Scientists in the Bioinformatics division use methods from mathematics, statistics, and computer science to solve problems in medical research.

Our research includes developing new methods to analyse complex biomedical data as well as applying computational methods to discover fundamental processes in human health and disease.  

We work closely with other research divisions at the Institute, and with national and international partners to tackle some of the most pressing problems in biomedical research, including: 

• the causes and origin of cancer
• the function of the human immune system
• the ways in which patients respond to treatment

The amount of research data now being generated to address these problems is so large that the methods being developed and employed in our division are essential for answering critical questions in medical research.
 

Health impact

Cancers: bowel cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, leukaemia, lymphoma, lung cancer, myeloma, melanoma, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, rare cancers, sarcoma, stomach cancer

Immune health and infection: autoinflammatory diseases, chronic infections, HIV, lupus, malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, vaccines 

Development and ageing: epigenetics, multiple sclerosis

Division news

• New breast cell types discovered by multidisciplinary research team
• Bid to understand antibody production wins NHMRC award
• ‘All-star’ team of molecules could be key to improving cancer therapy
• How state-of-the-art bioinformatics software is personalising patient care
• Mutant protein tackles DNA guardian to promote cancer development

Division heads

Professor Melissa Davis

Professor Gordon Smyth

Lab heads

Dr Yunshun Chen

Dr Nadia Davidson

Professor Tony Papenfuss

Dr Belinda Phipson

Professor Terry Speed, honorary

Division coordinator

Maria Markovic