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Research Highlights Population Health and Neurimmunology banner
Population Health and Neuroimmunology Unit (PHANU)

The Public Health and Neuroimmunology Unit is the only facility in Australia specifically established to examine how an immune response impacts on neuro-degenerative diseases related to ageing, Indigenous health and fatigue-related conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

PHANU, a collaborative initiative between the Gold Coast Population Health Unit and Bond’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine (encompassing laboratory based scientists and clinical researchers), is one of only a few in the world focused on this niche area of research. The PHANU laboratory has already found an association between changes in immune cells and chronic fatigue patients, signifying the importance of this ongoing research and its contribution to scientific knowledge. This data has been accepted for conference presentations and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

  • During 2011 PHANU was awarded a range of external funding from:
    • Mason Foundation $90,000.
    • Alison Hunter Memorial Foundation $100,000.
    • Queensland Government SmartState Program $533,000.
  • Ekua Brenu was awarded the Junior Investigator Research Award for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in Ottawa, Canada.
  • PHANU also collaborated with the University of Miami, Florida (USA), Department of Veteran Affairs and the James Cook University, Mount Isa Centre for Rural & Remote Health (MICRRH).