Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Australia's first medical research institute tackling the deadly trio of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

We're committed to helping Australians live healthier for longer. Celebrating 100 years of innovation and impact in 2026. Our work extends from the laboratory to wide-scale community studies with a focus on diagnosis, prevention and treatment. We are proud of our pledge to improve the quality of life for people now and safeguard the health of future generations. Visit https://baker.edu.au for more information. Read more about our history at https://baker.edu.au/who-we-are/history

Do you know a uni student curious about a career in medical research? 💙Applications are now open for our vacation intern...
03/08/2026

Do you know a uni student curious about a career in medical research? 💙

Applications are now open for our vacation internship program — a paid, hands-on placement of up to six weeks in one of our research laboratories, working alongside scientists tackling heart disease and diabetes.

It's open to students in the second-last or final year of their undergraduate degree, as well as recent graduates. Interns are paid $500 a week and mentored by experienced researchers — and many go on to Honours, Master’s or PhD study right here at the Baker Institute.

Share this with a student in your life. Applications close Sunday 11 October: https://baker.edu.au/internship?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=students&utm_content=vi

Immune-driven inflammation, which can drive atherosclerotic heart disease where plaque builds up in the artery walls and...
31/07/2026

Immune-driven inflammation, which can drive atherosclerotic heart disease where plaque builds up in the artery walls and can lead to a heart attack or stroke, is firmly within our sights.

Almost $3 million will enable Professor Andrew Murphy to better understand how abnormal lipid metabolism drives immune dysfunction so we can target these dysfunctional immune cells and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Thanks to the National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC for providing this critical funding.

Baker Institute researchers secured more than $10 million for innovative research projects to prevent and treat heart attack and heart failure, including in vulnerable groups like people with diabetes.

👉 https://baker.edu.au/news/funding-future-heart-treatments

Heart Foundation Diabetes Australia Sarah Witty MP Mark Butler MP

A colourful crowd-pleaser for your next get-together 🍜 Japchae is a Korean stir-fry of springy sweet potato noodles toss...
31/07/2026

A colourful crowd-pleaser for your next get-together 🍜 Japchae is a Korean stir-fry of springy sweet potato noodles tossed with crispy tofu, shiitake mushrooms and a rainbow of vegetables in a light sesame-soy sauce. Packed with veg, easy to adapt, and just as good warm or at room temperature.

Serves 4.

Get the full recipe here
👉 https://baker.edu.au/health-hub/recipes/japchae

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes. It strikes earlier, harder, and differently...
29/07/2026

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes. It strikes earlier, harder, and differently depending on whether you're a woman or a man, and it becomes more dangerous after a heart attack.

Cardiologist, Professor Eylem Levelt, will harness her expertise in cardiovascular imaging in diabetes and the specialised knowledge of colleagues in multi-omics, to investigate why. She will look at the biology behind:

⭐Why cardiovascular risk is so high in younger people with early onset type 2 diabetes
⭐Why type 2 diabetes neutralises the natural cardiovascular protection normally observed in females
⭐Why heart attack survivors with type 2 diabetes face a higher risk of heart failure

Understanding these mechanisms means we can build smarter, more targeted prevention and deliver better outcomes for people living with type 2 diabetes, at every stage.

Thanks to the National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC for providing more than $1.6 million to undertake this critical work.

Baker Institute researchers secured more than $10 million for innovative research projects to prevent and treat heart attack and heart failure, including in vulnerable groups like people with diabetes.

👉https://baker.edu.au/news/funding-future-heart-treatments

Heart Foundation Diabetes Australia Sarah Witty MP Mark Butler MP

Living with type 1 diabetes? Help us protect your sight — and the sight of others. 👁️ Diabetic eye disease is one of the...
28/07/2026

Living with type 1 diabetes? Help us protect your sight — and the sight of others. 👁️

Diabetic eye disease is one of the most common complications of type 1 diabetes, and our FAME 1 Eye trial is investigating whether a simple tablet could reduce that risk.

You may be eligible if you're over 18, live in Melbourne, have type 1 diabetes and mild diabetic eye disease. Participants receive a comprehensive clinical assessment at no cost — including an eye examination and vision test, blood pressure check, and blood tests for diabetes and blood fats.

Learn more and enquire: https://baker.edu.au/research/clinical-trials/fame1eye?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=clinical_trials&utm_content=fame1eye

Unfortunately, high proportions of indigenous people develop aggressive forms of diabetes. In Australia, indigenous peop...
27/07/2026

Unfortunately, high proportions of indigenous people develop aggressive forms of diabetes. In Australia, indigenous people have three or four times the rates of diabetes compared to the rest of the population.

Associate Professor Neale Cohen explained to Libbi Gorr on ABC Radio that there is a genetic basis for diabetes amongst indigenous populations around the world.

There are many indigenous Australians experiencing early onset of complications with kidney disease, blindness and heart disease. Sadly, many die early. We desperately need more research, innovative treatments and good models of care, particularly in remote communities.

Listen in to the interview with Neale from 23:18.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/nightlife/weight-loss-drugs/106930416

The final episode of Good Food Everyday with Gary Mehigan presented by the Institute airs this Sat, 25 July, and it's a ...
24/07/2026

The final episode of Good Food Everyday with Gary Mehigan presented by the Institute airs this Sat, 25 July, and it's a family affair❤️.

Marathon legend Steve Moneghetti joins his brother Denis, whose son Kegan is a cardiologist and researcher with us at the Baker Institute.

Even with all that expertise close to home, Denis initially brushed off his own chest pain, a decision that led to open heart surgery. He's sharing his story to remind others to seek treatment early while Steve talks through his own relationship with exercise and food.

📺Tune in Saturday, 1pm on Channel 10 or stream on 10.com.au

Heart Foundation hearts4heart

23/07/2026

How could microplastics and the tinier nanoplastics be damaging our hearts and blood vessels? Dr Patrick Lelliott and Louise Roberts are using innovative tools to study how these plastic particles could set off an inflammatory stress response in our blood vessels.

In the Baker Institute lab, they have witnessed human immune cells called neutrophils trying to kill microplastics because they recognise the microplastics as foreign invaders - like an infection. As a last resort, the immune cells self-destruct and explode on the microplastics, releasing a toxic cloud of DNA and proteins. The tiny plastics aren’t impacted but surrounding cells can be injured in this process.

So if this is happening in our blood vessels as well, this could be causing swelling and blockages in the blood vessels, damaging the heart and other major organs, and contributing to stroke and heart attacks. Watch this space as their research progresses.

https://baker.edu.au/news/microplastics-in-arteries

Baked beans, made from scratch 🫘 If you love the tinned classic, this homemade version is a salt-free way to enjoy it — ...
23/07/2026

Baked beans, made from scratch 🫘 If you love the tinned classic, this homemade version is a salt-free way to enjoy it — beans simmered in a rich tomato sauce with a little maple, balsamic and warming spices. Comforting on toast, and a great source of fibre and plant protein.
Tip: double the batch and freeze portions for busy mornings.

Serves 4–6.

Get the full recipe here
👉 https://baker.edu.au/health-hub/recipes/homemade-baked-beans

Did you know heart disease and dementia often coexist? 🧠❤️ If you've been hospitalised with heart failure, you may be at...
21/07/2026

Did you know heart disease and dementia often coexist? 🧠❤️

If you've been hospitalised with heart failure, you may be at greater risk of cognitive decline — and our COG-HF study is working to change that. The study aims to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of future dementia in people living with heart failure, with some participants receiving a dedicated cardiac nurse, telehealth support and a home-based exercise program.

You may be eligible if you're aged 50 or over and have been diagnosed with heart failure. We're recruiting in Melbourne and Tasmania, and clinic visits can be done remotely.

Learn more and apply: https://baker.edu.au/research/clinical-trials/cog-hf-study?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=clinical_trials&utm_content=cog-hf

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75 Commercial Road
Melbourne, VIC
3004

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

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