Institute for Molecular Bioscience

Institute for Molecular Bioscience We harness nature to discover cures for a better world Our vision is to create a world with a cure for every disease.

We harness our knowledge of nature to create sustainable cures for diseases that plague people, animals and plants. Our researchers use Australian venoms, plants and soils to stop superbugs in their tracks, to create better cancer treatments, to ensure patients survive strokes and heart attacks, to solve inflammatory diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and to develop environmentally friendly and effective pesticides. We are based at The University of Queensland in Brisbane/Meanjin, Australia.

Inspiring the next generation of scientists 🧪✨ ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science a...
16/01/2026

Inspiring the next generation of scientists 🧪✨

ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science and were delighted to welcome the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) for an afternoon of inspiring seminars and the opportunity to explore our research facilities at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience.

At we’re passionate about sparking curiosity and showing what’s possible in the world of research—right here in Queensland.

During their visit, students discovered how researchers combine chemistry and biology to tackle global challenges. Highlights included Professor Glenn King’s work using spider venom molecules for drug discovery, and Professor David Craik’s innovative approach to growing medicines in plants. They also gained hands-on insights into population and disease genomics with IMB’s Human Services Unit team.

Thanks for spending the afternoon with us. We love sharing our research and connecting with the next generation of scientists.

Follow along to see how we inspire curiosity through research.

National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)

Visiting the inspiring team at Critical Care Research Group ✨ A big thank you to Associate Professor Gianluigi Li Bassi...
16/01/2026

Visiting the inspiring team at Critical Care Research Group ✨

A big thank you to Associate Professor Gianluigi Li Bassi and the team for hosting our tour of their labs at The Prince Charles Hospital today. The incredible work and preclinical trials underway are truly life-changing.

Kicking off the year with great conversations about 2026 and beyond. We’re proud of the collaboration between IMB and CCRG — together driving innovative research that improves patient outcomes and translates discoveries into real-world impact.

Thanks for having us.

🌞 Unlock a brighter tomorrow — vote before 19 Jan! Every vote counts! IMB’s Professor Ben Hankamer and his team are turn...
16/01/2026

🌞 Unlock a brighter tomorrow — vote before 19 Jan! Every vote counts!

IMB’s Professor Ben Hankamer and his team are turning into a solution for global sustainability. As a finalist, every vote brings us closer to a cleaner, brighter future.

This is your chance to support Ben's research and vote for “Solar biotechnologies: harnessing light to solve global challenges” today 👉 https://www.shapingaustraliaawards.com.au/finalists/solar-biotechnologies-harnessing-light-to-power-to-solve-global-challenges-uq

Curiosity that changed the game 💡For IMB alumni Dr Goslik Schepers, curiosity led beyond the lab into the worlds of biot...
15/01/2026

Curiosity that changed the game 💡

For IMB alumni Dr Goslik Schepers, curiosity led beyond the lab into the worlds of biotech, investment, and strategy.

Joining in 2000, he was drawn to its multidisciplinary culture and focus on translating discovery into outcomes. During his PhD with Professor Peter Koopman, he helped map the human SOX8 gene — work that sparked a long-term interest in how ideas move from bench to bedside.

That early exposure to commercialisation opened a path spanning startups, technology transfer, venture capital and senior leadership roles. Today, through Goslik Schepers Consulting and AusBiotech’s Industry Growth Program, Dr Goslik continues to support the next generation of leaders, helping to turn bold ideas into impact.

Read more about his journey here 👉https://imb.uq.edu.au/dr-goslik-schepers

Vote Now! We’re proud to share that UQ IMB’s Professor Ben Hankamer is a finalist in the Shaping Australia Awards.☀️ Hi...
13/01/2026

Vote Now!

We’re proud to share that UQ IMB’s Professor Ben Hankamer is a finalist in the Shaping Australia Awards.
☀️ His team is using algae to turn sunlight directly into renewable fuels, food and clean water—research with the power to transform our energy future.
👉 Vote for Ben in the People’s Choice Award
⏰ Voting closes 19 January

11/01/2026

Time is running out! Voting closes 19 Jan 2026! ⏳

The sun delivers more energy in just two hours than the world uses in a year.

Professor Ben Hankamer is harnessing that power to help deliver clean water, green jobs and a more sustainable future. A finalist in the category, Ben and his team are using to capture sunlight — unlocking solutions for and even future medicines 💊

You can support this groundbreaking work by voting for “Solar biotechnologies: harnessing light to solve global challenges” here 👉https://www.shapingaustraliaawards.com.au/finalists/solar-biotechnologies-harnessing-light-to-power-to-solve-global-challenges-uq

08/01/2026

🕷️➡️❤️ From spider venom to human clinical trials.

A potential new treatment for heart attack and stroke, derived from K’gari funnel-web spider venom, has been administered to humans for the first time.

Developed by UQ's IMB researchers and Brisbane biotech Infensa Bioscience, this world-first Phase 1 trial could transform how we protect the heart and brain from oxygen-related damage.

Currently, no approved therapies exist that directly prevent this type of cell death. If successful, this groundbreaking work could open new possibilities for improving outcomes and saving lives.

Read the full story 👉https://news.uq.edu.au/2026-01-heart-hope-potential-funnel-web-venom-drug-enters-clinical-trial

06/01/2026

Harnessing sunlight for a future 🌞

As a Shaping Australia Awards finalist, IMB's Professor Ben Hankamer and his team use light-driven to convert energy into clean water, green jobs and renewable fuels — demonstrating how solar can create opportunities for Australia and solve global challenges 🌏

You can support Ben’s work in the category by voting for “Solar biotechnologies: harnessing light to solve global challenges” before 19 January 2026.

Vote here today 👉https://www.shapingaustraliaawards.com.au/finalists/solar-biotechnologies-harnessing-light-to-power-to-solve-global-challenges-uq

Big wins for researchers!The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced this year’s successful...
06/01/2026

Big wins for researchers!

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced this year’s successful recipients of its 💡

The Ideas Grants scheme backs bold, innovative research at every career stage—turning big ideas into impact.

Congratulations to our researchers:

🕷️ Dr Natalie Saez and Ms Alexandra Sundman
New therapies to combat deadly spider bites.

💢 Prof Matthew Sweet and Dr Divya Ramnath
Manipulating macrophage metabolism to target inflammation.

🦠 Prof Mark Schembri, Dr Minh Duy Phan and Dr Nhu Nguyen
How an emergent multidrug-resistant atypical E. coli clone causes urinary tract infection.

🩺 Dr Christian Nefzger and Dr Ralph Patrick
Targeting the ageing liver transcription factor network to prevent and treat metabolic fatty liver disease (MASLD).

💉 And Dr Johannes Zuegg
Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by thwarting antibody-dependent enhancement of disease.

Imagine a world where your medication is tailored just for you - IMB researchers are working to make that a reality by e...
04/01/2026

Imagine a world where your medication is tailored just for you - IMB researchers are working to make that a reality by exploring the links between genetics, ancestry, and medication effectiveness.

For many, finding the right antidepressant is a frustrating process of trial and error that can take months or even years. IMB’s Dr Sonia Shah is working to change that. Her research aims to predict which medications will work best for individuals by identifying unique genetic "signatures" linked to antidepressant response 💊

Read more about this life-changing research 👉 https://imb.uq.edu.au/why-dont-all-medicines-work-everyone

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IMB is a multidisciplinary life sciences research institute. Our scientists use world-leading infrastructure to drive discoveries from genome to drug design, disease discovery application and sustainable futures. Our research is framed through centres focused on superbugs, pain, heart disease, inflammation, solar biotechnology and the genomics-disease interplay.