EB Research Grants

The 2025/26 grants have now been awarded for new research funding for projects aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of children and adults with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

Established Researcher:

• A/Prof Daniel Poole, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Services, Melbourne, VIC. Grant awarded: $50,000. Project title: Gut dysfunction in mouse models of Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Research Precis: The ultimate goal of the project is to treat or prevent damage to the gut, which will lead to improved quality of life for people with EB. Gut-related symptoms significantly impact the lives of individuals living with EB. Although these symptoms occur in about half of all patients they are poorly understood and are inadequately treated. This project assesses damage to the gut in four mouse models of EB with the aim to identify a model that accurately replicates the gut manifestations of EB. In future studies, we hope to use these mice to identify new drug targets and test new therapies.

Early Career Researcher:

• Dr Jasmine Zhou, University of Sydney, NSW. Grant awarded: $30,000. Project title: Integrating machine learning with a blood draw for development of a minimally invasive, and rapid cancer diagnostic for patients with Recessive Dystrophic EB (RDEB)

Research Precis: This project addresses the urgent need for appropriate diagnosis protocol for aggressive Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), especially in patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). The current method of diagnosis is extremely invasive and unsuitable for EB patients. We aim to investigate the role of markers that drive malignancy in SCC and subsequently develop a minimally invasive blood-based procedure integrated with AI that can promote early, safe and improved diagnosis for EB patients.

This year’s EB Research Grant Application process is now closed. For any Grant-related queries, please get in touch using our Contact Us page.

Our Research Priorities, which are aligned with the priorities of DEBRA International and EB Resnet, are:

Improving understanding of EB biology to create new concepts for diagnosis and treatment.
Developing EB disease-modifying and curative therapies.
Preventing and curing severe EB disease consequences: chronic wounds, fibrosis, and cancer.
Improving clinical care and symptom relief in EB through research.

As DEBRA Australia is keen to create a more robust and collaborative EB research environment in Australia. Projects which involve Australian or international collaboration are encouraged to apply for research grants.