A 20-year pioneer of critical care research has joined the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), strengthening the Institute’s clinical links with the ultimate aim of improving health for people all over the world.
Founded in 2004 by Professor John Fraser, the Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) investigates the many issues that face patients with life-threatening conditions including heart and lung disease and sepsis, as well as developing innovative cardiac support devices to improve survival rates and quality of life.
Accelerating Translation Research
Professor Ian Henderson, IMB Executive Director, welcomed CCRG, saying that the appointment would ultimately help accelerate translation research to improve care and treatment for critically ill people.
“CCRG has a proven track record in translational research, harnessing the talents of leading scientists, clinicians, engineers and allied health specialists from across the world,” Professor Henderson said.
“IMB will benefit from CCRG’s experience undertaking research designed for clinical application, with the group maintaining their base at The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia’s largest cardiac hospital.”
Collaboration is key
CCRG Director Professor Fraser said he was delighted for the Group to be joining IMB, and for the synergies between the organisations to continue to support researchers in genomics, cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
“The best patient outcomes are achieved by a two-way flow of information between researchers and clinicians, with research informing clinical practice, and researchers able to access real-time clinical data to support their work. However, the key to successful translational research is patient involvement.
“We know IMB has a strong cardiovascular research program that uses multiple, innovative approaches to increase our knowledge about heart biology and I’m excited to see what our people can do together to advance the next generation of treatments.”
CCRG flagship projects include The ICU of the Future: A world-first re-imagining of the intensive care unit environment that aims to improves the recovery experience for better long-term outcomes; The Living Heart Project: innovations to boost the function of donor hearts; and COVID Critical: the world’s largest database of deidentified COVID-19 ICU patient data.
To kick off CCRG’s 20th anniversary celebrations, Professor Fraser will take part in World Science Festival Brisbane, appearing on stage with Dr Norman Swan in Biotech: Transforming the Future of Medicine, presented with The University of Queensland, and An Afternoon of Science with Leigh Sales AM and Annabel Crabb. Tickets on sales now.
