About chronic inflammatory diseases
Chronic inflammatory diseases afflict millions of people across the world leading to untold suffering, economic loss and premature death. As well as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and inflammatory lung disease, these diseases include inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis and psoriasis.
Chronic inflammatory disorders are a substantial burden in social and economic terms for the Australian community. Arthritis alone afflicts 3.4 million Australians and the financial costs were in excess of $19.25 billion in 2004 (Access Economics 2005).
Despite the importance of these diseases, there have been relatively few innovative breakthroughs into their cause, treatment or cure, despite intensive global research.
Our CRC is focused on understanding the macrophage biology of these diseases. Macrophages, literally big eaters, are named after their important physiological role in host defence, which is to clear away debris and foreign materials from our bodies, including infectious bacteria, fungi and viruses.
From this research, we hope to find novel treatments for these debilitating diseases.
Find out more about our research
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (Lung) Disease
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