Institute for Molecular Bioscience

Institute for Molecular Bioscience We harness nature to discover cures for a better world Our vision is to create a world with a cure for every disease.

We harness our knowledge of nature to create sustainable cures for diseases that plague people, animals and plants. Our researchers use Australian venoms, plants and soils to stop superbugs in their tracks, to create better cancer treatments, to ensure patients survive strokes and heart attacks, to solve inflammatory diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and to develop environmentally friendly and effective pesticides. We are based at The University of Queensland in Brisbane/Meanjin, Australia.

Congratulations to all the winners at the 2025 UQ Research and Innovation Awards for Excellence!These prestigious awar...
12/09/2025

Congratulations to all the winners at the 2025 UQ Research and Innovation Awards for Excellence!

These prestigious awards celebrate the exceptional contributions of the research community across two key areas:

🏆 UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
Recognising the remarkable achievements and leadership potential of early and mid-career researchers who are shaping the future of their fields.
🎓 UQ Awards for Excellence in Graduate Research Training
Honouring the dedication of our academic and professional staff in mentoring and guiding HDR candidates to reach their highest potential.

IMB’s own Dr. Rosemary Cater and Dr. Jian Zeng took home respective UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards, whilst Professor Matt Sweet won an Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Leadership.

We’re proud and excited to honour the outstanding contributions of all UQ’s researchers and research training leaders, and would once again like to congratulate Rosemary, Jian and Matt for demonstrating the impact of as a collaborative research environment that drives innovation, leadership and lasting impact.

📷: Image from University of Queensland

Life Sciences Queensland Ltd (LSQ) has announced the finalists for the 2025 GENE Awards — and we’re proud to share that ...
11/09/2025

Life Sciences Queensland Ltd (LSQ) has announced the finalists for the 2025 GENE Awards — and we’re proud to share that six from are among those recognised 🌟

With a record number of high-calibre nominations across several standout categories is proud to congratulate:

Cytvia Company of the Year – Protagonist Therapeutics
McCullough Robertson Industry Excellence Award – Prof Glenn King
Merck Life Science Rural and Regional Service Award – Innovate ag
QIMR Berghofer Woman of Influence Award – Prof Naomi Wray
Radium Capital Emerging Innovator Award – De Motu Cordis
The Rose-Anne Kelso Commemorative Award – Sabrina Sofia Burgener

From groundbreaking research to transformative service delivery, these finalists represent the best and brightest making in our State and beyond. Congratulations once again to all our 2025 finalists; this recognition is a testament to the innovation, excellence, and dedication driving Queensland's science community forward 👏

It's a simple question anyone can ask — but it can change a life.Asking 'Are you okay?' can give someone an opportunity ...
11/09/2025

It's a simple question anyone can ask — but it can change a life.

Asking 'Are you okay?' can give someone an opportunity to open up, feel heard, seen and safe. At our community is all about connection, care, and having each other’s backs. This we’re reminding everyone it’s okay to ask, okay to talk, and totally okay to not be okay 🫂

Today is a reminder to take a moment to reach out, and meaningfully connect with the people around you; whether they're a friend, family member, colleague, partner or teammate. When people are experiencing life's ups AND downs, they won't always tell you if something's troubling them.

Together, we can normalise talking about what’s really going on.

Sometimes, the smallest creatures hold the biggest secrets 🐌💡Back in 2023, researchers successfully reared deadly cone...
09/09/2025

Sometimes, the smallest creatures hold the biggest secrets 🐌💡

Back in 2023, researchers successfully reared deadly cone snails in a lab revealing a whole new world of research 🌊

Professor Richard Lewis, Dr Aymeric Rogalski and Dr Himaya Siddhihalu Wickrama Hewage from IMB's Centre for Chemistry and Drug Discovery discovered that juvenile Conus magus don’t just look different from adults; they hunt differently too. Instead of going after fish like their parents, they use a unique "sting and stalk" technique to paralyse worms with venom before slurping them up 🍝🐛

Turns out, these baby snails pack a completely different cocktail of venom molecules, opening up exciting new leads for drug development, especially in and beyond.

By recreating their full life cycle in the lab, now have a way to study these elusive creatures from egg to venomous predator — from reef to research, it's another step in turning nature’s deadliest weapons into life-saving treatments!

It’s a powerful reminder of IMB’s mission over the past 25 years; turning curiosity into discovery, and into new hope for patients.

📖 Read more on our Research Impact here: https://bit.ly/3KeicFK

09/09/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for Advancing Your Research Into New Medicines – Partnering with QEDDI. This was an inspiring and insightful session on translating research into real-world medicines! 💊

We hope you enjoyed hearing from our experts at and a big shout-out and thank you to the members of and for with us to pull back the curtain on how science and industry integrate to bring new medicine from the lab bench to the clinic. From practical advice on designing commercially viable projects, to honest reflections on what doesn’t work (and why), yesterday's panel was packed with valuable takeaways for anyone looking to turn discovery into impact.

Events like this — as well as the many others taking place across — demonstrates the incredible work happening in Queensland that’s enabling the future of around the world. Whether you're just beginning your translational research journey or looking to take the next big step, we hope you walked away with new ideas, fresh connections, and a clearer roadmap for getting involved in future partnerships and funding opportunities.

If you’d like to leave your feedback on so far check out the link here 👉 https://bit.ly/4mNaUr4

From check out this amazing report on how is using some of our deadliest creatures to save lives 🕷️https://bit.ly/3I...
09/09/2025

From check out this amazing report on how is using some of our deadliest creatures to save lives 🕷️

https://bit.ly/3If4u4S

07/09/2025

💡Big ideas. Bold discoveries. Real-world impact.

Every day, UQ researchers are tackling the world’s toughest challenges; now’s your chance to see how their work is shaping a better future for all of us. Join us for Research and Innovation Week at UQ this 8-12 September!

From startups to global companies, from community organisations to government, this week is all about celebrating the partnerships, and researchers driving positive change across Queensland and beyond.

🧪 Explore cutting-edge research
💬 Join thought-provoking panels
🔍 Tour world-class facilities
🤝 Connect with researchers, industry and community leaders

Whether you're a researcher, student, policymaker, business owner or industry partner, you’re invited to see how and are solving society’s biggest challenges.

🔗 Discover the path from discovery to clinic with experts: https://bit.ly/45Rqvjv

🔗 Explore how IMB innovations are solving global health challenges: https://bit.ly/45PpAQA

Back in July, we were delighted to host delegates from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) at the Institute ...
05/09/2025

Back in July, we were delighted to host delegates from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience.

During their visit, guests toured IMB’s cutting-edge facilities and met with our research leaders:

🔬 Professor Ian Henderson, IMB Director
🔬 Professor Mark Blaskovich, Director of Translation
🔬 Professor Roger Wepf, Director, Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis
🔬 Dr Zyta Ziora, Senior Research Officer

We were also joined by IITD’s leading academics in biochemical engineering, biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, and biological sciences, along with Mr Habib Torfi, Director of Invitrx, USA.

It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase IMB’s innovative research and explore pathways for collaboration with IIT Delhi.

As we celebrate 25 years of IMB, this visit underscores the significance of international partnerships in driving scientific breakthroughs. Engaging with global leaders, such as IIT Delhi, not only strengthens our research networks but also inspires new ideas and solutions that have the potential to impact communities worldwide.

We look forward to continuing these collaborations and pushing the boundaries of molecular bioscience together.

01/09/2025

Did you know that every two hours, the Earth receives more than we need to power the ENTIRE global economy for a year? 🌞

We're kicking off Biodiversity Month by shining a spotlight on the work of Professor Ben Hankamer who is harnessing that solar energy through light-driven using microalgae as tiny cell factories to tackle global challenges from construction to

His work at the Centre for Solar Biotechnology taps into the sun’s huge potential to drive the sustainable, low-cost, and scalable production of:

💊 High-value pharmaceuticals – protein biologics, novel antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies
🧪 Bio-actives – anti-microbials, anti-parasitics, anti-fungals, bio-herbicides
⛽ Solar fuels – a critical step toward climate security
🐮 Medicated animal feeds – improving animal health and productivity

The Centre brings together ~30 international research teams with industry partners to scale up algae systems for advanced manufacturing and commercialisation.

“Queensland is ideally placed to lead this solar-driven revolution — with its vast lands, abundant sunshine, saline water resources, skilled workforce, and world-class infrastructure,” says Professor Hankamer.

Who knows? One day the fuel in your car, the medicine you take, and even the food on your plate could come from tiny algae 🌱

is proudly celebrating today!At UQ and IMB, this is a chance for students, staff and the wider community to celebrat...
29/08/2025

is proudly celebrating today!

At UQ and IMB, this is a chance for students, staff and the wider community to celebrate and uplift LGBTQIA+ young people all across

This year’s theme 'Bold Voices, Bright Futures' reflects ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, respectful and empowering spaces where everyone feels safe and supported to be their authentic selves — in work, study and life.

You can show your support for creating a for all young people, even if it's just by starting a conversation or by wearing purple; because every young person deserves to be proud of who they are 💜

Breaking new ground in genomics and heart health 💙🧬At The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience ...
29/08/2025

Breaking new ground in genomics and heart health 💙🧬

At The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), Associate Professor Sonia Shah is harnessing the power of genomics to change lives.

Through the South Asian Genes and Health in Australia (SAGHA) study, the multidisciplinary SAGHA research team, led by A/Prof Shah, is working to improve cardiovascular risk assessment in Australians of South Asian heritage.

With support from the MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission, the SAGHA study aims to deliver more effective heart disease prevention, driving better health outcomes for communities across Australia.

🔗 Learn more about the project: https://bit.ly/3HWhz2Y
🔗 Learn more about the Genomics Health Futures Mission: https://bit.ly/4n4lJEO

UQ's IMB is helping to decode the genome and shape a

Just how could a simple flower be the key to saving our crops — and our planet? 🌼In 2020, researchers at turned the bu...
27/08/2025

Just how could a simple flower be the key to saving our crops — and our planet? 🌼

In 2020, researchers at turned the butterfly pea plant into a powerful ally in the fight against bee loss, pests and chemical overuse. Backed by an grant, Professor David Craik and his team worked with Innovate Ag and the NSW Department of Primary Industries to unlock the full potential of their unique bioproduct Sero-X: a natural, eco-friendly pesticide, designed for cotton crops and vegetables 🦋 🌾

The root of their work was cyclotides – ultra-stable, circular mini-proteins that act as potent insecticides and antifungals, all without harming or pollinators 🐝

“Cyclotides are very stable molecules which make insects feel sick, so they avoid coming back to eat the plants,” Professor Craik said. “By protecting a wide variety of crops both here in Australia and overseas, we have the potential to generate significant and wide-reaching economic, social and environmental benefits.”

With crop losses from pests already costing us billions globally (and rising with climate change!), this research proved to be about more than plant protection; it was about creating a new class of that are safe, scalable and giving us impact that grows beyond the lab – another achievement that highlights IMB’s 25 year legacy of harnessing scientific insights to drive meaningful, change 🌱

📖 Read more on our Research Impact here: https://bit.ly/46RP14X

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306 Carmody Road
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IMB is a multidisciplinary life sciences research institute. Our scientists use world-leading infrastructure to drive discoveries from genome to drug design, disease discovery application and sustainable futures. Our research is framed through centres focused on superbugs, pain, heart disease, inflammation, solar biotechnology and the genomics-disease interplay.