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.

: The quest to eliminate strongyloidiasis in northern Australia 🧫Strongyloidiasis is a little-known but potentially dea...
22/03/2026

: The quest to eliminate strongyloidiasis in northern Australia 🧫

Strongyloidiasis is a little-known but potentially deadly parasitic infection that affects many remote Indigenous communities across Australia.

The infection is caused by the parasitic worm called Strongyloides stercoralis, which lives in warm, damp soil contaminated with human faeces. People become infected when tiny larvae in the soil pe*****te the skin, often through bare feet.

Unlike most other parasites, Strongyloides stercoralis can reproduce inside the human body, meaning infections can last for decades and sometimes become life-threatening if untreated.

The most effective way to prevent infection is through proper sewage and waste systems that keep human faeces out of the environment.

QIMR Berghofer researchers, led by Professor Darren Gray, Dr Catherine Gordon and Dr Suzy Ossipow, are advancing the Strongyloidiasis Elimination Australia Research Program to help address this long-overlooked health challenge.

Working in partnership with communities in East Arnhem Land and Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, the team are directly engaging with communities to learn how to best support residents.

An investigator workshop held in Darwin brought together Indigenous leaders and study investigators to develop research protocols, ensuring that the program reflects community priorities and cultural knowledge.

In the laboratory, QIMR Berghofer researchers are developing new diagnostic tools and refining methods for stool and wastewater testing, helping lay the groundwork for community-led disease elimination.

By combining scientific innovation with strong community partnerships, this program aims to reduce infections and support long-term health outcomes for Indigenous communities across northern Australia.

💧 Donate and help accelerate research that is keeping communities healthy: https://donate.qimrb.edu.au/



(📸: Stained slide of the gut of a person infected with Strongyloides stercoralis)

Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases

: Understanding mosquitoes and the rise of mozzie-borne diseases 🦟After weeks of heavy rain and flooding, you might not...
22/03/2026

: Understanding mosquitoes and the rise of mozzie-borne diseases 🦟

After weeks of heavy rain and flooding, you might notice more mozzies buzzing around.

More mozzies = an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases like Ross River virus, dengue and Japanese encephalitis.

Mozzies thrive in warm, humid conditions and only need tiny pockets of still water to breed. When rainwater collects in gutters, containers, garden pots or waterholding plants, it creates ideal habitats where mosquito numbers can multiply rapidly. And as the weather heats up, their breeding cycle speeds up too.

One of the simplest and most effective protective steps begins at home: emptying or refreshing any standing water at least once a week.

QIMR Berghofer researchers are tackling mosquito-borne disease across multiple fronts, working to:
🦟 better understand how mosquito-borne diseases spread
🦟 develop targeted vaccines for viruses like Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)
🦟 better prevent and treat malaria in communities across the Asia Pacific
🦟 use cutting edge genomics tools to identify and even predict areas at risk of mosquito-borne viruses
🦟 support communities to control mozzie populations and reduce their risk.

💧 Donate and help accelerate research that is keeping communities healthy: https://donate.qimrb.edu.au



Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases

: Tackling schistosomiasis in Cambodia and Laos 👓Many communities around the world rely on yearly treatment programs to...
22/03/2026

: Tackling schistosomiasis in Cambodia and Laos 👓

Many communities around the world rely on yearly treatment programs to reduce infections from parasites like schistosomiasis, which are closely linked to water access and sanitation. The parasite’s eggs are released in faeces and hatch when they reach water, which is why toilet use and adequate sanitation is essential to stop contamination at the source.

These yearly treatments are effective, but they do not prevent people from becoming reinfected, especially in places where river water is essential for daily life.

In Cambodia and Laos, schistosomiasis remains a major health challenge. People can be exposed when they swim, wash, cook or fish in these waters without realising it. For many villages, the river is central to the daily activities of life.

QIMR Berghofer researchers, led by Dr Catherine Gordon, are developing a new health education package featuring the Magic Glasses, a short, animated video that teaches school children what schistosomiasis is and how they can protect themselves. Dr Gordon recently travelled to Cambodia to collaborate with local partners on the project.

The Magic Glasses video is shaped by conversations with children, parents, teachers and health workers, who help identify what information is most needed and what kinds of stories and characters will feel relatable and engaging.

Dr Gordon has worked closely with a local animator to make sure the video includes scenery, clothing and daily activities that reflect real life in these countries.

By giving children the knowledge to keep themselves and their families healthy, the Magic Glasses program will supports long term efforts to reduce infection and protect communities that rely on their rivers every day.

💧 Donate and help accelerate research that is keeping communities healthy: https://donate.qimrb.edu.au/



(📸 Magic Glasses concept art, and photos from Dr Gordon's visit to Cambodia)

Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases

Safe water saves lives, especially in the tropics. 💧Step inside the Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases (...
22/03/2026

Safe water saves lives, especially in the tropics. 💧

Step inside the Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases (CTHED) at QIMR Berghofer, where our scientists are working to understand and reduce water-related disease risks across Queensland and the tropics.

Today, we’ll spotlight several projects that are helping to keep communities healthier.

Thank you Worldwide Cancer Research and Cancer Australia for your support of Associate Professors Tracy O’Mara, Dylan Gl...
21/03/2026

Thank you Worldwide Cancer Research and Cancer Australia for your support of Associate Professors Tracy O’Mara, Dylan Glubb and colleagues in the Cancer Genetic Susceptibility Lab’s research 🫶

There’s so much energy at World Science Festival Brisbane this weekend and we’re here for it!Our scientists are loving t...
21/03/2026

There’s so much energy at World Science Festival Brisbane this weekend and we’re here for it!

Our scientists are loving the chance to talk with curious minds of all ages as part of the Microverse and in the Gab Lab.

They’re standing by to explain hands‑on experiments and have big conversations about the future of health.

Here are a few moments from this morning featuring our brilliant researchers at the QIMR Berghofer stand. If you’re near the Whale Mall at the Queensland Museum Kurilpa this weekend, come say hi 👋

Last month, Peter and Wendy Powell brought their community together for the 10th Annual Lincoln’s Day in memory of their...
20/03/2026

Last month, Peter and Wendy Powell brought their community together for the 10th Annual Lincoln’s Day in memory of their late son, Lincoln, to raise funds for vital brain cancer research.

Attendees honoured Lincoln’s legacy at a special high tea at Redcliffe Leagues Club, featuring raffles, a fashion parade, and the opportunity to hear the latest research updates from Research Officer, Dr Rochelle D’Souza.

Across a decade of incredible community fundraising, the Powell family has raised more than $120,000 to support Professor Bryan Day’s work in the Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Lab at QIMR Berghofer.

A heartfelt thank you to the Powells, their family, and their community for making a real difference in the fight against brain cancer. You can support the Powell family in their mission to end brain cancer by donating here: https://donate.qimrb.edu.au/

This week we officially launched the Life Science Incubator at QIMR Berghofer (LSI@QIMRBerghofer), an exciting step forw...
20/03/2026

This week we officially launched the Life Science Incubator at QIMR Berghofer (LSI@QIMRBerghofer), an exciting step forward for and Queensland’s growing life sciences sector🎉

We were joined by over 70 guests from government, industry, education and research to celebrate this milestone.

Located in the heart of the health precinct, LSI@QIMRBerghofer brings purpose built labs and collaboration spaces alongside world leading research. This creates something incredibly valuable: adjacency between discovery science and industry.

By placing scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and biotech companies side by side, we are creating an environment where ideas can move faster and discoveries can more quickly translate into real world impact.

As the Australian flagship site of the Life Science Incubator network, it also links Brisbane to a broader Asia Pacific corridor, opening doors for collaboration, investment and growth.

Thank you to Altea Investments, the Life Science Incubator team and Brisbane Economic Development Agency for their partnership in bringing this vision to life.

We’re gearing up for World Science Festival Brisbane this weekend and can’t wait to share the incredible science happeni...
19/03/2026

We’re gearing up for World Science Festival Brisbane this weekend and can’t wait to share the incredible science happening at QIMR Berghofer.

Our team will be at the Microverse with hands‑on activities, demos and plenty of opportunities to chat with our researchers in the Gab Lab about the discoveries shaping Queensland’s health future.

Discover scientific marvels such as a beating heart organoid the size of a chia seed, a time-lapse of cells in action and the potentially dangerous health conditions caused by parasites and mosquitoes.

If you’re heading to the Festival, come to the Whale Mall at the Queensland Museum Kurilpa and say hello — we’d love to see you there.

Today we mark National Close the Gap Day — an important reminder of the inequities that continue to affect Aboriginal pe...
19/03/2026

Today we mark National Close the Gap Day — an important reminder of the inequities that continue to affect Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme, ‘Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing’ reflects the belief that closing the gap requires shared commitment, respectful partnerships and collective action.

National Close the Gap Day aims to:
🫀 highlight health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
🩺 stress the importance of equal access to healthcare
💊 affirm that healthcare is a human right for all people in Australia

It is a day to listen, learn and support efforts that empower community‑led solutions and long‑term improvements.

At QIMR Berghofer, our researchers are committed to addressing the significant health disparities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. The Institute focuses on sustainable, consultative and translational research aimed at improving Indigenous health outcomes. Key areas of research have included and bronchiectasis in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, cancer care pathways, genomic health research, and culturally adapted clinical communication training, such as the Clinical Yarning initiative. The Institute has also worked closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to raise awareness of pressing health concerns, in the areas of , , , management and chronic disease.

Our Regional Engagement Program is a dedicated effort to address inequities in science education and health awareness. Through our work with regional, rural and remote high school students, we aim to bring cutting-edge science and medical research directly to communities that may face barriers to accessing such opportunities. The Program includes a Motivational Yarning Circle to encompass Cultural engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

📸by Bridie Barry of students from Western Cape College and Koolkan Aurukun State School

17/03/2026

Professor Rachel Neale’s career has taken her from veterinary practice to leading research that shapes cancer prevention and public health policy in Australia💡

After completing a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland and spending a short period in clinical practice, Professor Neale realised her passion was in research and academia.

She completed a PhD in skin cancer prevention at QIMR Berghofer and spent two years at the University of Oxford on an NHMRC Sidney Sax Fellowship.

Now Senior Group Leader in Cancer Aetiology and Prevention at QIMR Berghofer, Professor Neale leads research programs into pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, vitamin D, sunscreen, and balancing the harms and benefits of sun exposure.

Learn more about Professor Rachel Neale’s research: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/researchers-and-labs/cancer-aetiology-and-prevention

🧫A major step forward for heart disease research ❤️Congratulations to the Institute’s Andrew Laskary and Professor James...
17/03/2026

🧫A major step forward for heart disease research ❤️

Congratulations to the Institute’s Andrew Laskary and Professor James Hudson from the Cardiac Bioengineering Lab on the launch of Ibnova Therapeutics!

This new biotech company has been created through a powerful Australian–Danish partnership between Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI, QIMR Berghofer and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW).

Ibnova will accelerate the development of stem cell‑based therapies for heart failure, building on breakthrough research led by Professor Enzo Porrello (MCRI) and Professor James Hudson (QIMR Berghofer). Their work has shown that lab‑grown human heart muscle can restore heart function after a heart attack — a discovery now moving closer to clinical trials with support from the BioInnovation Institute and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator.

Ibnova Therapeutics Executive Director, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder Andrew Laskary said the company’s mission was to bring cellular therapies to heart failure patients as quickly and safely as possible.

“With Ibnova, we can now bridge the hardest gap in medicine by turning breakthrough biology into a clinical-ready therapy,” he said.

“By combining Australia’s discovery engine with Denmark’s translational ecosystem, we’re building a focused path to first-in-human trials by aligning manufacturing readiness, regulatory strategy and clinical partnerships. We’re grateful for the opportunity to launch from the BioInnovation Institute in partnership with the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator. This work reflects the interdisciplinary effort required to translate foundational research into therapies that are ready for patients.”

Heart failure affects more than 60 million people worldwide. This new company creates a clear pathway to bring innovative cellular therapies to patients who urgently need new options.

We’re proud to see this decade of collaborative science take its next big step.

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300 Herston Road, Herston
Brisbane, QLD
4006

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Wednesday 8am - 5pm
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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.