Adelaide University launches research to target chronic visceral pain

Adelaide University has launched a five-year research program to develop targeted therapies for chronic visceral pain. Funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grant, the project aims to address the underlying causes of pain associated with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and endometriosis.

Led by Professor Stuart Brierley, the research will investigate how hypersensitive nerve pathways generate pain originating from internal organs. The goal is to test therapies that interrupt these signals before they reach the brain and spinal cord, rather than merely masking symptoms. The program will utilize clinically validated models and patient-derived laboratory models to explore novel approaches, including the use of engineered proteins and venom-derived peptides to selectively target pain-signalling pathways.