Healthy ageing and non-communicable diseases
People around the world are living longer. Older people are more likely to develop diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory conditions. These are non-communicable diseases. They are not spread from person to person, but are the result of factors such as behaviour, genetics and the environment. Non-communicable diseases reduce the quality and length of people’s lives and can last a long time. This puts pressure on healthcare systems. Burnet works to address these diseases and help people live healthier, longer lives.
Our expertise and achievements
Burnet takes a multidisciplinary approach to healthy ageing. We bring together experts in life sciences, public health and international development.
Our research focuses on:
- understanding the biological mechanisms of ageing
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developing interventions to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases
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understanding how infectious diseases accelerate ageing and the development of non-communicable diseases
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removing barriers to healthcare among under-served communities.
We work with communities, governments and international partners to implement sustainable health solutions and promote equitable access to healthcare.
Stories
View 4 more
Integration of care in PNG a focus for NHMRC funding
Research into the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and continuing high prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV in Papua New Guinea will benefit from new funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Establishing a clinical trial for novel therapies to address long COVID
Burnet alumni recognised in Australia Day honours
Understanding how infectious diseases affect ageing
Viruses such as HIV are thought to accelerate ageing and increase susceptibility to age-related diseases.
Burnet's research investigates how infections may contribute to inflammageing. Inflammageing is chronic inflammation associated with ageing and it contributes to many age-related diseases, including primary immunodeficiencies, autoimmunity and cancer.
We study immune ageing and viral infections to explore how viral infections induce long-lasting changes in immune cells, increasing the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
We also study the needs of people with HIV as they age. Projects such as Ageing Well with HIV focus on social support, mental wellbeing and health needs of older people living with HIV. We developed a website to highlight access to support services.
Advancing immune therapy
Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionised many treatments by enhancing the power of the immune system to fight diseases. Burnet is the only medical research institute in Australia that is altering antibodies to improve how effective they are in immune responses. This pioneering work could be applied to the treatment of cancer, inflammation, and infectious diseases. You can read more about our patented Stellabody technology.
We’re also researching ways to modify anti-HIV antibodies to eliminate HIV-infected cells.
Inflammation and chronic disease
Burnet is researching ways to reduce harmful inflammation, which is a major cause of chronic disease in older people. Our research targets key health issues including:
- heart health
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diabetes
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respiratory diseases
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liver health, including drug-induced liver toxicity.
We also address autoimmune diseases and congenital immunodeficiencies, developing new therapeutic strategies and biomarkers to predict disease onset.
Featured publications
Stellabody: A novel hexamer‐promoting mutation for improved IgG potency
Immunological Reviews
Clarissa A. Whitehead et al
Factors associated with the development of coronary artery disease in people with HIV
Sexual Health
Ari S. Mushin et al
Effect of Rosuvastatin Therapy on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Immune Activation in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus at Intermediate Cardiovascular Risk
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Anna C. Hearps et al
Monocytes from men living with HIV exhibit heightened atherogenic potential despite long-term viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy
AIDS
Thomas A. Angelovich et al
Ex vivo foam cell formation is enhanced in monocytes from older individuals by both extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms
Experimental Gerontology
Thomas A. Angelovich et al
Our projects
View 14 moreProfiling immune responses in paediatric and high-risk populations to the COVID-19 virus (PROPHECY)
This study will evaluate immune responses after COVID-19 infection or vaccination in healthy and vulnerable people.
Fc receptor targeted treatments in inflammation and allergy
We've discovered how to selectively engage and ‘switch off’ the cells that initiate and drive inflammation, targeting specific inflammatory cells in autoimmune and allergic diseases.
Towards reliable pathway enrichment
Pathway enrichment analysis is crucial for understanding genomic data, but misuse threatens the research. We aim to improve enrichment analysis in the scientific literature.
Please support our research to advance solutions for lifelong health
Your donation can help uncover how ageing and infections weaken immunity.