Researchers have identified a hidden defect in the gut that can damage intestinal cells, even in patients with well-controlled disease. The study found that this defect can be present in patients with clinically mild disease and can lead to future flares.
Researchers developed a new vaccination strategy that pairs mosquito-delivered parasites with antimalarial compounds, generating strong and durable immunity against malaria. The approach protected mice for up to two years, offering a potential 'vaccinate and boost naturally' method for prevention.
A major Australian study of twins will investigate why two genetically similar people respond differently to infections, diseases, and treatments. The Snow Centre for Immune Health and Twins Research Australia are recruiting 100 pairs of identical and non-identical twins to track immune cell behavior over time.
Researchers discovered consistent shifts in immune cell behavior before symptoms develop, suggesting underlying genetic risk factors. The study found that CD4 helper T cells from people with coeliac disease showed weaker responses, contradicting expectations of overactivity.
Researchers have uncovered a new pathway to directly regulate glycogen levels in the body, offering potential therapeutic avenues for conditions like diabetes and heart disease. By studying ubiquitin's role in sugar storage, scientists have identified a new layer to a well-understood biochemical process.
Researchers have created the first authoritative atlas for human E3 ligases, resolving inconsistencies in the field and paving the way for enhanced therapies for diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, and neurological conditions. The atlas provides a gold-standard reference for studying these enzymes in unprecedented detail.
Researchers have uncovered how the human immune system fights Plasmodium vivax, paving the way for an effective vaccine against the most widespread form of malaria. The study identifies specific targets on the parasite and explains how antibodies function to prevent and clear infection.
A research team at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute has discovered a genetic mechanism that allows certain parasites to infect multiple hosts, but at the cost of long-term survival. The study sheds light on how parasitic infections emerge and spread, with potential implications for public health surveillance and treatment strategies.
Researchers have developed a new antimalarial drug candidate, MK-7602, which targets the malaria parasite at multiple stages of its life cycle. The compound has shown potent activity against both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, two common malaria parasites affecting humans.
Researchers have pinpointed specific genetic changes linked to reticular pseudodrusen deposits, driving vision loss in advanced age-related macular degeneration. This discovery provides a crucial lead for developing new drugs targeting these changes and potentially preventing vision loss before it begins.
A blood test detecting tiny fragments of cancer DNA can help tailor chemotherapy to individual patients with stage 3 colon cancer. The DYNAMIC-III study found that patients with low-risk levels had an 87% cancer-free rate three years after surgery, while those with high-risk levels had a much higher risk of recurrence.
Australian scientists have discovered how T follicular helper cells tailor their behavior to different infections, paving the way for improved vaccine design and targeted therapies. The study sheds light on a molecular 'instruction manual' guiding antibody production and long-term immunity.
Researchers achieved global-first using Brain Perioperative platform to learn how new drug suppresses tumour activity in low-grade gliomas, a slow-growing type of brain cancer. The trial involved patients who took the drug prior to any other cancer treatment and showed promising results.
Researchers created a detailed molecular map of human bone marrow using spatial technology, revealing unique microenvironments within the bone marrow that challenge current thinking on myeloma. The study opens the door to developing more effective treatment strategies tailored to individual patients.
Australian researchers have visualised a key protein complex in malaria parasites for the first time, uncovering a new target for next-generation vaccines. The discovery has led to the development of a promising mRNA vaccine candidate that stops the malaria parasite from reproducing inside mosquitoes, breaking the cycle of transmission...
Researchers have discovered a promising new approach to suppress the growth of aggressive cancers by targeting minor splicing, a specialized molecular process. By blocking minor splicing, cancer cells accumulate DNA damage and trigger cell death, while healthy cells remain largely unaffected.
Researchers have identified treatments to suppress transmission of HTLV-1 virus in mice using existing HIV drugs. The study also discovered a new drug target and selective killing method for infected cells, offering promising prospects for treatment and prevention.
Research on MCL-1 protein reveals its critical role in cell survival and energy production, offering a roadmap for designing targeted cancer therapies with reduced side effects. The findings also shed light on fatal metabolic diseases in infants, providing potential new targets for future treatments.
A landmark study has developed a new technology to track cells during embryo development, shedding light on the fundamental mystery of how cells divide and grow. The LoxCode system provides each cell with a unique DNA barcode, allowing researchers to trace their lineage and investigate developmental disorders.
Researchers have developed a world-first blood test that can identify coeliac disease in patients, even when they're on gluten-free diets. The new test boasts high sensitivity and specificity, offering a game-changing solution for accurate diagnosis and avoiding the need for a gluten challenge.
A study found that even a few meals high in saturated fats can cause inflammation in the body, despite physical symptoms, and rapidly deplete the gut protective protein IL-22. Researchers hope to influence dietary guidelines to boost gut health and tackle chronic inflammation through natural interventions.
A team of researchers has discovered a small molecule that can selectively block cell death, which could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions. By targeting the killer protein BAX, the molecule can prevent excessive cell death in neurons, potentially slowing or halting disease progression.
Scientists have discovered a novel way to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines by boosting stem cell-like memory CD8+ T cells, which can provide decades-long immunity. The study uses mRNA vaccine technology to increase the formation of these cells, offering a promising solution for viruses and cancer therapies.
A world-first clinical trial is being launched in Melbourne, Australia to assess the potential of tumour organoids to predict which chemotherapy drugs will work for newly diagnosed patients with bowel cancer. The trial has the potential to transform current treatment selection practices and improve survival rates and quality of life.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have developed a drug compound that can prevent long COVID symptoms in mice, including brain and lung dysfunction. The study also found that the compound can treat acute COVID with better efficacy than Paxlovid, the leading treatment currently approved for COVID-19.
Researchers at the WEHI have made a major breakthrough in understanding Parkinson's disease by determining the first ever structure of human PINK1 bound to mitochondria. This discovery paves the way for the development of new drugs to treat the condition, which currently has no cure or drug to stop its progression.
Researchers have discovered how cells turn on their recycling process and create 'garbage bags' to remove proteins, shedding new light on a crucial aspect of maintaining health. The study may lead to future treatments that can promote healthy ageing and target diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers have created detailed maps of the retina using AI technology to better understand its link to various diseases. The study identified new genetic factors influencing retinal thickness, which may serve as a diagnostic biomarker for disease detection.
A single iron infusion in the third trimester significantly reduces anaemia in pregnant women, with a lower prevalence at delivery compared to iron tablets. The treatment also boosts iron stores postpartum, offering a potential game-changer for maternal care and birth outcomes worldwide.
A prestigious professorship in immunology has been established at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, continuing Sir Gustav Nossal's groundbreaking work on immune tolerance. The position aims to nurture new generations of researchers and advance understanding of immune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers found a link between EVs in blood and tissue damage caused by diseases like leukemia, paving the way for a new diagnostic marker. Elevated levels of EVs in blood correlated with tissue damage in mice, suggesting their potential as a biomarker for monitoring cancer patients.
Researchers at WEHI have identified a promising new two-in-one treatment that targets and destroys glioma cells while strengthening the immune system to prevent future tumour growth. CAR T cell therapy, using a specific immunotherapy targeting EphA3, has shown effective elimination of glioma cells and long-lasting immunity.
Researchers have uncovered new cells that drive the ageing process in the thymus, essential for producing special immune cells. This discovery provides crucial insights into unlocking ways to restore thymic function and prevent immune waning as we age.
Two proteins, NAP1 and SINTBAD, have been discovered as regulators of mitophagy in cells. This discovery opens a new area of focus for researchers targeting drug therapies to boost mitophagy activity and promote mitochondrial and neuronal health.
A landmark study unveiled new automated diagnostic techniques, including liquid handling robots, to detect necroptosis in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. The findings provide critical insights into how necroptosis contributes to various inflammatory diseases and offer practical methods for treatment.
Ternarx aims to unlock the potential of targeted protein degrader (TPD) technology to treat hard-to-treat cancers like neuroblastoma and prostate cancer. The company will initially focus on developing new treatments for these diseases using novel TPD technology.
A novel combination of two existing drugs has been discovered to eradicate AML cancer cells in lab-based tests, offering hope for patients diagnosed annually with the disease. The treatment, pairing venetoclax with a STING agonist, showed high promise in AML samples driven by a mutated p53 protein, a type of AML generally harder to treat.
Australian researchers have helped develop new global anaemia guidelines that could change the diagnosis and treatment of the condition for millions of people. The revised guidelines provide a clear set of haemoglobin thresholds that can be uniformly used to diagnose and treat anaemia, reducing unnecessary costs and pain.
Researchers have identified two new proteins critical for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia development, leading to potential treatments and a clinical trial. The study's findings could lead to the development of targeted therapies for the aggressive disease.
A new study has revealed how mutations in a gene called Trabid can cause microcephaly, an incurable brain disorder. The research shows that Trabid helps control neuronal development and that mutations to this protein can lead to abnormal brain development in newborns and infants.
Researchers grew lab-tumours from patient tissue to accurately predict drug effectiveness, showing high accuracy in identifying effective treatments and rejecting ineffective ones. The study paves the way for revolutionising personalised medicine and clinician-patient care through improved treatment selection.
Scientists have identified likely 'cells-of-origin' that can grow into breast cancer in women carrying a faulty BRCA2 gene, who are at high risk of developing the disease. The study also showed these cells have potential to be targeted with an existing cancer drug to delay tumour growth.
The study reveals that mutations of the p53 protein are critical for driving cancer growth, and its loss-of-function is the primary contributor. Researchers used CRISPR to remove mutated versions of the protein and found no evidence of gain-of-function contributing to cancer growth.
The Snow Centre for Immune Health will transform how we understand and treat immune diseases, offering a whole-of-system approach to address debilitating conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The centre aims to deliver transformational real and measurable impacts for patients through translational research.
Researchers found that a genetic variation in the MLKL gene is carried by up to 3% of the global population, increasing the risk of inflammation and related diseases. This discovery may lead to personalized treatments for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
A global research collaboration led by WEHI has found a way to boost a gene linked to FSHD, potentially disabling the toxic protein responsible for muscle cells and tissue death. The discovery brings the team closer to finding a treatment for the genetic condition, which affects around 870,000 people worldwide.
Researchers have discovered a blood cancer drug that can kill 'silent' HIV cells and delay reinfections. This breakthrough could lead to a future cure for the disease, which affects an estimated 39 million people worldwide.
A team of researchers from WEHI has solved a long-standing mystery about how the protein Optineurin recognises and removes damaged mitochondria. The discovery provides new insights into the Parkinson's disease pathway and could potentially lead to new treatments for the condition.
Researchers have found an advanced immunotherapy treatment, called CAR T therapy, to be effective in targeting Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) tumours. The treatment involves isolating a patient's immune cells and re-infusing them into the patient to fight their cancer.
A landmark Malawian trial has found a single iron infusion can significantly reduce iron deficiency in pregnant women, compared to daily tablets. The treatment, Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), reduced iron deficiency by around 60% and showed promise for addressing anaemia in resource-poor nations.