QIMR Berghofer

We were so excited to welcome visitors to our sold-out lab experience this morning as part of World Science Festival!

Sharing stories from our incredible donors and community ✨ #80thAnniversary #QIMRBerghofer #MedicalResearch

Ever wondered what a day in the life of a scientist looks like? As part of World Science Festival, our labs will be ‘unlocked’ 🔓 this weekend! Visitors will get a behind the scenes experience into the life of a medical researcher at QIMR Berghofer. https://lnkd.in/gHky2vFj #WSFB2025 #ThisIsQueensland

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are safely back on Earth after nine unplanned months in space. But what might this extra time in space mean for their health? ⭐️🧬 “The extended time aboard the space station will have numerous effects on the astronauts, including a loss of muscle mass, lower bone density and even changes to the way their hearts and kidneys function – pumps and fluids don’t work quite the same without gravity! Thankfully they will have a careful training regime to help them recover and readjust to life back on Earth,” says QIMR Berghofer scientist and clinician Dr Eoin O’Sullivan. Researchers at QIMR Berghofer are working to better understand how spaceflight might accelerate aging – and you can help! We are calling for prospective students to take on an exciting new project in the Cancer Neuroscience Lab. The project will explore how spaceflight impacts cellular senescence — a process where cells stop multiplying but remain alive, potentially leading to inflammation and DNA damage. Understanding how spaceflight impacts cellular senescence could help keep astronauts healthy on extended missions and offer insights for treating patients with age-related conditions back on Earth. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gk4npgkJ

Can you help unravel the genetic code of anxiety disorders? 🧬 Aussie researchers including Professors Sarah Medland and Nick Martin at QIMR Berghofer are seeking 5,000 adult (18+ years) volunteers diagnosed with, or treated for #anxiety, for a groundbreaking new study. Anxiety disorders affect 3.4 million Australians (768,000 Queenslanders), and represent the nation’s most common health condition. The Living with Anxiety study aims to identify genes that influence a person’s risk of developing anxiety, and their response to treatment, with the goal of improving diagnosis, management and treatment. How can you help? Participation involves: 💻 Completing the core online survey (approximately 30 minutes) 🧠 Completing additional online modules (these are optional) 🧪 Providing a saliva sample depending on your responses to the online survey. We will use this saliva sample to extract DNA to look for genetic factors that influence anxiety disorders and response to treatment. Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gNb5vXfV #LivingWithAnxiety #geneticsofanxiety #medicalresearch #researchstudy

What’s the buzz about? 🤔🦟 You’ve been told to stock up on mosquito repellent – but WHY? Our mozzie scientists Dr Brian Johnson and Dr Daniel Rawle answer all your itchy questions in the media, after Japanese encephalitis virus was found in a Brisbane mosquito and circulating in the Darling Downs. Find us in the news: 🗞️ Courier Mail (may be behind pay wall): https://lnkd.in/g9cQ255r 📺 7News Queensland: https://lnkd.in/gPttQS55 🗞️ ABC News: https://lnkd.in/gVTFymXC For more information on arboviruses, head here: https://lnkd.in/gT3ksVSK #JEV #RossRiverVirus #mosquitoes #QLD #publichealth

Meet Hobbs. Hobbs and his human, Security Supervisor Peter Downey, spent a recent weekend here at the Institute during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. While Peter worked to ensure our facilities were safe and secure, Hobbs kept his own watchful eye on the treats jar. Hypothesis supported: Hobbs is a Very Good Boy ✔️ A special thanks to Peter and to all our research, security and building services staff for their hard work and dedication during a challenging time. #DogsOfBrisbane #QIMRBerghofer #CycloneAlfred

A childhood brain cancer diagnosis is devastating, and while recurrence is a primary concern, standard treatments have long-term impacts on a child’s development and quality of life. A potential new targeted therapy could address both of these challenges. 🎙️ Listen to the latest episode of #BodyLab with Professor Bryan W Day to learn about this promising step forward: https://lnkd.in/gWAaRMyN #braincancer #medullablastoma #glioblastoma #DIPG #BodyLab #researchforgood #BNE Clare Blake

QIMR Berghofer researcher Dr Lotta Oikari has been awarded an MND Australia Innovator grant, to further her research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND). MND progressively damages the cells that control voluntary muscles, leading to weakness and paralysis. There is currently no cure. With this grant, Dr Oikari will use stem cells to generate laboratory models of the blood-brain barrier in order to investigate a protein called TDP-43, implicated in MND disease progression. “Grants like these are critical to helping us better understand MND, which is a stepping stone towards developing new treatments for this devastating disease,” Dr Oikari says. “I’m very grateful to MND Australia and NTI for supporting my research.” #MotorNeuroneDisease #MND #medicalresearch

Beware of the bite 🦟 in the aftermath of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The recent extreme weather has created ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed and QIMR Berghofer mozzie scientists say there is an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases, like Japanese encephalitis and Ross River virus, across South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Follow the advice from the experts to protect yourself: 👖 Wear long sleeves and long trousers when outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active 💪 Apply mosquito repellent to any exposed skin (use traditional repellents containing DEET or Picaridin for best results) 💧 Empty water reservoirs around the home including pot plant saucers, clogged rain gutters and pet bowls. For more information on arboviruses, head here: https://lnkd.in/gT3ksVSK #JEV #RossRiverVirus #mosquitoes #Queensland #NSW #publichealth