Our research

The department has developed multidisciplinary approaches to research involving cell biology, histology, biochemistry, physiology, immunology, molecular biology, computer graphics and imaging capabilities. Research groups in the department use, for example, cell and organ culture, transgenic models, human tissue studies, gene manipulation,  gene expression studies, in situ RT-PCR and advanced biomedical imaging applications at all levels.

We undertake a wide range of research

Research quality in the Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging is evidenced in many ways. Academic staff:

1. attract considerable external research funding
2. have established the Biomedical Imaging Research Unit
3. have established an internationally recognised Human Brain Bank
4. have established active collaborative research links
5. are appointed to the editorial boards of leading international research journals (Neuroscience, Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, Atherosclerosis, Cell Biology International)
6. are office holders in international research societies (eg, Asia-Pacific Organisation for Cell Biology; Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology; International Basal Ganglia Society; Australian Vascular Biology Society; Australian Neuroscience Society; Matrix Biology Society of Australia and New Zealand)
7. are regularly invited as plenary guest lecturers to national and international conferences on imaging, cell biology, connective tissue, heart disease,  the brain and neurodegenerative diseases and cellular, molecular biology of disease processes.

Research groups in the department have developed a close association with the community. Staff frequently present current research overviews to community organisations. Community groups also provide vital assistance and support to the research effort of the Department.

Find out more about our Research groups

For example, with funding from the NZ Neurological Foundation, the human brain research group has established a Human Brain Bank to provide facilities for the storage of brain tissue bequeathed from patients who die with Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia and Epilepsy.

Human Brain Bank

Over the last 10 years there has been a steady and consistent growth in  research activity and vitality in the department as demonstrated by the increase in research funding, publications, undergraduate and postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows. This growth has been especially evident over the last five years with the establishment of the Biomedical Imaging Research Unit housed in the department.

Read more about our sources of Funding

Study options

Biomedical Imaging Research Unit