UQ launches new $7m research centre

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases will be in the sights of scientists at a new $7 million regenerative medicine research centre launched at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. The UQ Centre in Stem Cell Ageing and Regenerative Engineering will look into clinical solutions in regenerative medicine for prolonging the human health span. Its scientists work on how stem cells impact conditions such as muscle wasting, vascular diseases, and neural diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia. Vice-chancellor and president professor Peter Hoj said the centre would build on UQ's existing interdisciplinary ageing research capabilities. "UQ is already creating change to improve the lives of older Australians with a broad healthy ageing program tackling issues such a nutrition, physical activity, social participation, anxiety, cognition and dementia," he said. The Queensland Brain Institute, based at the St Lucia campus, has already begun making discoveries in new treatments for dementia. "The establishment of UQ-StemCARE builds on this concerted push to deliver more in an area where society has a real need – here and abroad – and will provide technological contributions for a better world," Hoj said. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the centre would employ more scientists and train PhD students. "This incredible research will study how to optimise our body's innate regenerative abilities so that they are extended, enabling the elderly to enjoy a more active, better quality of life for longer," she said.