University of Melbourne researchers featured in the NHMRC’s ‘10 of the Best’

Professor Ben Howden and Dr Robyn Brown.
Professor Ben Howden and Dr Robyn Brown.

Projects led by Professor Ben Howden and Dr Robyn Brown have been featured in the latest edition of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) '10 of the Best'.

The publication showcases outstanding research funded by the NHMRC that is helping to address major health challenges faced by the community, with this new edition featuring projects funded in 2021.

Professor Howden, from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Doherty Institute, was featured for research that applied genomics technologies to identify how specific pathogens were developing antimicrobial resistance, and how these pathogens were spreading.

His work has changed how researchers combat bacterial pathogens, and has played an important role in shaping disease surveillance and response strategies globally.

Dr Brown, from the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, was featured for uncovering a link between brain impairments caused by diet-induced obesity and those caused by addictive drugs such as cocaine and heroin in animal models.

She later led a pre-clinical trial of a compound targeting these brain impairments that was found to reduce compulsive eating of highly palatable foods. Her findings indicate that addiction-orientated approaches could be beneficial if incorporated into treatment for diet-induced obesity.

A full list of the projects featured in the publication can be found on the NHMRC website .