Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute

Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute We want to see a future where we better understand cancer so that we can make it a manageable disease.

ONJCRI is an independent medical research institute dedicated to developing cancer therapies that are more effective, tolerable and accessible for all patients. To achieve this, our teams of laboratory-based researchers and patient-focused clinicians work together to discover and translate research breakthroughs to deliver better health outcomes for patients. Our research is primarily focused on i

nvestigating treatments for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, stomach, bowel, colon, breast, and brain. In 2021, we proudly partnered our researchers and clinicians with patients from many areas in Australia to lead 12 Institute-sponsored clinical trials giving patients access to potential new treatments including immunotherapies and personalised medicine.

🚴🏻 VIC Discovery Tour season is on! We were delighted to host VIC Discovery Tour 2025 participants at ONJCRI yesterday, ...
22/08/2025

🚴🏻 VIC Discovery Tour season is on!

We were delighted to host VIC Discovery Tour 2025 participants at ONJCRI yesterday, to learn more about the adventure and visit our institute.

Our guests heard from our brilliant early-career researchers Dr Chamikara Liyanage, Kristen Needham and Bec Brown who have directly benefited from the funds raised by Tour de Cure.

They shared how every contribution to Tour de Cure makes a true impact on their breast and bowel research projects.

Our visitors donned lab coats and met our Microscopy Platform Head, Prof Sarah Ellis, to learn about the power of state-of-the-art technology in research.

Thank you to everyone who attended, independent donors and from Tour de Cure sponsors. Your dedication to our mission is the reason we can continue to achieve breakthroughs.

And thank you to the Tour de Cure Australia team. We are incredibly grateful to partner with you for a third VIC Discovery Tour, and are looking forward to the ride in 2025!

Learn more about VIC Discovery Tour 2025 and how you can make an impact on cancer research: https://vicdiscovery.tourdecure.com.au/
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Tour de Cure Australia

🧬 Breakthrough – Known protein complex stops lymphoma development 🧬Researchers at ONJCRI, WEHI and Peter Mac have discov...
22/08/2025

🧬 Breakthrough – Known protein complex stops lymphoma development 🧬

Researchers at ONJCRI, WEHI and Peter Mac have discovered that a known protein complex can stop a common type of blood cancer in its tracks.

Using advanced genetic engineering techniques, the researchers found that a protein complex called GATOR1 acts as a crucial "cellular brake" that prevents lymphoma development. When this brake fails, cancer can develop rapidly.

Understanding the role of GATOR1 will help researchers to develop more effective and tolerable treatments for lymphoma when this key player is lost.

The researchers used broad genetic screening approaches, acting like a filter, bringing into focus the genes contributing to cancer development.

Co-lead author Dr Margaret Potts said: "Our unbiased screening approach looked at all genes, rather than just a subset of them. By not limiting our investigation to known pathways, we found expected as well as unexpected tumour suppressor genes and pathways, such as GATOR1."

This demonstrates how unbiased genetic screens can identify new and important roles for known proteins.

The implications of these findings are significant.

🎗️ Globally, there were over 630,000 new cases of lymphoma worldwide in 2022, according to the Global Cancer Observatory.

Congratulations to all who led this groundbreaking research and authored the paper, which was published in Nature Communications yesterday!

The research was led by Dr Margaret Potts, Dr Shinsuke Mizutani, and Dr Yexuan Deng, under the supervision of Prof Marco Herold, Prof Andreas Strasser (WEHI), and A/Prof Kristin Brown (Peter Mac).

➡️ Read more here: https://ow.ly/Ca4S50WHVrA

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WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

🌼 Today, we stand with Cancer Council Australia and communities across the country to celebrate Daffodil Day, a symbol ...
21/08/2025

🌼 Today, we stand with Cancer Council Australia and communities across the country to celebrate Daffodil Day, a symbol of hope for the millions of Australians who are or have been affected by cancer.

At ONJCRI, we know that research saves lives. We are proud that several of our researchers have been recipients of Cancer Council funding, demonstrating the vital connection between community fundraising and cutting-edge research.

Dr Laura Jenkins received a Cancer Council Victoria Fellowship earlier this year, and shares how this funding is vital to her pursuing her research into colorectal cancer:

“Daffodil Day is a powerful reminder of the hope we can offer through research. The support from Cancer Council Victoria has been instrumental in allowing me to explore a new approach of treating colorectal cancer, with the hopes of making a real difference for patients and their families.”

Support from the Cancer Council has enabled many of our researchers to pursue innovative projects that wouldn't be possible otherwise.

Every contribution to cancer research brings us closer to breakthrough treatments, better diagnostics, and ultimately, a cancer-free future.

💛 Learn more about Daffodil Day and support the campaign here: https://ow.ly/pkJi50WHVjg

⭐ Mid-career researcher spotlight ⭐ Dr Ian Luk is a Postdoctoral researcher leading research on bowel cancer in ONJCRI’s...
20/08/2025

⭐ Mid-career researcher spotlight ⭐

Dr Ian Luk is a Postdoctoral researcher leading research on bowel cancer in ONJCRI’s Oncogenic Transcription Laboratory.

🔍 His focus

Finding markers that could help clinicians determine whether treatment will work well in bowel cancer patients with particularly poor survival.

🔬 Breakthroughs

Dr Luk’s team has identified two genes that are inactivated in a subset of bowel tumours.

After further research, he found that when these two genes are missing, the tumours increase in number and size.

“I also found that re-introducing these two genes into bowel cancer cells reduced the likelihood of cancer spread,” said Dr Luk.

🫶 His purpose

“What I enjoy most about a career in research is the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge that can directly impact people affected by cancer.

Bowel cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, and patients with treatment-resistant tumours often have limited options and poor outcomes.”

➡️ What’s next

Dr Luk hopes to validate these findings over the next few months to determine whether these learnings could translate to the clinic.

💡 The John Brumby Impact Fund provides competitive grants to early and mid-career ONJCRI researchers to support bold, patient-focused research with strong potential for clinical application.

Learn more about how the Fund supports mid-career researchers like Dr Luk: https://ow.ly/cRM550WI1r6
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🚴🏻‍♀️ VIC Discovery Tour 2025 🚴🏻 We are delighted that Tour de Cure Australia is partnering with ONJCRI on its legendary...
15/08/2025

🚴🏻‍♀️ VIC Discovery Tour 2025 🚴🏻

We are delighted that Tour de Cure Australia is partnering with ONJCRI on its legendary VIC Discovery Tour for a third year running.

This incredible adventure raised over $410,000 for ONJCRI last year, and we are ready to beat this record in 2025.

If you have been looking for a way to support cancer research and are an avid cyclist, look no further. VIC Discovery Tour 2025 is for you!

About the ride:

🚴🏻‍️ The event will start on Sunday 23 November and finish on Wednesday 26 November 2025.

🚴🏻‍️ The tour begins in the surfing town of Torquay and finishes in Melbourne, after travelling along the Mornington Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road hinterland.

🚴🏻‍️ The 3-day ride is approximately 330km–370km with 2,975m–3,200m of elevation.

How to get involved:

➡️ Support the ONJCRI team, who are trading labcoats for lycra to set off on this epic journey: https://vicdiscovery.tourdecure.com.au/t/team-onjcri

➡️ Sign up as a rider or Support Crew and be part of the action: https://vicdiscovery.tourdecure.com.au/

Contributions to this important event, no matter how big or small, will make a difference in our researchers’ work to develop cancer treatments that meet a real patient need.

We are happy to answer any questions you have about the adventure, and hope to see you on the ride!

📸: Our fantastic Postdoc Dr Julie Juliani, who rode the VIC Discovery Tour 2024.
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Tour de Cure Australia

🔬 National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. Its mission is to spark interest an...
13/08/2025

🔬 National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. Its mission is to spark interest and engagement in the sciences.

Our team is passionate about showing our supporters the impact of their contributions.

To mark this year’s National Science Week, we hosted a discovery event for our supporters to highlight how their donations make a difference to our research.

Our guests enjoyed talks from three of our brilliant researchers investigating breast cancer and blood cancer.

The group then visited our labs to learn about some of our state-of-the-art technologies, including microscopy and flow cytometry.

We loved showing our supporters how their contributions, no matter how big or how small, allow our researchers to make strides in their projects.

It was fantastic to hear our guests’ stories and what drives their dedication to our mission of delivering new cancer treatments that are more effective, tolerable and accessible.

💛 Thank you to everyone who came! We are grateful for your commitment to our cause.

If you are interested in finding out about the different ways you can help drive breakthroughs, visit our website: https://www.onjcri.org.au/support-us/

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National Science Week

🌏 International student visit 🌎 Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of undergraduate students from Color...
12/08/2025

🌏 International student visit 🌎

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of undergraduate students from Colorado State University. These students came to ONJCRI to learn more about medical research, and how they could one day turn their degrees into a career that improves outcomes for cancer patients.

Three of our brilliant PhD students made engaging presentations about their research and how it supports our mission to conduct cancer research that translates into real-world solutions for patients.

🔬 Akash Srivaths spoke about how just one resistance gene can cause cancer drugs to not work.

🔬 Biswadeep Sen presented how ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) drive colorectal cancer progression.

🔬 Bec Brown used a Star Wars analogy to explain the role of gamma-delta T-cells, and how their exposure to the tumour microenvironment influences their behaviour.

The students then embarked on a tour of our laboratories to witness where our researchers undertake their work and have a hands-on experience with some of the equipment.

ONJCRI is passionate about engaging the next generation of scientists to ensure a diverse and passionate workforce in the future.

Thank you to the Colorado State University team for collaborating with our team to inspire the scientists of tomorrow!

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Colorado State University

Today we mark the third anniversary of Dame Olivia Newton-John AC DBE's passing and reflect on the incredible legacy she...
08/08/2025

Today we mark the third anniversary of Dame Olivia Newton-John AC DBE's passing and reflect on the incredible legacy she left behind.

Her legacy lives on through our researchers who are pioneering cancer breakthroughs every day.

At ONJCRI, we remain committed to advancing anticancer therapeutics, and developing treatments that are tolerable, effective and accessible for everyone.

Our teams work across diverse research areas, from lab based research to clinical trials, all united by the goal of improving outcomes for cancer patients.

Learn more about our research at https://www.onjcri.org.au/.

💡 Meet our Ethics Team: Lakmie Gunarathne & Jess Newton! Behind every breakthrough in medical research is rigorous ethic...
07/08/2025

💡 Meet our Ethics Team: Lakmie Gunarathne & Jess Newton!

Behind every breakthrough in medical research is rigorous ethical oversight. These professionals ensure that ONJCRI’s research projects meet the highest ethical standards. They facilitate the review and approval process, monitor ongoing compliance, and work closely with researchers from early planning through to project completion.

Both Lakmie and Jess bring unique backgrounds to their roles. Lakmie explains, "With a background in veterinary science and research, I've always been passionate about promoting best practices while safeguarding well-being and safety. It's incredibly fulfilling to be part of a system that protects all research participants." Meanwhile, Jess found her path through hands-on experience: "I'm interested in the principles that guide research, beyond just the practical techniques. Working in research led me to want to understand the broader impact of the work."

What keeps them motivated? "Supporting researchers in conducting their work ethically and responsibly is very rewarding," says Lakmie. "Our input helps ensure research is grounded in integrity and ethical care." Jess echoes this sentiment: "I love working with diverse researchers from different backgrounds. It keeps me connected to evolving practices and means I'm always learning."

The impact of their work extends far beyond individual projects. As Lakmie puts it, "Ethics is fundamental to conducting research with integrity, transparency, and accountability. It builds public trust and reinforces a culture of care and responsibility, ultimately contributing to better outcomes and more trusted science."

Their success depends on strong partnerships, particularly with collaborators at the La Trobe University Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety Team, the BioResource Facility (BRF), and the Austin Health Research Office.

Thank you, Jess and Lakmie, for your dedication to responsible research!
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📚 New lung cancer review published 📚 Congratulations to Dr Sarah Yeo from the Tracker Biobank team, who is the first aut...
05/08/2025

📚 New lung cancer review published 📚

Congratulations to Dr Sarah Yeo from the Tracker Biobank team, who is the first author on a review that was published in the The Medical Journal of Australia just last week.

This is TRACKER Biobank's first peer-reviewed publication, which explores the challenges and future directions for lung cancer biobanking in Australia. A timely publication, as we marked World Lung Cancer Day on 1st August.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, claiming more lives than breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer combined.

Despite global advances, survival rates remain disproportionately low and developing new lung cancer treatments and diagnostics that are more effective, tolerable and accessible is vital.

Congratulations to the entire TRACKER Biobank team who work tirelessly to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients!

🔗 Read the full review: https://ow.ly/H5j150Wze5Z

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Tracker Biobank Lung Foundation Australia Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing The Medical Journal of Australia

🔬Lung cancer microscopy 🔬Not only are our researchers talented at solving complex scientific problems, but they are also...
04/08/2025

🔬Lung cancer microscopy 🔬

Not only are our researchers talented at solving complex scientific problems, but they are also masters at producing compelling microscopy imagery.

Just a few days after World Lung Cancer Day, we share a striking microscope image showing an accumulation of immune cells next to a healthy bronchiole (a tiny branch of the lung’s airways) and the surrounding cancerous tissue.

This image was captured by the TRACKER Biobank and Tumour Immunology Laboratory team.

Using imagery like this, our researchers can gain deeper insight into the complex and dynamic interplay between normal airway structures that allow us to breathe, cancerous tissue, and immune cells.

This knowledge helps us better understand why some patients respond to treatment while others do not, driving research that ultimately leads to improved therapies and outcomes for lung cancer patients.

Learn more about the brilliant work of the TRACKER team by visiting their website: www.trackerbiobank.com
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Tracker Biobank

Address

145 Studley Road
Melbourne, VIC
3084

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61394965726

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Our Story

The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is a leader in the development of experimental and breakthrough cancer treatments. We investigate and develop treatments for cancers of the breast, bowel, lung, melanoma, prostate, liver, gastrointestinal tract and brain. Our researchers and clinicians are running more than 200 clinical trials, giving patients access to potential new treatments including immunotherapies, targeted therapies and personalised medicine. These trials are an integral part of our journey towards finding better, more effective treatments for cancer. There are people who are alive today and will be with us tomorrow as a result of our efforts. By supporting the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute you will help people live better with cancer, and help us find the means to defeat it.