Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research is Australia's oldest medical research institute. In 2011, the institute is home to more than 650 researchers who are working to understand, prevent and treat diseases including blood, breast and ovarian cancers; inflammatory diseases (autoimmunity) such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease; and infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV and hepatitis B and C. Located in Parkville, Melbourne, it is closely associated with The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital. The institute also has a campus at La Trobe University. The institute was founded in 1915 using funds from a trust established by Eliza Hall following the death of her husband Walter Russell Hall. The institute owes its origin to the inspiration of Harry Brookes Allen, who encouraged the use of a small portion of the charitable trust to found a medical research institute. The vision was for an institute that 'will be the birthplace of discoveries rendering signal service to mankind in the prevention and removal of disease and the mitigation of suffering.’

Address
Victoria, Australia

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No idle chatter: Study finds malaria parasites 'talk' to each other

Melbourne scientists have made the surprise discovery that malaria parasites can 'talk' to each other – a social behaviour to ensure the parasite's survival and improve its chances of being transmitted ...

Medical research created May 15, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Research reveals cancer-suppressing protein 'multitasks'

The understanding of how a powerful protein called p53 protects against cancer development has been upended by a discovery by Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers.

Cancer created May 09, 2013 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Immune cell 'survival' gene key to better myeloma treatments

Scientists have identified the gene essential for survival of antibody-producing cells, a finding that could lead to better treatments for diseases where these cells are out of control, such as myeloma and ...

Immunology created Feb 03, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study finds hormones can change the breast's genetic material

Melbourne scientists have discovered how female steroid hormones can make dramatic changes to the genetic material in breast cells, changes that could potentially lead to breast cancer.

Medical research created Jan 31, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Immune cell death defects linked to autoimmune diseases

Melbourne researchers have discovered that the death of immune system cells is an important safeguard against the development of diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which occur ...

Immunology created Jan 23, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

First image of insulin 'docking' could lead to better diabetes treatments

A landmark discovery about how insulin docks on cells could help in the development of improved types of insulin for treating both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes created Jan 09, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Immune system kill switch could be target for chemotherapy and infection recovery

Researchers have discovered an immune system 'kill switch' that destroys blood stem cells when the body is under severe stress, such as that induced by chemotherapy and systemic infections.

Immunology created Dec 06, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Immune cell death safeguards against autoimmune disease

Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered that a pair of molecules work together to kill so-called 'self-reactive' immune cells that are programmed to attack the body's own organs. ...

Immunology created Sep 06, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

'Benign' malaria key driver of human evolution in Asia-Pacific

The malaria species rampant in the Asia-Pacific region has been a significant driver of evolution of the human genome, a new study has shown. An international team of researchers has shown that Plasmodium vivax malaria, the mo ...

Medical research created Sep 04, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Gene 'switch' may explain DiGeorge syndrome severity

The discovery of a 'switch' that modifies a gene known to be essential for normal heart development could explain variations in the severity of birth defects in children with DiGeorge syndrome.

Genetics created Aug 23, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

New technology improves malaria control and vaccine development

A new technique that accurately determines the risk of infants in endemic countries developing clinical malaria could provide a valuable tool for evaluating new malaria prevention strategies and vaccines.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Jun 05, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Anti-inflammatory drugs may improve survival from severe malaria

A novel anti-inflammatory drug could help to improve survival in the most severe cases of malaria by preventing the immune system from causing irrevocable brain and tissue damage.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created May 23, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast