The Perkins
Together we can SAVE LIVES
Since 1998, the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research has made significant discoveries into the diseases that most affect our families, including rare genetic diseases, cardiovascular and heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
By participating in the Perkins Plunge, you ‘re making a splash for a cause that matters. Funds raised by the Perkins Plunge helps research teams find the answers to advance treatments and improve outcomes for diseases with poor prognoses.
This is how you're having an IMPACT
GROUNDBREAKING CARDIOVASCULAR DRUG
Associate Professor Juliana Hamzah discovered a drug that can widen the tiniest vessels in your limbs which can be blocked by plaque. This plaque can lead to Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD. Blocking blood supply to your lower limbs causes pain, immobility, ulcers, gangrene and eventually amputation. Juliana is focussing on commercialising this drug which has the potential to help 220 million people worldwide who are diagnosed with PAD.
YOU'RE BACKING THE BEES CANCER RESEARCH
Perkins women’s cancer researchers made the global discovery that, in the lab, honeybee venom can kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Dr Edina Wang has focussed her research on a key component of bee venom called melittin. This component is highly effective at destroying the defences of cancer cells making them weaken and then dissolve, especially in aggressive cancers like triple-negative breast cancer.
3D HEART VALVES PRINTED IN WA
Professor Elena De Juan-Pardo’s research focusses on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. She has built her own 3D printers capable of producing cellular scaffolds that exquisitely and intricately mimic the human heart valve. These 3D printed heart valves can be inserted through keyhole procedures replacing the need for open-heart surgery and are so durable that they will ne er need to be replaced.
COMBATTING ANTIBIOTICS
Perkins clinical research microbiologist Dr Keiran Mulroney has co-invented and developed a diagnostic test that will deliver a result in a matter of hours advising doctors of the best antibiotic to prescribe with a 96.9% accuracy. It works by using a device that detects the damage antibiotics cause to bacteria and which antibiotic will be most effective. This global breakthrough has the potential to save millions of lives.
Backing Tomorrow's Discoveries
Perkins' Safe Harbour program protects early to mid-career researchers by providing fully funded three-year fellowships. Instead of struggling for grants, these bright minds can focus on advancing vital research.
Your funds will back a Safe Harbour Fellow, potentially paving the way for the next world-class cancer discovery. Because of your support of these passionate researchers’ emerging talents, we may be one step closer to a big breakthrough in medical research.
