Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research

08/07/2025

🏃‍♂️ 20km a Day. Every Work Day. This July.

If you're doing Dry July, spare a thought for Jason Fairhurst, who, come rain, hail or shine, is hitting the pavement every work day this month, running 20km a day to raise funds for life-changing medical research. He won't be staying dry at all, and he's staying on track to complete his challenge!

He's doing it to support breakthroughs in the hardest to treat cancers, heart disease, diabetes and rare genetic disorders — all to back the incredible researchers at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

You can follow Jason’s journey on Strava or visit his fundraising page to track his progress and donate to help him reach his goal. 💙

👉 https://community.perkins.org.au/fundraisers/jasonfairhurst/jason-fairhurst-----monthly-charity-run-july-2025

💖 Thank you, Jason, for your amazing commitment, grit and generosity. You’re running for all of us. 💪👟

19/06/2025

Potential hope for brain cancer patients

Perkins researchers have assisted in finding a way to slow the spread of glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer.

The discovery targets a key signal in the brain that helps the cancer grow.

This could pave the way for new treatments that buy patients more precious time—and eventually, could make this aggressive cancer non-lethal.

🔬 Read more about the breakthrough:

https://perkins.org.au/new-research-slowing-the-spread-of-brain-cancer/

A new study involving researchers from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research has uncovered a potential way to slow the growth and spread...

17/06/2025

🚴 Ash Whittam is riding for those who can’t. 🚵🏻

Ash is taking on two huge bike rides — 200km in the MACA Cancer 200, and an extraordinary 9000km ride from Alaska to Mexico.

Ash’s journey began as a show of support for his sister after she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. Heartbreakingly, she passed away before he could begin. Now every kilometre Ash rides is for her.

“I’m riding to help fund the research that’s changing lives,” Ash says.

“My sister really wanted me to do this and make the most of my life.”

All donations support cancer research at the Harry Perkins Institute, helping bring hope to families facing cancer.

Every dollar you give fuels research at the Perkins to save lives.

🔗 Donate today: cancer200.org.au.



You can support Ash’s ride here: 🔗 https://www.cancer200.org.au/fundraisers/AshWhittam/cancer-200-2025

12/06/2025

When small genetic errors repeat themselves, they can cause muscle strength to unravel.

A new study co-authored by Perkins researcher Dr Gina Ravenscroft explores skeletal muscle repeat expansion disorders—a group of rare but devastating conditions where genetic “glitches” disrupt muscle strength and function.

These breakthroughs are helping scientists understand how DNA repeats damage cells, and how they can be stopped. From improved diagnosis to potential gene therapies, this research is paving the way toward personalised treatments that tackle these diseases at their root.

🔬 Read more: https://ow.ly/jhXJ50W88zc

10/06/2025

🎥 “You can’t change what you don’t measure.” — A/Prof Andy Redfern

During National Reconciliation Week, Associate Professor Andy Redfern shared powerful insights on cancer in Aboriginal communities—and some hopeful news. The gap in breast cancer survival rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women has more than halved. 💗

It’s a strong reminder that culturally-informed, community-led research can—and does—save lives.

A/Prof Redfern leads one of Australia’s only labs focused on Aboriginal cancers at the Perkins Translational Oncology lab, driving real health outcomes through collaboration and respect.

🌿 Watch the full seminar: https://ow.ly/TiVv50W6Mpg

🔬 Learn more about Aboriginal cancer research at the Perkins: https://ow.ly/H7Rs50W6Mpc

09/06/2025

🚀 Plants in space? Perkins-led research takes chromosomes to new frontiers 🌱

Professor Ryan Lister, a Senior Principal Research Fellow at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, is co-leading a groundbreaking international project to build the world’s first synthetic plant chromosome, an ambitious endeavour which has just secured over $12 million in funding from the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) through its Synthetic Plants program.

This project aims to construct an artificial chromosome from scratch, starting with the moss Physcomitrium patens and eventually transferring it into potato plants.

The synthetic chromosome will include key genetic elements like synthetic centromeres and telomeres, designed to function as an independent, inheritable unit within the plant’s cells.

“For the first time, we’re not just editing DNA, we’re attempting to write entire chromosomes from the ground up,” Professor Lister said.

“If successful, it will unlock powerful new ways to give crops complex new traits such as improved resilience, productivity, or the ability to produce useful materials.”

🔗 To learn more about the ARC Centre for Excellence, Prof Lister’s research and the future of plants in space, click here: plants4space.com

09/06/2025

🎉 Standing strong—together! 🎉

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the community and the amazing support from Perth Radiological Clinic we’ve raised a phenomenal $80,000 in our EOFY Dollar Match campaign! 🙌

Every dollar you donated was matched by Perth Radiological Clinic, doubling the impact and fuelling our mission to combat the world’s toughest diseases. Your contributions are propelling groundbreaking research right here in Western Australia.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated, and thank you to Perth Radiological Clinic for their unwavering commitment to advancing medical research. Together, we’re making strides toward a healthier future.

📅 REMEMBER: There's still time to make a tax-deductible donation before June 30.

Every dollar helps our researchers take one step closer to life-saving breakthroughs. Donate now and be part of the impact: perkins.org.au/donate

We're taking the fight to life-threatening diseases, thanks to yours and Perth Radiological Clinic's help. But we're not there yet!

05/06/2025

New Discovery!

Perkins researchers Professor Alistair Forrest and PhD student Matt Jones have contributed to a major study that improves our understanding of how our immune system works in the fight against hard-to-treat cancers.

The research team, led by Associate Professor Jason Waithman at The University of Western Australia, were trying to uncover why some treatments stop working and how to get them back on track. They found that key immune proteins in the body, specifically IFN-I, which are known for their disease-fighting properties can sometimes help the tumour grow instead.

Their study, published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, suggests that the IFN-I only worked to shrink tumours if another type of immune response (involving something called IL-4) was present.

When they added IL-4 into the tumour environment, the immune system kicked back into gear and started destroying the tumours again.

This breakthrough could open the door to smarter, more effective treatments for cancers that resist current therapies.

(Image: generated image depicting cancer cell being attacked by lymphocytes)

03/06/2025

🏃‍♂️ 80km. One man. One mission. 🧬

Carl Elliott recently pushed his limits by running an astounding 80km ultra marathon, all to support life-saving research at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

Carl has already raised over $3,800, including generous contributions from his own pocket. His determination and generosity are helping researchers fight cancer and other devastating diseases.

“I can barely walk today, but it was worth it,” Carl said.

Carl’s dedication really shows the kind of passion people bring when they take on personal challenges and support life-saving medical research. Thank you so much!

💥 Find out more about the opportunities available to support research here: https://perkins.org.au/support-the-perkins/fundraise/challenge/

01/06/2025

🚨 Double your impact! 🚨

A special tax-time Double Donation Dollar Match goes live THIS MORNING – thanks to the incredible generosity of Perth Radiological Clinic.

From 2–30 June, your tax-deductible donation to the Perkins will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $40,000!

That means twice the support for groundbreaking WA-based research into the toughest diseases.

Give today and make your impact go further: yourimpact.perkins.org.au

29/05/2025

🧬 New Insights in Aboriginal Cancer Research

At the Harry Perkins Institute, we’re committed to understanding cancer in all communities, and that includes closing the gap in outcomes for Aboriginal Australians.

In a recent seminar, our Translational Oncology Group leader Professor Andrew Redfern shared some powerful findings that shed light on cancer risk, diagnosis, and treatment for Aboriginal patients. From genetic factors and breast density to infection rates and access to life-saving therapies, the data reveals both challenges and opportunities to improve care.

📉 The good news? The breast cancer survival gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women has more than halved since 2010.

This progress is the result of collaborative, culturally-informed research—driven by the passion of a range of organisations throughout the country.

We’re not just studying cancer—we’re transforming how it’s understood, prevented, and treated across WA.

📖 Learn more about the work of the Translational Oncology Lab: perkins.org.au/research/labs/translational-oncology

29/05/2025

This October, one incredible runner is taking on the Melbourne Marathon, and is aiming for something far bigger than the finish line.

Will is running for his mum, for his Nanna and for every family touched by Huntington’s Disease (HD), a devastating genetic condition with no cure.

With each step, he’ll be raising funds to support vital research into rare diseases, like Huntington’s, at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

“Ultimately, HD doesn’t just affect those who carry it. It affects everyone who loves them,” Will said.

“That’s why I’m running.”

Will is one of many who have pulled on the runners to support not only the researchers at the Perkins, but the memories of their loved ones. You can read his full story here.

💥 Want to run with purpose? Apply for a charity place with the Perkins team and help power life-changing discoveries.

With ONLY TWO remaining spots left on the Melbourne Marathon team, now is your chance.

🔗 melbmara2025.grassrootz.com/theperkins/vip/new


https://perkins.org.au/running-for-hope-a-personal-story-of-the-power-of-research/

Home Every step taken in the fight against rare diseases is a step toward hope—and for one brave runner, that journey is deeply personal. In this...