Did you know that spider venom could one day help relieve chronic pain? Or that seagrass could play a vital role in fighting climate change?
Thanks to The University of Queensland and its world-class researchers, two groundbreaking projects tackling some of the most pressing health and environmental challenges are taking major strides forward.
And we’re proud to be a part of them with today’s $200,000 contribution from The Lott by Golden Casket unclaimed prize money.
Half the funding will help UQ Professor Glenn King and his team unlock the healing power of spider venom to create non-addictive pain relief, particularly for people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis.
Both conditions affect millions globally, with IBS impacting more than 10% of the population and endometriosis affecting one in nine women in Australia. Despite their prevalence, effective treatments remain limited.
The second half of the funding will support the research of Associate Professor Chris Roelfsema and his team at UQ’s School of the Environment to understand how and where seagrass and corals grow, what affects its resilience, and how its carbon sequestration capabilities can be protected.
“Supporting the community is why lotteries were first established in Australia and we’re so proud to continue this tradition by contributing to UQ for the fourth year in a row,” The Lott Partnership Manager Liz McPherson said.
“We hope that with this contribution we help UQ tackle some of the biggest health and environmental issues of our generation.”
See more about these two world-leading research projects below.
