Making a real impact in
Health

At La Trobe, we believe that real impact happens with real action. Our health researchers are working with global industry, community, government, and academic partners to tackle the key challenges of our times.

Promoting physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing for all individuals and across all stages of life is key to the creation of inclusive, equitable and prosperous societies.

Our research has led to improved patient and public health outcomes, innovative new spin-out companies and health technologies, and reduced health inequalities for priority population groups.

Stories of impact

Sending 'Cell Hotels' on space mission

Sending 'Cell Hotels' on space mission

Launching two “cell hotels” on an international space mission to gain a better understanding of how the absence of gravity affects the human gut - shedding light on cell communication, regeneration and, ultimately, cancer.

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Understanding the hidden harm of men's alcohol use

Understanding the hidden harm of men's alcohol use

Investigating the impact of men’s alcohol use on women and children to drive urgent gender-responsive and alcohol policy action worldwide.

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Levelling the playing field for women athletes

Levelling the playing field for women athletes

Co-leading the development of a new set of global recommendations for policy, training and more to reduce women’s injury risk and increase participation in sport.

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Improving the lives of people living with post-viral illness

Improving the lives of people living with post-viral illness

Establishing the new Post-Acute Viral Infection diseases Group (PAVING) Centre of Research Excellence to investigate the mechanisms behind post-viral diseases and pave the way to therapeutics development.

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Discovering a hidden protein in infected cells

Discovering a hidden protein in infected cells

La Trobe researchers have discovered that a protein particle hidden within the SARS-CoV-2 virus could lead to longer-lasting, more protective vaccines for COVID-19.

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Boosting the care economy witht he world's largest cooperative research centre

Boosting the care economy with the world's largest cooperative research centre

Australia's $327 billion care economy is set to be transformed by the nation's first Cooperative Research Centre in the sector, and the largest in the world.

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Uncovering the global burden of migraines

Uncovering the global burden of migraines

La Trobe researchers analysed the latest data to update global estimates of prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of headache disorders across 204 countries and territories.

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Surveying the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people

Surveying the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people

La Trobe’s Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) is conducting Australia’s largest surveys into the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people to inform government policies, programs and services.

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A microscope slide that detects cancer ealier and more accurately

A microscope slide that detects cancer ealier and more accurately

Turning a microscope slide into a mini chemistry lab, enabling rapid and accurate detection of abnormal cells like cancer.

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Boosting clinical mRNA manufacturing capability

Boosting clinical mRNA manufacturing capability

BioNTech has officially opened a research and development mRNA manufacturing facility at La Trobe to support research that could create medical breakthroughs.

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Uncovering clues to cell life with a 'footprint of death'

Uncovering clues to cell life with a 'footprint of death'

Discovering a previously unknown way viruses spread around the body, paving the way for more effective drug development.

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Accerelating the future of immunotherapy with ACAMI

Accerelating the future of immunotherapy with ACAMI

Artificial intelligence promises to unlock new cures for cancer and other diseases by revolutionising the speed, cost and availability of personally designed drugs.

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Our research centres and institutes

La Trobe’s world-class research centres and institutes boast state-of-the-art facilities and, aligned to La Trobe’s research themes, collaborate with industry, government, and the community to drive new discoveries and work towards common goals.

La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science (LIMS)

La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science (LIMS)

A world-class multidisciplinary biomedical research institute bringing together leading researchers from different disciplines across the University to seek equitable solutions to today's global health and wellbeing challenges.

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Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI)

Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI)

The world’s first university innovation centre specialising in the application of artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery and development of immunotherapies, vaccines and medical innovation.

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Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC)

Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC)

Australia’s first - and the southern hemisphere’s leading – centre dedicated to autism research. The centre works together with the Autistic and autism communities to produce research and to translate research into practice.

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Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS)

Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS)

A leading research and knowledge translation centre that supports solutions for social problems facing communities in Australia and the world today, particularly as they relate to sex, gender, sexuality and relationships.

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Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research

Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research

Co-partnering with rural communities to narrow the gulf between rural and metropolitan health outcomes by facilitating high impact research that is rurally focused, collaborative and pragmatic.

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La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre

La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre

A leading collaborative centre for sport and exercise medicine research, with real-world impacts on policy, clinical practice, activity participation, and health and well-being both here in Australia and internationally.

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Our thinkers and innovators

Professor Stephanie Gras

Head of the Viral & Structural Immunology laboratory. Deputy Director, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS). Professor, Biochemistry & Chemistry,
La Trobe University
Academic Profile

Professor James Boyd

Professor Nilmini Wickramasinghe

Professor Brian Abbey

Deputy Director, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS). NanoMslide co-inventor, AlleSense,
La Trobe University
Academic Profile

Dr Saimon Moraes Silva

Director of the Biomedical & Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST) Centre,
La Trobe University
Academic Profile

Professor Patrick Humbert

Director, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sciences (LIMS),
La Trobe University
Academic Profile

Professor Chris Sobey

Dr Erin Smith

Director, Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research,
La Trobe University
Academic Profile

Professor Kay Crossley

Director, La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre,
La Trobe University
Academic Profile

Adam Bourne

Director, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS),
La Trobe University
Academic Profile

Alison Lane

Director, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC),
La Trobe University
Academic Profile

Irene Blackberry

Director, Care Economy Research Institute,
La Trobe University
Academic Profile

Working together with industry

From start-ups to large enterprises, La Trobe partners with global industry to collaborate on research and development, workforce development and entrepreneurial exploration. We have a proud history of co-location in our facilities, supporting industry partners to build capacity and grow.

Medibank

Leading Australian health company Medibank collaborates with La Trobe researchers on projects that improve patient outcomes and experience, and help reduce costs in the healthcare system. The partnership is building the skilled healthcare workforce of the future, geared to the needs of industry.

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Academic and Research Collaborative in Health

The Academic and Research Collaborative (ARCH) brings together academics, clinicians, consumers, healthcare professionals, health and social care agencies and policy makers skilled in the translation of interdisciplinary research to deliver better health and social care to Australians.

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The Australian Ballet

Our partnership unites La Trobe’s world-class sports and exercise medicine researchers with Australia’s national ballet company’s internationally respected injury prevention and rehabilitation team to optimise dancer performance and health.

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Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute

The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is a leading medical research institute, bringing together researchers and clinicians to develop therapies that are more effective, tolerable and accessible.

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Other areas of impact

Real impact doesn’t stop here. Explore La Trobe’s full impact across key areas of health, science and technology.

Research with impact

We’re committed to maximising the contribution our research makes to the economy, society, environment and culture, beyond the contribution to academic research.

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