Aim

Sleep apnoea is one of the most common sleep disorders, affecting approximately 5% of the Australian population. Led by Professor Lynne Bilston, our sleep researchers are dedicated to advancing our knowledge of the biomechanical factors that contribute to obstructive sleep apnoea and developing better ways to treat it, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes for individuals affected. 

Research focus areas

• Biomechanics of the upper airway in obstructive sleep apnoea
• New treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea
• Novel MR imaging and computational modelling techniques
• Biomechanical factors in cerebrospinal fluid flow disorders
• Magnetic resonance elastography and in vivo viscoelastic properties of the human brain, tongue, and skeletal muscles
• Role of the glymphatic system in sleep

Why this research matters

It is increasingly understood that sleep has wide-ranging impacts across our day-to-day lives – from memory, attention and decision-making to learning, mood and even influencing what we eat. Understanding what influences sleep disorders and how to help people get the sleep they need to function effectively each day, has the potential to have life-changing implications for the 936 million people impacted by sleep apnoea around the world.