Centre for Urology Research (CUR)

Our centre

The Centre for Urology Research is built on almost two decades of prostate and bladder research conducted at Bond University. 

The team of academics, researchers, HDR students and support staff work in collaboration with clinical urologists, radiation oncologists, the pharmaceutical industry and fellow researchers at Australian and international institutions on a wide range of pre-clinical models, projects, treatments, investigations and studies relating to the biological function and chemical processes relevant to urinary disease and disfunction.

The Centre’s work focuses on enhancing knowledge and understanding of the lower urinary tract, with the aim of developing new treatments or improving current treatments for the below conditions.

Key focus areas

  • Overactive/underactive bladder

  • Prostate and bladder cancers

  • Interstitial cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

  • Erectile dysfunction

  • Stress incontinence

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia

  • Urinary stones

  • Faecal incontinence

Our research

Current lower urinary tract pathophysiology projects include:

Physiology and pharmacology of the detrusor and mucosal smooth muscle 

Identifying the receptors and ion channels present in the smooth muscle of the detrusor and mucosa, which may act as targets for novel drug development. The effects of ageing and conditions such as diabetes and hypoxia are also a focus.

Psychological stress and bladder dysfunction

Several pre-clinical models of psychological stress have been established in our laboratories, which are being used to comprehensively investigate the effect of stress on sensory and motor aspects of bladder function and to determine whether commonly used clinically treatments might be effective in specific patient groups.

Control of bladder vascular tone and blood flow

Examining the arteries supplying the bladder to identify which neurotransmitters, receptors and ion channels are important in the control of blood flow.

Bladder inflammation and afferent nerve activity

Using a pre-clinical model developed in our laboratories, we are studying the urinary side effects caused by metabolites produced by treatments of various cancer and immune disorders.

Ureter physiology and renal stones

Investigating the mechanism involved in regulating contractions of the ureter and which receptors, ion channels and hormones control these contractions.

Current prostate and bladder cancer projects include:

Prostate cancer and prazosin/doxazosin 

Working in collaboration with researchers at Griffith University and Genesis Care, we are investigating the efficacy of prazosin in enhancing the cytotoxic effects of radiation on cancer cells. 

Synthesis and evaluation of sialyltransferase inhibitors

Aiming to design, synthesise, structurally elucidate and assay the activity of novel examples in sialyltransferase inhibitors. 

Design and synthesis of selective PARP14 inhibitors

Examining the potential for PARP14 (poly ADP ribose polymerase member 14, aka ARTD8) as a candidate for the design of drug-like compounds with anti-cancer effects.

Publications

Current and emerging pharmacological targets for medical expulsive therapy

The effectiveness of parasympathomimetics for treating underactive bladder

Chronic psychological stress and lower urinary tract symptoms

Community impact

Over the years our researchers have been involved in many pre-clinical projects working with the pharmaceutical industry and our clinical collaborators to develop treatments for bladder conditions. Our basic research findings have subsequently led to the development of medicines that are now in common clinical use in patients, such as the use of M3-selective antagonists in drug treatments for overactive bladder.

In our cancer studies we have discovered that alpha-blockers, normally used to treat hypertension and benign prostate disease, can be used to enhance the effects of radiotherapy on prostate cancers.

In our research to identify novel targets for new treatments for bladder dysfunction we have discovered a diffusible factor, released from the inner lining of the bladder, that inhibits the underlying muscle. With this discovery, it may be possible to develop a drug that could restore normal bladder muscle function.

The Centre also has a number of pre-clinical projects in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, all of them with potential to develop into useful clinical drugs for the treatment of lower urinary tract disease.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Grants and funding

Our research grants and funding play a pivotal role in advancing knowledge and innovation in our Centre's academia. 

It enables our researchers to collect data and engage in critical studies that contribute to the advancement of human understanding in the area of urology.

Learn about our Centre's successful grants and funding below.

See our grants and funding
  • Australian Bladder Foundation (2020-2021) - Sellers, Chess-Williams, McDermott “Lubricin: Innovative intravesical therapy for bladder dysfunction?”
  • Australian Bladder Foundation (2019-2020)- McDermott Sellers, Chess-Williams, “Stress and bladder dysfunction”
  • Rotary Club Sandy Bay Australian Rotary Health PhD Scholarship  awarded to Hyo Jeong (Minnie) Kim
  • RIGB – Joint support for animal facility with CJ Centre for Regenerative Medicine  
  • Physiological Society Education Research grant (2021) - Iris Lim
  • ECR Seed grant to Iris Lim – Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University
  • HSM ECR Seed Grant (2021-22) “Investigating the role of matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) in prostate cancer cell migration.”
  • Australian Bladder Foundation - Moro, 2017-2018, “Alternative pharmaceutical treatments for bladder management: An investigation into the potential for histamine and prostaglandin targets”
  • Quality Use of Medicines Network, Collaborative Research Funding scheme – Chess- Williams, McDermott, Sellers & Dukie, 2017, “Prostate cancer and alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists”
  • Cancer Council Queensland - Chess-Williams, McDermott & Rose Myer, 2012-2014, "Cytotoxic drugs: cellular and tissue effects and the effects of ageing"
  • NHMRC - Chess-Williams, Burcher, Moore, Mansfield, 2009-2012
    “Non-neuronal ATP: regulation of release and action in the bladder”
  • Pfizer Overactive Bladder Competitive Grant Program - Chess-Williams, 2008-2010 "Muscarinic receptor mediated release of nitric oxide, its effect on urothelial spontaneous activity and role in the idiopathic overactive bladder”
  • Pfizer Investigator Initiated Research (IIR) Program - Collins, Sellers, McKay, Grundy, Chapple, 2009-2010, “Antimuscarinics: effects on mucosal-afferent signalling pathways?”

Awards

Catherine McDermott

Best conference presentation, National Conference on Incontinence meeting, Melbourne 2019.

Christian Moro

  • Queensland Tall Poppy Science Award presented by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science.

  • Physiology Education grant awarded by the Australian Physiological Society during the Hobart annual conference.

  • Michael Roberts Excellence in Physiology Education Award from the Australian Physiological Society.

Charlotte Phelps

  • Winner of the Bond University 3-Minute Thesis competition.

  • Winner, Early Career Researcher Kick-starter Competition. Wiley, Physiological Society, and American Physiological Society.

  • Overall Winner and People’s Choice Winner, Pitching Research Competition. Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia.
Donna Sellers

European Urological Association Award for Best Published Article in European Urology.

Iris Lim 

  • Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards, National, Finalist.

  • Prize for best oral presentation, Chemical Education, The sixth Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium (QACS 2021). 

Minnie Kim
  • Prize for best oral presentation, Analytical Chemistry, The sixth Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium (QACS 2021). 
Russ Chess-Williams

Bond University Award for Excellence in Research (2007).

Stephanie Schweiker

  • JoVe Educator Innovation Award (International).

  • Citation got her contribution to the field of chemical education in Australia (National, RACI division of Chemical Education).

  • RACI Citation for contribution to Chemistry in Queensland.

Stephanie Schweiker, Amanda Tauber & Stephan Levonis

  • Horizon Prize for Education awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry (International).

  • Australian Award for University Teaching (AAUT). National citation for a new technology-enhanced chemistry curriculum.

  • The Centenary of Federation Team Teaching Award from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

  • Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards (National, Finalist).

  • Chemistry Team - HSM Faculty Learning and Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2021.

Industry and institutional partners

The Centre collaborates with a number of academic research laboratories in Europe and Japan. We regularly host visiting research students from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden and Nagoya City University, Japan. 

We also collaborate with a number of pharmaceutical companies utilising our pre-clinical models to evaluate potential new treatments.

National Collaborators
Dr Shailendra Anoopkumar Dukie Griffith University
Dr Roselyn Rose'MeyerGriffith University
Dr Alpesh MaldeGriffith University
Dr David SillarJohn Flynn Hospital
Dr Alistair CampbellJohn Flynn Hospital
Dr Stephen BourneJohn Flynn Hospital
Dr David ChristieGenesis CancerCare
Dr Vivien WongPindara Private Hospital
Dr Betty ExintarisMonash University
Dr Karen KerrUniversity of Newcastle
Dr Luke Grundy University of Adelaide
International Collaborators
Professor Hikaru HashitaniNagoya City University, Japan
Professor Christopher ChappleRoyal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK
Professor Dave GrundyUniversity of Sheffield, UK
Professor Hideaki YamaguchiMeijo University, Japan
Dr Michael WinderUniversity of Gothenburg, Sweden
Dr Patrik Aronsson University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Dr Donna DalyUniversity of Central Lancashire, UK
Dr Neil McKaySheffield Hallam University, UK
Dr Kim Lawson Sheffield Hallam University, UK
Dr Bahareh VahabiUniversity of Western England, UK
Dr Shailendra Anoopkumar Dukie Griffith University
Dr Roselyn Rose'MeyerGriffith University
Dr Alpesh MaldeGriffith University
Dr David SillarJohn Flynn Hospital
Dr Alistair CampbellJohn Flynn Hospital
Dr Stephen BourneJohn Flynn Hospital
Dr David ChristieGenesis CancerCare
Dr Vivien WongPindara Private Hospital
Dr Betty ExintarisMonash University
Dr Karen KerrUniversity of Newcastle
Dr Luke Grundy University of Adelaide

Centre for Urology Research researchers

Staff by association

  • Dr Jyotsna Batra

    Professor of Genetics

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

    Contact details

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  • Prof Russell Chess-Williams

    Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

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  • Dr Stephan Levonis

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

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  • Dr Iris Lim

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

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  • Dr Anna Lohning

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

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  • Dr Catherine McDermott

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

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  • Dr Joan Roehl

    Assistant Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

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  • Dr Stephanie Schweiker

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

    Contact details

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  • Prof Donna Sellers

    Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

    Contact details

    View profile
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