Professor Daniel MacArthur and Professor Joseph Powell

Australian researchers map, in unprecedented detail, the immune cells through which genetic differences between people influence disease.

Three landmark studies reveal the hidden layers between DNA and disease

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The Goodman Foundation has pledged support for a major national research program dedicated to tracking and eliminating dormant cancer cells.

Community partner joins Garvan’s effort against breast cancer relapse

A professional portrait of Amelia Parker in a walkway of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, wearing a pink blazer and smiling warmly at the camera.

A three-year project funded by The Global Lung Cancer Impact Challenge is investigating how the biological scaffolding around cells causes a dangerous type of lung cancer to return.

Targeting the structural network that allows aggressive lung cancer to spread

From left: Professor Daniel MacArthur and Professor Joseph Powell

Composite photo of Professor Daniel MacArthur (left) wearing a blue plaid button-up and Professor Joseph Powell (right) in a white shirt and navy blazer, both smiling at the camera.

Professor Daniel MacArthur and Professor Joseph Powell, whose work underpins rare disease diagnosis and our understanding of how differences in genes lead to disease, are among this year’s new Fellows of an independent body that advises government on health and medical research.

Two Garvan genomics researchers elected to Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences

From left: Minister Harris MP, NSW Minister for Medical Research with Dr Philipp C. Rommel during the announcement of the Elite Research Grant recipients.

Minister Harris MP and Dr Philipp C. Rommel in a laboratory at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, discussing research while wearing lab coats and safety glasses.

Cancer immunologist will develop next-generation CAR T-cells that target solid tumours.

Garvan researcher awarded elite grant to overcome treatment resistance in breast and ovarian cancers

A researchers wearing blue gloves and a white lab coat holding a clear 96-well microplate above laboratory equipment.

Expanded Anthropic support to Garvan researchers will advance projects in cancer, immunology and antibody therapy development.  

Garvan launches new AI research projects

Clockwise from left: Dr Ira Deveson, Dr Andre Reis, Associate Professor Kishore Kumar and Dr Dennis Yeow

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A new DNA test developed by Garvan researchers can identify the genetic causes of many inherited muscle diseases in a single test, replacing a patchwork of older tests that leaves many patients undiagnosed. 

New DNA test finds answers for patients with inherited muscle disease

From left: Dr Kylie James and Dr Jacqueline Tearle

Garvan researchers Dr Kylie James and Dr Jacqueline Tearle standing side by side in the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, smiling warmly at the camera.

Researchers have mapped the cellular differences between two similar bowel diseases and identified hidden immune activity that may help explain why one carries a much higher risk of colon cancer.

‘Invisible’ inflammation in rare bowel disease may explain heightened colon cancer risk

The Rommel Lab will establish NSW’s first xCELLigence RTCA eSight system.

Top-down view of an open xCELLigence RTCA eSight instrument. The upper section holds three multi-well plates with their silver lids raised. The lower section contains a small cell culture flask and a six-well plate positioned between two open side flaps.

New research infrastructure will help Garvan scientists tackle two of cancer's hardest problems: relapse and treatment resistance.

Expanding Garvan's capabilities against cancer's toughest challenges

Garvan researcher Chris Goodnow seated on the stairs in the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, in a dark navy suit jacket and grey trousers, smiling warmly at the camera.

Professor Christopher Goodnow will receive the 2027 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize for discoveries that reshaped how we understand and treat autoimmune disease.

Bad antibodies made good: International medical award recognises groundbreaking research of Garvan immunologist

Associate Professor Liz Caldon and Dr Hani Kim

Professional headshots of Garvan researchers Associate Professor Liz Caldon and Dr Hani Kim, side by side.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation is backing innovative new Garvan projects with the potential to prevent breast cancer progression and recurrence. 

Bold new projects aim to transform breast cancer detection and treatment

Professor Chris Goodnow in the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, smiling warmly at the camera.

Professor Chris Goodnow will lead the new centre which aims to put common autoimmune diseases into remission.

New centre of excellence to accelerate diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases

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Researchers are recruiting participants for a study exploring how dormant breast cancer cells ‘reawaken’ and cause relapse, in the hopes of developing new treatments.

Recruiting now: study to investigate ‘sleeping' breast cancer cells

Dr Philipp C. Rommel in the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, smiling warmly at the camera.

Dr Philipp C. Rommel is establishing a new lab focused on engineering CAR T-cells to overcome treatment resistance in blood and solid cancers.

Immune cell engineer joins Garvan to develop next-generation cancer therapies

Clockwise from top left: Professor Chris Goodnow, Professor Daniel MacArthur, Dr Alicia Byrne and Dr Hasindu Gamaarachchi

A grid of four headshots featuring Professor Chris Goodnow (top left), Professor Daniel MacArthur (top right), Dr Alicia Byrne (bottom right) and Dr Hasindu Gamaarachchi (bottom left).

Garvan researchers receive NHMRC funding boost to advance genomic and immune discoveries

A smiling woman with dark shoulder-length hair stands behind a glass railing in a modern building, wearing a blue top and a black blazer.

A New South Wales study found that statewide coordination of clinical trial availability combined with rapid blood testing helped almost half of participants with advanced cancer access an early-phase clinical trial.

Statewide cancer trial network helps more patients access novel therapies

A portrait photograph of Jodie Ingles, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a dark patterned blouse. She smiles broadly while standing in front of large office windows overlooking a blurry city skyline with trees and a church spire.

A NSW Health-funded expansion of Garvan’s Elusive Hearts Study will focus on families whose ancestries are missing from most genomic databases, in the hope of finding the genetic causes of their inherited heart conditions.

Widening the search for heart disease genes across ancestries

A professional portrait of Professor Daniel MacArthur in the Kinghorn Cancer Centre.

The support will allow more researchers to unlock the genetic basis of rare diseases, helping families find answers faster.

New funding to accelerate the diagnosis of rare diseases

Microscopy image across a bone growth plate

A microscope image showing a cross-section of a bone growth plate. The top region features bright magenta bone tissue. Below this is a large blue-stained area of cartilage tissue displaying distinct columns of stacked cells.

Unprecedented map of bone cells set to enable development of new therapies to reverse bone loss

Genetic mapping identifies new hope for bone diseases

A professional portrait of Dr David Herrmann, on a walkway in the Kinghorn Cancer Centre.

A newly funded research project will use advanced, real-time imaging to explore if blocking a key nervous system molecule could stop the spread of triple-negative breast cancer while making chemotherapy less toxic.

Protecting the body while targeting aggressive breast cancer tumours

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DNA demethylation – an epigenetic change commonly observed in cancers – is linked to changes in DNA’s 3D arrangement and how it replicates itself when cells divide.

Epigenetic change found in cancers linked to DNA’s 3D instability

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Targeting the tumour environment may help improve treatments for breast cancers affecting pregnant women and young mothers.

Inflammation a key to targeting pregnancy-associated breast cancer

Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney.

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Eight innovative projects will be supported by funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

NHMRC awards grants to Garvan researchers

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The National Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded five research grants to Garvan researchers.

New funding to progress breast cancer research

Black and white photo of Les Lazarus and John Shine at the Garvan Institute in its early days

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The Garvan community mourns the passing of a pioneer who shaped its early years.

Vale Professor Leslie ‘Les’ Lazarus

An illustration showing healthy bone. A calcified matrix with osteoclasts (pink) osteoblasts (blue) and stem cells (gold) are part of the dynamic process of making bone. Kate Patterson/Garvan

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Considering underlying health issues more comprehensively when a patient has a fracture could better identify those at higher risk of poor health outcomes.

Patterns of underlying health issues linked to poorer outcomes after fractures in older adults

Emeritus Professor Robert Blank, Professor Jacqueline Center and Dr Dana Bliuc 

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Can you walk a kilometre? The answer can reveal clues about your future fracture risk. 

Walking fitness can predict fracture risk in older adults

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Associate Professor Maté Biro brings specialised expertise in how immune cells interact with tumours to the Institute’s Cancer Ecosystems Program.


Garvan appoints leading expert in cancer-immune interactions

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Garvan researchers are developing a new approach that transforms the immune system’s natural killer cells into therapeutic delivery systems for treating hard-to-reach tumours.

Engineering immune cells to target pancreatic cancer

A highly magnified view of melanoma tumours growing in the skin. CD169+ macrophages are shown in green and yellow forming a biological boundary wall to contain the tumours.

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Macrophage immune cells were imaged engulfing live cancer cells – opening a new approach for melanoma treatment.

Garvan scientists capture ‘housekeeping’ immune cells attacking live melanoma

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New research provides the most comprehensive picture to date of the genomic diversity within and between First Nations communities across Australia.

Unique diversity of Indigenous Australians revealed by next-generation genomics

Dr Brooke Pereira with her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC at the Fulbright Gala

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Garvan’s Dr Brooke Pereira has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to embark on an exchange to the US, where she will investigate new therapy targets for pancreatic cancer.

Dr Brooke Pereira awarded Fulbright Scholarship

A team led by Professor Daniel MacArthur has received MRFF funding to investigate safer use of advanced analytics, including AI, to improve the diagnosis of genetic diseases.

Significant MRFF funding to spearhead AI in rare disease diagnosis

We have trillions of cells in our body – a single, individual cell can impact health and disease.

How does cellular genomics work?

Clockwise from top left: Dr Brooke Pereira, Dr Amelia Parker, Dr Hani Kim and Dr Sharissa Latham

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Cancer Institute NSW has awarded competitive fellowships to four Garvan researchers developing next-generation approaches to diagnose and treat aggressive cancers.

Fellowship funding accelerates cancer research projects at Garvan

A microscopic close-up of a natural killer (NK) immune cell. In a healthy immune system, toxic granules (seen here in magenta) are deployed to destroy infected cells. In patients with MKD, these granules remain trapped inside the cell.
Credit: Dr James Cremasco

NK cell imaging James Cremasco Garvan Institute

Australian researchers have discovered that key immune cells malfunction in a potentially life-threatening disease, pointing to new treatment possibilities with existing drugs. 

Decades-old theory debunked to explain rare immune condition

This image visualises the activity of over a million individual immune cells. The dots represent cells clustered by similarities in gene expression, and coloured by their specific job in the immune system. Analysing cells at this level of detail allowed the researchers to discover hidden genetic differences between male and female immunity.

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The study maps over a million cells to help explain why women are more prone to autoimmune diseases like lupus.

Scientists uncover hidden sex differences in the human immune system

A microscopic view of a slow-growing breast cancer tumour that has shrunk in response to standard hormone therapy and a new experimental Rac1 inhibitor.

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Researchers have mapped the drivers of breast cancer cells that resist therapy by growing extremely slowly rather than entering a completely dormant state.

Slowly ticking breast cancer cells offer new clues to late relapse

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The Federal Government's 2026 Budget delivers on a long-awaited commitment to deploy the Medical Research Future Fund in full.

Garvan welcomes Government's commitment to fully fund Australia's medical research future

Associate Professor Liz Caldon (third from the left) and her lab. 

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Backed by a new Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation grant, Garvan scientists are mapping how cancer cells change their metabolism, to keep highly effective targeted therapies working for longer.

Decoding the survival tactics of aggressive ovarian cancer

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Dare to Hope funding will support vital research into why pancreatic cancer cells spread to other organs and how they evade treatments.

New fellowship to track the evolution of drug resistance in pancreatic cancer

Professor Chris Goodnow and Dr Manu Singh

Chris Goodnow and Manu Singh at the Garvan Institute

Scientists have identified mutated immune cell clones that could point to improved treatment for refractory coeliac disease.

‘Rogue’ immune cells explain why a gluten-free diet fails in some coeliac patients

Professor Chris Goodnow, Dr Clara Young and Dr Dan Suan

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Garvan researchers have uncovered how chronic hepatitis C infection leads to autoimmune disease, which opens new paths for treatments.

‘Perfect storm’ of mutations drives infection-triggered autoimmune disease

Associate Professor Liz Caldon, senior author of the study

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A new Cancer Council NSW-funded project will explore if blocking a specific cellular protein can halt the growth of breast tumours that no longer respond to standard therapies.

Targeting a newly identified pathway in metastatic breast cancer

Dr Rama Dhenni and Professor Tri Phan

Scientists have uncovered why vaccines can elicit a stronger immune response if they are administered in the same arm.

Left or right arm? New research reveals why vaccination site matters for immune response

Professor Joseph Powell, Professor Sarah Kummerfeld and Professor Daniel MacArthur 

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AI leader Anthropic has announced a significant investment in Garvan research to scale up the Institute’s genomics research and accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of disease. 

Anthropic AI support to accelerate genomics research at Garvan

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Dr Ira Deveson will lead an $8 million eight-year research program to improve the detection and treatment of genetic diseases across diverse populations.

Garvan researcher receives Snow Fellowship to advance inclusive genomics

Jonathan Nguyen, Associate Professors Owen Siggs and Jodie Ingles, and PhD student Lucas Mitchell from the Genomics of Rare Disease Registry

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Garvan’s Genomics of Rare Disease Registry will broaden its reach thanks to a funding boost.

Major expansion of national rare disease registry to reach more Australian families

The newly discovered cell type (yellow) shown clustering around a prostate cancer nerve bundle.

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Scientists have identified a new cell type and discovered that many normal-looking prostate cells already harbour cancer-related changes.

Cellular ‘atlas’ of prostate cancer opens new avenues for earlier detection

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A clinical trials network – the NSW Early Phase Clinical Trials Alliance – is allowing more cancer patients to access crucial early-stage clinical trials.

NSW network facilitating access to life-saving clinical trials

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Dr Carlson Tsui is leading a new research lab dedicated to the ‘stem-like’ immune cells that power long-term responses to immunotherapy.

Garvan recruits expert to boost immune defence against cancer

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Dr Clare Puttick will establish a new lab focused on understanding how lung and breast tumours evade the body’s natural defences.

Garvan welcomes computational biologist to decode cancer’s immune escape tactics

Immunoflurescence microscopy image of developing liver, gallbladder and pancreas

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A novel liver cancer trial is currently recruiting participants, testing two drugs to prevent cancer from returning

Liver cancer clinical trial launches, targeting the environment around tumours

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A multicentre Australian study will combine chemotherapy with drugs that weaken the barrier around pancreatic cancer.

New clinical trials to target pancreatic cancer’s protective shield

A breakthrough study of over 450 pancreatic cancer genomes, published today in Nature, has shown that pancreatic cancer is in fact four distinct diseases. The study was led by researchers from the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative, Garvan, the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland. 

Genomics yields a new understanding of pancreatic cancer

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Garvan trial finds that using a common and inexpensive drug reduces insulin needs in type 1 diabetes, opening doors for improved management of the condition

Use of common drug reduces insulin needs in type 1 diabetes

Garvan congratulates Professor Jerry Greenfield on receiving a Millennium Award from Diabetes Australia to support an innovative clinical study in type 1 diabetes.

Professor Jerry Greenfield receives prestigious award

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These insights will help design better treatments to tackle treatment resistance and metastasis 

Australian-first imaging centre to provide unprecedented detail on how cancers interact with their microenvironment

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Garvan researchers have received new funding support to target biological barriers to chemotherapy and develop blood tests to predict treatment response.


Pancreatic cancer projects receive backing at Garvan

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Garvan researchers have identified a drug that can overcome treatment resistance in relapsed neuroblastoma.

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Three landmark studies reveal the hidden layers between DNA and disease