"Innovation should not be dictated by postcode"
A poignant statement from Katrina Umback, Rural and Remote Heart Health Advocate and panellist at La Trobe University’s ‘Bridging the Health Divide: Translating Biosensor Innovations for Regional and Rural Communities’ session during the AusBiotech International Conference.
Leading a panel session, La Trobe University brought together voices from industry, academia, and community to examine the path for biosensors innovation from the laboratory to the real-world and in particular our regional and rural communities.
Representatives from Nutromics, VitalTrace, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, and the Mildura community each contributed their distinctive perspective on the application of healthcare technology in rural and remote communities. Discussion points included:
- Challenges around the barriers to adoption
- Opportunities for biosensors to provide early-intervention and preventative care
- Importance of community-driven consultation in our remote and rural settings
- Political and economic frameworks needed to support the scalable and long-term deployment of biosensors technology.
Watch full session recording:
Snapshot
The event opened with a keynote address by Dr Saimon Moraes Silva, Director, Biomedical & Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST) Centre at La Trobe.
Dr Moraes Silva’s keynote showcased the pioneering work of the ARC Research Hub for Molecular Biosensors at Point-of-Use (MOBIUS) and the BEST Centre, highlighting industry collaborations and biosensor technology in-use and development with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Victoria Police. He emphasised the critical role of partnerships in empowering individuals and local healthcare providers with real-time access to essential health data - a strategy vital for overcoming geographical barriers that often delay timely diagnosis and treatment.
Following the keynote, a panel discussion explored the challenges and opportunities involved in translating this biosensor research into practice.
Panellists included Katrina Umback, Rural and Remote Heart Health Advocate; Hitesh Mehta, COO & Co-Founder, Nutromics; Prof Brian Abbey, Deputy Director, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) & CTO, AlleSense; Dr Arjun Kaushik, Founder & CEO, VitalTrace; and Michelle Gallaher, Non-Executive Director, PRAXIS Australia Ltd and MedTech Actuator (moderator).
Driving innovation through collaborative hubs
Central to La Trobe University’s work in the biosensor space are two flagship initiatives: ARC Research Hub for Molecular Biosensors at Point-of-Use (MOBIUS) and the Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST) Centre.
These hubs are accelerating the development and commercialisation of next-generation biosensors by fostering partnerships among researchers, industry stakeholders, and end-users.
MOBIUS, a national research hub supported by the Australian Research Council, brings together over 20 industry partners and several universities to bridge the gap between invention and application. Learn more: ARC Research Hub for Molecular Biosensors at Point-of-Use (MOBIUS).
The BEST Centre serves as a multidisciplinary hub dedicated to creating sensor technologies that advance health, environmental sustainability, and agricultural productivity. Learn more: Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST) Centre.
By convening researchers, industry leaders, and community advocates, as a collective, we can translate advanced science into practical solutions that address health inequities and empower populations.
La Trobe University remains committed to nurturing this culture of innovation, driving progress that achieves meaningful impact where it is most needed.
