Discover world-class STEM innovations, from microscopes to robotic arms and high-speed manufacturing and more as part of WSFB’s Labs Unlocked.
Since 1945, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, now QIMR Berghofer, has worked to improve the lives of people locally, and across the globe – driving better health outcomes through impactful medical research. The institute has earned a place amongst Australia’s top medical research institutes with a solid reputation for ground-breaking and transformative health discoveries. QIMR Berghofer researchers seek to discover ways to diagnose earlier, and deliver better treatment, for some of the world’s deadliest diseases. By embracing new techniques and technologies to advance medical science, QIMR Berghofer is leading the way to significant innovation in health – and in doing so, offering hope for a healthier, better tomorrow.
As part of WSFB Labs Unlocked, join a 45 min lab tour including discussion of research, materials and equipment.
Labs Unlocked is presented with support from Advance Queensland.
Lab location: QIMR Berghofer: Herston Road 300, Herston, Queensland 4006
Labs tours available:
Education Lab: Each year, the QIMR Berghofer Education Lab gives thousands of high-school students a taste of what life is like as a medical researcher. The lab will be open to guests of all ages where they can take a look at scientific equipment in action and get hands-on with a number of scientific processes. BOOK TICKETS HERE
Clinical Malaria Lab: The Clinical Malaria Group is dedicated to studying and testing potential treatments for malaria. They focus on checking if new medications are safe and effective by conducting trials with healthy volunteers. The group’s current projects involve testing these medications and using the blood induced stage malaria (BISM) model to better understand how malaria develops in the body. Through these efforts, the Clinical Malaria Lab aims to contribute to the fight against malaria and improve the way the world treats this disease. BOOK TICKETS HERE
Cancer Neuroscience Lab: The Cancer Neuroscience Lab focuses on using discoveries from basic neuroscience research to improve the understanding and treatment of brain cancer, especially glioblastoma, the most common aggressive brain tumour in adults. The lab’s main focus is to study cellular quiescence, a reversible hibernation-like state, adopted by brain cancer cells to evade chemotherapy and radiotherapy. By unravelling the mysteries of cellular quiescence, the researchers hope to find new ways to combat and treat brain cancer effectively. BOOK TICKETS HERE
Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Group Presentation: Did you know that some scientists work without a lab? Come and hear from the Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Group at a special presentation where you’ll learn about the epidemiology and genetic factors that contribute to breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. The group’s main goal is to find specific patterns in normal and tumour tissues that can help pinpoint the causes of these cancers. Additionally, the group aims to discover new targets for drug therapy. Their research projects cover various areas, including clinical genetics, cancer patterns in populations, understanding the molecular aspects of diseases, studying the entire genome, and working towards developing new drugs. BOOK TICKETS HERE
Microscopy Facility: The microscopy facility houses a comprehensive range of cutting-edge instruments for imaging biological processes in fixed and living cells and tissue. These include stereo microscopes, slide scanners, compound microscopes, confocal microscopes, intravital microscopes, a scanning electron microscope and various analysis stations and software. The facility provides technical microscopy expertise for staff at QIMR Berghofer and external users. BOOK TICKETS HERE
Mosquito Control Lab: QIMR Berghofer’s Mosquito Control Lab undertakes studies in all aspects of mosquito biology, mosquito-borne diseases and their transmission. The lab also works with Local and State Government to develop innovative methods of mosquito surveillance, including the involvement of citizen scientists, and the pioneering of control methods which aim to disrupt disease transmission. The lab is unique in the Southern Hemisphere with regard to its size, capacity, expertise, and its permission to hold a number of exotic mosquito species. This makes it a key player both locally and internationally. BOOK TICKETS HERE
Inflammation Biology Lab: The Inflammation Biology Group works to understand how our bodies respond to infections and diseases. They’ve created and improved different ways of studying these processes to learn more about what influences viral infections and inflammatory diseases. These methods are not only useful for their own research but are also shared with other groups, including industry partners, to test new ideas like vaccines, anti-inflammatory drugs, and medications that fight viruses. Very recently, the lab repurposed a specialised laboratory to undertake research into COVID-19. BOOK TICKETS HERE
Visitors must be aged 16 or over (excluding the Education Lab which is suitable for all ages). All visitors must wear enclosed, comfortable shoes.
| Tour Date | Start Time | Finish Time | Available Lab Tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 15 March | 10:00am | 10:45am | Education Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 10:00am | 10:45am | Clinical Malaria Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 10:00am | 10:45am | Cancer Neuroscience Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 11:00am | 11:45am | Education Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 11:00am | 11:45am | Clinical Malaria Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 11:00am | 11:45am | Cancer Neuroscience Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 1:00pm | 1:45pm | Education Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 1:00pm | 1:45pm | Clinical Malaria Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 1:00pm | 1:45pm | Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Group Presentation |
| Friday 15 March | 2:00pm | 2:45pm | Education Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 2:00pm | 2:45pm | Clinical Malaria Lab |
| Friday 15 March | 2:00pm | 2:45pm | Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Group Presentation |
| Saturday 16 March | 10:00am | 10:45am | Education Lab - SOLD OUT |
| Saturday 16 March | 10:00am | 10:45am | Microscopy Facility - SOLD OUT |
| Saturday 16 March | 10:00am | 10:45am | Mosquito Control Lab |
| Saturday 16 March | 10:00am | 10:45am | Inflammation Biology Lab - SOLD OUT |
| Saturday 16 March | 11:00am | 11:45am | Education Lab - SOLD OUT |
| Saturday 16 March | 11:00am | 11:45am | Microscopy Facility - SOLD OUT |
| Saturday 16 March | 11:00am | 11:45am | Mosquito Control Lab - SOLD OUT |
| Saturday 16 March | 11:00am | 11:45am | Inflammation Biology Lab - SOLD OUT |
Free, Bookings Required
Labs Unlocked: Qimr Berghofer
15 Mar 24 ~ 16 Mar 24
45 mins
FREE EVENT
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
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