Northern Health and RMIT University have partnered to establish a Clinical Translational Research Partnership – officially launched on May 27 at the Northern Centre for Health Education and Research.
Researchers and clinical staff will work together to advance the translation of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches from the laboratory bench to real-world applications, benefiting the patients of Northern Health and beyond.
The Clinical Translational Research Partnership will focus on research to help patients with cancer, blood disorders, and chronic diseases using Northern Health and RMIT’s strength in imaging, spectroscopy, immunology, and pharmacology.
The research hub will be home to clinical trials, particularly in cancer and nanoparticle diagnostic research, that aim to add to breakthrough discoveries, improve patient outcomes, and cooperate with the pharmaceutical industry to receive new treatments, therapies, and diagnostics to patients.
The collaboration also brings opportunities for workforce development, caring for a highly skilled talent pool of students capable of driving healthcare innovation.
Master’s and PhD positions will be offered to support the partnered research and build the next generation of skilled health researchers.
Northern Health’s catchment includes three of Victoria’s six growth areas and its population is expected to grow over 74 per cent by 2036.
Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor of Bundoora Health Precinct and Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos highlighted the importance of training the healthcare practitioners of the future at the launch.
“Our Clinical Translational Research Partnership will connect clinicians, researchers, and academic leaders to ideate and solve healthcare priorities for diverse communities in Melbourne’s north,” she said.
“This partnership provides real opportunities to leverage collaboration. We are excited to be enabling immediate translation of evidence-based research in diagnostics, therapeutics, and clinical practice focused on cancer, immunology, and chronic disease for better patient outcomes.”
Chair of the Research Executive Committee at Northern Health and Associate Professor Prahlad Ho spoke to improving access to quality healthcare for people living north of Melbourne.
“Our Clinical Translational Research Partnership is critical to improve research capabilities across northern Melbourne, including delivery of innovative clinical trial capabilities as well as novel biomarkers in our multicultural population,” he said.
“Northern Health’s partnership with RMIT will allow a pipeline for the rapid and effective translation of key technological advances into clinical use.”
