Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Medical research centre

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9345 2555

Address: 1G Royal Parade 3052 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: https://www.wehi.edu.au

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• Non-profit organisation
• Science
• technology & engineering
• Medical research centre

25.01.2022 Congratulations to Kathleen Zeglinski, winner of the Colman Speed Award for top Honours student at WEHI in 2020 Kathleen used bioinformatic approaches to investigate how sequencing technologies could improve the discovery of antibody-based drugs. She was supervised by WEHI's Associate Professor Matt Ritchie and CSL's Dr Arthur Hsu.

24.01.2022 Fantastic to see Corey Tutt from DeadlyScience LTD celebrated on The Project for his work to bring science to kids in remote Australia. Were proud to support Deadly Science activities such as their book drive earlier this year for school students in fire-affected Aboriginal communities.

24.01.2022 We’re committed to supporting promising students to pursue a career in medical research. WEHI is proud to announce support from Cybec Foundation to overcome barriers some students experience that prevent them from training in medical research. Applications are now open for the Cybec Foundation PhD Scholarship, which will support students who have experienced financial hardship or educational disadvantage to undertake PhD studies at WEHI.

23.01.2022 Nobel laureate and former Institute director Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet was born on this day in 1899. According to the Nobel Prize organisation, it is impossible to give, in a brief space, an adequate idea of the range and fundamental importance of Burnets work. Having turned down several lucrative offers from overseas institutes, Burnet remained in Australia and played a pivotal role in helping to build the field of medical research in this country.... On the announcement of Burnets Nobel Prize in 1960 Prime Minister Bob Menzies said: The honour conferred on Sir Macfarlane Burnet is an honour which every good Australian will enjoy. Learn more: https://www.wehi.edu.au//past-/sir-frank-macfarlane-burnet

22.01.2022 Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt spoke to the Triple M Melbourne 105.1 team about COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and the Institute-led COVID-19 prevention trial, COVID SHIELD (jump to the 7:00 minute mark in the interview). Learn more about COVID SHIELD at https://www.wehi.edu.au/covid-shield-faqs Health care workers interested in participating in the trial can check their eligibility here: ... https://www.covidshieldtrial.com.au/ See more

22.01.2022 New research led by Dr Nenad Sejic and Dr Gemma Kelly from WEHI, and Dr Claire Shanon-Lowe from the University of Birmingham has revealed a potential new approach to treating Epstein-Barr virus-associated T/NK cell lymphomas, which are rare but aggressive blood cancers. The team discovered that these lymphomas depend on the cell survival protein BCL-XL, and blocking this protein can kill the cancer cells. This could lead to better approaches to treat Epstein-Barr virus-associated T/NK cell lymphomas, as well as potentially other cancers involving Epstein-Barr virus. Image: Dr Nenad Sejic, who undertook the research as a joint University of Melbourne/University of Birmingham student with the support of a Priestly PhD Scholarship.

22.01.2022 The Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) is calling on the Victorian Government to make investment in medical research a centrepiece of its plans to kick-start the state's economic recovery and create new high-skilled jobs. Our director Professor Doug Hilton says that "with judicious investment, this State Budget provides an opportunity to send a clear message to students in high school, in university, and those already working towards their PhDs: Victoria is the place to be if you want to excel in medical research. In the years to come we will provide the best environment for you to make a real difference in research, in improving health and in kick-starting the economy through entrepreneurship.

21.01.2022 September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Our researchers have made many contributions to improving the understanding and treatment of blood cancers. You can read about two recent discoveries focussed on the role of cell death proteins in blood cancers, and how this could lead to better treatments.... Pictured: Dr Sarah Diepstraten and Dr Gemma Kelly, whose research receives important support from the Leukaemia Foundation. (Photo taken before COVID-19 restrictions)

21.01.2022 "We are working as hard as we can. I've never seen groups of people mobilising scientifically in such an amazing and passionate way" COVID-19 researcher Associate Professor Wai-Hong Tham was part of the Victorian Government's COVID 19 update today, speaking about her research towards new therapies. [Associate Professor Tham speaks from 26:13]

21.01.2022 Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Wear it Purple Day, an annual day of visibility particularly for young LGBTQIA+ people! The Institute is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all staff and students can flourish in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/ab/institute-life/lgbtqia-community

19.01.2022 The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced many people to statistical and epidemiological concepts - but do we really understand what these mean? The Conversation explains some common misunderstandings that have arisen.

19.01.2022 Considering a career in biomedical research? Attend our Virtual Student Open Days to discover your opportunities for Honours, Masters or PhD study with our multidisciplinary research teams: 4-5:30pm 2 & 17 September.... Discuss research projects with supervisors Meet our students and learn about student life Learn about how to apply and scholarships, including our $5000 Alan Harris Scholarship for Honours and Masters students

19.01.2022 Congratulations to Professor Melanie Bahlo, who has been appointed a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. This honour recognises Professor Bahlo’s contributions to improving bioinformatics analyses of complex genetic diseases including epilepsy, ataxia and retinal disorders. Professor Bahlo and her team have worked closely with groups around the world, developing and applying new methods and software for genetic analysis to make breakthroughs in understanding the genetic causes of diseases. Read the full list of new AAHMS Fellows: https://aahms.org/news/2020-new-fellows/

18.01.2022 Last night Professors Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna won the 2020 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, for their discovery of bacterial ‘gene scissors’ called CRISPR in 2012. Associate Professor Marco Herold (pictured, right) was one of the first researchers in Australia to establish gene-editing CRISPR technologies for medical research. Since 2013 our researchers have been using CRISPR to solve important questions in cancer, diabetes and infectious diseases. Most recently they have deployed CRISPR technology to develop a rapid, on-the-spot diagnostic test for COVID-19, called c-FIND.

18.01.2022 The World Health Organisation says corticosteroids could benefit people with severe and critical cases of COVID-19. So what are they? - via The Conversation

18.01.2022 Today is the 10th anniversary of Wear it Purple Day! Wear it Purple Day was founded in 2010 in response to young LGBTQIA+ people taking their own lives following bullying and harassment. Were inviting you to watch the Institutes Queeries video where LGBTQIA+ staff, students and allies answer some awkward questions. Its honest, fun and very engaging ... And of course, be sure to wear purple to show your support. Learn more about the Institute's LGBTQIA+ community at https://www.wehi.edu.au/ab/institute-life/lgbtqia-community

18.01.2022 Looking for Honours, Masters or PhD opportunities in biomedical research? Attend our Virtual Student Open Days 2 & 17 September to discuss research projects, learn about how to apply and meet our students. Registrations essential

17.01.2022 9 News Melbourne discusses COVID SHIELD, a placebo-controlled trial looking at pre-exposure protection for Australian healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19.

16.01.2022 A national consultation process is underway to develop the next priorities for the Medical Research Future Fund - the $20 billion long-term investment program supporting Australian health and medical research. If you're a researcher, clinician or consumer, you can take part in the consultation and help shape the MRFF's next priorities.

16.01.2022 Institute researchers recently identified a molecular switch that impacts immune responses to viral infections, and whether or not protective antibodies are produced. The research team led by Dr Joanna Groom and PhD student Amania Sheikh also discovered that the immune system protects against different viruses via distinct pathways. The findings could lead to better strategies to develop vaccines for previously hard-to-prevent viruses. The discovery is featured in the 'Making a Difference' review of outcomes from Australian Research Council-supported research (jump to page 80).

16.01.2022 There are many COVID-19 vaccines in development, approaching the challenge from different angles. This article from The Conversation highlights key factors of our immune system that influence vaccine design.

16.01.2022 Institute researchers are working towards a potential treatment to slow the progression of motor neuron disease (MND), offering hope to people with this debilitating and incurable illness. The research team have uncovered how inflammation in MND is triggered. Pinpointing the molecules involved in this pathway could be a first step towards a new treatment for MND. The research was led by Associate Professor Seth Masters and Dr Alan Yu, with colleagues from The University of Melbourne and Hudson Institute of Medical Research. It was published in Cell Press.

15.01.2022 Simona Seizova's PhD research focussed on one of the most prevalent global parasites, Toxoplasma gondii. Learn about her experiences as a student with us.

15.01.2022 Researchers have until 21 January to apply for round 3 subsidised access to the National Drug Discovery Centre (NDDC). The NDDC assists researchers in Australia to fast-track their scientific breakthroughs into new medicines to treat disease. COVID-19 related applications will be considered for acceptance on a priority basis. More details and applications: https://nddc.wehi.edu.au/... #WEHIDrugDiscovery

14.01.2022 Andrew Baldi is a clinician PhD student investigating the benefits and risks of iron supplementation for young children in low-income countries. Read more about Andrew's experiences as a student: https://wehi.edu.au/education/student-profiles/andrew-baldi

14.01.2022 Joy Liu completed Honours with us in 2017, receiving our Colman Speed Medal as our top Honours student. Joy has now continued on to PhD studies at the Institute. Learn about Joy's experiences in this video made by The University of Melbourne and at https://wehi.edu.au/education/student-profiles/joy-liu

14.01.2022 Congratulations Dr Alisa Glukhova who has been awarded a $1.25 million CSL Centenary Fellowship. Dr Glukhova is a recently appointed laboratory head who is using structural biology to understand an important cell signalling process which can contribute to cancer and other diseases. Read more: https://www.cslfellowships.com.au/fel/dr-alisa-glukhova-bio

13.01.2022 An antibody-based therapy for COVID-19 being developed by A/Prof Wai-Hong Tham and collaborators would block the entry of the virus into cells, and stop virus infection. The work is a collaboration between researchers at the Institute, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Burnet Institute, CSIRO, Kirby Institute, CSL and Affinity Bio. Learn more:

13.01.2022 Congratulations to our bioinformatics researchers! Professor Gordon Smyth (R) has been elected an Honorary Senior Fellow of the Australian Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Society - the society's highest honour; and Associate Professor Matthew Ritchie (L) has won the society's Open Science Open Source Award today.

12.01.2022 It was great to welcome the Premier Dan Andrews and the Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford MP to WEHI this morning to discuss the Victorian Government’s $2 billion for the Breakthrough Victoria Fund and the way this will help to enable vital medical discoveries here in Victoria. More info: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/breakthrough-fund-boost-rese

12.01.2022 Our researchers have revealed that immune cells called 'natural killer' (NK) cells could be valuable in the development of new immunotherapies for small cell lung cancer, an aggressive disease. The research was led by Dr Sarah Best, Mr Jonas Hess and Dr Kate Sutherland in collaboration with Associate Professor Melissa Davis and Professor Nick Huntington (now at Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute) and Dr Daniel Steinfort from The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Pictured: (L-R) Ms Ariena Kersbergen, Mr Jonas Hess, Dr Kate Sutherland and Dr Sarah Best (photo taken in 2018)

11.01.2022 Hydroxychloriquine has been highly politicised, but the COVID SHIELD clinical trial is using science to see if the drug plays any role in preventing people getting COVID-19. Learn more about COVID SHIELD at https://www.wehi.edu.au/covid-shield-faqs Health care workers interested in participating in the trial can check their eligibility and register interest here: https://www.covidshieldtrial.com.au/

11.01.2022 Considering studying with us next year? Last chance to register for our first Virtual Student Open Day this Wednesday, 4-5:30pm, to learn about Honours, Masters and PhD opportunities with our research teams.

11.01.2022 In the next instalment in our WEHI Student Association's 2020 PhD student life series, Jack Alexandrovics explains how this year gave him hope, despite the challenges he faced.

10.01.2022 In their latest coronavirus chat on ABC Melbourne's Drive program Professor Marc Pellegrini and host Raf Epstein discussed recent vaccine news and Melbourne's roadmap out of lockdown Listen in from 2:19:00 https://www.abc.net.au//melb/programs/drive/drive/12625366

10.01.2022 Tonight we are excited to announce the joint winners of the 2020 Burnet Prize, WEHI’s highest honour: Dr Rhea Longley and Dr Cyril Seillet. Dr Rhea Longley receives the award in recognition of her research into immunity to ‘vivax’ malaria, which has the potential to enhance malaria surveillance and elimination in the Asia-Pacific. Dr Cyril Seillet’s research focusses on ILC3, cells at the front-line of our immune defences. He has discovered how these cells interact with our n...ervous system to respond to a range of environmental triggers. Congratulations Rhea and Cyril! Learn more: wehi.edu.au//malaria-and-immunology-researchers-recognised

10.01.2022 How did COVID lockdowns impact low socioeconomic women and their families in Bangladesh? Associate Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research in Bangladesh @icddrb have revealed lockdowns led to financial hardship, food insecurity, domestic violence and mental health challenges. They hope this research will lead to better supports for the worlds poorest people and particularly women in the event of future public health lockdowns.

10.01.2022 Proud to see our onsite childcare centre featured in this article in The Age. The Professor Lynn Corcoran Early Learning Centre is part of our commitment to gender equity and overcoming gender imbalance at senior levels by addressing the barriers and challenges facing female scientists. More information about the centre is available here: https://www.wehi.edu.au//early-childhood-education-and-car... Froebel Australia Early Learning

09.01.2022 Thank you to all the healthcare and research workers helping us navigate our way through this pandemic. We were very proud to see this tribute to the workers of Melbourne's Parkville medical precinct, including our own Rima Darwiche (pictured below, right) and Dr Phillip Pymm who are among the many staff and students contributing to the Institute's COVID-19 response.

09.01.2022 Last chance to register for our Virtual Student Open Day on Thursday 17 September, 4-5:30pm. Learn about how to apply and scholarships for PhD, Honours or Masters with us Meet our supervisors to discuss projects Find out about WEHI student life... PhD student Amania Sheikh (L) and her supervisor Dr Joanna Groom, in 2019

09.01.2022 Professor Marc Pellegrini was part of a special COVID edition of Science with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki on triple j. Marc spoke about the COVID SHIELD clinical trial and answered a great selection of listener questions. //... Healthcare workers interested in COVID SHIELD can check eligibility at https://www.covidshieldtrial.com.au/ - -- Note that recruitment for this trial closes on 31 October. More information about COVID SHIELD can be be found at https://www.wehi.edu.au/covid-shield-faqs

09.01.2022 Our COVID PROFILE immunity study is recruiting people who have recovered from COVID-19 and their close contacts. These people may hold the key to understanding how immunity to COVID-19 develops, how long it lasts, and what happens when immunity is lost. More info: https://www.wehi.edu.au/covid-profile Professor Ivo Mueller and Dr Vanessa Bryant spoke to news crews about the study:

08.01.2022 Researchers have found how inflammation that leads to motor neuron disease is triggered. The discovery is a first step towards new treatments for people with MND. The research was led by Associate Professor Seth Masters and Dr Alan Yu at the Institute with collaborators at The University of Melbourne, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.

06.01.2022 Today marks the start of 16 Days of Activism, a global campaign that calls for the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence. The campaign launches today with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and runs until 10 December, International Human Rights Day. WEHI is proud to support the 16 Days campaign for the fifth consecutive year. We are striving to foster a workplace that is inclusive, promotes gender equality and supports those impacted by violence. We are committed to building a workplace where all staff and students feel safe, respected and valued. Learn more: https://www.unwomen.org//e/take-action/16-days-of-activism

05.01.2022 How has the pandemic impacted scientists, both personally and professionally? What are the opportunities and challenges we'll face going forward? Great to hear this discussion between Institute brain cancer researcher Associate Professor Misty Jenkins and Professor Bob Wood on What's Next!? from UTS: University of Technology Sydney

05.01.2022 We’re proud to again contribute to the Uniting Vic.Tas Food for Families annual appeal. In the lead-up to Christmas WEHI staff and students have been donating groceries and other essential items to help those in our community who are going through a difficult time. For more info about the appeal: https://foodforfamilies.org.au/

04.01.2022 Kidney damage is a common side effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. An international team led by WEHI researchers Dr Kerstin Brinkmann (pictured), Professor Andreas Strasser and Dr Stephanie Grabow has discovered that the cell survival protein BCL-XL protects the kidneys from ‘bystander’ damage caused by cancer therapies. Find out more:

04.01.2022 Iron deficiency is a widespread health problem, and can impact many aspects of health - especially in mothers and young children. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded two major grants to a research consortium led by WEHI's Associate Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha, to investigate how iron supplementation impacts the health of mothers and their babies, in clinical trials in Bangladesh and Malawi. Partners in the research consortium include WEHI, University of Malawi-College of Medicine, Iccdr,b, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia., Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, and Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

04.01.2022 Congratulations Professor David Komander on being named Australia's top researcher in biochemistry by The Australian's Special Research Report! Professor Komander's research focuses on a form of protein modification called 'ubiquitination' which is relevant to a wide range of diseases including cancer, Parkinson's disease and COVID-19. Read the full list of awardees: https://specialreports.theaustralian.com.au/1540291/13/

02.01.2022 If you've ever watched a biomedical animation from Dr Drew Berry and wondered how it was made, you'll enjoy this interview from Biosphere 2. As well as educating audiences about complex scientific processes, Drew's animations have been exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum and many other public spaces and events. You can find a playlist of animations from Drew and WEHI.TV team at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD0444BD542B4D7D9

02.01.2022 The advice that I would give my younger self is try harder to learn than to shine. Great to see our former director and patron Sir Gus Nossal in this list of influential Victorians!

02.01.2022 Looking for Honours, Masters or PhD opportunities in medical research? Our second Virtual Student Open Day will be held on Thursday 17 September, 4-530pm. Register now to receive the event information.

01.01.2022 Could the search for COVID-19 treatments be aided by past research into SARS? Our researchers have discovered that drug-like compounds developed to fight SARS might also work against COVID-19. The research was led by Professor David Komander, Professor Guillaume Lessene, Professor Marc Pellegrini and Dr Theresa Klemm and utilised the National Drug Discovery Centre, CSIRO Collaborative Crystallisation Centre and the Australian Synchrotron.

01.01.2022 BAK is an important protein in apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death that is involved in a range of diseases including cancer and dementia. In a paper published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, a WEHI team led by Dr Angus Cowan, Professor Peter Colman and Associate Professor Peter Czabotar used structural biology to reveal a key step in how the BAK molecule drives cell death. Read the paper at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41594-020-0494-5... Image: Structure of BAK molecules (blue, purple and orange) in complex with membrane phospholipid (salmon-coloured)

01.01.2022 Great to see Institute researcher Dr Caleb Dawson and his spectacular microscopy work profiled in the latest Weekend Australian Magazine. Using specialist microscopes and techniques in our Centre for Dynamic Imaging, Caleb produces spectacular images of complex biological processes. In a recent discovery, he and his collaborators used 3D imaging techniques to observe how a type of immune cell monitors for threats in mammary ducts and helps keep breast tissue healthy.

01.01.2022 In his latest COVID-19 chat with Raf Epstein on ABC Melbourne's Drive program Professor Marc Pellegrini discussed Melbourne's recent case numbers, the science behind some treatments and vaccines making the news, and answered listener questions. Listen in [starts at 41:20]: https://www.abc.net.au//melb/programs/drive/drive/12567644

01.01.2022 An exciting new look is coming our way...

01.01.2022 People who have recovered from COVID-19, and their close contacts, could hold the key to understanding how immunity to the disease develops, how long it lasts and what happens when immunity is lost. A better understanding of immunity to COVID-19 is vital for vaccine development and for developing public health measures to control the virus in a ‘COVID-normal’ society. A new Institute-led immunity study, COVID PROFILE, is now recruiting people who have recovered from COVID-19..., and their close contacts who have not contracted the virus. Find out more about the study at https://www.wehi.edu.au/covid-profile COVID PROFILE is being led by Professor Ivo Mueller and Dr Vanessa Bryant at the Institute, with collaborators at the The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and The Royal Melbourne Hospital.