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Celebrated ‘gene hunter’ joins remarkable women in honour roll 

17 October 2024
Melanie Bahlo wearing a black suit and red shirt, standing in a stairway

Renowned WEHI bioinformatician Professor Melanie Bahlo AM has been inducted onto the 2024 Victorian Honour Roll of Women as a ‘Change Agent’ in recognition of her significant contributions to the field of genetics research.

Prof Bahlo, known as the ‘gene hunter’ by many in the scientific world, has directly contributed to the discovery of 22 genes that are involved in human disease, particularly genetic brain and eye disorders.

The Victorian Honour Roll of Women acknowledges outstanding endeavours made by Victorian women, with Change Agents selected for making enduring commitments to their area of expertise, bringing about notable lasting change and advancing gender equality.

At a glance
WEHI’s Prof Bahlo has been included in the 2024 Victorian Honour Roll of Women, recognised as a Change Agent for revolutionising our understanding of genetics in human disease.
Around 43% of the Australian population live with a neurological disorder, including genetic brain conditions like epilepsy, dementia, motor neuron disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Prof Bahlo’s remarkable discoveries have helped identify 22 disease-causing genes including those responsible for illnesses such as epilepsy and eye disorders.

Unlocking genetic secrets

Prof Bahlo, a laboratory head and leader of the Healthy Development and Ageing Theme at WEHI, expressed her delight in joining the ranks of inspiring Victorian women honoured on the roll.

“Genes are the building blocks of life. It has been incredibly rewarding to help unravel the mystery behind many genes responsible for conditions that affect so many Australians. It is an honour to be recognised for these efforts,” she said.

When Prof Bahlo started with WEHI 25 years ago, she was one of the first bioinformaticians at the institute.

WEHI now has an entire division dedicated to bioinformatics (using technology to analyse biological data) and more than 60 researchers working in this space.

Prof Bahlo points to her team and technology as the ‘magic duo’ and drivers behind the decades of work that have led to her remarkable breakthroughs.

“My incredible multidisciplinary team and their insatiable appetite for pursuing cutting-edge technologies has helped solve the previously considered unsolvable science. This has enabled us to make discoveries that have improved public health in Australia and across the world.”

Prof Bahlo’s team develops state-of-the-art methods and software to analyse and comprehend complex genetic datasets.

This innovative analysis has led to major genetic discoveries, including identification of new genes and genetic pathways that have transformed our understanding of neurological and retinal disorders.

Most notably, Prof Bahlo’s research has pinpointed the genes responsible for conditions including epilepsy and ataxia – a brain disorder that affects muscle control – as well as the genetic drivers for MacTel (Macular telangiectasia), a rare eye disease that leads to loss of central vision.

Her research focus also extends to motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s disease, speech disorders and infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, which affect millions of people worldwide.

Importantly, the Honour Roll also highlights Prof Bahlo’s efforts in working closely with clinicians to reach important outcomes for families with genetic disorders.

“The discoveries are remarkable, but they truly become extraordinary when we can move the findings into the clinic to help improve health outcomes – this is what I’m most passionate about,” she said.

Remarkable times

Prof Bahlo joins over 700 remarkable Victorian women who have been inducted into the Honour Roll, each of whom share an unwavering determination to advance gender equality.

She is thankful that the recognition also shines a light on women in science.

“It’s been an honour to mentor many young women who will become our future leaders in genetic research discovery,” she said.

“It is an exciting time to be working in genetics and I think the next 10 years will see us deliver insights that deeply improve the quality of life for millions of people globally.”

The Honour Roll induction is the latest accolade in Prof Bahlo’s career, with previous honours including the appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (2023), Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Fellowship (2020), Ross Crozier Medal (2015, Genetics Society of Australasia) and the Moran Medal (2009, Australian Academy of Science).

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