Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) Professor Constanze Bonifer has been recognised for her advances into blood cell development for children affected by cancer and blood disorders.

Professor Bonifer received the Donald Metcalf Award by the International Society for Experimental Hematology (ISEH) for her pioneering research in cancer epigenetics, a field that examines how lifestyle and environmental factors cause genetic alterations that lead to chronic illnesses and cancer.

Image: Professor Constanze Bonifer

Professor Bonifer is a Principal Research Fellow at MCRI and an Emeritus Professor of Experimental Haematology at the University of Birmingham (UK). Across several decades, her research has shown how leukaemia is not just one, but a variety of diseases all caused by different mutations in a child’s genetic make-up.

Professor Bonifer said her research also looked at how genes worked together and generated blood stem cells that go on to build a healthy immune system.

“Almost 300 children and young people are diagnosed with leukemia in Australia every year and while we know how to treat these blood cancers, we still need to uncover exactly why healthy blood cells start to grow uncontrollably and whether this can be prevented,” she said.

Professor Bonifer said her team’s research was exploring personalised treatments for a range of complex and often fatal blood conditions.

“I believe that the knowledge we have gathered and the tools we have developed will soon allow us to eradicate blood cancer where it begins, in our blood’s stem cells,” she said.

“Receiving this award motivates me to continue looking for ways to prevent or cure these rare diseases.”

Read more about MCRI’s Blood Development research.