Wesley Research Institute is celebrating the recognition of Dr Arutha Kulasinghe, Professor John Fraser, and Associate Professor Kirsty Short on their feature in The Australian Innovators magazine! Their groundbreaking research at Wesley Research Institute’s Queensland Spatial Biology Centre (QSBC) is paving the way for more tailored, effective pandemic preparedness solutions for future generations.
Their project, described as “Back to the Future” research, is a world-first study that aims to uncover why younger people were so severely impacted by the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. By examining lung tissue samples over a century old, they’re using advanced spatial omics technology to delve into the disease’s effects at a cellular level. This cutting-edge technology enables researchers to study countless cells in incredible detail and at an unprecedented scale, allowing them to learn how different age groups respond to pandemics on a molecular level.
QSBC Clinical Director, Director of Intensive Care at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Critical Care Research Group Founder and Director and Professor Fraser, Scientific Director Dr Kulasinghe and The University of Queensland Associate Professor Short’s research could shift the paradigm in how we understand and respond to pandemics. Their findings aim to provide essential insights to develop vaccines and therapies specifically designed for children and young adults, who face unique risks in global health crises.
With this pioneering work, Wesley Research Institute is helping lead the charge in creating a safer, more resilient future.
The Australian Innovators magazine celebrates, explains and analyses the impact of innovation on our society and looks forward to what we might see in the future. The spotlight this year is on health and medicine, highlighting the work of emerging and established scientists and clinicians. We’re extremely proud for the work of Wesley Research Institute researchers included in this years edition!
To learn more about the work of the Queensland Spatial Biology Centre visit https://www.wesleyresearch.org.au/queensland-spatial-biology-centre/
Article by: The Australian, Mackenzie Scott
Photograph credit: The Australian, Nick Cubbin