Apoptosis *WATERMARK* (2006) by Drew Berry wehi.tv, sound design Franc Tétaz WEHImovies 2026-09-21 | Apoptosis *WATERMARK* (2006) by Drew Berry wehi.tv, sound design Franc Tétaz
Live Forever (2024) Drew Berry wehi.tv #Lysosome #mTOR WEHImovies 2024-03-02 | A powers-of-ten plunge into the molecular mechanisms inside an egg cell that reset the biological clock to zero days old.Ageing is an inevitable fact of life. But one type of cell can reset its age to zero and continue as the immortal lineage that will populate our future."Live Forever" is a multi-scale visualisation that combines microscopy and generative modelling of mTOR signalling pathway triggered by the presence of sperm.Lysosome molecular model playing real-time in Unity game engine
Chemistry Of Life (2024, English trailer). Animation by Norrköping Visualisation C and wehi.tv WEHImovies 2024-02-05 | Trailer for 'Chemistry of Life' dome film (8K 3D 360-degree 30 minute show) created for students on science excursion to museums and science centres.
We’re doing science in a new way, to solve the biggest challenges of #immunology WEHImovies 2023-11-23 | WEHI’s Professor Daniel Gray shares how the Snow Centre for Immune Health’s pioneering research approach, integrated with the Royal Melbourne Hospital, will accelerate clinical translation. Find out more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/collaborative-centre/snow-centre-for-immune-health/#immunology #shorts #MedicalResearch #wehi
Life-changing research at the new Snow Centre for Immune Health WEHImovies 2023-11-21 | The number of people affected by immune diseases is growing rapidly. WEHI’s Dr Vanessa Bryant explains how the new Snow Centre for Immune Health will be life-changing for millions, across the globe. Find out more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/collaborative-centre/snow-centre-for-immune-health/#ImmuneResearch #innovation #shorts
WEHI Bequest Stories WEHImovies 2023-11-21 | When you leave a gift to WEHI in your Will, you are giving a gift to future generations who will benefit from the latest medical research and world-class treatments.Find out more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/support-us/include-us-in-your-will/
What’s different about the Snow Centre for Immune Health? WEHImovies 2023-11-20 | WEHI’s Professor Daniel Gray shares how the Snow Centre for Immune Health’s pioneering research approach, integrated with the Royal Melbourne Hospital, will accelerate clinical translation. Find out more:https://www.wehi.edu.au/collaborative-centre/snow-centre-for-immune-health/
The life-changing power of the Snow Centre for Immune Health WEHImovies 2023-11-20 | The number of people affected by immune diseases is growing rapidly. WEHI’s Dr Vanessa Bryant explains how the new Snow Centre for Immune Health will be life-changing for millions, across the globe. Find out more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/collaborative-centre/snow-centre-for-immune-health/
MLKL switches from an inactive to active state WEHImovies 2023-10-29 | WEHI researchers have created the first visual structure showing how our cells undergo a form of cell death known as necroptosis.The killer protein MLKL consists of three domains, including a killer domain which damages cell membrane to cause cell death, and a switch domain which controls the activity of MLKL. In the inactive state, the MLKL molecule is in a compact shape, with the killer domain being held in check by the brace region.During necroptosis, a shape shift in the switch domain drives a structural change in the whole molecule, allowing 4 copies of MLKL to interact with each other, thereby releasing the killer domain into an extended conformation. The killer domains in this extended conformation can then grab onto the plasma membrane and damage it, thereby causing cell death.
Targeted protein degrader technology | A revolutionary approach to drug development WEHImovies 2023-10-12 | Targeted protein degrader (TPD) technology is a cutting-edge approach to drug development that has many advantages over traditional methods. Unlike conventional drugs that only inhibit the activity of disease-causing proteins, targeted protein degraders completely destroy the protein. With TPD technology, researchers can finally create treatments for a wide range of illnesses that were previously thought to be untreatable. At the Australian Centre for Targeted Therapeutics, a collaboration between WEHI, the Children’s Cancer Institute and Monash University, researchers are using TPD technology to develop new treatments for cancer and other diseases. Read more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/new-15m-frontier-technology-centre-to-develop-next-generation-cancer-drugs/
ORIGINS: of the universe, of life, of species, of humanity (18 July 2023) WEHImovies 2023-09-30 | The Heidelberg Choral Society (www.hcs.asn.au), Melbourne AustraliaMelbourne Recital Centre, July 18th, 2023Concept: Prof Jenny Graves scholars.latrobe.edu.au/jgravesMusic: Nicholas Buc nicholasbuc.comLibretto: Jenny Graves, Leigh HayVisuals: Drew Berry wehi.tvConductor: Peter BandyDirector: Geoffrey GrintonSoprano: Lee AbrahmsenContralto: Liane KeeganTenor: Robert MacfarlaneBass-Baritone: Adrian TamburiniOratorio by evolutionary geneticist Prof Jenny Graves, poet Leigh Hay and brilliant Australian composer Nicholas Buc, performed by the Heidelberg Choral Society, full orchestra and fabulous soloists. A breathtaking libretto inspired by cosmology, evolution, genetics and anthropology describes our origins from the Big Bang to the emergence of humanity.About ORIGINS:Every human culture on earth has its creation story. Origins tells the creation story from science; cosmology, genetics, ecology, and anthropology. It belongs to all cultures.The libretto is in four parts, expressing the Origin of the Universe, the Origin of Life, the Origin of Species, and the Origin of Man. The movements have a range of different feels, from awe and reverence (e.g. #1) to light-hearted banter (e.g. #12), melodrama (e.g.#5), erotica (e.g. #14) and reflection (e.g.# 21).Despite the wide sweep of subject matter and massive range of emotions, there are common themes in the wonder and beauty of the world, and the simplicity and elegance of scientific explanations. This invites some means of linking these themes musically, via motifs or instrumental statements.In researching and discussing the work with scientists and musicians, I have become more and more aware of the uniqueness of the subject matter. Astonishingly, nobody seems to have attempted to represent even the most elementary scientific concepts musically. This opens up opportunities to create something absolutely novel, profound, and timeless; for instance musical descriptions of speciation (how one species becomes two), survival of the fittest (the engine of evolution), and the evolution of our complex genome by mutation, inversion, duplication of DNA (obviously a fugue!).My overarching aim in the whole work is to present science as beautiful and wonderful, sexy, and even fun.- Prof Jenny Graves, 18 July 2023Copyright © 2023 Heidelberg Choral Society, Jennifer Graves, Leigh Hay and Nicholas Buc
Blood cancer drug shows promise in finding HIV cure WEHImovies 2023-09-01 | Australian researchers have found venetoclax – an anti-cancer drug based on a groundbreaking research discovery at WEHI – can kill ‘silent’ HIV cells and delay reinfections. The research was led by WEHI and The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) in Melbourne, Australia. Hidden HIV cells are responsible for the virus permanently remaining in the body and cannot be treated by current therapy options. These hibernating, infected cells are the reason why people living with HIV require life-long treatment to suppress the virus. WEHI’s Dr Phil Arandjelovic explains how the landmark study is being translated into a new clinical trial. Read more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news
Blood cancer drug shows promise in finding HIV cure WEHImovies 2023-08-30 | Australian researchers have found venetoclax – an anti-cancer drug based on a groundbreaking research discovery at WEHI – can kill ‘silent’ HIV cells and delay reinfections. The research was led by WEHI and The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) in Melbourne, Australia. Hidden HIV cells are responsible for the virus permanently remaining in the body and cannot be treated by current therapy options. These hibernating, infected cells are the reason why people living with HIV require life-long treatment to suppress the virus. WEHI’s Dr Phil Arandjelovic explains how the landmark study is being translated into a new clinical trial.Read more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/could-a-cancer-drug-hold-the-key-to-a-hiv-cure
WEHI Art of Science | 2023 Exhibition WEHImovies 2023-08-10 | WEHI Art of Science | 2023 Exhibition See the most fascinating scientific art from some of Australia’s most creative and visionary researchers, working to solve the world’s most complex medical challenges. #ArtOfScience - on now https://www.wehi.edu.au/art-of-science/
Art of Science 2023 | Second Brain WEHImovies 2023-08-09 | Second Brain by Cyril Seillet, Le Xiong, Verena Wimmer Music by Amalija Kostich Angerson The gastrointestinal tract faces unique challenges. It has to protect us against pathogens we may ingest while tolerating beneficial microorganisms that live there and allowing absorption of nutrients. Dynamic communication between local nervous and immune systems keeps the gut healthy and functional. Disruption of this communication can contribute to the emergence of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. The moving image created by researchers Cyril, Le and Verena provides different 3D views of this network of nerves – sometimes called the "second brain” – helping us better understand how nerve cells (in yellow and blue) sense changes in the gut environment and instruct immune cells (in red) to respond appropriately. Visit the online gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2023 | Disco WEHImovies 2023-08-09 | Disco by Sabrina Lewis Music by Sadie Mustoe Second Place – Moving Image Cancer tissues are not uniform, and visualising where specific molecules and biomarkers are located within a cancer can provide insights as to where and when drugs might be used more effectively to target cancers and treat disease. PhD student Sabrina has used fluorescent molecular labels and confocal microscopy to produce a “map” of molecules within cancer cells in a small region of a tumour. This moving image takes us through a forest of shimmering lines, each representing the location of a specific molecule as visualised from side on. Techniques like this that map spatial variability within tumours – so-called “spatial omics” – are expected to be important in developing the next generation of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cancer. Visit the online gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2023 | Four Seasons WEHImovies 2023-08-09 | Four Seasons by Hanadi Hoblos Music by Nicholas Dullow First Place – Moving Image Every living cell has a dynamic and continuously changing “cytoskeleton” made up of microtubules and actin filaments that give the cell its shape, help organize its parts, and provide a basis for movement and cell division. Honours student Hanadi has used lattice light sheet microscopy to show the remarkable abilities of living cells to reorganise and change their form. In each of the four “seasons”, Hanadi has used different fluorescent markers to tag microtubules, actin and a microtubule-associated protein called doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1). DCLK1 is highly expressed in a range of cancers and may be involved in the ability of cancer cells to migrate and invade normal tissues, making it a potential target for the development of cancer treatments. Visit the online gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2023 | Imagined Protein WEHImovies 2023-08-09 | Imagined Protein by Lachlan Whitehead, Marjan Hadian-Jazi, Richard Birkinshaw Music by Ella Dawson Third Place – Moving Image Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drive cars, write articles, and carry on conversations. Now researchers are using AI to solve scientific problems, such as designing proteins that don’t exist in nature but could meet specific treatment needs if they did. The biological function of a protein is largely determined by its 3D shape. Postdoctoral researchers Marjan and Richard first teach an AI network about the properties that existing proteins of different shapes possess, then specify a list of properties they’d like a new protein to have. Imaging specialist Lachlan’s animation represents how the AI network starts with “noise” and gradually adjusts each parameter until it "imagines” a protein that is likely to meet those specifications and be feasible to produce. Visit the online gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2023 | Into the Matrix WEHImovies 2023-08-09 | Into the Matrix by Raymond Qin, Niall Geoghegan Music by Margaret Wozniak Immune cells need to move through a range of body tissues to hunt out and kill infected or cancerous cells. But many organs and tissues contain fibres made of collagen, a protein found throughout the body, particularly in skin, bones, teeth, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues. Using a lattice light-sheet microscope, researchers Raymond and Niall have been able to show in 3D how an immune cell (magenta) contorts into different shapes to find the best route through the dense matrix of collagen fibres (grey). A better understanding of how immune cells navigate is crucial in helping researchers understand the immune response and find new treatments for a range of diseases. Visit the online gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2023 | Natural Born Killers WEHImovies 2023-08-09 | Natural Born Killers by Behnaz Heydarchi, Niall Geoghegan, Damian D'Silva Music by John Sharp When a pregnant woman carries a fetus with a different Rhesus D (RhD) blood type, antigens on the baby’s red blood cells can activate the mother's immune system. If maternal antibodies cross the placenta and attack the baby’s red cells, a condition called haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) results. Treating the mother during pregnancy with anti-RhD immunoglobulin (derived from donor blood) can prevent HDN. This sequence of fluorescence microscopy images shows circulating immune cells known as natural killer cells (in blue) detecting and destroying fetal red blood cells (red) that have been “coated” by anti-RhD antibodies. By gaining a greater understanding of how anti-RhD treatment works, researcher Behnaz and colleagues hope to find better ways of preventing HDN. Visit the online gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2023 | Starlight WEHImovies 2023-08-09 | Starlight by Aurelie Dawson, Niall Geoghegan Music by Oscar Lush Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite can persist for long periods of time in humans (and animals), often without causing symptoms. But in pregnant women and individuals with compromised immune systems, “Toxo” infection can cause serious health problems. The starlit “night sky” in this image shows cancer cells in the colon (yellow and magenta) infected with Toxo parasites (cyan). Researchers Aurelie and Niall took this live snapshot with a widefield microscope after the parasites had divided to form balls inside the cells and were ready to leave and invade new cells. A better understanding of how the Toxo parasite invades cells will help researchers work towards finding a cure for the infection. Visit the online gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
2023 Annual General Meeting | WEHI WEHImovies 2023-05-23 | WEHI's Annual General Meeting was held in person and online on May 18 20230:00 Welcome to Country - Uncle Bill Nicholson Wurundjeri Elder 6:04 Welcome - Jane Hemstritch President 8:53 Receipt and consideration of the minutes of the previous meeting dated 19 May 2022 - Jane Hemstritch President 9:23 President’s report - Jane Hemstritch President 15:20 Receipt and consideration of the Annual Report for the period ending 31 December 2022 Jane Hemstritch President 16:50 Treasurer’s report, Receipt and consideration of the Financial Statements for the period ending 31 December 2022 - Geoff Roberts Honorary Treasurer 22:31 Director’s report - Professor Doug Hilton Director 39:00 Preview of the new WEHI website - Megan Auld, Head Communications and Marketing 45:22 Scientific presentation: Big challenges for blood cancer research - Professor Andrew Wei, Lab Head, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division 54:58 Scientific presentation: Big challenges for blood cancer research - Associate Professor Gemma Kelly, Lab Head, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer division 1:03:46 Metcalf scholarship award presentations (7) - Professor Marnie Blewitt, Head Scientific Education 1:08:00 Prof Lynn Corcoran PhD prize presentations (2) - Professor Marnie Blewitt, Head Scientific Education 1:09:24 Close - Jane Hemstritch President
What if we could eradicate infectious diseases? WEHImovies 2023-04-17 | Nearly half the world’s population lives at risk of life-threatening malaria, and COVID-19 has caused global disruption. Learn how our brightest minds are discovering new ways to fight infectious diseases - Say Hi to WEHI.Learn more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/brighter-together/
What if we could stop dementia in its tracks? WEHImovies 2023-04-17 | Dementia will soon be Australia’s leading cause of death. Our researchers are developing new ways to diagnose dementia faster and earlier. See how early diagnosis will make a difference for people living with dementia and carers like Dorothy - Say Hi to WEHI.Learn more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/brighter-together/
What if we could uncover critical new treatments for rare cancers? WEHImovies 2023-04-17 | Approximately one person every 10 minutes is diagnosed with a rare or less common cancer in Australia. Uncover how our researchers are working on more effective treatment options for women with rare gynaecological cancers, supported by generous donors like Andrea - Say Hi to WEHI.Learn more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/brighter-together/
How an insulin-mimicking molecule activates the insulin receptor WEHImovies 2022-12-11 | WEHI researchers have answered a 100-year-old question in diabetes research: can a molecule different to insulin have the same effect? The findings provide important insights for the future development of an oral insulin pill. Read more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/could-insulin-come-pill-how-molecule-mimics-insulin-may-advance-diabetes-research#Shorts #Diabetes #Insulin #BiomedicalResearch
How an insulin-mimicking molecule activates the insulin receptor WEHImovies 2022-12-11 | WEHI researchers have answered a 100-year-old question in diabetes research: can a molecule different to insulin have the same effect? The findings provide important insights for the future development of an oral insulin pill.Read more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/could-insulin-come-pill-how-molecule-mimics-insulin-may-advance-diabetes-research
Malaria researcher Professor Alan Cowman, CSL Florey Medal winner WEHImovies 2022-11-29 | WEHI researcher Professor Alan Cowman AC has been awarded the CSL Florey Medal for his instrumental contributions in understanding how malaria infects and causes disease in humans. Professor Cowman’s research has led to the development of potential vaccines, as well as new antimalarial compounds – the most needed preventative measures for the disease that kills hundreds of thousands of people each year. Read more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/malaria-research-efforts-honoured-florey-medal
Malaria parasites blocked from invading red blood cells WEHImovies 2022-11-18 | WEHI researchers have discovered a protein complex essential for invasion of malaria parasites into red blood cells and identified new candidates for the development of a malaria vaccine. This time-lapse of images taken with a lattice light-sheet microscope shows tiny malaria parasites (cyan) bouncing off the red blood cell membrane (pink), unable to complete the invasion process. The Plasmodium falciparum parasites lack PCRCR function and cannot invade the red blood cells. This demonstrates the PCRCR protein complex is essential for parasite invasion. See the WEHI research published in Nature Microbiology: nature.com/articles/s41564-022-01261-2 #Malaria #SayHiToWEHI #BiomedicalResearch
Art of Science 2022 – See what happens when a mosquito bites someone infected with malaria WEHImovies 2022-11-04 | ‘Transmission’ by Niall Geoghegan, Robin McConville and Justin Boddey Malaria remains a huge health problem, causing over 600,000 deaths each year. WEHI researchers captured the mosquito-human-mosquito transmission process for the first time in 4D for Art of Science. See more in the #ArtOfScience online exhibition, now open https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience #shorts
The crypto parasite kills 200,000 people a year. Stef Bader is looking for targets for a vaccine. WEHImovies 2022-11-02 | Cryptosporidium infections kill 200,000 people a year. Stef Bader is looking for targets for a vaccine. See more inside the #ArtOfScience online exhibition- https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience #shorts
Art of Science 2022 – Meet the superhero sidekicks of the brain WEHImovies 2022-10-31 | Description: Art of Science 2022 - ‘The (not so micro)glia’ by Matthias Mulazzani. Microglia are the superhero sidekicks we never knew we needed! Matthias Mulazzani studies the role of these brain-resident immune cells in brain tumours. See the exhibition at www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience#shorts
Art of Science 2022 – How do scientists study living nerve cells, and why? WEHImovies 2022-10-25 | Art of Science 2022 - ‘Interweb of the mind’ by Melody Leong. PhD student Melody Leong grows nerve cells in the lab to study neurodevelopmental disorders. See more inside the #ArtOfScience online exhibition- www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience#shorts
Art Of Science 2022 - What is the thymus, and why is it useful? WEHImovies 2022-10-24 | Art Of Science 2022 - 'Thymic Coral Reef' by Kelin Zhao You may not know the thymus but PhD student Kelin Zhao does. Her 'Thymic Coral Reef' has won best Moving Image in our 2022 Art of Science online exhibition.See more in the #ArtOfScience online exhibition, now open https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience #shorts
Art Of Science 2022 - How do cancer cells travel? WEHImovies 2022-10-22 | Art Of Science 2022 - Red Forest by Sabrina Lewis At WEHI, PhD student Sabrina Lewis is looking closely at cancer cells and how they travel. See more in the #ArtOfScience online exhibition, now open https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience #shorts
WEHI Art of Science | 2022 Exhibition WEHImovies 2022-10-21 | #shorts Step inside the Art of Science online exhibition - on now https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
WEHI Art of Science | 2022 Exhibition WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | See the most amazing images from one of Australia’s top medical research institutes. #ArtOfScience - on now https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2022 | Bad aberrations WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | Bad aberrations by Michael Mlodzianoski Even high-tech modern microscopes are subject to aberrations: undesired properties in optical systems that cause light to be spread out rather than being focused to a small spot. Aberrations add unwanted and misleading artefacts, reducing overall image quality and impairing analysis. Michael’s video shows the effects of different aberrations on the point spread function (PSF), a measure of quality of microscope images. Three panels (top left and right, and bottom left) show cross-sections of the PSF; the fourth panel (bottom right) shows the pupil function, a calculation in two dimensions that displays all the information contained by the three-dimensional PSF. The ideal PSF, as seen at the start of the video, should be as small as possible and high in intensity, signal-to-noise ratio and symmetry. The aberrations that follow – spherical, astigmatism, coma, trefoil, and higher-order combinations – show distorted PSFs, either stretched or asymmetric, reducing the resolution and accuracy of the image. Visit the virtual gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2022 | Popcorn Toxo WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | Popcorn Toxo by Aurelie Dawson and Caleb Dawson Toxoplasma gondii are small single-celled parasites that invade cells and grow inside them. ‘Toxo’ is one of the most common parasites in developed countries, and most humans who are infected never develop symptoms. But for infants born to infected mothers, and for people with weakened immune systems, Toxo can cause the serious and occasionally fatal disease toxoplasmosis. Researchers are using high resolution imaging to study Toxo behaviour. After invading a cell, Toxo parasites make many copies of themselves before bursting out, killing the host cell in the process, then moving on to infect new cells. In the video, Toxo have been engineered to flash brightly as they ‘pop’ out of their host cells. By giving us a better understanding of how Toxo reproduces, the research is aimed at identifying ways to limit the severity of disease caused by the parasite in vulnerable people.Visit the virtual gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2022 | Red forest WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | Red forest by Sabrina LewisMany primary cancers spread via the bloodstream to distant organs like the liver and the lungs through a process known as metastasis, which usually has dire implications for patient survival. But the mechanisms by which cancer cells are able to leave blood vessels to colonise, spread and grow into secondary tumours in other tissues are not well understood. Sabrina’s research is examining tumour cells in the lungs and how they interact with blood vessels. Her video takes us around and through the forest of blood vessels in a lung, brought to life in three dimensions through the use of a fluorescent dye and a light-sheet microscope. Ultimately, the research is aimed at informing the search for new cancer therapies that could prevent metastasis by modifying the interaction between vessels and cancer cells. Visit the virtual gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2022 | The tree of life WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | The tree of life by Kelin ZhaoThe word thymus means ‘soul’ in Greek, as this relatively obscure organ was believed by ancient Greek scholars to be the seat of the human soul. We now know the thymus plays a vital role in the immune system, selecting and ‘training’ white blood cells called T-cells to recognise and target foreign antigens. Kelin’s video shows the tree-like network of blood vessels in the thymus through which precursors of T-cells enter the organ. Previous research has shown that cells located around the blood vessels – particularly in the region where the outer cortex meets the inner medulla – are involved in stimulating regeneration of thymic epithelial cells. By further studying the dynamics of the thymus, Kelin and colleagues hope to identify ways to boost repair and regeneration of thymic function after damage from cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy.Visit the virtual gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2022 | Thymic coral reef WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | Thymic coral reef by Kelin ZhaoThe thymus may not be a very familiar organ, but it plays a critical role in the immune system. It’s where special white blood cells called T-cells (the T stands for ‘thymic’) are selected and ‘trained’ to recognise foreign antigens. Most active in the early years of life, the thymus shrinks and reduces in activity after puberty. Kelin’s video shows a reconstruction of a thymic lobe which consists of two regions with different functions: the outer cortex and the inner medulla. In fact, as the video shows, the medulla takes two forms: a large, branched central structure (magenta) with small, separate outer islets (various colours). Cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy not only reduce the number of circulating white blood cells, but may also damage the thymus, leaving patients vulnerable to serious infections and other complications. By studying the dynamics of the thymus, Kelin and colleagues hope to identify ways to boost thymic function and regeneration after acute cancer treatments, increasing survival rates in the post-treatment phase. Visit the virtual gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2022 | Transmission WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | Transmission by Niall Geoghegan, Robyn McConville, Justin Boddey Malaria remains a huge global health burden, accounting for an estimated 627,000 deaths yearly. Only sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites (gametocytes) can transmit the disease from humans back to mosquitoes. Just 15 minutes is required for this process to occur inside the mosquito gut. WEHI researchers were able to capture this dynamic transmission in 4D-imaging for the first time, using the institute’s world-class lattice light-sheet microscope. Male parasites are captured morphing from a banana shape into a round shape, rapidly dividing their genome and undertaking cell division to form eight flagellated reproductive cells (gametes) that burst out of the human red cell in search of an activated female for fertilisation. Female parasites are seen rounding up and bursting from their host red blood cells. All stages of the parasite’s life cycle are potential therapeutic targets. Understanding human-to-mosquito transmission will help researchers block this type of spread and bolster malaria eradication efforts. Visit the virtual gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2022 | Web of lyse WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | Web of lyse by George Ashdown, Niall GeogheganNeutrophils are immune cells that help form the first line of defence against invading pathogens. When the chips are down, they can weaponize their own DNA to trap and destroy these pathogens by forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Using a lattice light-sheet microscope, George and Niall have captured a single neutrophil undergoing this dynamic process in three dimensions through time. Fluorescent dyes identify the neutrophil’s DNA (orange) and a structural protein called actin (cyan) which cells use to move and change shape. This cutting-edge technique allows the study of multiple structures involved in NET formation. NETs are an important component of the immune system’s response to infection, but can also promote inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, cancer, and severe cases of COVID-19. By studying this process in state-of-the-art detail, George and Niall are aiming to find treatments that can control NET formation to ensure this inflammatory process is kept in balance. Visit the virtual gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2022 | What’s that, neuron? WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | What’s that, neuron? by Melody Leong and Yuqing YangNeurons are the fundamental building blocks of our nervous systems, allowing our brains and bodies to communicate. Neurons are connected to neighbouring neurons through small junctions called synapses. Information is transmitted from one cell to the next across synapses via electrical impulses that run along tiny fibres, like electricity flowing through wires. Since methods of studying this phenomenon in living brains are limited, researcher Melody grows (or cultures) neurons in a dish to investigate how certain genetic mutations affect the way neurons interact, and how disruptions that arise from these mutations contribute to neurodevelopmental diseases. The video is a compilation of high-resolution microscope images, collected with the assistance of Yuqing, which capture various top-down cross-sections throughout a neuron harbouring one of these mutations. Images like these offer invaluable insights into how mutations in neurons alter normal neurodevelopmental processes and could reveal new therapeutic targets to improve or prevent neurodevelopmental disorders. Visit the virtual gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Art of Science 2022 | The (not so micro)glia WEHImovies 2022-10-20 | The (not so micro)glia by Matthias Mulazzani Microglia are the best supporting actors of the brain. If neurons (nerve cells) are Batman, microglia cells are Robin. Although neurons dominate the field of neuroscience (the study of the brain and its functions), without the microglial support system, neurons wouldn’t function. Microglia are brain-resident immune cells that play major roles in normal development and in many diseases such as dementia, infection, inflammation, stroke and even cancer. Shown here is a three-dimensional reconstruction of microglia cells (yellow) and blood vessels (blue) in the brain, illuminated using light-sheet microscopy. To enhance visualisation of these cells in such detail, a drug was used to reduce microglia numbers. Researcher Matthias aims to further uncover the function of microglia during brain tumour growth, and how these cells can affect the efficacy of immunotherapy.Visit the virtual gallery at https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
Say Hi to WEHI: Making a difference through medical research WEHImovies 2022-10-06 | Imagine if we invested in science like we do in sport? Learn how WEHI’s brightest minds enable life-changing medical research. Learn more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/brighter-together/
Curious minds, bright futures WEHImovies 2022-10-06 | We are overcoming some of the world’s most complex disease challenges. See how the next generation of scientists plan to solve the health problems of the future.Learn more: https://www.wehi.edu.au/brighter-together/
