For the past decade, the MS Research Flagship at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Tasmania, Australia, has brought together science and lived experience to tackle multiple sclerosis (MS). At its heart is a simple principle: “nothing about us without us.”
As the Flagship marks its 10‑year anniversary, it stands as a strong example of how collaboration with the MS community and research partners across Australia and internationally can accelerate discoveries and improve outcomes for people affected by MS. Based in Tasmania, Australia, the Flagship has built a reputation for bringing researchers, clinicians and people with lived experience together to shape research priorities and translate discoveries into real-world impact.
Professor Tracey Dickson, Director of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania, said the milestone highlights the value of sustained investment and collaboration.
“The MS Research Flagship has shown the power of deep, collaborative partnerships. By working closely with people living with MS, we can ensure our research has real impact and reflects what matters most to the MS community,” Professor Dickson said.
Since 2016, our researchers, clinicians and people living with MS have worked side by side, not only to better understand the disease, but also to shape research that reflects community priorities and delivers meaningful change.
The Flagship has helped advance understanding of the causes of MS, established Australia’s first dedicated MS biobank, pioneered stem cell research and led clinical trials exploring new approaches to brain repair. It has also supported the development of an MS education platform and tools to assess the real impact of treatments.
Research driven by lived experience
People living with MS are central to the Flagship’s work, helping ensure research reflects everyday needs and priorities.
Dr Anna Ritchie, Deputy Chair of the MS Research Flagship Consumer Advisory Committee and a person living with MS, said the Flagship’s work is helping create a more hopeful future for people living with MS.
“To me personally, progress in MS research means hope. Hope that MS will have as little impact on my life as possible, and on my children’s generation even less.
“I am excited that findings from the MS Family Study, which I have been actively involved in, are being translated directly into cell‑based research to better understand the causes of MS and identify new avenues for treatment.”
Sarah McGuire, who joined the Flagship’s Consumer Advisory Committee in 2024, said she values contributing her personal and professional insights to help guide its work.
“It’s empowering to know my lived experience is helping shape the direction of research. What excites me most is the shift from focusing on suppressing inflammation to repairing and protecting the brain.”
A decade of discovery
Over the past 10 years, the Flagship has advanced research across the pipeline, from deepening understanding of the causes of MS through initiatives like the MS Family Study to testing new approaches to repair damage in the brain.
Research is also exploring potential drivers of the disease, including how Epstein–Barr virus infection may contribute to MS risk and progression.
Professor Bruce Taylor, neurologist and Academic Lead of the MS Research Flagship, said a key strength has been translating research into outcomes.
“A major achievement of the Flagship over the past 10 years has been our ability to take insights from the lab and bring them into clinical studies that can change outcomes for people with MS,” Professor Taylor said.
“From brain repair trials to new ways of understanding treatment impact, we are building a pipeline that connects discovery with real‑world benefit.”
Deputy Academic Lead Professor Kaylene Young said advances in stem cell research are opening new possibilities for understanding and treating MS.
“Our work using stem cell technologies is giving us unprecedented insight into how MS develops and how we might better protect and repair the brain,” Professor Young said.
“These advances are helping move us closer to more effective treatments and improved long‑term outcomes.”
From Tasmania to the world
While based in Tasmania, the Flagship collaborates with national and international partners and has reached people around the world through its free online MS education courses, which have attracted more than 73,000 participants from more than 180 countries. These courses are designed to help people affected by MS better understand the condition, navigate treatment decisions and build confidence in managing their health.
>>> Explore: Free MS online courses
Together, these initiatives reflect the Flagship’s commitment to improving the lives of people affected by MS through both research and education.
As the Flagship enters its second decade, its focus remains unchanged: working in partnership with the MS community to understand, prevent, treat and manage MS. By combining scientific discovery with lived experience, the program continues to demonstrate that the most meaningful research is research conducted with people, not simply for them.
About MS Research Flagship
The Multiple Sclerosis Research Flagship is a Flagship program of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Tasmania. Our team has proudly been at the forefront of research advancements in MS for more than thirty years. Our vision is to reduce the impact of MS on individuals and the community.
Blog courtesy of The Multiple Sclerosis Research Flagship, a Patient Community Day Supporting Partner.