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.

22/12/2025

🌞 Vote for a brighter future! 🌞

The sun delivers more energy in 2 hours than the world needs in a year. At Professor Ben Hankamer is turning that power into clean water, green jobs and a sustainable future.

As a finalist in the category, his team uses to harness sunlight to create and even develop future medicines đź’Š

You can support Ben's work by voting for “Solar biotechnologies: harnessing light to solve global challenges” before 19 Jan 2026. Every vote counts!

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

21/12/2025

At discovery is only the beginning; real impact happens when meets

Collaborative research at on inflammasomes — the molecular machines that drive inflammation — contributed to the formation of the biotech company reflecting IMB researchers' combined efforts to translate discovery into impact.

That approach has driven to pioneer new therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases, including Alzheimer's and liver disease — with one clear goal: giving people their lives back.

At , science and industry come together to deliver hope đź’«

The formation of Inflazome originated from collaborative research led by Professor Matt Cooper, Professor Kate Schroder, Professor Avril Robertson, and Dr Rebecca Coll, and contributed to the formation of the biotech company

18/12/2025

Protagonist Therapeutics has grown from an spin-out to an international leader, now listed on and pioneering đź’Š

As Dr Greg Bourne, Protagonist’s VP of Chemistry and Australia Site Head, reflects:

“Having that support and infrastructure was very critical to develop early on, and to have that positive feedback from the IMB has helped Protagonist to where it is today.”

This is the power of collaboration: academia and industry joining forces to build an innovation pipeline that not only tackles but fuels Australia’s economy. With more than 20 IMB spin-outs, the impact is unmistakable: transformative science, global partnerships and solutions 🌏

A 25-year legacy — and a future of limitless potential. Subscribe today to see what creates next 👉 https://imb.uq.edu.au/subscribe

Support IMB Students in Times of Need đź’™ The Hardship Fund was established through the generosity of staff and supporte...
17/12/2025

Support IMB Students in Times of Need đź’™

The Hardship Fund was established through the generosity of staff and supporters. Over the years, it has provided critical assistance to students facing a wide range of unexpected challenges — from financial hardship to medical emergencies.

At our community looks after one another — especially when life takes an unexpected turn. We are once again calling on our community to help. Your tax-deductible donation to the IMB Student Hardship Fund will directly assist students experiencing genuine hardship, allowing them to focus on their studies and research with peace of mind.

Make a donation online 👉 https://donations.uq.edu.au/imb_hdr_student_hardship

For further information, please contact Wendy Mansell at w.mansell@imb.uq.edu.au

Every contribution — large or small — makes a difference. Together, we can ensure our students have the support they need when it matters most.

16/12/2025

Some scientific milestones aren’t measured in papers or prizes—they’re felt in the people, stories, and creativity behind the discoveries. 🎨

For and celebrating 25 years of was about more than the science itself. Emma Lane and Kate Dowrie from UQ’s Brand & Creative Studio immersed themselves in labs, met researchers and even photographed a venomous funnel‑web spider (yes, really 🕷️) to capture the heart of IMB in a visual identity that would last far beyond the anniversary year.

Inspired by the and the stunning Kalata sculpture, the design blends bold numerals with half-real, half-abstract imagery—reflecting the lens scientists use every day. It symbolises innovation, collaboration, evolution, and the curiosity that drives discovery.

Explore IMB’s 25th anniversary identity and the story behind it here 👉https://imb.uq.edu.au/art-science

Breakthroughs don’t happen overnight — they’re built on years of curiosity, courage, and collaboration.From arriving at ...
16/12/2025

Breakthroughs don’t happen overnight — they’re built on years of curiosity, courage, and collaboration.

From arriving at as a PhD student to leading his own lab in Singapore, alumni Dr. Kaiwen Chen has been defined by discovery, mentorship, and impact. His work uncovered Gasdermin‑D as a key driver of inflammation—a finding now shaping future therapies for and diseases worldwide 🦠

But Kaiwen’s story isn’t just about science. It’s about mentors who guided him, colleagues he trained, and a community that continues to inspire him. Today, as he nurtures the next generation of scientists, his belief in curiosity and collaboration remains unwavering.

As we celebrate 25 years of IMB, Kaiwen reminds us: great science doesn’t just change what we know—it changes what’s possible 💫

Read more about Kaiwen’s journey 👉 https://imb.uq.edu.au/dr-kaiwen-chen

Many parts of Queensland are beautiful, but it was K’gari’s funnel‑web that sparked Dr Maggie Hardy’s career of disc...
15/12/2025

Many parts of Queensland are beautiful, but it was K’gari’s funnel‑web that sparked Dr Maggie Hardy’s career of discovery 🕷️

At , Maggie’s postgraduate research unlocked new possibilities in therapies and -friendly insecticides—and taught her to turn complex science into stories that connect. That combination of skill and curiosity carried her from patents and publications to disaster response in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

Today, as Scientific Integrity Officer at the U.S. Geological Survey, she ensures research is rigorous, transparent, and trusted. Maggie’s journey shows that curiosity can start small—but its impact can span ecosystems, communities and the foundations of global science.

As celebrates 25 years, her story reminds us how alumni change the world 🌏

Weave your way through Maggie's story here 👉https://imb.uq.edu.au/dr-maggie-hardy

14/12/2025

For 25 years, has made one promise — to turn world-class science into real-world impact.

As Professor Ian Henderson reflects, IMB’s strength has always been its people: brilliant researchers with an entrepreneurial drive. From creating pesticides to pioneering new ways to manage cane toad populations, IMB has helped launch almost 25 companies delivering solutions that uplift communities around the world 🌏

Professor Henderson reminds us: “We have cured disease, and we will continue to cure disease…with the right focus on research and the right support from government, philanthropy and industry, we will continue to do so”

Curing disease: it’s in our nature.

Subscribe today to see what creates next 👉https://imb.uq.edu.au/subscribe

Tim Mercer has seen IMB evolve from a building site into a beacon of discovery — and 25 years later, its vision is sti...
12/12/2025

Tim Mercer has seen IMB evolve from a building site into a beacon of discovery — and 25 years later, its vision is still unfolding ✨

What captured his imagination was the ultimate puzzle: the human genome. That curiosity drew him to where his PhD helped uncover thousands of new RNA genes and laid the groundwork for diagnostics now used in care. His career has since spanned Sydney, Seattle and back to Queensland, where he leads (Australia’s RNA manufacturing hub), powering next‑generation medicines.

“IMB was a beacon. It set the standard for internationally competitive research and helped build the ecosystem we have today,” Tim reflects.

Discover how his journey shows how curiosity, mentorship, and collaboration can turn discoveries into global impact 👉 https://imb.uq.edu.au/professor-timothy-mercer

11/12/2025

“IMB can be like a magnet; you attract the best brains, you get the best research, you then commercialise the research, you grow the economy,” reflects former Premier Peter Beattie.

For a quarter of a century, has been a hub where science, health leadership and innovation come together — improving patient care, developing homegrown breakthroughs, and strengthening Queensland’s research reputation.

As Minister for Health, Tim Nicholls MP says:

“If we can collaborate with IMB and develop our own homegrown products, that’s a better outcome for all of us.”

💡 From discovery to impact, IMB is shaping Queensland’s future in health and science.

Follow for more stories driving the future of healthcare

A new window into Parkinson’s disease 🧠✨ have used advanced PET/MRI imaging to observe a promising anti-inflammatory dr...
11/12/2025

A new window into Parkinson’s disease 🧠✨

have used advanced PET/MRI imaging to observe a promising anti-inflammatory drug at work in the living brain for the first time. The study showed that treatment reduced inflammation and improved motor function in preclinical models — an encouraging step toward slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

The drug that powered this study originated from research led by by Professors Matt Cooper, Professor Kate Schroder, Professor Avril Robertson and Dr Rebecca Coll, which led to the formation of the biotech company — one of Australia’s landmark commercialisation successes.

This new imaging work highlights how discoveries made at continue to drive Australia’s pipeline of next-generation therapeutics — from understanding inflammation at the molecular level to creating drug candidates now being explored for major neurodegenerative diseases.

Read more 👉 https://news.uq.edu.au/2025-12-advanced-brain-imaging-reveals-promise-new-drug-parkinsons-disease

08/12/2025

🌱 Science, art and a moment of inspiration 🎨

At discovery happens not just in the lab — it’s in the connections we make.

When artist Hiromi Tango first saw Professor David Craik’s plants producing medicines, she saw more than science; she saw a story to share with the world. Her creative perspective, in turn, inspired David to reflect on his work in new ways:

“Her work and gentle spirit… allowed me to reflect more and think more deeply about our science. Art and science are actually two very similar professions… both creating things that no one had thought about before.”

Watch as together, they show how and grow stronger when different perspectives meet ✨

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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.