Our researchers focus on developing new treatments for common health conditions. We aim to improve treatments and diagnostic tools for diseases that significantly affect lives and communities.
Our research
Our team blends innovation with real-world impact. We specialise in repurposing medicines to treat new conditions, creating new drug delivery methods and discovering biomarkers that can help guide diagnosis and treatment.
Research areas
Repurposing existing drugs
We find new uses for existing drugs by taking medications currently used for one disease and developing them for the treatment of a different disease.
New drug discovery
We develop new drugs and targeted delivery methods to help improve treatment effectiveness and reduce side effects for patients.
Biomarkers and diagnostics
We design and develop new tools to help diagnose diseases earlier and track treatment progress, giving clinicians better insight and improving patient care.
Our approach
Our work directly improves the outcomes and quality of life for people living with chronic conditions. Our research supports earlier diagnosis of diseases such as dementia, more targeted cancer treatments and better stroke intervention.
These advances help improve long-term outcomes, while better ways to assess treatment responses allow for more personalised care. Our researchers are also developing strategies to treat hard-to-reach areas, like the brain, where safely delivering drugs remains a major challenge.
Industry connections
Our researchers work closely with industry partners, healthcare providers and government agencies to help close this gap. These collaborations support the development of innovative therapies and ensure our research is translated into real-world solutions that improve patient outcomes.
Our projects
Our world-renowned research team has several projects currently running, including:
Drug repurposing for chronic fatigue syndrome and mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression
Development of novel molecular probes for early diagnosis of diseases and monitoring treatment responses
Development of aptamers as therapeutic delivery agents for the treatment of cancers and neurological disorders
Controlled delivery of drugs to enhance bioavailability and targeting of specific organs, resulting in improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects
Medical matrices to enhance targeted drug delivery and replacement of damaged tissue
Biomedical drug discovery and tissue engineering
Targeting iron overload in brain cancer
Epigenomic therapies
We are committed to creating a lasting impact beyond the lab. This includes training the next generation of clinical researchers and developing high-value health solutions to ultimately benefit the and communities who need them most.
Our team
We are led by Professor Ken Walder and Associate Professor Richard Williams. They lead a multidisciplinary team working to improve treatments for chronic and complex conditions.
Theme Leader
Professor Ken Walder is a recognised leader in drug discovery and repurposing, with expertise in metabolic and mental health research. His work has led to innovative treatment approaches and strong partnerships with industry and government.
Deputy Theme leader
Associate Professor Richard Williams is an expert in the field of regenerative medicine, where he develops naturally inspired nanostructured materials to guide the formation of new tissue, drug delivery, and tissue-engineered constructs via biofabrication.
