Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

27/02/2026

It’s our most prestigious prize – the Sir Laurence Muir Medal🎖️and our 2025 winner, Dr Ishant Khurana, today showcased his work which led to this recognition.

After grappling with whether he’d pursue a career in science, he found his home at the Institute and his area of exploration; human epigenetics.

Ishant’s work centres on identifying molecular biomarkers for early disease detection, risk stratification, and prognosis, with an emphasis on DNA methylation to improve prediction of diabetic complications, including diabetic kidney disease which is largely unexplained.

His research involves high-risk and Indigenous Australian populations where he plays a central role in several NHMRC and MRFF-funded initiatives within the research program led by Professor Sam El-Osta. Ishant’s collaborations, which span major international cohorts including Finland, Denmark, Hong Kong and Thailand, have been critical to his success.

An educator, mentor, science communicator, dad and much-loved colleague at the Institute, we’re thrilled to see him awarded this prize❤️

26/02/2026

So this week we threw ourselves a party🎉

After all, it’s not every year you celebrate 100 years so we headed for the Osborne Rooftop in Prahran. It was a chance to have a laugh and a chat with colleagues.

This year we’re going to take time out throughout the year to stop and celebrate our many achievements, with more events to come. Big thanks to everyone who has been part of our incredible journey😀

24/02/2026

She was a trailblazer in global heart research and one of our most innovative scientists.

A world authority on cardiac muscle biology, we pay tribute to Professor Winifred “Gwen” Nayler who exemplified our commitment to research excellence and impact.

Institute news

23/02/2026

It’s all in a day’s work for Accredited Practising Dietitian, Chantelle Erwin. She’s recently joined our Education Team and while her day normally involves client appointments, last week she joined the team behind the scenes for filming of a new TV show called Good Food Everyday with Gary Mehigan presented by the Baker Institute.

The show, which will feature healthy recipes, heart health and diabetes-friendly tips and guest appearances by Australians sharing their experience of heart disease and diabetes, will air on Channel 10 from late May.

Heart Foundation Diabetes Victoria Diabetes Australia

18/02/2026

In recognition of National Closing The Gap Day, Dr Kate Bolam led a discussion on building culturally safe and equitable relationships and programs in Aboriginal communities. Kate shared her experiences of partnering with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and First Nations researchers - through the lens of First Nations Self Determination.

We also came together in Fawkner Park last week for a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Willie Pepper from the Boon Wurrung Land & Sea Council. The gathering was organised by the Baker and Burnet Institutes' Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) committees to reflect on the significance of Country, acknowledge the enduring culture of First Nations peoples, and reaffirm our shared commitment to reconciliation.

16/02/2026

As part of their research into improving resuscitation techniques, our Translational Cardiology Centre shared their collaboration on research led by paramedic Elleesha King into a new device called the Pulse Tile.

It’s hoped this prototype could enable a rapid and reliable assessment of whether there is a pulse in those critical moments following a cardiac arrest — allowing CPR to be started more quickly.

14/02/2026

For Valentine's Day, we're taking you behind the scenes to show you some of the pioneering ways we’re trying to mend a 'broken' or failing❤️after a heart attack. Big thanks to our friends at 9 News Melbourne for making this happen.

We are grateful to Anne Larkins for generously sharing her experience of surviving a heart attack on a tram after a 99 per cent blockage in a major artery. As Anne shares, heart attacks don't always come with the classic symptom of pain in the chest - and everyone needs to be aware if there is a family history of cardiovascular disease. Her awareness of her own risks saved her life with only minutes to spare.

Thanks to Alex Pinto, Rebecca Harper and colleagues who share their research leveraging innovative genomic and mRNA technologies to develop a radical new drug that could regenerate scar tissue following a heart attack, enabling it to become healthy cardiac muscle again.

And a shout out to Auriane Drack, David Greening and team who outline their work developing a 'band-aid' that utilises the biomaterial properties of silk combined with stem cell nanoparticles. This ‘band-aid” could be placed over the damaged area of the heart and over time release the nanoparticles which travel into the heart tissue, sending signals for the heart cells to repair and regenerate.

For 100 years, our scientists have been pioneering new ways to keep hearts beating.

13/02/2026

In the lead up to Valentine's Day, we wanted to take you behind the scenes to show you the pioneering ways we’re trying to heal a 'broken' or failing❤️after a heart attack. Big thanks to our friends at 9 News Melbourne for making this happen - we’ll share the results shortly.

These stories take work so we’ve grateful to Alex Pinto, Rebecca Harper and colleagues who share their research leveraging innovative genomic and mRNA technologies to develop a radical new drug that could reprogram scar tissue and regenerate damaged cardiac muscle.

And a shout out to Auriane Drack, David Greening and team who outline their work developing a 'band-aid' that utilises the structural properties of silk combined with stem cell nanoparticles. This ‘band-aid” could be placed over the damaged area of the heart and over time release the nanoparticles which travel into the heart tissue sending signals for the heart cells to repair and regenerate.

For 100 years, our scientists have been pioneering new ways to keep hearts beating. We're proud to showcase this lifesaving work.

10/02/2026

The wonder of science starts early. Our researchers, like Dr Shannen Walker, are curious, dedicated people — it’s what drives them to deliver science that transforms heart and diabetes care.

When’s she not sharing her passion for science with aspiring pioneers, Shannen is uncovering how our cells' tiny powerhouses — mitochondria — hold secrets to treating organs with high-energy demand like the brain, heart and muscle. By understanding what happens at the molecular level, she's hunting for new ways to restore mitochondrial health and change lives.

Hats off to Shannen and the many other wonderful female scientists on International Day of Women and Girls in Science who are inspiring role models 👩‍🔬

08/02/2026

We're gearing up for International Women and Girls in Science Day on Feb 11 — a time to celebrate the trailblazing scientists who've transformed Australian healthcare through determination and discovery.👩‍🔬

Professor Priscilla Kincaid-Smith was one of those pioneers. Working at the Baker Institute from the late 1950s, she uncovered something others had missed: the devastating link between popular painkillers like Bex and Vincent's powder and serious kidney disease. But she didn't stop at publishing her findings. She fought for change — lobbying tirelessly until these addictive medicines were finally banned, protecting countless Australians from harm.

As we mark 💯years of pioneering research this year, Priscilla’s story is just one that demonstrates the power of medical research.

👉You can read her story https://baker.edu.au/impact/pioneering-advances/history-kidney-disease-pain-medication
👉 And more about our 100 years of innovation and impact https://www.baker.edu.au/who-we-are/history/100

01/02/2026

Celebrating our LGBTQIA+ communities, including those across medical research and health.

Proud to march in the festival in Melbourne today🌈

Happy pride and big thanks to the Midsumma Festival for organising a fantastic parade!

29/01/2026

A $1.2 million National Health and Medical Research Council grant is helping us answer a critical question - are plastics in our environment making heart attacks and strokes more likely?

Dr Patrick Lelliott and Dr Anna Watson are leading the charge — developing new tools to detect plastics stuck in the plaques of human arteries. They're investigating how these plastics might damage blood vessels and trigger harmful immune responses that put hearts at risk.

As Dr Lelliott explains on 9 News, "We're working to understand whether different types of plastics make heart disease worse — and if so, how."

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