Wesley Research Institute
Donate
Now

This project will develop new and highly precise predictive classifiers for early diagnosis and detection of Parkinson’s disease based on complex microbial signatures which will inform diagnosis, staging and classification of Parkinson’s disease patients in the clinic.

 

Research Objectives

Status

Current

Recruitment

Open

Study location

Wesley Research Institute, Wesley Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology

Study type

Investigator Initiated

Lead investigator

  • A/Prof John O’Sullivan

Experienced investigator

  • Dr Richard Gordon (QUT)

About this research project

It’s estimated that one in every 1,000 Australians have Parkinson’s disease with approximately 40 people diagnosed everyday. The number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease has increased 17% in the last six years with costs to the community increasing by nearly 50%. It’s the second most common neurodegenerative disease after dementia in Australia.

There are currently no effective biomarkers to accurately diagnose Parkinson’s disease or predict disease progression. Pathological changes in the gut microbiota composition and metabolism occurs early in Parkinson’s disease which drives neuropathology and disease progression. Understanding and characterising the complex changes in gut microbiome composition will provide new opportunities for therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers.

Interested in participating? Find out more information here.

Latest News

Thank you to all who joined our Advocates Event – Spatial Biology: A New Frontier of Precision Medicine

On 24 Nov, the Wesley Hospital Auditorium saw a community of medical research advocates come together to learn more about spatial biology and the latest research efforts from the Wesley Research Institute's Queensland Spatial Biology Centre.

The Impact of Financial Stress of a Gluten-Free Diet for People with Coeliac Disease: New Research in Australia 

WRI researchers are calling upon people living with coeliac disease in Australia to participate in research to map the quality of life in this current cost-of-living crisis and whether this is impacting their ability to adhere to a gluten-free diet.

Give Hope a Name This Christmas

Your support can play a vital role in advancing life-changing research at Wesley Research Institute. Our scientists are uncovering new ways to personalise treatment and improve outcomes for people facing serious illnesses, like cancer. 
1 2 3 30
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram