RESEARCH 2026

 

Developing a novel RNA-based therapy for Preeclampsia

Dr Katrina Mirabito Colafella | Dr Hareth Al-Wassiti, A/Prof Bill Kalionis

Monash University

Sum provided $74,900

Preeclampsia affects one in ten pregnancies,  and remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal death. This project uses advanced RNA technology to engineer therapeutic microRNAs that restore vascular health and prevent preeclampsia.  If successful, it could deliver the first RNA-based treatment for preeclampsia, reducing the need for premature delivery and improving outcomes for mothers and babies worldwide.

STEP-CMV: Serological Testing and Education to Prevent CMV Infection in Early Pregnancy

Prof Lisa Hui | Prof Craig Pennell, Dr Hayley Smithers-Sheedy, A/Prof Ines Rio, Dr Natalia Rode, Ms Hanako Stump, Ms Amity Adley, Ms Kath Swinburn, Dr Pieta Shakes

University of Melbourne

Sum provided $74,689

Congenital CMV is the leading infectious cause of disability in newborns. This study will measure infection rates in early pregnancy and embed CMV prevention into GP antenatal care through national education and testing.  The results will fill a critical data gap, informing screening policy and empowering families and clinicians to reduce CMV transmission and disability in Australian babies.

 

 

A new sustainable treatment to prevent haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn

Prof Ian Wicks | Dr Behnaz Heydarchi

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)

Sum provided $75,000

RhD incompatibility can cause haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn, once a major cause of perinatal death. This project develops a recombinant monoclonal antibody to replace donor-derived immunoglobulin. A safe, scalable therapy would remove dependence on blood donors and protect millions of RhD-negative pregnancies each year.

 

 

Targeted Gene Silencing in the Placenta Using CRISPR/Cas Nanomedicine to Target Anti-Angiogenic Factors in Preeclampsia

Dr Natasha de Alwis | Prof Natalie Hannan, Dr Christina Cortez-Jugo, Prof Matthew McKay

University of Melbourne / Mercy Hospital for Women

Sum provided $74,848

This project applies CRISPR/Cas13b gene-editing combined with nanoparticle delivery to silence the placental genes that drive preeclampsia.  It represents a first-in-kind RNA-targeting therapy that could transform maternal care and reduce mortality, positioning Australia at the forefront of pregnancy therapeutics.

 

 

Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Gynaecological Laparoscopic Surgery: A Multi-Centre Randomised Trial

Dr Lucy Richards | Dr Charlotte Reddington, Dr Uri Dior, Dr Pinar Cingiloglu, Dr Claudia Cheng, Dr Michal Amir, A/Prof Andrew Daley, Dr W. Catarina Ang, A/Prof Sue Finch, Dr Erin Nesbitt-Hawes, Prof Jason Abbott, A/Prof Martin Healey

The Royal Women’s Hospital

Sum provided $19,713

Antibiotics are routinely given before laparoscopic gynaecological surgery despite limited evidence of benefit. This international randomised trial will determine whether prophylaxis actually reduces infection risk.  Findings will inform global guidelines, promote antimicrobial stewardship and improve surgical safety for women.

 

 

The HOPSCOTCH Study – Health Outcomes after Prenatal Testing for Sex Chromosome Conditions

A/Prof Sharon Lewis | Prof Lisa Hui, Dr Mary White, A/Prof Alison Archibald, Ms Chloe Hanna, Mr Richard Bradley, Ms Cecilia Pynaker, Dr Jacqui McCoy, Ms Amber Burgess, Dr Peter Kaub, Ms Emma Brown

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Sum provided $48,174

Prenatal testing now detects more sex-chromosome conditions such as Turner and Klinefelter syndromes, but long-term outcome data are outdated. HOPSCOTCH will create Australia’s first unbiased mother–child cohort to fill that gap.  The study will guide counselling, care standards and the creation of a national registry, ensuring evidence-based, family-centred care.

 

 

Safety and Efficacy of Anakinra in Premature Infants: The Little Pilot Flies Again

Prof Marcel Nold | Ms Rebecka Atkinson, Ms Megan Clark, Dr Robert Galinsky, Prof Alistair Gunn, Prof Rod Hunt, Prof Carl Kirkpatrick, Dr David Metz, Prof Claudia Nold, Ms Kylie Pussell, Dr Scott Stansfield, Ms Hayley Stoop, Dr Gergely Toldi

Hudson Institute of Medical Research / Monash University

Sum provided $69,880

Inflammation is a major driver of illness in premature infants, yet there are no safe, targeted therapies. This project builds on the world’s first clinical trial of Anakinra, a treatment that safely blocks interleukin-1 (IL-1), the key inflammatory protein responsible for many early-life diseases.  By assessing safety and efficacy data from the current pilot studies, this work will guide the design of a large international trial to confirm that anakinra protects preterm babies from inflammation-driven disease, improving survival and long-term outcomes worldwide.

 

 

Improving Neonatal Hip Screening with Artificial Intelligence

A/Prof Leo Donnan | Dr Brian Loh, Dr Natalie Hyde, Dr John Regan, Dr Jacob Jaremko, Ms Simone Cranage

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Sum provided $74,943

Hip dysplasia is the most common childhood hip disorder and a leading cause of arthritis in young adults. This study evaluates AI-assisted portable ultrasound to improve screening accuracy at birth. If successful, the technology could revolutionise newborn hip screening and prevent thousands of late-diagnosed cases each year.

 

 

Calming the Immature Gut – Early Detection of Necrotising Enterocolitis Using Metadata, Plasma Proteomics and Microbiome Profiles

Prof Claudia Nold | A/Prof Sam Forster, Prof Marcel Nold, A/Prof Misty Good (USA), Dr Ina Rudloff, Dr Steven Cho

Hudson Institute of Medical Research

Sum provided $69,795

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of death in premature babies. This project combines blood proteomics and gut microbiome data to identify biomarkers that signal risk before disease onset.  Findings will enable early intervention and lay the groundwork for microbiome-based therapies that protect the most vulnerable infants.

 

 

Evidence-Driven Strategies to Improve Surgical Outcomes with Autologous and Donor Human Fascia Lata in Pelvic Floor Reconstruction

Prof Anna Rosamilia | Dr David Hennes, A/Prof Shayanti Mukherjee, Prof Jerome Werkmeister, Dr Saeedeh Darzi, Dr Hamid Bidkhori, Dr Kallyanashis Paul

Hudson Institute of Medical Research / Monash Health / Cabrini Malvern

Sum provided $52,000

Following the withdrawal of synthetic meshes, surgeons require safe biological alternatives for pelvic floor repair. This project compares autologous and donor fascia lata to optimise strength, integration and patient outcomes.  Results will generate the first evidence-based guidelines for fascia lata use, improving surgical outcomes and quality of life for women globally.

 

 

Implementation of the Foetal Region-Specific Optimised Growth Standard (FROGS)

Dr Natasha Pritchard | Prof Susan Walker, Dr Anthea Lindquist, Dr Roxanne Hastie

University of Melbourne

Sum provided $55,000

The FROGS growth chart improves identification of babies at risk of complications such as stillbirth without increasing false positives. This project translates the FROGS algorithm into clinical practice via a digital platform for clinicians and families.   Nationwide adoption would standardise foetal growth assessment and target interventions to reduce stillbirths and improve perinatal outcomes.

 

 

Safety of Antidepressant Medications in Pregnancy – A Continuation Study

Dr Eveline Mu | Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, A/Prof Caroline Gurvich, Mr Anthony de Castella

Monash University

Sum provided $74,958

This study extends a national cohort examining the long-term effects of antidepressant use in pregnancy on child development. By following children into the preschool years, it will reveal whether early exposure has lasting impacts.  The results will inform clinical guidelines and provide women and clinicians with the clarity and confidence to make safe, evidence-based treatment decisions.