Our Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) is transforming, with the successful application for a 2024 Centres for Research Excellence grant. Our previous Centre of Excellence in Digestive Health supported research, training, multidisciplinary collaboration and translation of findings, to promote the understanding, identification and management of chronic digestive diseases. Our Centre was funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centres of Research Excellence program from 2020-2024. With the awarding of the 2024-2029 NHMRC grant funding, our centre has been reshaped into the CRE in Transforming Gut Health.
Professor Nicholas Talley, Lead Chief Investigator for the CRE in Digestive Health and now the Chief Investigator for the CRE in Transforming Gut Health (TGH) is delighted by the prospect of progressing this important work: “I’m very pleased to share that the success, outputs and outcomes of our NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence has resulted in new funding for the coming 5 years, to progress novel work that builds on recent gains. I want to thank my superb team of collaborators for their efforts over the last 5 years, and look forward to the next 5 years of leading research in transforming gut health”.
The main aim of the CRE in Transforming Gut Health (CRETGH) is to revolutionise the clinical approach to extremely common chronic unexplained conditions of the digestive tract affecting millions of Australians. As the burden of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders increases in Australia, gut-brain interactions are emerging as a key factor driving chronic and relapsing symptoms. Over 1/3 of Australians are affected by disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) which include irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, and distressing gut symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease in remission. DGBIs cause a very significant burden for patients including reduced quality of life and productivity, impaired mental health, and substantial demands on health services. The work of the CRE will improve patient quality of life and health care experiences, while also reducing the healthcare system burden. By combining advanced techniques to identify disease markers and personalised dietary, microbiome, medical and psychological treatment approaches, our CRE aims to drive a personalized medicine approach for unique individuals with a DGBI.
The CRE-TGH is comprised of world experts and emerging leaders in the field from research centres across Australia; including The University of Newcastle, The University of Queensland, Macquarie University, Monash University, John Hunter Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, and the Alfred Hospital. Researchers will design, develop and test personalised therapeutic strategies tailored to address specific patient needs. Collectively, the project will build upon the foundational work and discoveries made on DGBIs, and take these discoveries and generate the knowledge required for translation into clinical practice and improving public health.
We are looking forward to sharing our future research and positively transforming gut health over the next 5 years.
