Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)

Should we live to 150? 🤔 That was the question HMRI health and medical researchers debated against at this year's Hunter Innovation Festival Check out all the highlights, laughs and have your say below - should we live to 150?! 👇

A big thank you to the Markey Group, The Brenda Clouten Memorial Scholarship, and Entire Concrete for supporting this weekend's HMRI Art Series Exhibition. We still have some tickets left if you wish to come along and not only support HMRI but support our local art community here in the Hunter. - Purchase tickets for Saturday's opening night here https://okt.to/WJCm8N - Purchase tickets for Sunday's Long Lunch event here https://okt.to/7atxVY - Bid in the online silent auction here https://okt.to/VfF9pH

One of our team members, Andrea Coda, contributed to an exciting study on a digital health intervention, InteractiveClinics, designed for children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). This innovative tool helps manage medication adherence, pain levels, and physical activity, supporting integrated care for young patients. Check out the findings on usability and potential improvements for this game-changing app! #DigitalHealth #PediatricRheumatology #JuvenileArthritis #HealthInnovation #Research

HER2-positive breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that accounts for 20% of all cases, affecting around 5,000 Australians each year. Around 90% of cases are detected early and can be treated with chemotherapy and targeted therapy, but around 20% of early-stage patients will experience a recurrence, which is often incurable and life-threatening University of Newcastle and HMRI cancer detection and therapy researchers have recently made a significant breakthrough in HER2-positive breast cancer using a repurposed drug. "There is no known cure as yet but our research is showing very promising results with a repurposed cancer drug that is being directed to a highly specific target" This drug is currently being tested pre-clinically and the researchers are validating their results with oncologist collaborators. This research, which has taken two years so far, was initially funded through the generosity of HMRI donors as part of a HMRI Philanthropy grant. Find out more here https://okt.to/NTqDvf #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

What a fabulous morning it was to Sip on Science 🌞 Thank you to everyone who joined us at Dixon Park Beach to celebrate Australian Society for Medical Research Medical Research Week! Our talented medical researchers from University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Local Health District were on hand to chat a range of health areas including infection, surgery, infection, asthma, mental health, and more – giving our one million community members direct access to the latest evidence-based health insights. We saw an incredible turnout for the free Grace Movement Pilates classes, with class-goers of all levels embracing the opportunity to stretch and strengthen. We want to thank #ABCNewcastle for the live broadcast and amplifying the reach of our event and our research. Thanks also to local cafes Sunnyboy Kiosk and Dickies for keeping us all caffeinated ☕ We look forward to running more events that help support informed, healthy, and happy communities.

Spotted in today’s Newcastle Herald! Our very own virologist Nathan Bartlett and our Director and CEO Frances Kay-Lambkin reflect on our our health ecosystem’s collective response to the pandemic. Plus, what we’re doing at HMRI with University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Local Health District to ensure we’re prepared for the next one.

Meet HMRI team member, Emma! When she's not working tirelessly to share the amazing stories and work of our researchers, she's an avid participant in research. When you take part in research, you’re not just a participant—you’re a key player in shaping the future of healthcare. You're contributing to life-changing discoveries, you can learn more about your own health and be a force for positive change for your own family, community, and for future generations. To celebrate Medical Research Week, Emma shares her experiences as a research participant, and why she thinks it's important to be involved in research. Find out more about getting involved in research, including some of our studies that are seeking volunteers here https://okt.to/c5NYkF #MedicalResearchWeek

Congratulations to University of Newcastle Professor and HMRI Precision Medicine researcher, Matt Dun, who will receive his 2024 Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Medal at a National Press Club of Australia ceremony today. Professor Dun says he is looking forward to the opportunity to promote the importance of health and medical research around Australia, including highlighting the need for sustainable funding for the sector. Professor Dun will also use the opportunity to raise awareness about Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), the leading cause of death by disease in children in Australia, and his tireless work to improve outcomes for those diagnosed with this devastating form of brain tumor. Congratulations Matt, an amazing and well-deserved honour! Learn more here https://okt.to/bGlYXz

We’re proud to be the official charity sponsor of the Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon, and HMRI team members Mike Collins, Julia Berry and Alison Gibbard will be taking it on! 🏊🏼♂️🚴♀️🏃♀️ You can donate to our team, or if your thinking of taking it on yourself as part of a corporate team you can create your own fundraising page to support us at HMRI. Donate to team HMRI here https://lnkd.in/gMTRCkqQ Create your own fundraiser here https://lnkd.in/gcnAJYpv Find out more about the Sparke Helmore Tri here https://lnkd.in/ecfAmrK Come down and cheer the team on!

Our Head of Research Impact Shanthi Ramanathan will be talking all things Research Impact at a free lunchtime webinar tomorrow. This is your chance to talk about your challenges or raise any and all questions about research impact assessment with a global leader in the field.