Doctor's research reaps rewards years on

It's been more than 30 years since Dr Hugh Niall unravelled the genetic structure of the pregnancy hormone relaxin.

He's now celebrating his inclusion in the Queen's Birthday honours list at a time when that research couldn't be more relevant - albeit for a purpose he never imagined back in the 1970s.

A synthetic version of relaxin, made possible by Dr Niall's work decades ago, is now a promising new treatment for patients suffering acute heart failure.

There's evidence to suggest it helps the heart beat more strongly and cope better with its workload - something women's bodies must do when they are expecting.

Its use in heart patients is far removed from initial medical interest in relaxin, which centred on whether a synthetic version could make childbirth easier by softening pelvic ligaments.

He's thrilled his work in the field of hormone sequencing, for relaxin and also other hormones, has been recognised so far down the track at a time when its relevance is clear.

"It's really wild," he says.

"Research really is a long-term investment and people ought to recognise that. Those who support medical research need to be patient, and the people doing the medical research need to be patient."

Dr Niall has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.