Advertise on podcast: BodyLab

The last in a special QIMR Berghofer Originals 80th Anniversary podcast series Whether you’re fascinated by genetics, or just love a story with a little serendipity and a lot of grit, the last episode of the QIMR Berghofer Originals podcast series is a masterclass in what it means to push boundaries, build communities and stay curious for a lifetime.  Hear how Professor Nick Martin turned twins into a research powerhouse and made Brisbane a hub of genetic discovery.

Get ready for a remarkable journey through nearly four decades of iron metabolism research, from ground-breaking discoveries in liver disease to unforgettable lab stories involving a gel disaster and the QIMR Berghofer resident goose.  Professor Greg Anderson reflects on mentorship, scientific breakthroughs, and the vibrant culture of QIMR Berghofer. Plus, hear about why science is as much about people as it is about data.  A wonderful celebration of curiosity, collaboration and the colourful history behind 80 years of science!

What drives a doctor to swap the wards for epidemiology and spark a global revolution in skin cancer prevention?  In this deeply human conversation, Professor Adele Green AC reveals how a desk in a sick bay led to one of the most significant public health breakthroughs of our time. With warmth and candour, she shares the story behind the first clinical proof that sunscreen prevents skin cancer, the power of community collaboration and the joy of building a team that changed lives.  This is science at its most personal and most impactful.

What’s it like to land in 1980s Brisbane with no email, no fax and a suitcase full of hope? From measuring heads in Charleville to rewriting the global playbook on breast cancer risk, one of Australia’s leading voices in cancer genetics shares what’s changed, what hasn’t and why science is always personal. This episode is for anyone curious about the people behind the petri dishes — and the persistence behind the publications.

From wartime breakthroughs to modern-day discoveries, Emeritus Professor Colin Mackerras reflects on his remarkable family legacy, including his uncle Ian Mackerras, QIMR’s very first director, and his aunt Josephine Bancroft, a pioneering scientist in her own right.  They were a powerhouse research couple who loved science almost as much as they loved fishing (and yes, they tested the fish before they ate them).  It’s science, yes, but it’s also love, legacy and the lives behind the lab coats.  

In this special episode celebrating 80 years of QIMR Berghofer, one of the Institute’s longest-serving scientists about his early days in biochemistry, the mentors who shaped him, and the world-first research that’s changing lives. It’s funny, heartfelt, and full of science that hits close to home. 

Tune in as Professor David Whiteman AM shares stories from his early research days – from borrowing a UQ ute to collect blood samples from truck drivers on the roadside, to his good-natured “ding-dong rows” with long-time colleague and collaborator Professor Rachel Neale. He looks back on a time when finding the latest published paper was a social event, and reflects on the people, passion and teamwork that have helped QIMR Berghofer consistently punch above its weight.

The first in a special QIMR Berghofer Originals 80th Anniversary podcast series Professor Michael Good AO is a distinguished immunologist and former director of QIMR, Berghofer (2000-2010). He joins Clare Blake to celebrate eight decades of bold ideas, real science and the brilliant men and women who made it happen.

What if we told you a scientist set out to cure malaria… and might end up curing cancer? Join Associate Professor Michelle Wykes as she shares the remarkable story behind her game-changing discovery that could help treat common but tricky "cold cancers" like colon and triple-negative breast cancer. From jaw-dropping lab results to her surprising fibre epiphany (and love for burgers!), Michelle gets real about prevention, diet myths, and what it takes to move a promising treatment from mice to humans. Big science, bigger dreams—and practical advice you can use tonight at dinner. *Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Please seek your own medical advice.

It is a sickening blow when a child is diagnosed with brain cancer, and most of us know recurrence is the major concern, but less well known are the possible and permanent effects from radiation therapy. Professor Bryan Day and his team, and a collaboration from all around the world, have a likely breakthrough on both of these fronts. 

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer has limited treatment options and is commonly diagnosed in younger women, aged under 40.  But a promising combination therapy could offer a new approach to target this highly aggressive and treatment-resistant type of breast cancer. QIMR Berghofer Professor Sudha Rao and Kazia Therapeutics CEO Dr John Friend share the incredible story that led to their collaboration, and a world-first clinical trial. 

A groundbreaking new treatment is giving hope to critically ill Australians with severe viral infections. Professor Rajiv Khanna and his team at QIMR Berghofer developed a lifesaving immunotherapy helping patients who’ve run out of options. Hear the incredible stories behind this game-changing breakthrough.

Depression is not all the same, our researchers, for the first time can diagnose a severe form of depression known as melancholia by analysing facial expressions and brain activity during different types of movies.

QIMR Berghofer researchers have found that declining melanoma rates among young Australians have been influenced by the country's increasingly diverse population and more varied skin tones. New research from Professor David Whiteman has found almost 30% of young Australians now have a low to moderate risk of melanoma because of their ancestry and darker skin tones.  While public health campaigns like the "Slip! Slop! Slap!" ads of the 1980s have been credited with reducing melanoma rates, the study led by Professor Whiteman, who has spent the past 30 years researching skin cancer, suggests that demographic changes have also been a significant factor.

Dr Nathan Stevenson and Dr Kartik Iyer have developed a tool to accurately pinpoint the brain age of babies and children, helping clinicians spot neurodevelopmental delays earlier. This exciting development could lead to more effective therapeutic intervention and management, at a time when babies and children need all the support they can get. The doctors tell us how the tool came about and the exciting possibilities of implementing into clinical care.