Fifty-five years of Breakthroughs
Garvan research has played a major role in saving lives and changing the health of generations. Scroll down to discover some of the key advances we've made over the last 55 years.
Key Advances and Breakthroughs
2017
MRI screens pick up early stage cancers
Our research, along with international efforts, showed that whole-body MRI screening can detect primary tumours throughout the body, at a curable stage, in people with high genetic risk of cancer.
Learn More2016
Launch of whole genome sequencing service
We launched Australia’s first clinical whole-genome sequencing service, tripling diagnostic rates for people living with rare and genetic conditions.
Learn More2015
Genomic diagnosis changes lives
Using whole genome sequencing, we diagnosed a previously mysterious immune disorder in a critically ill 5-year-old boy. Armed with this knowledge, clinicians changed Alan's treatment – radically improving his health and his outlook.
Learn More2012
Unmasking the secrets of pancreatic cancer
We sequenced the genomes of 100 pancreatic tumours and identified new mutations that lead to pancreatic cancer.
Learn More2010
Gene silencing common in cancers
A group of Garvan scientists discover that extensive gene silencing is common in cancer, with up to 3% of the genome affected by epigenetic changes to DNA in cancer cells.
Learn More2009
Our brains build bones
We showed that the brain, through the hormone NPY, helps control the building of our skeletons.
LEARN MORE2000
Belly fat link to diabetes
We uncovered the role of abdominal fat in determining risk of type 2 diabetes.
LEARN MORE (.PDF)1999 to 2005
Growing nerve cells
We developed methods to culture adult nerve stem cells capable of generating new brain cells, giving hope that some neurodegenerative diseases could be reversed.
LEARN MORE1993
Cyclins drive the progression of breast cancer
We made one of the decade’s most significant advances in breast cancer when we discovered the role of proteins called cyclins.
Back to top1973
Lifesaving insulin infusions
We developed an infusion technique that treats ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening complication associated with diabetes.
LEARN MORE1965
Measuring growth hormone
We developed an Australian-first ‘radioimmunoassay’ technique to measure growth hormone in people.
Back to top
