Christopher Rayner

Professor Christopher Rayner

Professor

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Professor Christopher Rayner MBBS, PhD, FRACP
Gwendolyn Michell Professor
Gastroenterologist

Chris Rayner is a Professor in the Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, and a Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia. His major research interest concerns nutrient-gut interactions, including the regulation of gastrointestinal motility, with an emphasis on the role of upper gut function in diabetes. His key contributions have been to develop an understanding of the mechanisms of glucose sensing and incretin hormone release in the gut, and how these can be manipulated for therapeutic gain. He has developed the concept of protein preloads, taken in advance of meals, to initiate gut feedback mechanisms that will lower subsequent postprandial glycaemia in type 2 diabetes. He is a Chief Investigator in an NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health, based at the University of Adelaide.

Special Interests

Professor Chris Rayner works closely with Prof Michael Horowitz and Prof Karen Jones in a group that has a well-established program of research focussing on gastrointestinal function in diabetes. We work within a Centre of Research Excellence in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health, established with NHMRC funding in 2007, which is a focal point for researchers who have an interest in nutrition and gut function, particularly in the areas of diabetes, obesity, critical illness, and aging.

Current projects include:

  • Role of the incretin hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in health and type 2 diabetes, using a human GIP receptor antagonist  - in collaboration with Dr Simon Veedfald/Prof Jens Holst (University of Copenhagen)
  • Comparison of intravenous and subcutaneous routes of infusion of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in type 2 diabetes - in collaboration with Dr Daniel Quast/Prof Juris Meier/Prof Michael Nauck (Ruhr University Bochum)
  • Role of the sweet taste receptor in the small intestine – in collaboration with A/Prof Richard Young (SAHMRI)
  • Intestinal bitter taste receptors as a potential treatment target for type 2 diabetes – in collaboration with Dr Tongzhi Wu

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2015 - ongoing Gwendolyn Michell Professor University of Adelaide
    2008 - 2014 Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2004 - ongoing Consultant Gastroenterologist Royal Adelaide Hospital
    2004 - 2007 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2002 - 2004 Post-doctoral Research Fellow St Mark’s Hospital, London
    2000 - 2001 Senior Registrar in Gastroenterology Royal Adelaide Hospital
    1997 - 1999 Affiliate Registrar in Gastroenterology Royal Adelaide Hospital
    1997 - 1999 Research Fellow Royal Adelaide Hospital
    1996 - 1996 Advanced Physician Trainee Royal Adelaide Hospital
    1993 - 1996 Basic Physician Trainee Royal Adelaide Hospital
    1992 - 1992 Intern Royal Adelaide Hospital

  • Research Interests
    Nutrition and Metabolic Health
Research Funding Support
Years Title
2004-5  Royal Australasian College of Physicians/AstraZeneca Fellowship ($20,000)
2004-5 Sylvia and Charles Viertel Clinical Investigatorship ($55,000)
2004-5 University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences Research Establishment Grant- Studies in nutrient-gut interactions ($40,000)
2005 Royal Adelaide Hospital/Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Validation of a novel multilumen catheter device for small intestinal drug absorption studies. C Rayner, A Somogyi, T Omari ($19,600)
2006 Rebecca Cooper Research Foundation. Measurement of stomach and small intestinal motility in diabetes mellitus. M Horowitz, C Rayner, C Feinle-Bisset, K Jones. ($18,000)
2006 Royal Adelaide Hospital/Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Gastric emptying in cystic fibrosis – implications for management of exocrine pancreatic sufficiency. C Rayner, M Horowitz, K Jones, C Feinle-Bisset. ($20,000)
2006 Eli Lilly Endocrinology Research Grant: Relationships between glucose absorption and small intestinal flow patterns. C Rayner, M Horowitz, A Smout. ($38,830)
2007 Royal Adelaide Hospital/Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Sweet taste receptor molecules in the small intestine of humans with diabetes mellitus. C Rayner, R Young, A Blackshaw, M Horowitz. ($19,150)
2007 Diabetes Australia Research Trust Research Grant Program: Acute and chronic effects of high- and low-fat “preloads” on gastric emptying, glycaemia, gastrointestinal hormones and energy intake in type 2 diabetes – a preliminary study. M Horowitz, K Jones, P Clifton, C Rayner, C Feinle-Bisset ($50,000)
2007-11 NHMRC 453557 - CCRE Grant. Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in nutritional physiology, interventions and outcomes. Horowitz M, Clifton PM, Wittert GA, Chapman I, Fraser RJ, Rayner CK, Feinle-Bisset C, Jones KL. ($2,000,000)
2007-09 NHMRC: 453647 – Project grant: Upper gastroduodenal motility and glycaemic control in diabetes  mellitus. Horowitz M, Jones K, Rayner C, Feinle-Bisset C, Smout A, Samsom M. ($522,000)
2007-09  NHMRC: 453650 – Project grant. Pathophysiology of postprandial hypotension in the elderly - role of "gastric" and "small intestinal" mechanisms. Jones KL, Horowitz M, Chapman I, Feinle-Bisset C, Rayner CK. ($450,813)
2008-10 NHMRC: 508081 - Project Grant. Effect of gastrointestinal motor dysfunction on feeding in critically ill patients. Fraser R, Chapman M, Rayner C, Holloway R, Holtmann G, Horowitz M. ($511,500)
2008 NHMRC Equipment Grant – MMS Solar GI Stationary Motility System. Rayner C, Fraser R, Horowitz M, Wittert G, Feinle-Bisset C, Jones K, Clifton P. ($42,000)
2008 University of Adelaide, Faculty of Health Sciences Research Development Award: Adaptation of nutrient sensing from the gut in response to diet and disease. Blackshaw LA, Horowitz M, Page AJ, Rayner CK ($15,000)
2008 Hanson Institute Research Development Award: Adaptation of nutrient sensing from the gut in response to diet and disease. Blackshaw LA, Horowitz M, Page AJ, Rayner CK ($50,000)
2008 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Intestinal taste receptor molecules in human type-2 diabetes. Young RL, Rayner CK, Blackshaw LA, Horowitz M. ($24,225)
2008 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Effects of the oligosaccharide, alpha-cyclodextrin, on postprandial blood pressure in healthy older subjects – relationships to gastric emptying, glucaemia and superior mesenteric blood flow. D Gentilcore, K Jones, M Horowitz, C Rayner ($15,000)
2009-11 NHMRC 565311 – Project grant. Lauric acid, a potential nutrient-based appetite suppressant. Feinle-Bisset C, Horowitz M, Clifton PM, Rades T, Jones KL, Rayner CK ($714,000)
2009 Rebecca Cooper Foundation: Measurement of endothelial function and arterial stiffness in diabetes. Horowitz M, Rayner C, Clifton P, Jones K, Feinle-Bisset C, Wittert G ($20,000)
2009 Diabetes Australia Research Trust: Role of interstitial cells of Cajal in gastric dysrhythmias due to acute glucose perturbations. Beckett E, Horowitz M, Rayner C, Spencer N, Game P. ($58,440)
2009 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Involvement of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the gastric dysmotility associated with acute changes in extracellular glucose concentration. Beckett E, Rayner C, Horowitz M, Game P, Spencer N. ($20,000)
2009 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Combined effect of energy drink and alcohol consumption on platelet and endothelial function. Willoughby SR, Worthley MI, Rayner C. ($20,000)
2010-13 NHMRC 627139 – Project grant. Upper gastrointestinal function and glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus. Rayner CK, Horowitz M, Jones KL, Feinle-Bisset C. ($753,500)
2010-13 NHMRC 627189 – Project grant. Gastric, small intestinal and cardiovascular mechanisms of postprandial hypotension. Jones KL, Gentilcore D, Visvanathan R, Chapman IM, Rayner CK, Horowitz M. ($676,500)
2010 NHMRC 640305 - Equipment Grant. Measurement of autonomic nerve function in patients with diabetes, obesity, the elderly, atrial fibrillation and the critically ill. Jones KL, Horowitz M, Chapman IM, Feinle-Bisset C, Rayner CK, Clifton PM, Sanders P, Wittert G, Fraser R, Atlantis E ($34,000)
2010 Rebecca Cooper Medical Research Foundation. Measurement of superior mesenteric artery blood flow in patients with diabetes with and without postprandial hypotension. Jones KL, Horowitz M, Rayner CK ($22,000)
2011 Intensive Care Foundation Research Grant. Critical illness & intestinal sweet taste receptors. Deane A, Young RL, Chapman M, O’Connor S, Rayner C, Horowitz M ($45,600)
2012-14 NHMRC 1025186 – Project grant. Optimising nutrient delivery and absorption in critically ill patients. Chapman M, Nguyen N, Horowitz M, Rayner C, Jones K, Deane A ($542,500)
2012-17 NHMRC 1041687 – Centre of Research Excellence grant - Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health. Horowitz M, Wittert GA, Clifton PM, Rayner CK, Chapman IM, Feinle-Bisset C, Jones KL, Noakes M, Chapman MJ, Nguyen N. ($2,499,990)
2013 Diabetes Australia Research Trust. Postprandial consequences of intestinal sweet taste receptor dysregulation in type 2 diabetes. Young RL, Rayner CK, Horowitz M ($58,800)
2013 Gum Bequest: Endocrine & Metabolic Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital. Effects of 5 weeks resveratrol supplementation on GLP-1 secretion, gastric emptying, and postprandial glycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Rayner C, Horowitz M, Jones K ($40,000)
2014 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Intestinal sweet taste receptor control of glucose absorption in human health & type 2 diabetes. Young RL, Wu T, Rayner CK. ($40,000)
2014-17 NHMRC 1066815 – Project Grant. Modulating gastrointestinal function for control of diabetes. Rayner C, Horowitz M, Jones K ($857,562)
2014-17 NHMRC 1066835 – Project Grant. Protein "preloads" to improve postprandial glycaemia in type 2 diabetes. Rayner C, Clifton P, Horowitz M, Jones K ($603,447)
2015-18 NHMRC 1081182 – Project Grant. Why do sweetened drinks link to type 2 diabetes? Young R, Rayner C, Horowitz M. ($853,134)
2015-18 NHMRC 1078471 – Project Grant. Effects of dietary amino and fatty acids on energy intake and glycaemia - implications for novel approaches to the management of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Feinle-Bisset C, Horowitz M, Clifton P, Rayner C ($779,906)
2015 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Effects of the bitter taste receptor agonist, denatonium benzoate, on glycaemia, gastrointestinal hormones, antropyloroduodenal motility and appetite during intraduodenal glucose infusion in healthy humans. Wu T, Young R, Rayner C, Horowitz M. ($50,000)
2017 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Impact of blocking intestinal glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) on glucose absorption, glycaemic control and incretin responses in morbidly obese subjects with type II diabetes mellitus. Wong S, Young RL, Nguyen N, Rayner CK, Horowitz M. ($50,000)
2017 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Committee Clinical Project Grant: Acute hypoglycaemia and gastric emptying – ‘dose response’ and impact on oral drug absorption (RAH 2169). JE Stevens, KL Jones, C Rayner, P Kar, A Deane, M Horowitz. ($30,000)
2017 Diabetes Australia Research Trust. Gastrointestinal mechanism of the anti-diabetic effect of metformin. Wu T, Rayner CK, Horowitz M ($59.270)
2017 Diabetes Australia Research Trust. The impact of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy on gastric emptying, gut hormone, and glycaemic responses to a meal in type 2 diabetes  Phillips L, Rayner CK, Nguyen N, Jones KL, Horowitz M ($60,000)
2017 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Foundation Clinical Project Grant - Project title: Acute effects of dopaminergic therapy with levodopa/carbidopa on the gastric emptying, blood pressure and superior mesenteric artery blood flow responses to oral glucose in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease (Grant ref 8155). KL Jones, T Kimber, L Phillips, C Rayner ($30,000)
2017-18 Medvet Science Research Grant ‘Analysis of novel monotreme GLP-1 based receptor agonists for use in metabolic disorder treatment’ Grutzner F, Keating D, Horowitz M, Sexton P, Wooten D, Page A, Jones KL, Rayner CK, Rychkov G ($200,000)
2018-20 NHMRC 1147333 – Project Grant: Bitter taste as a mediator of food intake and postprandial glycaemia in health and type 2 diabetes. T Wu, C Rayner, KL Jones ($241,759 pa)
2018-19 Diabetes Australia Millennium Type 2 Diabetes Award - Project title: Do artificial sweeteners affect glycemic control in type 2 diabetes adversely? RL Young, CK Rayner, M Horowitz, T Wu ($150,000)
2018 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Foundation - Clinical Project Grant - Project title: Do short acting glucagon-like receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) attenuate the 'gastric' counter-regulatory response to hypoglycaemia in type 2 diabetes? CS Marathe, M Chapman, KL Jones, A Deane, P Kar, M Horowitz, C Rayner ($49,935)
2018 Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Foundation - Clinical Project Grant - Project title: Molecular events linking artificial sweetener intake to augmented glucose absorption and dysglycaemia in health and type 2 diabetes (Grant ref: 9747). RL Young, CK Rayner, M Horowitz, T Wu ($49,710)
2018-20 The Hospital Research Foundation - Translational Grant - Project title: A bitter tale of artificial sweeteners in Type 2 diabetes?. CK Rayner, RL Young, GB Rogers ($250,000)
2019-22 National Natural Science Foundation of China. Project ID 81870561: Effects of intestinal bitter taste sensing on gastrointestinal hormone secretion and glycaemic control. Tongzhi Wu, Chris Rayner, Richard Young, Qin Lu, Dong Wang, Xuyi Wang, Juan Chen, Min Cai, Min Ge (RMB 570,000)
2019-21 NHMRC 1163910 – Project Grant: GIP actions in health and disease - human studies using a novel GIP antagonist. C Rayner, J Holst ($946,521)
 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Principal Supervisor Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) as a safe and efficacious therapeutic alternative for refractory proctitis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Sreecanth Raja
    2023 Co-Supervisor The impact of obesity and adiposity on inflammatory bowel disease Master of Clinical Science Master Part Time Dr Patricia Kaazan
    2022 Co-Supervisor Joint Award Project: Bile Acids and Glycaemia Control in Health and Type 2 Diabetes Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Miss Yixuan Sun
    2021 Co-Supervisor Critical care nutrition throughout the hospital continuum Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Elizabeth Viner Smith
    2021 Principal Supervisor Brachy therapy with intra-tumor injection of OncoSil (phosphorus-32) in pancreatic tumors Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Amanda Huoy Wen Lim
    2019 Principal Supervisor Improving Digestive Health Using Novel Electronic Models of Care Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Tsai-Wing Ow

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Improving treatment outcomes and prognosticating gastric cancer risk in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jonathon Paul Schubert
    2019 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Understanding intestinal and pancreatic hormone secretion in health and type 2 diabetes: (pre-)clinical studies and technical innovations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Weikun Huang
    2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor The role of gastrointestinal function in the regulation of postprandial glycaemia and energy balance in health and type 2 diabetes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Cong Xie
    2015 - 2018 Principal Supervisor A Novel Nutritional Approach to the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Effects of Nutritional Preloads on Postprandial Blood Glucose and Gastric Emptying in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Linda Ernestine Watson
    2015 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Targeting Postprandial Hyperglycaemia with Exenatide in Young People with Cystic Fibrosis Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Part Time Ms Myfanwy Geyer
    2014 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Gastric emptying and its relationship with postprandial glycaemic control in young people with cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Full Time Mrs Shiree Perano
    2013 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Gastrointestinal Mediation of Glucose Homeostasis and Postprandial Cardiovascular Risk Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Sony Thazhath
    2012 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Relationships of Gastric Emptying with Glycaemia. Insulin Secretion and the Incretin Effect in Health and Type 2 Diabetes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Chinmay Marathe
    2010 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Gastric Motor Function in Health and Diabetes - Implications for Incretin Hormone Release and Postprandial Blood Glucose Regulation Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Full Time Dr Jessica Lee Sing Chang
    2009 - 2013 Principal Supervisor Gastrointestinal motor and sensory function and hormone secretion - implications for postprandial blood glucose regulation in type 2 diabetes mellitus Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time APrf Tongzhi Wu
    2007 - 2011 Co-Supervisor The role of gastric and small intestinal mechanisms in postprandial hypotension Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Lora Vanis
    2006 - 2010 Principal Supervisor Gastrointestinal motor function and glycaemic control in diabetes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Jing Ma
    2006 - 2010 Principal Supervisor Gastric and Small Intestinal Motor Function in Health and Disease - Implications for Glucose Absorption, Incretin Hormone Release, and Postprandial Blood Glucose Regulation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Paul Kuo
    2004 - 2007 Co-Supervisor Gastrointestinal Motility and Glycaemic Control in Diabetes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Reawika Chaikomin

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Member Grants Advisory Committee Royal Australiasian College of Physicians Australia
    2021 - ongoing Member Gastrointestinal Expert Group Therapeutic Guidelines Australia
    2019 - ongoing - Medical Programs Oversight and Operations Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member RAH Research Committee Scholarship and Fellowship Panel Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia
    2009 - 2016 - School of Medicine Research Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2005 - 2016 - Year 1 MBBS Course Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2004 - ongoing - Medical Education Committee Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2013 - ongoing Member American Diabetes Association United States
    2009 - ongoing Member European Association for the Study of Diabetes -
    2006 - ongoing Member American Gastroenterological Association United States
    2004 - ongoing Member Gastroenterological Society of Australia Australia
    1992 - ongoing Member Australian Medical Association Australia

  • Offices Held
    Date Office Name Institution Country
    2019 - ongoing Chair, BMD Research Development Group University of Adelaide Australia
    2008 - ongoing Regional Examiner, Royal Adelaide Hospital Royal Australasian College of Physicians Australia
    2005 - ongoing Honours Program Coordinator, School of Medicine University of Adelaide Australia
  • Position: Professor
  • Phone: 83136693
  • Email: chris.rayner@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Adelaide Health and Medical Science, floor 5
  • Org Unit: Medical Specialties
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