WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

29/08/2025

💜 We joined our Parkville precinct colleagues to mark Wear It Purple Day, highlighting the importance of safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth.

By standing together against bullying and discrimination, and supporting young people facing mental health challenges, we can create a more inclusive and understanding community for all. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI
Oral Health Victoria
The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
The Royal Women's Hospital
The Royal Women's Hospital
The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne

29/08/2025

Today is 💜 a day dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTIQA+ young people to reach their full potential without fear or limitations.

This year’s theme, “Bold Voices, Bright Futures”, has inspired Parkville Precinct partners to join together to amplify the voices and experiences of LGBTIQA+ team members from services across the precinct 🏥🔬

Their reflections on the question “What is one thing you would tell your younger self?” empower LGBTIQA+ young people to know that they are valued, their identity matters, and their future can be full of potential.

This collaboration and these shared voices serve as a reminder that bold voices today help create brighter futures tomorrow 🏳️‍🌈

We are better when we celebrate diversity together ✊🏼

The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI
Oral Health Victoria
The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
The Royal Women's Hospital
The Royal Women's Hospital
The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne

28/08/2025

⏳ Only one week to go until WEHI’s Student Open Day!

✨ Hear from our researchers and current students
✨ Learn about the application process and scholarships
✨ Explore 50+ student projects across cancer, immune and infectious diseases, healthy development and ageing, computational biology, and new medicines and advanced technologies

📅 Thursday 4 September
⏰ 4–6pm
📍 WEHI – 1G Royal Parade, Parkville

🎟️ Don’t miss out – register now to secure your spot! https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wehi-student-open-day-2025-tickets-1366528265829?aff=oddtdtcreator

22/08/2025

A world-first brain cancer trial has revealed how a new drug suppresses tumour activity in low-grade gliomas.

It’s the first clinical trial conducted through the pioneering Brain Perioperative platform “BrainPOP”, led by The Brain Cancer Centre.

Researchers from WEHI, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre used the BrainPOP platform to test the drug Safusidenib before any other treatment - another global first.

A major milestone made possible through a $16 million investment from the Victorian Government.

Find out more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/world-first-clinical-trial-reveals-unprecedented-insights-into-brain-cancer-treatment/

22/08/2025

🎓 Thinking about Honours, Masters or PhD study in 2026?

Join us at WEHI’s Student Open Day on Thursday 4 September to explore the possibilities! Find out about the 50+ student projects available across diverse research areas, including cancer, immune and infectious diseases, healthy development and ageing, computational biology, and new medicines and advanced technologies.

✨ Hear from our researchers and current students
✨ Learn about the application process and scholarships
✨ Explore pathways to a career in biomedical research

📅 Thursday September 4
⏰ 4-6pm
📍WEHI - 1G Royal Parade, Parkville

🎟️ Register your attendance: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wehi-student-open-day-2025-tickets-1366528265829?aff=oddtdtcreator

21/08/2025

A big week of science, culture and connection at the third WEHI DeadlyScience Pathways Program!

We were thrilled to welcome 29 enthusiastic First Nations high school students from Vic, NSW, Qld – and, for the first time, the NT – for an immersive, hands-on experience in biomedical research.

The program began with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country performed by Wurundjeri elder Uncle Perry Wandin, grounding the week in culture and community.

Over the course of the program, students explored lab-based science at WEHI through activities such as microscopy workshops and heard from inspiring speakers including renowned biomedical animator Dr Drew Berry and Professor Misty Jenkins AO, head of WEHI’s brain cancer laboratory and a proud Gunditjmara woman. The students also toured The University of Melbourne and put their investigative skills to the test during a forensic science session led by the Gene Technology Access Centre.

New to the program this year was a visit to the Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI where students got to practice their lab skills as well as meet with staff from Wadja Aboriginal Family Place, a service delivering culturally sensitive services for those in hospital.

A huge thank you to all the people and partners who helped make this experience possible. We can’t wait to see what these future scientists do next!

Read the story: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/the-deadlyscience-pathways-program-returns-to-wehi/

20/08/2025

Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting U3A Deepdene with Prof Guillaume Lessene and Dr Marcel Doerflinger, who talked about WEHI’s research into acute and long COVID.

A huge thank you to U3A Deepdene for hosting us. We deeply value the opportunity to share WEHI’s research with the community to help us live healthier and longer lives.

📸 Dr Marcel Doerflinger presenting at U3A Deepdeene

19/08/2025

Thanks to scholarship support from Fight MND, PhD student Xiaoyi Liu is helping accelerate research that’s urgently needed to better understand motor neurone disease and drive meaningful progress 💙

17/08/2025

🧬A molecular ‘Google map’ that could change how we treat blood cancer

Myeloma is a complex disease – and new research from WEHI shows it may be even more individual than we thought.

Using cutting-edge spatial technology, scientists produced the first detailed molecular ‘Google map’ of bone marrow by imaging over 5000 genes in individual cells.

They found each cancer cell creates its own distinct space – like having its own post code.

The research could explain why treatments work differently for different people, and helps pave the way for more personalised therapies.

Read more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/rethinking-myeloma-bone-marrow-map-reveals-hidden-complexity-of-blood-cancer/

🎥 The first comprehensive molecular map of human bone marrow, created by imaging over 5000 genes within individual cells, reveals an extraordinary level of detail.

In this video, different cells in the bone marrow can be seen highlighted in different colours.

14/08/2025

We had the pleasure of welcoming Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell MP to WEHI recently.

During her visit the MP met with our director, Professor Ken Smith, for a great conservation about our research and a behind-the-scenes look at some of our labs in action. She also met with researchers including lab head Dr Clare Weeden, who’s investigating the impacts of climate change on respiratory health.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us and for your interest in the important science happening here in Victoria!

14/08/2025

Meet Jasmine Yang – a Snow Centre rising star

From Shenzhen to Melbourne, Jasmine’s journey is one of courage and curiosity. Now one of the first PhD students at the Snow Centre for Immune Health, she’s exploring how T cells behave during immune responses.

She’s aiming to selectively target disease-causing cells while preserving healthy ones - research that could lead to new treatments for immune deficiencies.

“What’s exciting is the hope that our research may eventually lead to the development of new treatments for patients with immune deficiencies.”

Inspired by nature and her grandfather’s love of biology, Jasmine’s passion for science runs deep.

The Royal Melbourne Hospital | Snow Medical

Learn more 👇

Meet Jasmine Yang, one of the Snow Centre for Immune Health’s first PhD students.

13/08/2025

Creating a Will might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for a free seminar that breaks it all down, helping you take control of your future and make informed choices about your legacy.

📅 Thursday 21 August 2025
🕒 6-8pm
📍 At WEHI, Parkville VIC or online
💬 The session includes expert presentations and a chance to ask questions

Whether you're preparing your first Will or updating an existing one, this seminar will help you understand the process and the impact your legacy can have on life-changing medical research.

🎟️ Registrations essential
👉 https://www.wehi.edu.au/support-us/wills-and-estate-planning-seminar

Tag a friend who might be interested or share to help spread the word! 💙

Do you have questions about Wills, protecting your assets for future generations and other estate planning matters?