Skip to main content
Start of main content.

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:

Current prostate and bladder cancer projects include:

Publications

Current and emerging pharmacological targets for medical expulsive therapy

Read more about Current and emerging pharmacological targets for medical expulsive therapy

The effectiveness of parasympathomimetics for treating underactive bladder

Read more about The effectiveness of parasympathomimetics for treating underactive bladder

Chronic psychological stress and lower urinary tract symptoms

Read more about 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)

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.

Awards

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.

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

  • Prof Russell Chess-Williams

    Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Contact details

    View profile
  • Dr Stephan Levonis

    Assistant Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

    Contact details

    View profile
  • Dr Iris Lim

    Assistant Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

    Contact details

    View profile
  • Dr Anna Lohning

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Contact details

    View profile
  • Dr Catherine McDermott

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Contact details

    View profile
  • Dr Joan Roehl

    Assistant Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

  • Dr Stephanie Schweiker

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

    Contact details

    View profile
  • Dr Donna Sellers

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Centre for Urology Research

    Accepting PhD students

    Contact details

    View profile
Previous Next

Latest articles

On the (heart)beat with tactical police

Heart study reveals the extreme stress of those on the frontline and could streamline the selection process for specialist officers.

Read article

How the Master of Healthcare Innovations is helping to modernise global healthcare systems

Bond student Amy Ignacio, reflects on her experience studying the unique Master of Healthcare Innovations and shares her aspirations to improve Philippine Coast Guard personnel's access to healthcare.

Read article

Evidence of overdiagnosis of non-cancer conditions

Overdiagnosis of conditions other than cancer is occurring, and researchers now have a way of estimating it.

Read article

Favourite Aussie foods linked to Alzheimer's

This could be bad news for lovers of meat pies, sausages, ham and pizza.

Read article