Medicine at Austin Health

The University of Melbourne has a very close working relationship with Austin Health to enhance patient care, teaching, research and research translation. We have research laboratories located at two major hospitals in the north-east of Melbourne: the Austin Hospital and the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in Heidelberg. Research at Austin spans diverse areas of biomedical research covering cancer, cardiovascular disease, endocrinology, genetics, neurosciences and pharmacology.

  • Cardiovascular and Tumourivascular Laboratory

    Research in our laboratory has discovered an important role for calcitonin receptor (CTR) in the adaptive response of cells to stress that precedes the onset of apoptosis.

    Academic site: Medicine @ Austin Health

    Group Leaders: Dr Peter J Wookey and Professor David Hare

  • Hepatology and Experimental Gene Therapy Laboratory

    Our group conducts translational research investigating the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis, cirrhotic portal hypertension, diabetic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma using a number of animal models of liver disease and develops therapies to arrest disease progression.

    Academic site: Medicine @ Austin Health

    Group Leaders: Dr Chandana Herath

  • Integrative Neurophysiology

    The Integrative Neurophysiology laboratory has focussed on central cardiovascular control mechanisms from the early 1990s. Since 2004 we have shifted our focus to central autonomic control of pancreatic and adrenal secretion in response to iatrogenic (insulin-induced) hypoglycaemia.

    Academic site: Medicine @ Austin Health

    Group Leader: Associate Professor Tony Verberne

  • Metastasis Research Group

    Our research is looking at mechanisms of prostate cancer progression and of treatment resistance, using molecular biology, structural biology and bioinformatics approaches in biomarker discovery as a means of identifying new diagnostic and drug targets.

    Academic site: Medicine @ Austin Health

    Group Leader: Professor Albert G Frauman

  • Molecular Endocrinology and Musculoskeletal Research Group

    Our team is using unique and cutting-edge genetically modified pre-clinical models to study the biological mechanisms underlying bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, and metabolic diseases such as obesity, which are all disorders of hormonal action

  • The Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Neuromodulation (TESCoN) Trial

    A cutting-edge, non-invasive technique designed to enhance nerve function using electrical stimulation, all without the need for surgery.

    Group Leaders: Professor Mary Galea

  • Trans Health Research

    We are a diverse, highly productive research group established in 2017 in response to community need and additionally provide a large clinical service to the trans and gender diverse (TGD) community.

    Academic site: Medicine @ Austin Health

    Group Leader: Dr Ada Cheung, Endocrinologist, NHMRC Research Fellow

  • Translational Neurogenetics Laboratory

    The focus of this group is to understand the basic neurobiology of human epilepsy, speech disorders and deafness, and translate this knowledge into improved treatment of patients.

    Academic site: Medicine @ Austin Health

    Group Leader: A/Professor Michael Hildebrand

  • Reproductive Steroids Research Group

    Major themes of our research focus on the roles of reproductive hormones in health and disease. We are part of the Endocrinology Research Group, headed by Professor Jeffrey Zajac.

    Academic site: Medicine @ Austin Health

    Group Leader: Professor Mathis Grossmann