POP prevention project receives MRFF research grant

A new prevention treatment for a condition that’s been called “a hidden pandemic” has attracted significant funding in the 2025 MRFF Early to Mid-Career Researchers grant round.

Dr Hamid Bidkhori and a team of 13 chief investigators will be funded for the project “BirthHeal: Topical RNA Therapy for Early Postpartum Repair of Maternal Birth Injuries”.

The aim is to treat birth injuries early, to avoid them developing into Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) – a condition that affects 40 per cent of all women and 1-in-4 women who have given birth.

POP develops when tissues, pelvic floor muscles and ligaments that support the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus and bowel) become damaged, usually in childbirth, causing organs to shift or ‘drop’ into or outside the vagina. POP is essentially a hernia through which organs protrude because supporting tissue is weak.

RNA-based POP prevention

Dr Bidkhori and his team are working on a hugely promising RNA-based oligonucleotide treatment, for use soon after childbirth, in collaboration with his Hudson Institute colleagues Associate Professor Shayanti Mukherjee and Professor Michael Gantier.

The treatment is designed to reduce inflammation and support healing at the injury site, helping to prevent progression to POP.

The project has received funding of $942,332.28 over three years.

Chief Investigators

Dr Hamid Bidkhori, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
A/Prof Shayanti Mukherjee, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Prof Michael Gantier, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Dr Kallyanashis Paul, Hudson Institute of Medical Research|
Dr Holly Ung, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Prof Anna Rosamilia, Monash Health
Assoc Prof Daniel Rolnik, Monash University
Dr Saeedeh Darzi, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Dr Sunil Sapkota, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Dr Shavi Fernando, Monash University
Prof Jerome Werkmeister, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Dr Nirmal Bhatt, Monash University
Dr Cristina Giogha, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Dr Paivi Karjalainen, Hospital Nova

Associate Investigators

Dr David Hennes, Monash University
Ms Amy Dawes, Birth Trauma Association