Congratulations to Peter Mac Clinician Scientist @shomgoel.bsky.social on receiving the 2026 Robert Sutherland Award for Excellence in Translational Research from @bctrials.bsky.social. More: www.petermac.org/about-us/new...
Ben Hogan
@benjhogan.bsky.social
Cell & Developmental Biology. Vascular Biology. Lymphatics. Zebrafish. Associate Director of Laboratory Research at Peter Mac Cancer Centre. Professor at The University of Melbourne.
A “precision guided” CAR T-cell therapy designed at Peter Mac to kill solid tumours will progress to a first-in-human clinical trial thanks to almost $18 million from @ausgov. More: www.petermac.org/about-us/new... #CARTCellTherapy #Immunotherapy
Despite a long history of world-leading discoveries, Australia's science system is going backwards – at the very moment the rest of the world is moving forward, fast. That's why we've launched BACK AUSTRALIA'S ABILITY, a call to every Australian to do exactly that.
Just a few months to IVBM in Australia! Come down and enjoy great science, food, beaches, wine and company. Time to register now at ivbm2026.com
The Thermo Fisher situation keeps getting worse. We've now collected 450+ problematic images presented as verification data in TF's antibody catalog. This includes: 🖌️ Dozens more images with duplications or painting 🖨️ Hundreds of blots that all share the same background (behold slideshow below)
🚨 We’re hiring! We’re looking for a Research Assistant / Junior Postdoc to join the Christie Lab at @petermaccc.bsky.social Ideally the candidate will have experience in analysis of single cell/nuclei RNA sequencing, and be capable of developing bioinformatics workflows and statistical analysis.
Final version of our paper on zebrafish pericytes and BBB function is now out in Elife! Congrats to Oz the first author and all contributors. elifesciences.org/articles/104...
Mural cells protect the adult brain from hemorrhage but do not control the blood–brain barrier in developing zebrafish
Pericytes regulate cerebrovascular development, while vascular smooth muscle cells prevent hemorrhage and blood–brain barrier breakdown at vascular hotspots in juvenile and adult zebrafish.
elifesciences.org
Beyond time that we started seeing articles like this about the appalling state of Australia’s grant funding system……and peer review is just one problem that needs fixing. Australia’s erosion of peer review | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Australia’s erosion of peer review
Throughout the world, peer review serves as the cornerstone of the scientific enterprise, providing rigorous quality control and building the confidence that underpins progress for both science and so...
science.org
Another Budget week gone &, overall, I'd say Australian research is worse off than last week. Maybe medical research is a bit better off. CSIRO's on slightly firmer footing ("but we'll sack everyone anyway"). University-based research? "Research translation"? Stuffed. No $. No plan. No research.
Very excited to take on a new role as Co-Director of the Department of Fundamental Oncology at UNIL, w/ my wonderful colleague Tatiana Petrova as Director - looking forward to support ambitious science, strengthen translational collaborations & help train the next generations of cancer researchers!
A new leadership duo for the Unil Department of Fundamental Oncology
The Unil Department of Fundamental Oncology announces a new governance structure with Prof. Tatiana V. Petrova appointed Director and Prof. Johanna A. Joyce appointed Co-Director, marking a key milest...
unil.ch
Using light-activated CRISPR in zebrafish, we triggered synchronized DNA breaks and track the repair process. ⚡🐟⚡ Well ... DNA repair is very different in embryos compared to tissue culture cells. Embryos repair DNA breaks incredibly fast - within minutes! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Delighted to share the lab's latest led by superstar Janith and funded by @snowmedical.bsky.social. What happens when embryonic factors are reawakened in cancers? We uncovered how DPPA2/4 amplify chromatin states in non-small cell lung cancer 🧬🔬🧪 genesdev.cshlp.org/content/earl... Tutorial 👇 (1/8)
Embryonic stem cell factors DPPA2/4 amplify active H3K4me3–H2AK119ub chromatin domains in non-small cell lung cancer
A biweekly scientific journal publishing high-quality research in molecular biology and genetics, cancer biology, biochemistry, and related fields
genesdev.cshlp.org
Amyloidosis of bridging veins is a pathologic feature of #Alzheimers disease, from @leonsmyth.bsky.social, Rupal Mehta, @jonykipnis.bsky.social et al. rupress.org/jem/article/... 📘 In our #Lymphatics collection: rupress.org/jem/collecti...
All the feels tonight for the Australian biomedical research sector #nhmrc
NHMRC Investigator Grants out today. A devastating day for many. I have already received messages from some of the best researchers I know who have missed out. The senior levels had a cutoff of 5.93 (females), 6.2 (males) - according to my sources. The impact will be wide spread.
Beautiful work Li-Kun!
Li-Kun Phng@phnglab.bsky.social · 5mo agoHappy to share a write-up of our recent publication @natcomms.nature.com demonstrating how circumferential actomyosin-driven endothelial cell contractions constrict vessel diameter, providing insights into mechanisms of normal vessel remodelling and CCM. www.bdr.riken.jp/en/news/rese...
We are a rich enough country to be funding 37% of all basic research proposals, not just considering "the best" 37% and then maybe only funding 12% in the end.
Australia has incredible talent, but without sustained investment and long‑term certainty, we risk losing both people and progress. Supporting medical research isn’t optional — it’s essential for better health outcomes and future prosperity. www.theaustralian.com.au/health/medic...
I’ve officially started my lab at Monash University! 🎉 We’re diving into #cellgrowth and #lysosome biology, through the lens of molecular #structure and mechanism. I’m thrilled to say that PhD student scholarships are available—so please share widely and get in touch if you’re interested. 🤩
Two Peter Mac researchers have secured $3.5M+ in MRFF funding for projects to improve recovery after cancer surgery and to advance personalised care for a rare type of ovarian cancer. Read more: www.petermac.org/about-us/new...
Our preprint on mural cells and the zebrafish blood brain barrier is now revised with new data and analysis www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Right now, the Government is starving medical research of full funding, even as it claims that science and research are national priorities. If our leaders truly value science as much as they say, then they must back their words with action—and fund it properly. Join the campaign!
Medical Research Matters
moniqueryan.com.au
New research led by Prof @benjhogan.bsky.social has revealed a surprising evolutionary switch in the brain’s immune system - uncovering how specialised immune cells at the borders of the brain evolved, and why they behave so differently in humans. More: www.petermac.org/about-us/new...
We’re delighted to see this out today! Latest work from the lab reveals insights into the evolution of brain immunity and the developmental and evolutionary plasticity of lymphatic endothelial cells. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Convergent evolution of scavenger cell development at brain borders - Nature
Transcription factor osr2 is identified as a specific marker and regulator of mural lymphatic endothelial cell (muLEC) differentiation and maintenance, and muLECs and border-associated macrophages sha...
nature.com
The government can’t claim that medical research is a priority while failing to treat it as one. Nine in 10 leading researchers in Australia are missing out on government support for world‑class proposals, leaving exceptional talent uncertain about their future.
Most researchers miss out on innovation grants while medical fund sits on $25b
Nine in 10 Australian researchers had their “ideas grant” applications rejected last year, even as Australia’s medical investment fund sits on $5 billion more than it was designed to hold.
theage.com.au
Medical research matters! Australian scientists are making potentially lifesaving breakthroughs into the molecular mechanisms of brain tumours - discoveries with potential for commercialisation and global uptake. We should support them better via the MRFF and NHMRC.
Mark’s deadly cancer will come back. Now scientists know why
When Mark Norris finished his cancer treatment, there was nothing doctors could do except wait for it to return. The father of two says that’s not good enough.
theage.com.au
Australia’s medical and scientific research sectors save lives and are vital to our economy. The government has to step up and lean in to their potential. It’s small-minded and short-sighted to force them to wither on the vine, when we have money put aside for this purpose in the Future Fund.