Researchers at the University of Queensland and WEHI have identified a new generation anti-cancer drug that could be repurposed for aggressive childhood brain tumour, medulloblastoma. The international collaboration spent five years mapping the genetics of this common and fatal brain cancer for children. The existing drug has been approved for other diseases or cancers but never tested in paediatric brain tumours. Ixabepilone which is used to treat breast cancer, was found to block tumour growth and significantly extend survival rates in preclinical models. | https://www.uq.edu.au/news/node/129501

Australia's Monash University have received a $2.97 million Medical Research Future Fund grant to commence a new DNA screening study that will identify cancer risk in young adults. The study will develop a low-cost test offered to 10,000 young Aussies with the aim to drastically improve access to preventative genetic testing. Associate Professor Paul Lacaze will work with a team of internationally recognised leaders to develop this tool and accelerate implementation into the healthcare system. | shorturl.at/kxAC5

World Microbiome Day (28 June 2021) encouraged people around the world to explore all things microbial from the microorganisms in and on humans, animals, water, plants, soil and food. Over half of the cells in the human body are microbial in origin and the gut microbiome plays an important role in health. The gut has become a source of great scientific research in the last decade or so. Companies such as Australia's Microba Life Sciences are using precise and comprehensive analysis of the gut microbiome to develop new diagnostics and therapeutics to advance medicine globally. | shorturl.at/jwABE   

US-based biopharmaceutical company Qpex Biopharma Inc. have joined forces with Monash University researchers to drive clinical development of their APX9003 antibiotic. The researchers discovered this antibiotic to address an urgent unmet medical need to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria or superbugs. This new antibiotic has shown improved safety and efficacy over the currently used antibiotics. | https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/new-antibiotic-to-combat-deadly-bacterial-superbugs-enters-clinical-trials

A research team from Australia and the United States, comprised of leading universities, hospitals and industry, will embark on the world's first durable total artificial heart. The group - led by Monash University and BIVACOR, have received $1 million in Australia's Federal Government MRFF funding to develop and commercialise this new device through novel, innovative technology. They aim to take this technology to market within six years, saving lives, creating jobs and establishing Australia as world leaders in medical device development. | https://www.biospectrumasia.com/news/98/18388/australia-us-team-brings-world-first-durable-total-artificial-heart.html

The Microbiome Data Congress 2021 brought together leaders from academia and industry to discuss biostatistical methods and cutting-edge bioinformatic tools for advancing microbiome research. This year's event also featured a session on the 'dark matter' of the gut microbiome and the importance of precise measurements which could lead to diagnostic and therapeutic discovery from the gut. Leading Australian bioinformatician, Dr David Wood of Microba Life Sciences, spoke about the importance of precision microbiome analysis and the potential of the gut microbiome in future diagnostic and therapeutics in clinical practice. | shorturl.at/grCM3