Biology

Understanding the fundamentals of the natural systems around us is the key motivation for the biology research taking place at NCI. Researchers are conducting exciting, forward looking investigations into plant biology and agricultural methods, ecological systems, and the fundamentals of molecular biology.

A stylised DNA helix with binary code superimposed on top of it.

28 Jul 2014

Opening the cellular black box of melanoma

Malignant melanoma represents only 15% of skin cancers but it accounts for almost all skin-cancer deaths, and Australia has the highest mortality rate from malignant melanoma worldwide. That's one of

A butterfly with shiny green wings standing on a leaf.

Research Highlights

22 Jul 2014

Flying colours

Biology

Materials

How could Swiss cheese found in a butterfly wing affect the colour of your car? Butterflies are pretty unassuming. They flit about, discreetly sipping nectar and quietly soaking up some sun. So who

A syringe sucking liquid out from a blue glass vial.

Research Highlights

04 Jul 2014

Pain relief breakthrough

Biology

Health

ANU scientists have used Raijin to work out exactly how pain relief drugs, such as anaesthetics, interact with nerve cells. Dr Ben Corry and Lewis Martin developed a detailed computer model that

A translucent curled up garden slater coloured in pink tones, showing internal shell structures.

Research Highlights

16 Aug 2013

The devil in the detail

Biology

Technology

Long, spiny legs and alien-like armour sound like the stuff of science fiction, but our terrestrial neighbours can look out of this world if you look up close. ANU School of Art PhD student, Erica

The thin branch of a tree viewed from underneath, with bright light shining down through many green leaves.

Research Highlights

12 Jul 2013

Stealing nature's secrets for a renewable future

Biology

Chemistry

Over billions of years, plants have perfected the process of using water and sunlight to produce an endless supply of hydrogen. The secrets to this clean, green energy source have remained locked

A scorpion on a rock with a tightly curled, orange and translucent tail

Research Highlights

12 Jul 2013

Venomous bytes

Biology

Scorpions and other venomous creatures have somewhat of a PR problem. Staring down at a scorpion, pincers raised and tail poised for attack would strike fear in the hearts of many. But what if the

A human skull on a wooden table filling the frame, with a man behind the table leaning on it with arms crossed.

Research Highlights

12 Jul 2013

What Lies Beneath

Biology

Technology

In a dark room flooded with black water in Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art stands a central dais with two cabinets that glow from within. To the left lies the mummy of Pausiris, dating to 100BC

Artist's impression of a strong glow of red light at the knee joint.

Research Highlights

01 Jun 2012

Detecting hidden strengths and weaknesses

Biology

Technology

It is the exquisite structure of human bone, down to the smallest scale, that lends it its exceptional strength – or reveals its secret frailties. How strong or weak a material may be, how porous or

Two bags of quinoa, one containing pale yellow and one brown and red quinoaspill open revealing their contents.

Research Highlights

28 Apr 2012

Using supercomputers to feed and green the world

Biology

A key to feeding humanity and combating climate change through the 21st century will be the development of 'supercharged' crops and trees that perform the miracle of photosynthesis with far greater

Three round red balls covered in the small donut shapes of red blood cells.

Research Highlights

10 Apr 2012

Illuminating the machinery of life

Biology

Chemistry

Among life's most profound mysteries is how molecules, of their own accord, assemble themselves into the structures essential for living creatures to exist. Understanding this sheds fresh light on the

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Opening the cellular black box of melanoma

Flying colours

Pain relief breakthrough

The devil in the detail

Stealing nature's secrets for a renewable future

Venomous bytes

What Lies Beneath

Detecting hidden strengths and weaknesses

Using supercomputers to feed and green the world

Illuminating the machinery of life

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