Healthy Foundations Research Group

Healthy Foundations Research Group

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The perinatal period is crucial for programming the individual we become, though healthy foundations are built at every stage of life. We are a multidisciplinary research program investigating the importance of the early reproductive period and the central and enteric nervous systems as a foundation for long-term health.

Research focus

We are Australian leaders in functional and structural examination of the reproductive system, brain and enteric nervous systems. We are discovering the fundamental neural and hormonal changes that occur during development, and how these might be changed or disrupted by disease and environmental impacts across the lifespan. Our research is providing a foundation of understanding for good health throughout life. 

Capabilities

Our research addresses fundamental neurobiological questions and important biomedical problems including poor placentation, restricted fetal growth, cerebral palsy, obesity, stress, cognitive dysfunction, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and the origins of behavioural abnormalities such as autism.

We use molecular, pharmacological, in vitro, neurophysiological, imaging, and behavioural assessment techniques to enable the investigation of embryo implantation, placental development, oxidative stress, cortical and white matter development, mitochondrial function, regulation of brain energy supply, neuroendocrinology of stress, and brain repair and regeneration. We include quantitative assessment of behaviour and cognition, and detailed evaluation of brain structure using MRI/MRS, electrophysiology, qPCR, Next-Gen sequencing, super-resolution microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

Our impact

We work with a range of Australian and global organisations to provide innovative discoveries into maximizing brain health.

PREMSTEM

OptiNutriBrain

Who we are

Get in touch

To contact an individual researcher please see our who we are section above. Alternatively, please email our Program leader, Professor Sarah Spencer at sarah.spencer@rmit.edu.au.

Interested in collaborating with us?

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Research in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences

RMIT's School of Health and Biomedical Sciences has three principle areas of research focus: Chronic disease, integrative healthcare and preventative healthcare.

Find out more about SHBS research
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information