EMBL Australia

In the face of the difficulties brought on by the ongoing pandemic, 2021 demonstrated, perhaps more than ever before, the need for strong research networks and access to advanced services, training and tools in the life sciences in order to rise up to the challenges that this pandemic created. EMBL Australia researchers continued to deliver cutting-edge science in an array of fields, from innovative COVID-19 research, to battling superbugs, breakthroughs in tissue repair and more.

New research by the EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science at UNSW reveals the mechanical processes used by T cells to kill cancer cells more efficiently.

News this quarter:

• What exactly is EMBL Australia? A 60-second video to explain.
• Biotech start-up receives funding for muscular dystrophies
• Grants won to fight obesity and study cell size regulation
• 2022 PhD Course inspires attendees
• Talking mRNA with the PM
• Max Cryle wins Tregear Award
• Get to know… Ville-Petteri Mäkinen

And more:

• Job opportunities
• Student opportunities
• Upcoming events
• Recent publications

A new biotech company led by Professor Peter Currie and Associate Professor Mikaël Martino, will receive more than half a million dollars to develop much-needed new therapies for the treatment of debilitating muscular dystrophies. 

A/Prof Robert Weatheritt was awarded an RNA Future Leaders grant to develop drugs to fight obesity and Dr Senthil Arumugam won a Team Science grant to further investigate cell size regulation.

Genes in the human genome are made of DNA. Upon gene expression, a segment of DNA is copied into another molecule called RNA. When gene regulation goes wrong, diseases like cancer can occur. Therefore, knowing how enzymes — highly efficient protein nanomachines — work to switch genes on and off enables the development of new drugs and diagnostics.

News this quarter:

• Lights out for Parkinson’s disease
• Major Cancer Council grant for Dr Weatheritt
• Discovery may help boost peptide design
• Professor David Lynn talks everything COVID vaccines
• 2021 EMBL Australia PhD Course applications
• 2021 EMBL Australia Postgraduate Symposium registrations now open
• 2020 Highlights report now available

And more:

• Job opportunities
• Student opportunities
• Upcoming events
• Recent publications

Research led by EMBL Australia group leader Max Cryle has revealed a key aspect of peptide machineries, advancing his work in countering the global threat of antimicrobial resistance and having broad implications for health and industry.

Research led by EMBL Australia group leader Dr Harald Janovjak has revealed the potential of optogenetics - a relatively new and rapidly evolving technology - to treat Parkinson's disease.

News this quarter:

• A tribute to Scientia Professor Katharina Gaus FAHMS
• Reversing severe muscle wasting in disease, ageing & trauma
• Hint as to how SARS-CoV-2 might subvert immune defences
• Enabling the early and accurate diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
• More than $4.8m awarded to EMBL Australia researchers in NHMRC Ideas Grants
• This protein empowers cancer cells – targeting it could kickstart new therapies
• Professor Ian Smith to chair the EMBL Australia Council
• Innovative research takes us one step closer to developing an effective malaria vaccine
• Did you know you can access EMBL’s cutting-edge scientific services?
• Get to know: Dr Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan

 

And more:

• Job opportunities
• Upcoming events
• Recent publications