MESSAGE FROM THE ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
I am thrilled to share with you the latest Kolling Institute newsletter, bringing together a collection of stories demonstrating the breadth of high-quality research across the institute. These stories highlight the remarkable teams involved and the impact our researchers are having not just locally, but increasingly on a national and international scale. Our scientists, led by a group of indefatigable senior researchers, are influencing the care our community receives and will receive in the years ahead. They’re making tangible progress across a broad range of disciplines and health challenges facing our community. Our research is informing the development of a unique kidney organoid which is expected to lead to personalised medicine for kidney disease. This approach will be similar to the tailored treatments currently offered to cancer patients. Professor Carol Pollock is leading this extraordinary work with her experienced and talented team. Our researchers are at the forefront of Meniere’s disease science, developing the first humanised model of the disease ahead of gene therapy. To cap off a big year, Professor Jose Antonio Lopez- Escamez received the Nylen- Hallpike Medal at an international conference in Sweden. This award is granted to the world’s best vestibular researcher in basic
science over the last two years and cements our position as a world leading institution in vestibular medicine. Our investigators are making encouraging progress with some of the most challenging cancers, including blood and oesophageal cancer. Discover more about their game-changing work as you read through this feature. A significant point of difference for the Kolling Institute is the depth of our research expertise across the research spectrum from our discovery science through to our translational work. This is clearly evident with our extensive laboratory activity through to our models of care and policy improvements. One example of this is a project led by Professor Trudy Rebbeck offering a musculoskeletal care program to rural and remote parts of Australia. Our researchers including Professor David Hunter and Dr Jocelyn Bowden are also involved in an industry partnership to increase crucial awareness around supplements for osteoarthritis, while Professor Bill Walter is building on the evidence around new ceramic hip replacements. Dr Edwin Tan is broadening our understanding of dementia medications with his large-scale data analysis of existing medication trends.
All of this research is taking place as part of our current research strategy (2021-2025) and I’m pleased to share that we recently held the first of three workshops to review and refresh our next five- year strategy. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the initial workshop for your valuable contributions. It was a good opportunity to hear more about the unique and emerging strengths of the institute and the crucial next steps to increase our research activity and impact. I look forward to the next workshops later this month and early next year, before we finalise our blueprint for the next five years.
Professor James Elliott
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KOLLINGNEWS | NOVEMBER 2024
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