Infectious Diseases

Metabolic Disorders

A metabolic disorder is a broad category of diseases in which the body’s biochemical processes that maintain life are disrupted. These processes, collectively known as metabolism, include the breakdown of food into energy, the synthesis of essential molecules, and the elimination of waste products.

More precisely, it refers to:

A condition in which abnormalities in enzymes, hormones, or cellular pathways impair the body’s ability to convert, store, or use nutrients effectively, leading to imbalances in energy production and chemical levels within the body.

A metabolic disorder means the body cannot properly manage the chemical reactions needed to turn food into energy and maintain balance, which can disrupt normal bodily function.

How metabolic disorders form in the body

Metabolic disorders develop when the body’s normal chemical processes are disrupted. This can happen in several ways:

• Genetic mutations
  Inherited faults in genes can lead to missing or defective enzymes, blocking normal metabolic pathways
• Hormonal imbalances
  Problems with hormones such as insulin or thyroid hormones can disrupt how the body regulates energy
• Lifestyle factors
  Poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity can lead to conditions like insulin resistance
• Organ dysfunction
  Issues in organs like the liver or pancreas can affect metabolism
• Chemical imbalances
  Substances may build up to harmful levels or not be produced in sufficient amounts

Why it matters

• Can lead to serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease
• Affects the body’s ability to produce and use energy properly
• May cause long term organ damage
• Can reduce quality of life and increase risk of complications
• Some forms can be life threatening if untreated

Metabolic disorders form when the body’s chemical processes are disrupted, and they matter because they can seriously affect energy balance, organ function, and overall health.

Why are matabolic disorders harmful?

• Energy imbalance
  The body cannot properly produce or use energy, leading to fatigue and poor function
• Build up of harmful substances
  Toxic compounds or excess nutrients can accumulate and damage cells
• Organ damage
  Long term effects can harm organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys, and brain
• Hormonal disruption
  Imbalances in hormones like insulin can worsen the condition and cause further complications
• Increased disease risk
  Raises the likelihood of conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke

Overall impact

• Reduced quality of life
• Chronic illness and long term complications
• In severe cases, can be life threatening

Metabolic disorders are harmful because they interfere with how the body produces energy and maintains balance, leading to damage across multiple body systems.

Infectious Disease Classifications:

Clinical Infectious Disease Pharmacology

At Curtin MRI Associate Professor Brioni Moores and her team specialise in Clinical Infectiour Diesease Pharmacology Research.

This research program dedicated to optimising drug therapies for malaria and syphilis in resource-limited settings, particularly among pregnant women, infants, and other vulnerable populations. Her work bridges preclinical and clinical pharmacology, integrating field-based studies, laboratory research, and pharmacokinetic modelling to guide evidence-based treatment strategies.

Her teams research has directly informed World Health Organization and Papua New Guinea National Treatment Guidelines, influencing global policy on the management of malaria and syphilis in pregnancy. Current studies focus on understanding how pregnancy and early life alter drug absorption and metabolism, and how these insights can be used to refine antimalarial dosing regimens and improve treatment safety and efficacy.

Collaborations with international partners and industry have led to the development of a novel paediatric antimalarial formulation (patent filed), and the successful acquisition of multiple competitive grants from organisations such as the NHMRC, Wellcome Trust, Thrasher Foundation, and the Gates Foundation.

Ultimately, thisresearch aims to translate cutting-edge pharmacological evidence into global health solutions, improving outcomes for mothers, babies, and communities most affected by infectious diseases.

Assoc. Prof Brioni Moore

Molecular Mircobiology Research.

At Curtin MRI Associate PRofessor Josh Ramsay and his team specialise in Molecular Microbiology Research.

This research focuses on bacterial gene regulation and evolution, with a particular emphasis on how bacteria evolve through horizontal gene transfer. His team work investigates the genetics, molecular mechanisms and evolutionary biology of the mobile genetic elements that drive this process. He explores how these elements influence bacterial adaptation and their impacts in both medical and agricultural settings.

Assoc. Prof Josh Ramsay