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Current Research

Stem cells are seen as a key tool in the future of medicine. You can read about some current highlights below. Don't forget to subscribe to hear more.

Want to get technical?

Snapshot of Australian Stem Cell Research

The Snapshot briefly describes stem cell research groups, laboratories, projects and initiatives working around Australia as at March 2017. If you're interested in a particular disease or clinical area, perhaps for collaboration or to find particular researchers, then you'll find this a great resource.

Zebrafish: the champions of regeneration

Zebrafish are small, tropical fish that are known as “master-regenerators” because they have the capacity to regenerate many tissues or organs following injury, and being see-through scientists can literally watch the regeneration within the living fish. The Currie Group use zebrafish embryos to learn about muscle cell types. In particular, they are interested in how specific muscle cell types are determined within the developing embryo, how they grow and how they regenerate after injury. Read more about the Currie Group at ARMI

Researchers use stem cells to fight silent epidemic

A new potential treatment using stem cells could reduce the need for surgery for women with pelvic organ prolapse. Described as a silent epidemic, the condition affects an estimated one in four women, with up to 19 per cent of Australian women requiring surgery for prolapse over their lifetime.

Alcohol may affect your stem cells!

How does alcohol affect our stem cells? And how if this connected to seven different types of cancer? A recent study funded by the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK, has provided new insight on how alcohol affects our stem cells, and its connection between seven different types of cancer. A recent UK study provides insights.

Think of the human genome as a library

Professor Jose Polo encourages us to think of the human genome as a library. As an epigeneticist, expert in the way changes occur in our genes beyond the basic structure of DNA, Jose believes who we are is dependent on how the smallest, most fundamental pieces of our biology are able to open and close the great books of our genetic library.