Researchers have developed a new imaging technique that allows them to visualize immune T cells in three dimensions, revealing specialized niches that determine their function. The study identifies avenues for therapeutically targeting effector and memory cells, which could lead to improved vaccine strategies.
A genetic defect has been identified as a key factor in the development of MacTel, an eye disease that can lead to vision loss and blindness. The discovery provides new insights into the condition and may enable clinicians to better diagnose and treat it.
WEHI researchers have uncovered a process cells use to fight off infection and cancer that could pave the way for precision cancer immunotherapy treatment. The study found how the Flt3L hormone increases dendritic cell numbers, helping the immune system fight off cancer and infection.
Scientists have developed a high-tech fluorescence microscopy technique allowing them to film cells inside the breast for the first time. This new protocol provides detailed instructions on how to capture hi-res movies of cell movement, division and cooperation in hard-to-reach regions of breast tissue.
New tools have been developed by WEHI researchers to study 'tryptophan C-mannosylation', a protein modification linked to diseases such as muscular dystrophy and cancer. The tools enable the mapping of this modification's prevalence in healthy tissues, laying the foundation for future studies.
A major new study will investigate the impact of intravenous iron treatment on maternal and newborn health in low-income countries, addressing anaemia prevention, growth development and breastfeeding rates. The two-year trial aims to compare single-dose intravenous iron treatments with oral iron supplements.
Stomach cancers may respond to medicines that inhibit TNF, a protein involved in inflammation and disease progression. The discovery was made using a laboratory model of stomach cancer and suggests a potential new therapeutic target for this devastating disease.
Iron deficiency affects two billion people, causing anaemia and serious health consequences. The new guidance outlines evidence-based approaches to diagnose and manage iron deficiency, leading to improved health outcomes.
Australian researchers discovered a protein that protects kidney cells from 'bystander' damage caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The study found that inhibiting BCL-XL could safely use in laboratory models alone or with other cancer therapies to prevent kidney damage, a common side effect of cancer treatments.
Australian researchers have discovered a protein called SMCHD1 involved in the 'imprinting' process, where mother's proteins linger in her child's genes and switch off at least 10 different genes. This phenomenon could potentially have a lifelong impact on the offspring.
A team of researchers has discovered a drug-like compound that blocks the CD14 inflammatory protein, reducing inflammation and preventing cytokine storms in laboratory tests. The compound's potential as a new treatment for inflammatory diseases, including COVID-19, is being explored in pre-clinical trials.
The new WEHI-TV animation explains how the 'tumour suppressor' protein p53 prevents cancer-causing changes in cells. More than half of human cancers involve faulty p53, and researchers are still working to develop better therapies for these cancers.
WEHI researchers used 'single cell multi-omics' to identify a previously unknown lymphocyte progenitor, which could give rise to T and B lymphocytes. This discovery adds a new layer to the immune family tree and provides insights into how these cells develop.
The COVID PROFILE study aims to investigate the immune response to COVID-19, understanding how long protection lasts and predicting reinfection. Researchers will follow participants for 12 months with regular blood samples and nose and throat swabs.
Melbourne researchers have identified the primary immune pathway triggered by TDP-43 accumulation in MND patients, paving the way for a new treatment. By blocking the STING immune sensor, they can prevent inflammation and promote motor neuron survival, offering a vital first step towards a treatment therapy.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute found that natural killer cells are essential for slowing small cell lung cancer's aggressive spread, while T cells do not play a significant role. Supercharging NK cells further enhances their cancer-fighting abilities, offering hope for better treatments.
Austrian researchers identified drug-like compounds that could block a key coronavirus protein called PLpro, found in all coronaviruses. These compounds previously developed to fight SARS showed promise in halting the growth of COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) in laboratory testing.
A new research study documents the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown measures on low socioeconomic families in rural Bangladesh, revealing increased financial hardship, food insecurity, domestic violence and mental health challenges. The study highlights the need for welfare support and social protection for women and their families during ...
Advanced computer simulation techniques have determined which low-and-middle income countries would benefit from using iron-containing micronutrient powders to tackle childhood anaemia, with 54 out of 78 countries showing a net benefit. Policymakers can use individual reports for each country to balance benefits and risks.
Researchers discovered multiple cell death systems preventing the spread of Salmonella, a major cause of typhoid fever. Cells use various mechanisms to die and protect against infection, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers used advanced imaging to visualize MLKL's role in necroptosis, a form of cell death triggered by inflammation. They found that inherited variants of MLKL are connected to human inflammatory diseases and have been subject to evolutionary pressures.
Researchers have solved the structure of a critical protein region in SMCHD1, which plays a key role in 'switching off' genes. The new map reveals how inherited changes in this region cause certain diseases, including muscular dystrophy and developmental disorders.
The COVID SHIELD trial, led by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, aims to determine whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent COVID-19 in high-risk healthcare workers. The trial will enroll 2250 participants and compare the effects of hydroxychloroquine versus a placebo over four months.
Researchers have discovered that trefoil factors, a type of protein, bind to mucin glycoproteins in the lungs, making mucus thicker and more viscous. This knowledge could lead to new therapeutics for treating chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and COPD.
A new diagnostic approach in malaria has been adapted to track immunity to COVID-19, providing valuable details about when a person was exposed to the infection. The test can pinpoint how long ago a person was exposed, making it essential for tracking the spread of an infection and monitoring the effectiveness of control programs.
Australian and US researchers used advanced computational methods to detect different structures of RNA, which until now could not be distinguished. The team discovered that changes in RNA structure influenced how the virus behaved, including which proteins it produced.
Researchers found that adding venetoclax to hormone therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors can kill senescent cancer cells, potentially prolonging cancer response to therapy. The findings have underpinned a phase 1 clinical trial in Melbourne combining the treatments.
Australian researchers discovered that Toxoplasma-infected male mice passed altered epigenetic signatures to their offspring, affecting brain development and behavior. The study raises concerns about potential long-term impacts of infections in human fathers on their children's health.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered a new population of immune cells called ductal macrophages that play a crucial role in maintaining healthy breast tissue by clearing away dying milk-producing cells. This discovery could lead to new insights into treating breast cancer.
A new mass cytometry technique has identified key proteins in blood cancer cells, revealing why some cells are resistant to standard anti-cancer drugs. The research team hopes to apply this protocol to clinical trials to better understand why some cancers are resistant to therapies and match patients with more effective treatments.
A new class of antimalarial compounds has been developed by Australian and US researchers, targeting a previously unexplored parasite pathway. The compounds have shown effectiveness against different species of malaria parasites, including Plasmodium falciparum, at multiple stages of the parasite lifecycle.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have pinpointed immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells as an unexpected source of the inflammatory protein GM-CSF in rheumatoid arthritis. The discovery may indicate potential new therapeutic targets for reducing joint inflammation in this autoimmune disease.
A new study reveals that MNT is required for the survival of MYC-driven lymphoma cells, suggesting a promising new approach for treating this type of cancer. Inhibiting MNT may also make tumours more susceptible to other drugs, offering hope for improved treatments.
A recent study published in Blood Advances eliminates BCL-W as a potential therapeutic target for B cell lymphomas. The research team used gene editing technology and demonstrated that human B cell lymphoma cell lines can survive without BCL-W, contradicting earlier speculation about its role in cancer survival.
A new study reveals that eating activates immune cells in the gut, protecting against pathogens and preserving health. Regular mealtimes also trigger an anticipatory response to increase immunity.
Australian researchers have identified a new drug target for preventing the deadliest malaria parasite from spreading infection. The breakthrough involves blocking the export of gametocyte proteins, essential for malaria transmission, using small molecule inhibitors developed at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.
A new human autoinflammatory disease called CRIA syndrome has been discovered and identified by an Australian-US research team. The disease is caused by a mutation in the RIPK1 protein, leading to uncontrolled cell death and inflammation.
Researchers discovered that malaria infection triggers the production of highly potent antibodies through strong inflammatory signals, which could be harnessed for new vaccines and therapies against hepatitis C and HIV. The immune system's response to malaria is distinct from chronic viral infections and autoimmune diseases.
The MaveDB database was developed to facilitate the sharing of complex functional genomic data sets, enabling researchers to access and interpret complex data more efficiently. This will accelerate research into gene function, disease mechanisms, and protein engineering.
A new compound has been developed that can prevent unwanted cell death, which could improve recovery from medical emergencies and procedures. The study's findings suggest the potential for using this 'cell death blocker' to treat conditions like cardiovascular diseases and degenerative disorders.
Scientists have identified distinctive characteristics of KRAS-positive lung cancers that can be targeted to inhibit growth, offering a new approach for personalized therapy. The study suggests exploring co-existing mutations as an alternative to traditional therapies.
Jacques Miller's discovery of immune cells T and B cells has had a profound impact on modern medicine, underpinning innovations in vaccine development, organ transplants, and cancer treatment. The Lasker Award recognizes his seminal work, which has also been recognized as a predictor of Nobel Prize success.
Researchers have developed a new 'ubiquitin clipping' technique to study protein modifications, revealing branched ubiquitin chains are common and could impact diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The technique enables detailed experimentation, providing insights into disease mechanisms and potential drug targets.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have identified a molecular switch that impacts immune responses to viral infections, enabling T cells to distinguish between different viruses and controlling protective antibody production. This discovery could lead to more effective vaccines against previously hard-to-prevent viruses.
A new blood test for coeliac disease has been developed, detecting inflammatory markers in the blood within hours of gluten consumption. This potential diagnostic test could improve upon current methods requiring patients to consume gluten for weeks or months.
A new benchmarking study has determined the best analysis tools for identifying errors in a patient's DNA that are responsible for driving disease. GRIDSS was found to be one of the most accurate options, detecting DNA rearrangements with high precision.
A new data analysis platform, CellBench, is being used to compare the performance of thousands of single-cell analysis options, helping researchers identify the best method for their questions. This will enable more accurate conclusions from large biological datasets, potentially leading to new discoveries and effective therapies.
Researchers discover potential way to wake up 'sleeping' genes that cause Prader-Willi syndrome, a devastating and incurable genetic condition. The approach aims to reduce severe symptoms such as obesity, developmental delays, and hormone dysfunction by targeting the genetic cause of the condition.
Research reveals how p53 influences X chromosome inactivation, a critical process for healthy brain and spinal cord formation. This discovery explains why females are more likely than males to be born with neural tube birth defects.
A new study reveals that BAX, a crucial driver of apoptosis, is activated by transient interactions with BH3-only proteins at two distant sites on the protein. This 'hit-and-run' interaction initiates the conversion of BAX into a lethal protein for cells.