BodyLab

What drives a doctor to swap the wards for epidemiology and spark a global revolution in skin cancer prevention? In this deeply human conversation, Professor Adele Green AC reveals how a desk in a sick bay led to one of the most significant public health breakthroughs of our time. With warmth and candour, she shares the story behind the first clinical proof that sunscreen prevents skin cancer, the power of community collaboration and the joy of building a team that changed lives. ...

From wartime breakthroughs to modern-day discoveries, Emeritus Professor Colin Mackerras reflects on his remarkable family legacy, including his uncle Ian Mackerras, QIMR’s very first director, and his aunt Josephine Bancroft, a pioneering scientist in her own right. They were a powerhouse research couple who loved science almost as much as they loved fishing (and yes, they tested the fish before they ate them). It’s science, yes, but it’s also love, legacy and the lives behind th...

Tune in as Professor David Whiteman AM shares stories from his early research days – from borrowing a UQ ute to collect blood samples from truck drivers on the roadside, to his good-natured “ding-dong rows” with long-time colleague and collaborator Professor Rachel Neale. He looks back on a time when finding the latest published paper was a social event, and reflects on the people, passion and teamwork that have helped QIMR Berghofer consistently punch above its weight.

What if we told you a scientist set out to cure malaria… and might end up curing cancer? Join Associate Professor Michelle Wykes as she shares the remarkable story behind her game-changing discovery that could help treat common but tricky "cold cancers" like colon and triple-negative breast cancer. From jaw-dropping lab results to her surprising fibre epiphany (and love for burgers!), Michelle gets real about prevention, diet myths, and what it takes to move a promising treatment from mice to...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 panc...

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 psy...