Our Research

Research has been an integral part of SA Pathology’s business for over 80 years.

The close interaction we’ve established between research and diagnostic pathology has led to the implementation of many innovative tests that are now routine.

SA Pathology attracts scientists of the highest calibre and we have been internationally recognised across many scientific disciplines.

Our role as a pathology service and research hub directly benefits the South Australian community, and we contribute to research initiatives with global impact.

Our patient-centred research delivers improved diagnostics, treatments, patient care and prevention strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of all South Australians.

Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Fund

If you would like to support this important work please contact the Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Fund who can assist with donation options.

Phone (08) 8222 5281 or email RAHresearchfund@health.sa.gov.au

 

NATA accreditation

Through successful NATA accreditation, you can be sure our organisation, technical results and inspected products are trusted, safe and reliable for public use. As a NATA accredited organisation we have a proven, independently assessed benchmark for performance.

NATA Certificate - Frome Road Laboratory

NATA Certificate - Flinders Medical Centre

NATA Certificate - Royal Adelaide Hospital

NATA Certificate - The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

NATA Certificate - The Women's and Children's Hospital

Visit the NATA website to view the full list of our accreditations.

 

Our partnerships

SA Pathology and its research partners investigate many forms of cancers, immune and genetic disorders, infectious, lung and endocrine diseases, transplant treatments, burn therapies, spinal, joint and bone conditions, and advances in neuropathology and microbiology.

Our researchers have achieved funding to conduct fundamental and translational research in world-class facilities within SA Pathology and its dedicated research arms, the Hanson Institute and the Centre for Cancer Biology.

The work of these bodies, in partnership with clinicians at hospitals and medical schools, enables clinical trials which evolve into new therapies and improved patient care.

SA Pathology actively fosters research and its translation into diagnostic testing. The fields of genetic and molecular pathology and cell imaging are areas where significant advances are being made in personalised medicine through innovative technology.

Access to sophisticated instrumentation and expert personnel allows us to develop more targeted tests, effectively cutting the number of tests sent to external providers and maximizing efficiencies to reduce costs for the health sector.

SA Pathology’s research and partnerships give it a distinct edge as a public pathology provider and positions us at the forefront of diagnostic testing.

The strength of SA Pathology’s partnerships defines and underpins our vital work in supporting the public health sector and serving the South Australian community.

Partner with us

If you are interested in partnering with us, please complete a Request for Quote form and return to sapathologymarketing@sa.gov.au.

 

Research activities

SA Pathology - Genetics and Molecular Pathology Research

  • Prof Hamish Scott

    He is involved in the investigation of genomic and transcriptional mechanisms and molecular pathogenesis in haematological malignancies, autoimmunity and perinatal deaths including identification of disease-causing genes and mutations using state-of-the-art technologies and disease models.

  • Prof Susan Branford

    The Leukaemia laboratory’s research is focused on understanding the factors that predict for response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy and the mechanisms of drug resistance for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia.

  • Prof Maria Fuller

    The research is focused on improving the efficiency of diagnosis of lysosomal diseases and understanding the molecular pathophysiology in order to develop avenues for treatment.

  • Dr Christopher Hahn

    Work focusses on identification and understanding of inherited genetic mutations predisposing to blood cancers and acquired mutations driving haematological malignancies. They use latest genomic and transcriptomic technologies and bioinformatic analyses to interrogate next generation sequence data, and generate in vitro and in vivo disease models to perform molecular and cellular functional assays to better understand pathogenic mechanisms.

  • Dr Anna Brown

    Research in the laboratory includes collaborative translational research projects on developing molecular monitoring techniques and novel therapies for individuals with a family history of inherited blood cancers, with the aim to define risk and design treatment strategies to prevent leukaemia development. More broadly, the laboratory is involved in the use of the latest genomic techniques to develop new genetic tests for precision medicine in blood cancers and solid tumour malignancies, for clinical trials and in a NATA accredited setting.

  • Dr Karin Kassahn

    The technology advancement Unit works with laboratories across SA Pathology to translate genomic approaches to routine clinical care. Research interests include understanding the molecular changes driving human disease, and clinical bioinformatics.

  • Enzo Ranieri & Dr Emilie Mas

    This team is specialised in lipidomic research to develop new neonatal and antenatal screening tests and identify new biomarkers in different pathologies. The key is to develop public health screening tests for the pre-symptomatic detection of diseases to enable early clinical intervention and targeted treatment.

ACRF Cancer Genomics Facility and Bioinformatics

  • Dr Andreas Schreiber

    Andreas heads the bioinformatics group at the Centre for Cancer Biology’s ACRF Cancer Genomics Facility. This group focuses on applied bioinformatics of high throughput experiments, ranging from analysis of transcriptomic microarray or RNASeq data, gene regulation studies using ChIP and CLIPSeq, to the search for disease-associated point and structural mutations of the human genome.

Collaboration between SA Pathology and Centre for Cancer Biology

  • Cytokine Receptor Laboratory

    Prof Angel Lopez
    The laboratory seeks to understand the mechanism of cytokine receptor activation, contributing to the development of new drugs for conditions including leukaemia, asthma and arthritis.

  • Molecular Pathology Research

    Prof Hamish Scott
    This laboratory investigates transcriptional mechanisms and molecular pathogenesis in autoimmunity and haematological malignancies, including identification of disease-causing genes and mutations.

  • Molecular Regulation

    Prof Sharad Kumar
    This group’s research focuses on the cellular and molecular biology of disease, with an emphasis on cancer biology.

  • Acute Leukaemia Laboratory

    Prof Richard D’Andrea
    The major focus is to understand mechanisms in normal blood cell growth and changes associated with myeloid diseases, in particular acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myeloproliferative disease (MPD).

  • Gastroenterology Research Laboratory

    A/Prof Andrew Ruszkiewicz
    Research activities include gastroenterology pathology, cancer precursor lesions and malignancies of the colorectum, oesophagus and pancreas.

  • Gene Regulation Laboratory

    Prof Greg Goodall
    This laboratory focuses on micro RNAs which control epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key step in cancer metastasis, which is the major cause of death from cancer.

  • Molecular Signalling

    Prof Stuart Pitson
    This team examines sphingolipid-mediated cell signalling pathways, and how they contribute to cancer and other diseases.

  • Neurovascular Research

    Dr Quenten Schwarz
    This research focusses on understanding signalling pathways in neuronal development.

  • Paediatric Immunopathology

    Prof Tony Ferrante
    This research unit studies immunological responses to allergies and Type 1 diabetes in young children including the identification of biomarkers for those at risk of developing these diseases.

  • Vascular Biology and Cell Trafficking

    A/Prof Claudine Bonder
    A major focus is to investigate blood in normal and diseased states and identify markers that define a purified population of cells with a genetic profile which regulates differentiation and survival.