Case Studies

Focusing on the environment

Young Australian scientist Dr Kirsten Benkendorff had two goals when she began her PhD at UOW: to discover an antibiotic and help conserve a species. In three years, she achieved both.

Marine Sciences Fieldwork

Kirsten began to look at molluscs after an educated guess that the egg masses laid in rock crevices had little chance of survival without some form of protection against bacteria. From this research, she was able to determine that marine molluscs are a valuable source of antimicrobials and have potential use for humans.

Her innovative study of marine molluscs lead to her winning the Young Australian of the Year science and technology award in 2000 and being offered a fellowship by UOW to be able to continue to work on her ideas.

Novel approaches to tackling cancer

The Institute for Biomolecular Science brings together a large multidisciplinary team of chemists and biologists from the University's Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences. A number of our research students and staff in the Institute are involved in studying new ways to try and overcome the problems caused by micro-organisms responsible for certain diseases in humans. A serious problem is that of resistance developing in these organisms to current medicinal agents. One core research area in the Institute is looking at the discovery and testing of new anti-microbial compounds, some from natural sources, to help tackle this medical challenge. Excellent laboratories and equipment are available for this research.

Biomolecular Research Lab

Fundamental work is also being done on cataract formation in the eye, leading to an increased understanding of this disease at the molecular level as a prelude to rational therapeutic design. Highly significant studies are also being undertaken on molecular biological aspects of bacterial pathogens, while novel approaches to tackling cancer, including ways to induce apoptosis, are under very active study at the Institute.

Enhancing nutritional research outcomes

At the Smart Foods Centre, our researchers and students are involved in a number of studies, which examine the effect of changes in diet on health. In some cases participants are asked to take certain foods home, returning for tests. In other studies participants are advised on strategies for changes to usual eating habits and are followed up for a number of weeks or months. There is a strong partnership arrangement between study volunteers and our researchers. The aim of this research is to bring knowledge from nutrition science to the food product development, to improve the overall health of the population.
The food industry represents a highly competitive and dynamic work environment.

The Smart Foods Centre kitchen

Individuals working in product development, food marketing and communication need to be armed with adequate nutrition knowledge and skills befitting this context. The education program offered at our Smart Foods Centre (via the Faculty of Health)

Targeting quality of life issues

The Illawarra Institute for Mental Health (iiMH) integrates research, training and service development through a strategic alliance between the Faculty of Health

Illawarra Institute of Mental Health

Developing prevention strategies for injuries

Intelligent knee guards and smart bras are just two of the discoveries that are coming from the Biomechanics Research Laboratory (BRL) at the University, in conjunction with the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute.

Biomechanics Research Lab

The knee sleeve has been developed for athletes through this collaboration in partnership with CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology. The sporting knee guard uses a specially coated stretchable strip, which emits an audible tone if the athlete has landed the wrong way. The sleeve has been trialed by Geelong Australian Football team, and is considered to have wide potential in the prevention of anterior cruciate ligament injuries among athels in a variety of sports.

Our other research interests include developing prevention of strategies for anterior cruciate ligament injury and patellar tendinosis during dynamic landings, footwear and falls, breast movement and brassiere design, muscle strain injuries and neuromuscular control, and obesity and functional performance.