QIMR Berghofer

20/10/2026

Ultra-processed foods and bowel cancer risk 🥓💊🥼

In a new article for The Conversation Australia + NZ, QIMR Berghofer researcher Dr Erikka Loftfield explores findings from a study of more than 460,000 adults, revealing a more complex picture than simply classifying foods as "ultra-processed".

The study found that replacing 10% of ultra-processed foods with minimally processed foods was linked to a lower incidence of bowel cancer, while some kinds of ultra-processed foods were associated with higher risk and others with lower risk.

20/10/2026

What does a medical researcher do? 🤔

Students from Stanthorpe State High School, Warwick State High School and Goondiwindi State High School are finding out this week! 🔬🧬🌏

As part of QIMR Berghofer's Regional Education Program, our team travelled across the Southern Downs and Goondiwindi regions to share stories of discovery, innovation and impact, while showcasing the many pathways into a career in science.

Thank you to Education Coordinator Dr Manuel Serrano Santos, Community Engagement Lead Clare Blake, Leukaemia Senior Research Officer Dr Jasmin Straube, Brain Modelling Group PhD student Lachlan Hamilton and Mosquito Control Lab Visiting Scientist Verena Kantelhardt for inspiring students to imagine how they could help tackle some of the world's biggest health challenges.



Queensland Department of Education

20/10/2026

Great research starts with great people, and we're excited to welcome several new researchers to QIMR Berghofer through our growing partnership with JCU: James Cook University, Australia.

At a recent Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases seminar, three new conjoint appointees shared the work they're doing to improve health outcomes across Queensland, the tropics and beyond:

🔬 Associate Professor Richard Bradbury is an internationally recognised parasitologist whose work has taken him from hospital laboratories in Australia to leading the Parasitic Diseases Diagnostic Reference Laboratory at the US CDC. His research focuses on improving the diagnosis and control of tropical and neglected diseases.

🦟 Associate Professor Stephan Karl studies malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases across the Pacific and Papua New Guinea. His work helps strengthen disease surveillance and mosquito control programs to reduce transmission and improve health outcomes.

🧬 Dr Roland Ruscher is an immunologist investigating how the gut microbiome and ageing influence our immune system. His research aims to improve our understanding of conditions including inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.

Also joining QIMR Berghofer through this partnership are Associate Professor Tessa Knox and Drs Amanda Murphy and Ida Diget from the Pacific Mosquito Surveillance Strengthening for Impact (Pacmossi) program.

The Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases has played an important role in bringing together researchers from QIMR Berghofer and JCU, creating new opportunities for collaboration, training and innovation across and the .

Together, we’re tackling some of the biggest health challenges facing the tropics.

19/10/2026

🫀Could a conversation with your GP help prevent a future heart attack or stroke?

New research from QIMR Berghofer and ANU has found Australia’s updated cardiovascular risk calculator identifies more than one in three Australians aged 45-74 as being at intermediate or high risk of a cardiovascular event within five years.

The updated tool provides a more accurate picture of risk and creates a valuable opportunity for earlier action through lifestyle changes and, where appropriate, preventive medication.

Knowing your risk could be the first step towards protecting your heart health.

The Australian National University Heart Foundation The Medical Journal of Australia

16/10/2026

Which foods are linked to higher bowel cancer risk? 🥓🌭🍔

Unfortunately for deli connoisseurs, QIMR Berghofer researcher Dr Erikka Loftfield’s work has found eating ultra-processed meat, which includes hotdogs and sandwich meats, increases a person’s risk of bowel cancer.

Other types of ultra-processed foods, namely whole grain and dairy products, which include wholemeal breads and flavoured yogurts and contain fibre and calcium, were associated with lower risk.

The study also found that replacing 10 per cent of ultra-processed foods with the equivalent weight of minimally processed foods was linked to a two per cent reduction in the incidence of bowel cancer.

Formerly a researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s National Cancer Institute in the United States, Dr Loftfield now leads the QIMR Berghofer’s Integrative Nutritional Epidemiology Group.

She said the findings should be viewed in the broader context of overall nutrition.

“We know that diet quality is important for chronic disease prevention. Although we found that intake of ultra-processed whole grain and dairy products was linked to lower incidence of bowel cancer, those same foods may contain high levels of added sugars or salt which could increase the risk of other chronic diseases. The advice is to eat for overall health, prioritizing foods that are nutrient dense and avoiding foods with high amounts of added sugars, salt, and saturated fat.”

14/10/2026

💗 New hope for patients facing one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer.

QIMR Berghofer’s Tumour Immunology Lab head Professor Rajiv Khanna AO and Mater Research’s Tumour Biology Research Group leader Professor K*m K*m Khanna have secured funding to develop a world-first immunotherapy designed to target triple-negative breast cancer that has spread to the brain.

Using the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Pink Sky Grant to engineer specialised immune cells, the team hopes to pave the way for a new generation of therapies for patients facing devastating prognoses.

The approach combines CAR T-cell technology with ( )-specific T cells, which have a natural ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and survive long-term.

The researchers hope the three-year project will generate the preclinical evidence needed to progress the therapy towards human clinical trials.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, QIMR Berghofer is proud to be part of research with the potential to change outcomes and save lives.

14/10/2026

Vale Emeritus Professor Colin Mackerras AO 🖤

The QIMR Berghofer community is deeply saddened by the passing of Emeritus Professor Colin Mackerras AO.

Colin held a special connection to our Institute through his aunt and uncle, Drs Josephine and Ian Mackerras, whose vision, leadership and commitment to scientific discovery helped lay the foundations for what is now QIMR Berghofer. Ian was also QIMR’s first Director.

The couple’s contributions were instrumental in shaping modern medical research in Queensland.

A cherished friend of the Institute, we loved hearing Colin’s personal memories and reflections on Josephine and Ian, bringing to life the remarkable people behind a legacy that continues to improve lives through research.

We were privileged to have Colin play a very special part in our 80th anniversary celebrations in 2025 when he was interviewed for a special podcast series and attended our Gala Dinner.

We extend our sincere condolences to the Mackerras family and all who knew and loved him. We honour Colin's life and the enduring impact of the Mackerras family's contribution to medical research.

14/10/2026

From losing her mum to breast cancer to leading a world-class cancer research lab at QIMR Berghofer, Professor Stacey Edwards’ remarkable story is featured in this week’s New Idea Magazine 💗

Stacey was just five years old when her mum, Kay, was diagnosed with . After an 18-year battle with the disease, Kay passed away at age 52 after the cancer spread to her bones.

By then, Stacey had already decided to dedicate her career to understanding breast cancer and helping create a better future for women facing the disease.

“By the time I was in high school I knew I wanted to do breast cancer research so I could understand why my mum got this disease and how I could help,” Stacey says.

“Mum knew my plan and she was very proud.”

Today, as Head of QIMR Berghofer's Functional Cancer Genomics Team, Stacey leads research to understand why breast cancer develops and becomes resistant to treatment, with the goal of finding better ways to treat the disease.

Stacey and Professor Juliet French recently discovered a cancer-fighting RNA molecule that successfully destroyed breast cancer cells in the lab. This breakthrough could one day lead to new treatments for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the most common form of breast cancer.

Read Stacey’s story in New Idea here: https://www.newidea.com.au/news/professor-stacey-edwards-breast-cancer-treatment/

13/10/2026

Groundbreaking QIMR Berghofer research with the potential to transform patient care was featured at this week's Built Here Parliamentary Showcase in Canberra, attended by ministers, MPs, senators and senior policymakers.

From lab-grown human heart muscle patches that could one day repair damaged hearts, to miniature heart organoids helping researchers discover new treatments, and virus-specific T cell therapies restoring immunity in patients with life-threatening infections, these projects highlight the power of Australian medical research to deliver real-world health and economic impact.

These groundbreaking advances are helping shape the future of heart disease treatment, drug discovery and cellular immunotherapy.

Q-Gen Cell Therapeutics, a National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy ( ) facility operating under the Therapeutic Innovation Australia umbrella, enables the clinical translation of cellular therapy programs.

If you want to know more about QIMR Berghofer innovation, get in touch: qimrb.edu.au



Department of Industry, Science and Resources

13/10/2026

To our community: We’re headed your way! We’d love you to join us for morning tea and meet our researchers, including QIMR Berghofer’s new Director and CEO, Professor Brandon Wainwright AM ☕

Hear from special guest Professor Rachel Neale, an internationally recognised expert in skin cancer prevention, sun exposure and vitamin D research.

Rachel will share how her team is working to better understand the health benefits of vitamin D supplementation and how to balance the risks and benefits of sun exposure.

If you are curious to learn more about the research making a difference across , we’d love to welcome you. Feel free to bring a friend!
Wednesday, 28 October 2026
10am – 12pm
Rockhampton Museum of Art, 220 Quay Street, Rockhampton

📍Learn more and RSVP: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/events/rockhampton-donor-and-community-event

Rockhampton Museum of Art, 220 Quay St, Rockhampton City QLD 4700