Research in several different fields. His long-term interest has been the molecular genetics of hypertension, with a particular focus on genome-wide alterations in gene and microRNA expression in human essential hypertension and rodent models of this condition. He is part of a NHMRC grant with Eugenie Lumbers and colleagues at University of Newcastle on the expression of the various components of the (pro)renin-angiotensin system and other genes in fetal and maternal tissues to determine whether these have a role in premature labour. A major current research involvement is the molecular genetics of longevity, following a sabbatical at Kuakini Medical Center, University of Hawaii in 2012-13 leading to first-author publications. This adds to his long-term interest and publications on molecular mechanisms of ageing, longevity and the influences of dietary factors. He is also publishing comleted work in his Lab on the molecular biology of factors involved in alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs, a process that results in the generation of multiple proteins from most of the genes in the genome. Brian was the first in the world to patent the use of PCR for cervical screening. It was devised to detect the cancer-causing types of human papillomavirus (priority date Feb 1987). This interest led to his involvement in promoting the health and medical benefits of male circumcision (www.circinfo.net and www.circumcisionaustralia.org), a field in which he has developed a strong international reputation, with over 50 academic publications
