22 June, Boston, MA.<\/p>\n
Monash University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) today announce the renewal of their landmark research partnership at a ceremony in Boston, Massachusetts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s largest university and one of Boston\u2019s largest hospitals are advancing innovation in sleep and circadian medicine through a world-leading research initiative that will include investigating the intersection of physical activity, sleep, nutrition, mental health and chronic disease.<\/p>\n
Researchers from Monash and BWH \u2013 a founding member of Massachusetts\u2019 largest healthcare provider, Mass General Brigham, and teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School \u2013 aim to undertake research including multi-centre clinical trials to deliver breakthrough preventive medicine and treatments.<\/p>\n
A key focus of the research will be the growing potential of biotechnology like wearable devices to improve affordable and accessible health improvements for patients and those at major risk of chronic disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis<\/a>, Director of the Monash Brain Park at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health in the Monash School of Psychological Sciences, says sleep and circadian science present underrecognised frontiers for the prevention of chronic disease and medical innovation that demand urgent attention, and tighter integration with more established areas like physical activity and nutrition.<\/p>\n \u201cMonash University\u2019s Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health has the potential to open new possibilities for health and wellbeing improvements across the lifespan,\u201d Professor Stamatakis said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor example, our recent world-first research<\/a>, showing even the smallest bursts of daily incidental movement may have a role in preventing Type 2 Diabetes, highlights the value in\u00a0 discovering novel behavioural phenotypes that leverage the power of simple wearable devices and other scalable digital health solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n Professor Shantha Rajaratnam<\/a>, Head of the Monash School of Psychological Sciences, leads the Monash-BWH partnership alongside Dr Charles Czeisler, from BWH and Harvard Medical School.<\/p>\n Professor Rajaratnam said the partnership has provided major research and training opportunities in sleep and circadian science since its inception in 2009.<\/p>\n “The partnership between Monash University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital is imperative to advancing research on sleep and circadian rhythm at a global scale,” Professor Rajaratnam said.<\/p>\n “Over nearly two decades, this collaboration has contributed to more than 250 publications, delivering key advances in understanding how sleep and circadian rhythms affect health.<\/p>\n \u201cThis spans light biology, shift work and safety, and obstructive sleep apnoea, and links to mental health, cardiovascular disease and dementia, and the development of more personalised approaches to prevention and treatment.”<\/p>\n The partnership is a key initiative of the Monash Boston Hub<\/a>, Monash University\u2019s dedicated enterprise and partnership office in the United States.<\/p>\n The Hub connects biotech, pharmaceutical and industry partners with Monash\u2019s globally recognised research and translational ecosystem.<\/p>\n Monash University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), Professor Robyn Ward AM, said the partnership highlights the value of connecting world-leading research ecosystems.<\/p>\n \u201cMonash University is a global leader in drug discovery, medical research and translational science, with a proven track record of turning breakthrough discoveries into real-world treatments and technologies that improve lives,\u201d Professor Ward said.<\/p>\n \u201cBy combining Monash\u2019s strengths in translational research and clinical trials with the scientific and clinical leadership of Brigham and Women\u2019s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, we are creating new opportunities to accelerate discovery and improve patient outcomes.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough the Monash Boston Hub in Kendall Square, we provide a gateway for US researchers, health systems, biotechnology companies and investors to engage with Monash\u2019s world-class research, clinical trial and innovation ecosystem. By connecting the strengths of Australia and the United States, we are creating new opportunities to accelerate discovery, translation and impact in areas of critical global health need.\u201d<\/p>\n Find out more about the Monash Boston Hub: https:\/\/www.monash.edu\/boston-hub<\/a><\/p>\n About Monash UniversityMonash University is a global top 40 research intensive university, with internationally recognised strengths in drug discovery, medical research and translational science. Through partnerships with leading health services, Monash has built Australia\u2019s largest clinical trial network, spanning more than 7,000 hospital beds, engaging over 3,000 general practitioners and supporting approximately 25 per cent of the nation\u2019s clinical trial activity.\u00a0<\/p>\n MEDIA ENQUIRIES\u00a0<\/p>\n Toni Brient<\/p>\n Media and Communications Manager<\/p>\n P: +61 423 964 191<\/p>\n E: [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n GENERAL MEDIA ENQUIRIES<\/p>\n Monash Media<\/p>\n P: +61 3 9903 4840<\/p>\n