BodyLab

It is a sickening blow when a child is diagnosed with brain cancer, and most of us know recurrence is the major concern, but less well known are the possible and permanent effects from radiation therapy. Professor Bryan Day and his team, and a collaboration from all around the world, have a likely breakthrough on both of these fronts. 

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer has limited treatment options and is commonly diagnosed in younger women, aged under 40.  But a promising combination therapy could offer a new approach to target this highly aggressive and treatment-resistant type of breast cancer. QIMR Berghofer Professor Sudha Rao and Kazia Therapeutics CEO Dr John Friend share the incredible story that led to their collaboration, and a world-first clinical trial. 

A groundbreaking new treatment is giving hope to critically ill Australians with severe viral infections. Professor Rajiv Khanna and his team at QIMR Berghofer developed a lifesaving immunotherapy helping patients who've run out of options. Hear the incredible stories behind this game-changing breakthrough.

Depression is not all the same, our researchers, for the first time can diagnose a severe form of depression known as melancholia by analysing facial expressions and brain activity during different types of movies.

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 almost 30% of young Australians now have a low to moderate risk of melanoma because of their ancestry and darker skin tones. While public health campaigns like the "Slip! Slop! Slap!" ads of the 1980s have been credited with reducing melanoma rates, the study led by Professor Whiteman, who has spent the past 30 years researching skin cancer, suggests that demographic changes have also been a significant factor.

Dr Nathan Stevenson and Dr Kartik Iyer have developed a tool to accurately pinpoint the brain age of babies and children, helping clinicians spot neurodevelopmental delays earlier. This exciting development could lead to more effective therapeutic intervention and management, at a time when babies and children need all the support they can get. The doctors tell us how the tool came about and the exciting possibilities of implementing into clinical care.

Professor Louisa Collins fears the long term effects of vaping will be more devastating than smoking.Her new research tabled in parliament estimates the high cost of addiction on our struggling health system.

Twins are a gift to medical research but it's non-identical twins providing insights into identifying fertility issues earlier.Professor Nick Martin wasn't expecting big surprises after studying twins for 50 years, making these findings even more exciting. Nick shares the phone calls that inspired this path, the possibilities for early diagnosis and the need for lots more twin mothers to join is survey.

It's one of the world's most neglected and dangerous tropical diseases, endemic in remote Indigenous communities across Australia. Now, thanks to a new NHMRC grant, QIMR Berghofer researchers are leading an effort to eliminate strongyloidiasis, a potentially fatal disease caused by a parasitic worm.Project-lead Professor Darren Gray and team member Dr Catherine Gordon discuss their new project tackling the condition, which has a devastating impact on some of Australia's most vulnerable people.

Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Australian women and its incidence is rising. But treatment options are limited, with a hysterectomy often the first line of defence. Associate Professors Tracy O'Mara and Dylan Glubb are conducting advanced genetic analyses in an effort to find better options for women. And their results are so impressive that the US Department of Defense has backed their mission to unearth new treatments for endometrial cancer. 

It's known as the “silent thief of sight” - sneakily stealing the sight in one eye as the other covers for it. 300,000 Australians have glaucoma, around half don't know it yet. Professor Stuart MacGregor explains the incredible genetic discoveries that could help prevent irreversible vision loss. 

Imagine living a life free of asthma. Throw away puffers and medications and never have to worry about not being able to breathe again. The Anti-Inflammatory Protein 2 (AIP2) could be a game-changer that transforms the lives of millions of people affected by asthma, and even potentially cure this cruel disease. Associate Professor Severine Navarro explains how this remarkable story begins with hookworms and their interactions with their human hosts. 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but a team of scientists at QIMR Berghofer is on a mission to find ways to repair damaged heart tissue.  To help achieve this ultimate goal, they're growing tiny living and beating models of human heart muscle in the lab. These cardiac organoids are no bigger than a chia seed, but closely mimic the real organ so the researchers can study the heart's biology and test new therapeutics.  Professor James Hudson explains how the team's latest advance introduces a vascular system to the tiny heart models for the first time which has already proved to be a gamechanger for their research.

Researchers have identified RNA molecules that could lead to a simple blood test to detect aggressive cancers like pancreatic and ovarian at an earlier stage. These cancers have low survival rates because they are difficult to diagnose, particularly in the early stages. Associate Professor Jason Lee discusses developing a drug that could stop aggressive cancer cells from growing and spreading to other areas. Right now, he is testing the blood samples of people with severe and early stage pancreatic cancer and those who are healthy to find out how early the disease can be detected. This gives real hope that there could be earlier diagnosis and a novel drug to disarm aggressive tumour cells.

QIMR Berghofer researchers have found that nearly a third of melanomas picked up during routine skin checks may not be harmful.The findings highlight the need for further research to determine why some melanomas appear to stay dormant and undetected for long period of time.It also may lead to more accurate diagnostic tools which might spare some people the anxiety associated with a melanoma diagnosis. Professor David Whiteman, who led the study, said the results suggest up to 29 per cent of melanomas detected during skin checks may never have come to light if that person wasn't screened.

Did you know your genes play an important role in the risk of having a mental illness? Over the past decade, scientists have discovered hundreds of genes linked to all mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, ADHD and bipolar disorder. Professor Eske Derks says it's now time to translate these findings into the clinic to help patients with better treatments and more accurate diagnosis.  There are a few challenges to overcome first to make this goal of "precision psychiatry" a reality. 

One-in-four Australians have fatty liver disease, most don't even know it. With over two decades leading liver research in Australia, Professor Grant Ramm is excited about the possibility of repairing liver damage, It could be of particular benefit for those born with cystic fibrosis, with wider implications for possible use in treating scarring in other organs.

Research has shown for the first time how a complication of life-saving stem-cell transplants used for blood cancer patients, impacts the brain.It's an important step towards improving the quality of life for patients with chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GVHD), a condition where transplanted donor cells attack the patient's organs. While the transplant can cure the cancer, many patients develop chronic GVHD and are unable to return to normal life or work. Depression, anxiety and issues with concentration and memory are common, but until now were attributed to the emotional ordeal, or the chemotherapy or radiation.PhD candidate Rachael Adams explains how her preclinical studies show the brain is actually one of the organs targeted by chronic GVHD, which causes these neurocognitive issues. Her ongoing research is identifying altered biological pathways in the brain that could be the focus of potential treatments. 

Imagine leaving school at 13 and becoming one of Australia's richest 200 people.Clive Berghofer AM has achieved just that, turning his work ethic, business acumen, and remarkable generosity to extraordinary philanthropic endeavours. One of those is helping QIMR Berghofer medical researchers find cures for diseases like cancer and Coronavirus through donations totalling more than $60 million. This is the story of the incredible philanthropist Clive Berghofer told in his own words.

Is a mastectomy the right option for all women with changes in the #BRCA genes? No – yet women who carry a BRCA variant of “uncertain” significance are unnecessarily having preventive mastectomies. Their variant could be benign, but they don't want to take the chance it's not. Professor Amanda Spurdle explains how a remarkable world-first data-sharing trial is helping remove the uncertainty for patients by working out which variants are harmful and which are harmless.

If you're allergic to shellfish - you were first allergic to something else! A new study unearthed the real cause, hopefully leading to better diagnosis and treatment of serious allergies. Associate Professor Severine Navarro talks about the culprit and its list of unexpected relatives of which you should be aware.

The story of how commercial sunbeds came to be banned in Australia is incredibly powerful, and two QIMR Berghofer researchers played an integral role in that momentous campaign. Now the world-first modelling they developed then is helping UK researchers in the fight to try and ban commercial solariums in England. But as Health Economist Associate Professor Louisa Gordon explains, despite the health and economic evidence, this will not be an easy campaign. 

Malaria remains a major global health problem with nearly half of the world's population at risk of contracting malaria. In 2020, the World Health Organisation estimated there were 240 million cases of malaria and more than 620,000 deaths. It is also a disease of inequity with nearly all malaria deaths occurring in African children. To mark  World Malaria Day, QIMR Berghofer researcher, Associate Professor Bridget Barber discusses the need for new anti-malaria drugs.Her research group is at the forefront of malaria research where they inoculate volunteer groups with malaria to test new drugs and evaluate their safety and efficacy. And as host Bridie Barry discovers, recent published findings are promising.

Lupus is a chronic disease that can cause debilitating inflammation and pain in any part of the body, when the immune system attacks the healthy tissues. Treatment so far has been toxic, but Professor Fabienne Mackay, Director at QIMR Berghofer is behind the first new treatment for lupus in 50 years. She talks about how the discovery was made and what it will mean for the 5-million people who live with Lupus around the world.

Dr Kelly Brooks from QIMR Berghofer is working to crack the code that will improve the treatment of eye melanoma, which is one of the most difficult cancers to detect and treat early. Half of these cases have already spread to other parts of the body. In most cases it is found in the liver. Dr Brooks is working on what causes the  cells to spread and how researchers might block that process. 

Faecal transfer is an unconventional treatment that restores the balance in your gut. Dr Andrea Henden from QIMR Berghofer takes us on a fascinating look into how healthy gut bacteria can be introduced into the bowel. The process is offering new hope for the common and sometimes deadly graft versus host disease which can affect the gut. There are also implications for millions with other gut and bowel issues.

If you live with serious mental health issues, you might already know that exercise can help form part of your treatment plan. Now,  research involving QIMR Berghofer is showing how that exercise program is delivered can have the biggest impact. Dr Justin Chapman says providing access to the right health program is key and could eventually alleviate pressure on the health system.

People with bowel cancer could eventually receive individually tailored treatment that is more effective with fewer side effects. Bowel cancer is the second most common form of cancer in Australia and it spreads in half of all cases, making treatment challenging. Associate Professor Vicki Whitehall from QIMR Berghofer  is using cancer cells from individual patients to test the effectiveness of different drugs.

An Australian first trial using deep brain stimulation is delivering exciting results for people living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is when people have recurring unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations that drive them to do something repetitively, which  affects around half a million Australians. QIMR Berghofer Psychiatrist and Clinical Research Fellow, Dr Phil Mosley explains how the trial is delivering relief for people who have been suffering for decades with the disorder.

Brain cancer survival rates haven't changed for about 50-years, but breakthrough research at QIMR Berghofer has found a weapon that might exclusively target cancer cells. This medical breakthrough was only possible through the establishment of one of Australia's most comprehensive brain cancer tissue banks by Professor Bryan Day and his colleagues. It has already led to multiple discoveries worldwide. 

Professor Rajiv Khanna has had a fascinating 30-year research story in immunotherapy that has led to a game-changing therapy for people with multiple sclerosis. His treatment has seen a dramatic and sustained improvement in many people with progressive MS. Early results in Professor Khanna's Phase 1 clinical trial show that people with MS who had been dependent on a walking aid were able to move around unassisted for longer periods of time. But getting to this stage wasn't easy. In this episode, Professor Khanna shares what it took to get get this revolutionary treatment to clinical trials. 

One of Australia's leading mosquito researchers, Associate Professor Greg Devine from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research explains the science behind the most recent outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis Virus.  His research lab is screening mosquito collections from Queensland for viruses of public health importance. The JEV outbreak in several states is the first time the potentially deadly virus has been found outside far northern Australia. JEV has a high fatality rate of 30 per cent, in the very small number of people who develop symptoms. He discusses why a national surveillance network will help predict, detect and manage mosquito-borne diseases.

The world's largest study of depression has revealed 23 genes linked to a person's risk of developing depression. This could pave the way for more tailored and effective treatments, according to new research from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. 

Can a regular dose of vitamin D lead to a longer life? That's what researchers from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute wanted to find out when they started Australia's biggest health trial. Researchers examined the benefits of taking vitamin D and whether a monthly dose would reduce the mortality rate in Australians aged over 60. The results might change the way you take your vitamin D.

Climate anxiety in Australian children is on the rise, but how parents discuss and frame the issue can make a difference. QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute has been leading research into the effects of climate anxiety and they found the parents' values and behaviour towards climate change can shape the views and emotions of children. Researchers have also discovered what parents can do to help ease the anxiety in their children.

How much influence do our genes and environment have on our personality traits and certain mental health conditions? Professor Nick Martin discusses where we're at in the age-old nature versus nurture debate.  Nick is the head of the Genetic Epidemiology Research Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. He has spent decades studying twins to understand genetic and environmental influences on personality and mental health.

What affects a woman's risk of developing gynaecological cancer, and can women improve their chances of survival?  Professor Penny Webb has spent decades working to fill the information void for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Penny is the head of the Population Health Department and the Gynaecological Cancers Research Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. She has led several major epidemiological studies of women's cancers. 

We have more bacteria in our gut than cells in our body.  Associate Professor Severine Navarro explains how these ecosystems affect our health and risk of allergies, and how hookworms could help. Severine is the head of the Mucosal Immunology Research Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.  

What everyone with British or Irish heritage, or any woman hoping to fall pregnant, needs to know about iron. Dr David Frazer discusses the effects of too much and too little of the essential mineral. David is the head of the Molecular Nutrition Research Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. 

We've all had moments of worry about our memories failing us. But when do we need to be concerned? Associate Professor Tony White busts some myths and discusses the tiny ‘mini brains' that are helping advance research in the field.  Tony is the head of the Cellular and Molecular Neurodegeneration Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. 

Cut through the confusion and misinformation, and get the facts on sunscreen from one of Australia's leading skin cancer researchers.  Professor Adele Green is the head of the Cancer and Population Studies Research Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. 

How much control do we have over our risk of getting cancer? Professor David Whiteman discusses the simple measures you can take to lower your chances. David is the Deputy Director of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and the head of the Institute's Cancer Control Research Group. He has dedicated his career to trying to prevent more cancers in the community.

Have anxiety and depression become more common, or are they just better diagnosed? Professor James Scott discusses incidence, risk factors and treatments of mental illness, and the worrying impacts of bullying on adolescent mental health. James is the head of the Mental Health Research Program and the Child and Youth Mental Health Research Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. 

Nearly a year since COVID-19 emerged, what have scientists learnt? Professor Andreas Suhrbier weighs in on face masks, and how successful a vaccine might be. Andreas is a virologist and the head of the Inflammation Biology Research Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. He also researches other viruses like Zika, Ebola and chikungunya. 

Are there health benefits to taking vitamin supplements? Cut through the noise and clever marketing, and hear why Professor Rachel Neale's children won't go into a pharmacy with her. Rachel is the head of the Cancer Aetiology and Prevention Research Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. She is running Australia's largest clinical trial, examining the health effects of vitamin D supplements.