QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

✨ Associate Professor Tracy O’Mara leads the Endometrial Cancer Association Consortium, seeking to discover and characterize genetic variants associated with endometrial cancer risk.

QIMR Berghofer scientists are making an impact in , conducting medical research in areas of breast and gynaecological cancers, maternal diet and more.

QIMR Berghofer scientists are making an impact in , conducting medical research in areas of breast and gynaecological cancers, maternal diet and more.

✨Associate Professor Michelle Wykes is developing novel biological immunotherapies to transform patient care.

Have you ever dreamt of being a scientist? Are you aged 55+? Join us for a special event at QIMR Berghofer and experience life for yourself!

During this free event you will:
🔬 Conduct hands-on experiments in the lab under the instruction of expert scientists
🧬 Meet our researchers and hear about their latest breakthroughs
👩‍🔬 Tour our working labs
☕ Enjoy tea, coffee and a snack together

Register for the 10am or 2pm session on Wednesday 2 October here: https://qimrberghofer.eventsair.com/senior-science/registration/Site/Register

This event is generously supported by Queensland Government and COTA Queensland.

Ever wondered how military uniforms can protect our troops from mosquitoes?

The Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute (ADFMIDI) and QIMR Berghofer’s Mosquito Control Laboratory— are working hard to find out!

Using cutting-edge technology like the Photonic Fence Monitoring Device (PFMD), we are tracking mosquito flight activity around insecticide and repellent treated and untreated uniforms worn by a CO2 breathing mannequin. Treated clothing is a standard means of protecting militaries around the world, and is increasingly popular with hikers and bush walkers. The chemicals recommended for use on clothing are safe and are already registered and approved for use by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

This data will help us fine-tune uniform treatment protocols, ensuring ADF personnel are shielded from diseases like malaria and dengue.

These photos show our CO2 breathing mannequin, which is used to assess the effect of insecticide-treated uniforms on mosquito behaviour; and the movements of mosquitoes around the mannequin which are recorded by a state-of-the-art "flight tracker".



Australian Army

QIMR Berghofer scientists have developed new international guidelines to help improve the accuracy of genetic testing and interpretation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants.

and gene variants play a crucial role in determining a person’s risk of hereditary cancers, particularly breast and ovarian cancers.

However, about 15 percent of people tested receive uncertain results.

“Genetic tests aren’t always clear and sometimes they show changes in genes that aren’t fully understood. This can make it difficult for doctors and patients to decide on the best treatment plan,” explains Professor Amanda Spurdle, Group Leader in Molecular Cancer Epidemiology at QIMR Berghofer.

The new international guidelines are expected to reduce the number of uncertain test results by up to 85%, helping to reduce unnecessary medical treatment and anxiety.

Read more: https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/news/new-international-guidelines-boost-accuracy-for-cancer-genetic-testing/

Congratulations to Professor Ranjeny Thomas AM from UQ's Frazer Institute who was awarded the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Woman of Influence Award for her contributions to the life sciences sector 👏👏👏

Professor Thomas is recognised globally for her work to prevent and cure autoimmune diseases. She founded two startup companies through UQ commercialisation company UniQuest to progress development of novel treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes.

📍 ARE YOU IN ROCKHAMPTON?

QIMR Berghofer Community Fundraiser, Caroline Green from Go Rural 4 Research is hosting ‘The Big Weekend’ to fundraise for Cancer Research.

🧬🔬🧪

Discover more below and join Caroline in making a difference or contact [email protected] if you wish to become a Community Fundraiser and fundraise in your community to support impactful medical research.

🐕🐎💊🧪🌡Please get in touch to book your spots to avoid disappointment. Only 4 weeks to go. 0419 133 375 or PM me ⌚️⏱⏱⏰

Did you catch Professor Whiteman on Channel 7 today, speaking about how melanoma rates have changed and the impact diversity and sun safe messaging might have on these results?

“Australia is not the same place now that it was 40 years ago, and certainly not 80 years ago. We have a much more diverse population,” QIMR Berghofer melanoma researcher Professor David Whiteman said.

“We have a lot of people here who have skin types that put them at low risk of melanoma … and that hadn’t been factored in when we looked at the total rates in the total population until now.”

The Australian

Migration key to fall in skin cancer The first study gauging the effect of Australia’s diversifying population on melanoma rates has found a major drop in people at high sun damage risk, allowing researchers to better target awareness campaigns.

rates in young Australians are declining.

QIMR Berghofer researchers have discovered why.

Cancer Council Queensland ABC Brisbane

Australia's population diversity may be helping to save our skin - BodyLab QIMR Berghofer researchers have found that declining melanoma rates among young Australians have been influenced by the country's increasingly diverse population and more varied skin tones.New research from Professor David Whiteman has found almos...

Bridge to Brisbane is right around the corner and we’re calling on you to choose QIMR Berghofer as the charity of choice!

Join Dr Nancy Cloake and Alison Blacker on Team QIMR Berghofer and help to support impactful medical research.

Lace up your sneakers and register today.

Register and link to our fundraising page here: bridge-to-brisbane-2024.raiselysite.com/

Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or prefer a more relaxed pace, we’re calling on you to join Nancy and Team QIMR Berghofer as we stride together towards a healthier future for all!

Dr Nancy Cloake heads up Consumer and Community Involvement at QIMR Berghofer and sees first-hand the impact of life-changing research.

Join the team and walk with Nancy to support and celebrate research at QIMR Berghofer.

Register and link to our fundraising page here: bridge-to-brisbane-2024.raiselysite.com/

Join Alison Blacker and Team QIMR Berghofer for Bridge to Brisbane! It’s a great way to spend a Sunday morning supporting world-leading medical research.

Every dollar you raise makes a difference.

Register and link to our fundraising page here: bridge-to-brisbane-2024.raiselysite.com/

Congratulations to PhD student, Kiran Franklin (Medical Genomics Group) who has been selected to participate in the year-long Global Change Scholars program.

The Global Change Scholars program is focused on interdisciplinary research for impact and is highly competitive, with only 28 early career researchers invited to participate this year.

Kiran will participate in a placement with an external partner and will work as part of a team to understand and respond to a real-world issue.

QIMR Berghofer researchers, staff and students are decked out in glorious shades of purple for Wear It Purple Day!

We stand with, honour and celebrate LGBTQIA+ youth and their achievements, today and always.

Here’s to a brighter and more inclusive future for all 🏳️‍🌈

Lace up your sneakers and join researchers like Associate Professor Michelle Lupton in the 2024 Bridge to Brisbane on Sunday 8 September.

Registrations close soon!

Every dollar you raise will go directly to support world-leading medical research at QIMR Berghofer.

Sign up here: bridge-to-brisbane-2024.raiselysite.com/

Congratulations to Psychedelic Medicine and Supportive Care PhD student Tom Kennedy who was named a finalist in The University of Queensland School of Psychology Three Minute Thesis (3MT) round.

Tom's PhD is integrated into the PARTING trial at QIMR Berghofer, investigating the feasibility, safety and acceptability of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as treatment for prolonged grief.

The 3MT competition helps build doctorate students’ capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in language appropriate to the general public.

Learn more about the PARTING trial here: https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/study/parting-trial/

When your grandma visits you at work ❤️

June Ashwood was treated to an extra special tour of QIMR Berghofer when she visited with the Ascot Probus group this week!

June’s granddaughter Dr Lauren Ashwood is a Research Officer in the Molecular Oncology lab and was able give her Nan a closer look at the important medical research she does every day.

However, June had also witnessed her granddaughter’s work ethic first-hand when Lauren lived with her while studying.

Thank you to all our researchers who, like Lauren, volunteer time to show visitors through the Institute — and thank you to groups like Ascot Probus for supporting our work.

We are excited to participate in the upcoming 2024 Herston Health Precinct Symposium!

From 2-4 September in the RBWH Education Centre, engage with colleagues and collaborators across the Precinct under the theme “The Power of Partnership”.

Hear from QIMR Berghofer researchers at the following sessions:

Tuesday 3 September

Session Two, 10:35am, chaired by Professor Grant Ramm, Deputy Director, QIMR Berghofer, and Dr David Hansen, CEO and Research Director of the Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC), CSIRO.

10:40am, Queensland Aging and Dementia Study (QADS), Associate Professor Michelle Lupton, Team Head, Neurogenetics and Dementia, QIMR Berghofer

11am, Advanced neonatal brain MRI and EEG for prediction of neurodevelopmental outcomes, Associate Professor James Roberts, Group Leader, Brain Modelling Group, QIMR Berghofer.

Wednesday 4 September

12:05pm, Keynote presentation by Professor Elizabeth Powell, Clinical Director, QIMR Berghofer: “Aspiring clinician researchers: The Herston Health Precinct needs you”

Learn more and register: https://tinyurl.com/2p9wjf9e

Time is running out to sign up for Bridge to Brisbane 2024!

Join Associate Professor Michelle Lupton, Jake and Ella as part of Team QIMR Berghofer and make a difference in someone's life.

Every dollar you raise will go directly to world-leading medical research at QIMR Berghofer.

Register and link to our fundraising page here: bridge-to-brisbane-2024.raiselysite.com/

Our researchers and staff come from all over the globe, and we celebrated our diverse workforce at a special “Share a Plate of Culture” morning tea today.

From brigadeiros (Brazil), so-tteok so-tteok (South Korea), to koeksisters (South Africa), there was something delicious for everyone!

Our transformational collaboration with Brisbane's Airtrain has now raised $24,000 for brain cancer research!

What an achievement!

New Corporate Partnerships Associate Marion Ganga paid a visit to Airtrain HQ this week to chat with CEO Chris Basche and CMO Abbey Filko.

"When purpose and passion collide it's always going to deliver results," Marion says.

“ is on their way to crushing targets and delivering medical research that provides hope.”

We are so grateful for our community and corporate supporters because we simply cannot do our lifesaving research without YOU!

📸: Abbey Filko, top, and Marion Ganga.

Hot on the heels of our successful trip to north-west Queensland schools in June, five lucky students from Cloncurry State School P-12 and their teacher spent a week here in the QIMR Berghofer labs recently with Dr Deepani Fernando, Dr Catherine Gordon, Dr David Frazer, PhD candidate Sara Taylor and Associate Professor Katja Fischer.

The students got an introduction to lab work, were involved in hands-on experiments with Scabies and Molecular Parasitology lab researchers and visited scientists in other QIMR Berghofer facilities like the Cardiac Bioengineering and Mosquito Control Labs and animal and histology facilities.

They also toured the Herston Health Precinct and the The University of Queensland Medical Museum, and took part in a workshop at the UQ Integrated Pathology Learning Centre.

To top it all off, at the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Unit, Oodgeroo representatives and indigenous students shared their experience of university life before a tour of the Kelvin Grove campus and an introduction to Paramedic Science.

Thank you to Professor Chris Engwerda, Kira Fitzpatrick, Jakub O’Grady, Dr Nigel Waterhouse, Dr Sam Nayler, Dr Simon Foster, Dr Nirupama Nammunige, Dr Liam St Pierre and Michael Damjancuk for helping welcome the students to the Institute and sharing their expertise.

This knowledge exchange program with rural remote QLD high schools is run by QIMRB Scientists and was sponsored by the QIMR Berghofer Infection and Inflammation Program and the Australian Society for Parasitology.