The Parkinson’s Centre of Research Excellence (PACE)

The Centre of Research Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease: Advancing Precision Medicine is led by WEHI and Macquarie University in partnership with University of Sydney, The Florey, University of Tasmania, Monash Health, Neuroscience Research Australia and Melbourne Health.

Advancing precision medicine

Parkinson’s disease is complex and different for each person. The Parkinson’s Centre of Research Excellence (PACE) brings together researchers, clinicians and people with lived experience from across Australia to find clearer ways to identify Parkinson’s earlier, track it more accurately, and move new targeted treatments toward the clinic.

Photo of a multi-well assay plate

We aim to advance our understanding of the complexity of Parkinson’s disease by:

creating a framework for data and samples to be shared,
subtyping the disease clinically and biologically,
enabling inter-institute collaboration at all stages of research,
to accelerate the development of precision medicines,
and empower the next generation of Parkinson’s researchers.

The PACE Centre of Research Excellence: Advancing Precision Medicines for Parkinson’s is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

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The Parkinson’s challenge

Parkinson’s is a chronic, progressive disease. It’s the world’s fastest growing neurodegenerative condition.

Parkinson’s has no single cause and have multiple genes associated as risk factors. Current medicines help manage symptoms, but there is no cure and there are no drugs that stop or slow progression.

Also, there are no definitive diagnostic tests to determine if a patient has Parkinson’s disease. This can lead to misdiagnosis and delays in receiving the best care.

By the time someone is diagnosed, it’s estimated they may already have lost over 50% of the brain cells that produce dopamine (a chemical messenger that helps control movement, motivation, and other functions).

These factors combined make diagnosing and tracking progression difficult as well as negatively impacting the success rate of clinical trials for new therapies.

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Our mission

To unlock the potential for next-generation precision medicines to stop Parkinson’s disease, accelerating the transition from traditional symptomatic treatments to tailored, patient-specific treatments.

Through our efforts we hope to bring about a new era in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease that combines early detection with next-generation medicines to slow or stop disease progression to give people with Parkinson’s a better quality of life.

Create a clinical network with coordinated clinical data linked with Global Parkinson’s Genetic Program

Consolidate and manage a repository of Parkinson’s research tools and resources

Capture new ideas and data as platforms to drive and focus future research

Enable a network of connected and mentored future Parkinson’s research leaders

What we’re doing

Parkinson’s does not have a single cause and is highly complex with symptoms presenting differently in different people.

Multiple genes have been identified as risk factors. We aim to subtype, or group, symptoms and genetic data to develop models that more accurately reflect the disease in people, so we can develop treatments to stop it.

Understanding Parkinson’s in individuals

Developing targeted disease‑modifying therapies

Working across clinics, labs and lived experience

Advancing precision medicine for Parkinson’s

Transforming the lives of people living with Parkinson’s