Developmental Physiology and Medicine

Development in the first 1000-1500 days of life (from conception into early childhood) has long-lasting effects on our chances for health for our entire life-course, and the risk of later ill-health, especially non-communicable disease (NCDs). 

Our aim is to improve the scientific basis for diet, drug and novel monitoring and diagnostic interventions to optimise reproductive outcomes and maximize the chances of health in later health. 

Our research focuses on identifying key biological pathways by which nutrition, environmental toxicants/ allergens, and health and disease status of the mother and father influence a myriad of developmental processes from: 

• the egg and sperm production
• maternal reproductive tract cross-talk with the developing embryo
• early embryo-fetal growth and cardiometabolic function
• placental structure and transport of nutrients
• paediatric gastrointestinal, respiratory and allergy function

We are scientists and academic clinicians with expertise at the forefront of developmental molecular biology, computational modelling, animal physiology, and human basic, clinical and population studies. This facilitates the translational development of interventions that optimise life-long health for the next generation. We advocate widely for this area of early life medical science with a wide range of stakeholders in government and non-government policy, industry, and civic spaces.