time and experience to develop the strategy and ensure every researcher is in the best position to progress their work and extend their reach. Pleasingly, researchers have been awarded a $3.75 million grant from the Cancer Institute NSW to implement liquid biopsies into routine cancer care across New South Wales. Led by Professor Anthony Gill, the program aims to replace invasive procedures with a liquid biopsy to enable earlier detection, personalised treatment, and better monitoring of cancer outcomes. I was thrilled to announce five early to mid career researchers will share nearly $40,000 through the Skipper Jacobs Charitable Trust to support international travel and career development. The funding will enable recipients to present their research, build global partnerships and strengthen the Kolling’s
international profile across fields including renal health, cancer, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rehabilitation following spinal cord injury. I would like to thank the Skipper family for their generous support of our early and mid-career investigators and the NORTH Foundation. Our researchers, led by Professor Sarah Glastras, are launching a project to transform pregnancy care in Australia through early identification and treatment of gestational diabetes. Funded by the Balnaves Foundation, the project will look to improve health outcomes
The University of Sydney and the Kolling Institute have launched the BRIDGE program, a $1.3 million initiative to improve treatment for patients with one of the most aggressive forms of bowel cancer. Using precision medicine approaches including liquid biopsies, Professor Mark Molloy hopes to better understand treatment resistance and develop new, more effective therapies. Personally, I have just returned from a trip working with colleagues from NASA and other space agencies where MuscleMap collaborators delivered a panel presentation at the Spaceflight Human Optimization and Performance Summit at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. We shared the latest collaborative findings from the MuscleMap program–the AI powered imaging tool to rapidly assess muscle health. The program will be broadly applied to spaceflight and elite sport, while also supporting the diagnosis and treatment of major musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. I would like to thank the Helena Charitable Foundation for their generous support of our growing MuscleMap program, worldwide. Professor James Elliott
for both mothers and babies. Investigators have secured a
$2.6 million grant to reduce low value care for people with knee osteoarthritis by promoting evidence based treatments. Led by Dr Jillian Eyles and Professor David Hunter, the project will support GPs and physiotherapists to avoid unnecessary scans and reduce the growing burden of osteoarthritis on Australia’s health system. A large international study, led by Professor Lisa Harvey and A/Professor Joanne Glinsky, has found that increasing rehabilitation intensity soon after spinal cord injury does not improve recovery, function or quality of life. The findings suggest the current approach is achieving the best possible results, reassuring patients they don’t need extra costly therapy to maximise recovery.
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KOLLINGNEWS | MAY 2026
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