QIMR Berghofer

QIMR Berghofer Translational medical research institute making an impact in , and , and , and .

QIMR Berghofer is a leading translational research institute with an 80 year history in , Australia. Established in 1945 to research tropical and infectious diseases found in northern Australia, our scientists are now making an impact in , and , and , and . QIMR Berghofer is home to a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility, Q-Gen Cell Therapeutics, and a mosquito research laboratory which is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Each year we welcome thousands of high school students to the Institute to participate in our education programs. We also host tours for small groups and offer a range of events and community engagement opportunities throughout the year. Join our community on social media to keep in touch and visit our website to connect with the latest health and medical research: www.qimrb.edu.au.

Science meets connection at QIMR Berghofer's Brain and Mental Health Annual Scientific Retreat, held earlier this week a...
06/02/2026

Science meets connection at QIMR Berghofer's Brain and Mental Health Annual Scientific Retreat, held earlier this week at Brisbane Powerhouse 🧠✨

It was a fantastic day of science, stories, and insightful conversations across the research program.

As always, a highlight of the day was the annual No Bell Prize presentations. Congratulations to major award recipients Dr Phoebe Imms and PhD student Andreea Al Afuni, and minor award recipient PhD student Lachlan Hamilton.

Learn more about Brain and Mental Health research at QIMR Berghofer: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/our-research/brain-and-mental-health-research

05/02/2026

From working in a Beijing hospital, to completing a Masters in Cancer Therapeutics in the UK, and then a PhD at QIMR Berghofer—Dr Yuchen (Michelle) Li’s career journey is dedicated to improving outcomes for kids with brain cancer.

Now a Research Officer with a Tour de Cure Early Career Fellowship in the Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory, Dr Li is working to develop potential treatments for paediatric that precisely target tumour cells while reducing side effects and long-term impacts on development and quality of life.

Her research centers on establishing a paediatric brain cancer tumour bank to help accelerate research and development, alongside identifying new therapeutic targets for .

One of her proudest achievements to date is helping develop a novel therapy for paediatric brain cancer that is now progressing towards clinical trials, offering new hope for children and families affected by this devastating disease.

Building on this work, the research has contributed to the establishment of the OPAL trial — a first-in-human, multisite Phase I glioblastoma clinical trial of CT‑179, a first-in-class, orally available small molecule capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier to target OLIG2. This pioneering trial represents a major step forward in translating innovative laboratory discoveries into potential treatments for glioblastoma.

đź“Ť Read more about the childhood brain cancer research breakthrough that could transform treatment: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/whats-on/news/childhood-brain-cancer-research-breakthrough-could-transform-treatment

đź“Ť Learn more about the Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/researchers-and-labs/sid-faithfull-brain-cancer-laboratory



Tour de Cure Australia

05/02/2026

How does the cancer-fighting RNA molecule discovered by Professors Stacey Edwards and Juliet French at QIMR Berghofer work?

Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) cells are often described as “immune cold”, meaning they remain hidden from the immune system.

When this RNA molecule is introduced into HR+ breast cells, it activates a specific cellular pathway that helps to make the tumour cells visible to the immune system.

The molecule interacts with a receptor inside the cancer cell, triggering an immune response that targets and eliminates that cell.

This means the RNA molecule not only helps kill tumour cells directly, but also alerts the immune system so it can recognise and attack the cancer more effectively, helping to clear the tumour.

Read the full story on our website: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/whats-on/news/world-first-rna-discovery-could-lead-to-potential-new-breast-cancer-therapy



National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC
National Breast Cancer Foundation

TOOWOOMBA: You’re invited 💌We loved connecting with so many of you at our community events around Queensland last year, ...
04/02/2026

TOOWOOMBA: You’re invited 💌

We loved connecting with so many of you at our community events around Queensland last year, and we are excited to continue the conversations!

Join us in for a special Donor and Community Morning Tea at Queensland Museum Cobb+Co on Thursday, 19 February 2026 from 10am to 12pm.

Meet our researchers and hear firsthand how they are leading life changing medical research that’s making a difference in Queensland and beyond.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Learn more and RSVP: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/events/toowoomba-donor-and-community-morning-tea-

04/02/2026

World-first RNA discovery could lead to potential new therapy đź’ˇ

QIMR Berghofer scientists have discovered a cancer-fighting RNA molecule that could open the door to a new way of treating hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the most common form of the disease.

RNA molecules are like the working copies of our DNA. Advances in technology are helping uncover their role in essential biological functions, and RNA-based therapies are emerging as a highly promising new approach for targeting .

Professors Stacey Edwards and Juliet French, who led the seven year study, found that the RNA molecule they discovered works in two ways: by triggering cancer cell death from within the tumour, and by activating the immune system to recognise and destroy the cancer.

Read the full story on our website: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/whats-on/news/world-first-rna-discovery-could-lead-to-potential-new-breast-cancer-therapy



National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC
National Breast Cancer Foundation

Listen 🎧 Associate Professor Bridget Barber from the Clinical Malaria Group at QIMR Berghofer recently spoke with Dr Ros...
03/02/2026

Listen 🎧 Associate Professor Bridget Barber from the Clinical Malaria Group at QIMR Berghofer recently spoke with Dr Ross Walker on 2GB's Healthy Living radio show about a new clinical trial that found a medication currently used for some blood disorders could help the body fight more effectively.

The findings mean the drug, ruxolitinib, could potentially be used alongside standard treatment to boost recovery and strengthen people’s immune systems against future infections.

The trial was conducted in collaboration with the University of the Sunshine Coast Clinical Trials.

Read more about this research: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/whats-on/news/scientists-repurpose-blood-cancer-drug-to-boost-survival-in-severe-malaria-cases

Our guests from the Bulimba Probus Club met with Professor Stacey Edwards this morning and heard firsthand about an exci...
03/02/2026

Our guests from the Bulimba Probus Club met with Professor Stacey Edwards this morning and heard firsthand about an exciting breakthrough in research to be announced tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more on this research milestone.

Thank you to Bulimba Probus for visiting! Learn how you can book a tour of QIMR Berghofer for your group here: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/whats-on/visit-us

We were honoured to welcome Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Founder and Executive Chairperson of Biocon and Co-founder of Immune...
02/02/2026

We were honoured to welcome Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Founder and Executive Chairperson of Biocon and Co-founder of Immuneel Therapeutics, and Amit Mookim, CEO of Immuneel Therapeutics, to QIMR Berghofer as part of their engagement with Queensland’s cell and gene therapy ecosystem.

The visit provided an opportunity for discussions with our leadership and partners on strengthening collaborations in cell and gene therapy, and on the potential for long-term investment, manufacturing and clinical programs in .

A toilet doesn’t look like a scientific breakthrough — but QIMR Berghofer’s research proves it is.Professor Darren Gray ...
30/01/2026

A toilet doesn’t look like a scientific breakthrough — but QIMR Berghofer’s research proves it is.

Professor Darren Gray and Dr Catherine Gordon have shown that sanitation is a game‑changer in the fight against “snail fever.” It stops water pollution, prevents infection and gives communities the foundation for healthier futures.

This Neglected Tropical Disease Day, you can help turn research into action. You can help build the toilets that stop disease at its source.

A toilet is a game‑changer — and so are you.

Make your impact today: https://donate.qimrb.edu.au/snail-fever

Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases

Think about your morning routine — using the bathroom, washing your hands, starting your day without fear.Now imagine if...
30/01/2026

Think about your morning routine — using the bathroom, washing your hands, starting your day without fear.
Now imagine if that simple routine exposed you to a parasitic disease.

For millions, that’s reality.

QIMR Berghofer researchers like Professor Darren Gray and Dr Catherine Gordon are working to change that. Their research shows that sanitation is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent “snail fever” and restore dignity.

This Neglected Tropical Disease Day, your donation helps build toilets that protect health and change futures — guided by the science that makes long‑term solutions possible.

Help rewrite someone’s morning routine.

Donate: https://donate.qimrb.edu.au/snail-fever

Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases

This microscopic parasite, called strongyloides, is dangerous.So, today, we’re asking you to give a crap. Professor Darr...
30/01/2026

This microscopic parasite, called strongyloides, is dangerous.

So, today, we’re asking you to give a crap.

Professor Darren Gray and Dr Catherine Gordon have demonstrated how simple sanitation can dramatically reduce parasitic disease such as strongyloidiasis and schistosomiasis (also known as snail fever).

When communities have safe places to, you know…. “go”, parasitic worms lose their breeding grounds.

It’s cheeky, yes.

But the impact is serious.

Your donation helps build toilets that protect families, support public health and turn world‑leading research into real‑world change.

Give a crap this Neglected Tropical Disease Day: https://donate.qimrb.edu.au/snail-fever

Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases

Imagine if every river or lake you touched came with a warning label:“Contents may contain parasites.”Without toilets, w...
30/01/2026

Imagine if every river or lake you touched came with a warning label:
“Contents may contain parasites.”

Without toilets, water becomes hazardous.

With toilets, water becomes safe.

Your donation builds the sanitation that protects families and supports the research shaping global health strategies.

Help remove the danger from daily life.

Donate: https://donate.qimrb.edu.au/snail-fever

Address

300 Herston Road, Herston
Brisbane, QLD
4006

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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Our Story

With a history spanning more than 70 years, QIMR Berghofer aims to improve health by developing effective prevention strategies, new diagnostics and better health treatments. QIMR Berghofer was established in 1945 to research tropical and infectious diseases found in northern Australia. Since then we have broadened our focus to cancer, infectious diseases, mental health and chronic disorders. Each year we open our doors to more than 2000 high school students through our extensive school-based education programs. We also host tours for small groups, so if you would like to see our research firsthand, we encourage you to book a tour. QIMR Berghofer is home to a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility, Q-Gen Cell Therapeutics, a clinical trials facility, Q-Pharm, and a mosquito research laboratory which is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Our researchers have access to cutting-edge technologies including the ACRF Centre for Comprehensive Biomedical Imaging and the Herston Imaging Research Facility. We have also introduced initiatives to support the commercialisation of our research so it can translated into new medical treatments for the community sooner. QIMR Berghofer has opportunities for Honours, Masters and PhD students. We also welcome visiting scientists from other research institutions. Each year our scientists collaborate with research institutions from across Australia and the world, as well as commercial collaborators. All the latest news, events and research updates are posted on our website or you can get involved by engaging in our conversations here on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. It is an exciting time to be involved with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute - the future of health.