Understanding how the biological mechanisms behind exercise and nutrition work, and how they impact on health.
The overarching aim of research in this domain is to characterise and understand the biological mechanisms by which exercise and nutrition impact health. Research in this domain includes healthy and clinical populations across the lifespan – from growth in the womb to ageing.
This domain consists of four research groups:
Particular areas of focus include:
Utilising state of the art facilities, our researchers conduct cell culture and rodent model studies, as well as whole-body human studies, for the assessment of cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine function.
Much of female biology remains a mystery, due to years of scientific research predominantly focused on males. We're seeking adult females for a major study that will be the first to investigate the process of female muscle ageing.
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Be part of a new study to investigate whether krill oil supplements could be an effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.
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Dr Greg Kowalski aims to understand how beta cell insulin production is controlled in living humans.
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Dr Chris Shaw is aiming to understand the different metabolic processes that are stimulated when sugar and protein are consumed.
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Overindulged over the festive period? Eaten too many chocolate bunnies over the Easter long weekend? Dr Gunveen Kaur is exploring how humans respond to short-term overeating and whether the response can warn us about the future development of type 2 diabetes.
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Dr Kim Way aims to understand if there are small blood vessel complications in the muscle that might explain exercise intolerance in people living with atrial fibrillation.
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Sex is a fundamental biological characteristic that influences nearly all human traits – yet most scientific knowledge is inferred from males. Dr Danielle Hiam is working to better understand the role of sex hormones in regulating skeletal muscle at a molecular level.
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A new IPAN project is aiming to explain why a diet high in sugar can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
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Dr Chris Shaw is working to identify diabetes risk in its earliest stages, in a project funded by the Diabetes Australia Research Program.
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Group leader: Associate Professor Michelle Keske
Group members: Professor David Dunstan, Professor Glenn Wadley, Dr Andrew Betik, Dr Lee Hamilton, Dr Kirsten Howlett, Dr Gunveen Kaur, Dr Shaun Mason, Dr Lewan Parker, Dr Chris Shaw, Dr Hannah Thomas, Dr Kim Way, Dr Michael Wheeler
This Biology of cardiovascular and metabolic health group focuses on reducing cardiometabolic diseases (obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease) in our community.
Areas of particular interest include understanding the impact of diet and exercise on large and small blood vessel function, cardiac function, blood pressure, whole body metabolism, blood sugar control and fat metabolism in health and disease.
Our group specialises in a range of research techniques including:
The group uses a variety of clinical and laboratory models to understand how to maintain cardiovascular and metabolic health, and to discover innovative ways to prevent and treat cardiometabolic diseases.
This group covers:
Group leader: Professor Clinton Bruce
Group members: Professor Glenn Wadley, Dr Andrew Betik, Dr Lee Hamilton, Dr Kirsten Howlett, Dr Greg Kowalski, Dr Matthew McKenzie, Dr Chris Shaw
The Regulation of nutrient metabolism group focuses on the areas of integrative physiology, metabolic biochemistry and endocrinology in the context of health and disease. Our group is interested in understanding how glucose, fat and amino acid metabolism are regulated and integrated at the whole-body, organ and cellular level.
An area of particular interest is examining the regulation of liver, adipose, and skeletal muscle metabolism by the pancreatic hormones insulin and glucagon. Given the central role of mitochondria in all facets of cellular metabolism, we also have a strong interest in mitochondrial biology. The group employs a range of experimental approaches in humans, rodents and cell systems to understand metabolic regulation in response to challenges such as exercise and dietary manipulation. We employ a broad range of laboratory based techniques including molecular biology approaches to manipulate gene expression, and microscopy-based imaging techniques.
Our group also specialises in utilising our in-house mass spectrometry based platforms (GC-MS and HPLC-MS) to perform quantitative-targeted metabolomics and biochemical flux analysis using stable isotope tracers. Our group’s research is particularly relevant for conditions with metabolic underpinnings such as insulin resistance, diabetes, fatty liver and cardiovascular disease.
This group covers:
Group leader: Associate Professor Severine Lamon
Group members: Professor Aaron Russell, Professor Glenn Wadley, Dr Lee Hamilton, Dr Danielle Hiam, Dr Angus Lindsay
The Growth, development and function of organs and tissues group focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and function of human organs and tissues in health and disease. Members of our group have specific expertise in skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle biochemistry and physiology. Our group possesses a wide range of technical expertise spanning in vitro (tissue culture), rodent, and human models. There is a focus on investigating human and rodent models of skeletal muscle wasting, including ageing, fasting, motor neurone disease and muscle dystrophy. Tissue samples from patient populations are analysed to evaluate the potential clinical relevance of our work.
Regulatory approaches in cell and rodent models of human disease include the use of locked nucleic acid inhibitors and adeno-associated viruses. Isolated muscle and whole body muscle contraction (exercise) is also performed. Members of our group have experience in conducting human exercise trials involving muscle tissue collection (muscle biopsies) and radiolabelled isotope tracer infusion. Specific areas of focus include muscle protein metabolism, non-coding RNA-mediated gene regulation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and muscle regeneration.
This group covers:
Group leader: Dr Lewan Parker
Group members: Professor Aaron Russell, Associate Professor Michelle Keske, Dr Gunveen Kaur, Dr Shaun Mason, Dr Hannah Thomas, Dr Kim Way
The Redox regulation of health and disease group focuses on exploring how reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, and antioxidants, contribute to both the development and prevention of cardiometabolic disease including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Specific areas of research include the investigation of how reactive oxygen species and antioxidants regulate insulin action, vascular function, and exercise capacity, and the optimisation of treatment strategies including exercise training and antioxidant prescription to improve cardiometabolic health and prevent oxidative-stress associated disease.
This group covers:
