Research units

The cell is fundamental to life and any abnormal behaviour may lead to disease. This group is investigating how deranged cellular activity contributes to the development of chronic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and whether it is possible to identify suitable therapeutic targets and those patients heading towards decline early enough to intervene.

Before any drug is made available to the public, manufacturers are required to ensure that it is safe to do so by undertaking clinical trials. Our respiratory health trials unit is one of the largest of its kind in Australia and is highly regarded, nationally and internationally, for its work in helping pharmaceutical companies test the safety and efficacy of drugs used to treat chronic lung disease.

The team is investigating how patients may benefit from novel drug therapies, diagnostic imaging techniques, molecular epidemiology of infection and psychosocial interventions.

Pathology is concerned with determining the causes of disease and may be studied at the cellular, sub-cellular or molecular levels. This group is investigating some of the important molecular and cellular pathways involved causing chronic interstitial lung diseases and cancer, and how they might be manipulated to bring about cure and/or healing.

Occupational lung diseases came into prominence with the industrial revolution and, despite legislation and a significant reduction, they continue to be problematic, with some ‘old’ diseases re-emerging due to the introduction of new technologies. This group is investigating sensitive screening methods to identify workers early enough to implement curative treatment, as well as investigating novel therapies for those with occupational lung disease as well as lung cancer generally.

The pleura are two thin membranes which cover, respectively, the chest cavity and the lungs themselves, which enable the lungs to expand and contract correctly during breathing. There is little space between them but, in some diseases, such as cancer and respiratory infection, fluid accumulates causing major breathing difficulties. This group is investigating mechanisms contributing to this accumulation and how best to resolve it.

NCARD researchers are recognised as world leaders and have an extensive collaborative network with leading cancer researchers across the globe.