Adelaide University’s Health and Biomedical Innovation (HBI) Research Centre leads research into the workings of the body and its interaction with its surrounding environment.
We address fundamental questions about how the body and its environment work together, that informs our knowledge of the human body, in both health and disease.
Our research groups investigate the intricate workings of the human body and its interactions with the environment. We aim to answer fundamental questions about these relationships and integrate this knowledge to enhance our understanding of the body in both health and disease. By examining how the body responds to disease and interventions, we uncover key biomedical pathways that can improve health outcomes and inform clinical practice.
We use advanced methods to investigate bodily functions at different levels, including behavioural, tissue, cellular, and molecular. We use and access a range of cellular, organoid and animal models of disease, and translate findings using human studies. Many of our groups utilise a range of biochemical, physiological, and molecular assays to analyse samples collected, leading to biomarker discovery and capacity to test novel drugs and compounds in these models.
Our research pillars define a progressive direction in health and chronic disease research, driven by close engagement with government, industry, regulatory bodies, policymakers, and the community.
These are:
We are focused on addressing fundamental questions about how the body and its environment interact — informing our understanding of human health and disease, and shaping global approaches to health, wellbeing, and environmental interaction.
Through strong partnerships with government, industry, policymakers, and the community, our research pillars are creating global impact across health, disease prevention, and treatment innovation.
Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. We work with leading partners across academia, clinical practice, industry, government, and the broader community—both in Australia and around the world—to drive innovation and improve health outcomes.
Our partnerships are proactive and highly sought after, reflecting the quality, relevance, and impact of our research. We collaborate closely with clinicians, diagnostic laboratories, and researchers working in neurological disease and diabetes, supported by access to post-mortem human brain samples through SA Pathology. We also collaborate with Biotech companies developing novel drugs for neurological disorders. These collaborations enable groundbreaking discoveries that deepen our understanding of health and disease.
Our international research network spans Australia, China, Europe, UK, Canada and the USA, connecting us with world-leading experts and expanding the reach of our work.
Research findings are shared widely through high-quality publications, conference presentations, and public engagement—ensuring our discoveries reach those who can apply them in practice, from healthcare providers to policymakers.
We also integrate research and education through close engagement with students across all health science programs. By involving students directly in our research, we prepare the next generation of industry-ready graduates with the skills and insight to shape the future of healthcare.
With more than two decades of continuous support from organisations including the National Health and Medical Research Council, the National Institutes of Health, Arthritis Australia, and the Bone Health Foundation, our Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Disorders team exemplifies the strength of our collaborations.
Providing proof-of-concept and ISO-quality testing for industry, the team has built an international reputation for research that supports clinical translation.
Together, our partnerships create global connections, accelerate discovery, and deliver real impact for health and wellbeing.
