Three QIMR Berghofer scientists have secured highly competitive National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants to advance innovative research projects aimed at improving public health in Australia and worldwide.
The grants will support cutting-edge studies in mosquito-borne disease prevention and iron deficiency treatment, two areas of critical global concern.
Associate Professor Andrii Slonchak will manage a project to create the world’s first spatial atlas of mosquito gene expression to better understand how viruses such as Dengue and Zika interact with their mosquito hosts. By using pioneering spatial transcriptomics technology, the research will map how these viruses affect mosquito tissues at the gene level, providing insights that could inform new strategies to block transmission.
Associate Professor Gordana Rašić will lead the PORTS project (Precision Optimisation for Resilient Targeted Surveillance), which aims to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity against exotic mosquito-borne diseases. The project will combine mosquito genomics, advanced modelling, and community-led monitoring to improve early detection and control of invasive mosquito species at airports and seaports, key entry points for dangerous disease vectors.
Associate Professor David Frazer will investigate alternative approaches to treating iron deficiency, a condition affecting more than two billion people globally. His team will explore novel iron uptake pathways in the intestine which could lead to the development of safe, effective oral supplements that can rapidly restore iron levels, potentially transforming treatment options and reducing reliance on invasive iron infusions.
Interim QIMR Berghofer Director and CEO Professor Grant Ramm said the Ideas Grants program is designed to support innovative research that pushes the boundaries of current knowledge.
“These projects exemplify the creativity and scientific excellence that drive QIMR Berghofer’s mission to improve health outcomes in Australia and globally.”
The NHMRC Ideas Grants scheme funds high-quality research that fosters new ideas and collaborations, enabling discoveries that can lead to better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.