Towards a rapid, low-cost point-of-need test for Buruli ulcer
Grantee: Tim Stinear, Principal Research Fellow, University of Melbourne, Australia
Amount: DKK 2,910,669
Grant category: Research Grants
Year: 2025
Geography: Australia
Buruli ulcer is a neglected tropical skin disease caused by a bacterial infection and widespread across west and central Africa. Prompt diagnosis and correct antibiotic treatment is essential to prevent the serious disability and suffering that can arise with this disease. This project will develop a simple-to-use, rapid and low-cost diagnostic test for Buruli ulcer. This test can be used by health teams working in disadvantaged rural communities across Africa to provide prompt and correct treatment to reduce the suffering caused by this disease.
Establishing the First Human Skin Organoid Platform to Redefine Therapies for CYLD Cutaneous Syndrome
Grantee: Abbas Shafiee, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Queensland, Australia
Amount: DKK 3,991,497
Grant category: Research Grants
Year: 2025
Geography: Australia
Skin diseases affect millions worldwide, yet research and treatment often rely on animal models that do not fully capture human biology. In this project, we will use patient-derived stem cells to grow miniature 3D models of human skin, called organoids. These living models mimic how skin develops, functions, and responds to disease, allowing us to study rare genetic conditions directly in the lab. By comparing patient organoids with genetically corrected “healthy” controls, we will uncover the biological mistakes that cause disease and identify new treatment targets. We will also test whether these organoids can predict how patients respond to therapies, offering a path toward safer and more effective medicines. This research aims to set a new standard for dermatology by reducing reliance on animal experiments, accelerating drug discovery, and improving care for people living with severe skin disorders.
Uncovering the cause of treatment resistance in autoimmune blistering disease
Grantee: Joanne Reed, Associate Professor, The University of Sydney, Australia
Amount: DKK 3,902,405
Grant category: Research Grants
Year: 2025
Geography: Australia
Autoimmune bullous disease is a condition where the patient’s immune system attacks their skin, causing painful blistering. Some patients develop blisters in the mouth, leading to difficulty eating and malnutrition or inflammation in the eye, which can cause blindness. There is no cure. Treatment involves suppressing the immune system but can lead to side effects and increased infections. Joanne Reed’s research will use new technology to investigate patient blood and skin samples left over from biopsies performed for diagnosis. The technology enables patient samples to be evaluated at an unprecedented level of detail to identify and study the immune cells and genes responsible for disease. This information will be used to develop a test that can predict patients at risk of severe symptoms to enable early intervention before permanent organ damage occurs. The detailed analysis of the disease-causing cells will also inform the development of new drugs that can specifically target these cells.
NyNano-Heal: New Nano-Healing Systems for Epidermolysis Bullosa
Grantee: Wojciech Chrzanowski, Professor of Nanomedicine, The University of Sydney, Australia
Amount: DKK 2,981,787
Grant category: Research Grants
Year: 2025
Geography: Australia
Imagine living with a condition where your skin is as fragile as a butterfly’s wings, constantly blistering and tearing. This is what people with Epidermolysis Bullosa experience. Existing treatments only provide temporary relief and do not address the root causes of the condition. Wojciech Chrzanowski and his team have created tiny multifunctional robots that are solution for this debilitating disease. These robots carry simultaneously healing substances and bacteria-fighting agents. The healing substances activate different cells in the body to address the genetic issues of EB. The bacteria-fighting agents help the immune system, speed up healing, and fight infections. They also restore the skin’s natural balance, which helps prevent new blisters. These robots are delivered precisely to the damaged skin using advanced materials. This new method targets multiple aspects of the disease and offers a complete solution that is superior to current treatments, providing hope for those with EB.
3D printing vascularised human skin implants from patient cells
Grantee: Kate Firipis, Research Officer, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Australia
Amount: DKK 3,481,609
Grant category: Research Grants
Year: 2025
Geography: Australia
Using advances in stem cell and tissue engineering technologies, Kate Firipis will develop lab-grown skin tissue with 3D printed blood vessels derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (stem cells that can be created from a single blood draw) as a personalised treatment for repairing large complex wounds. Improving skin reconstruction outcomes, including, aesthetics, function, blood vessel connection and removing the need to harvest healthy patient tissue that creates a secondary wound.