Institute for Respiratory Health

Institute for Respiratory Health The Institute for Respiratory Health has been researching lung conditions for more than 20 years.

“I never planned to go into research, but everything changed when I lost my mum to mesothelioma.” Mackenzie Lighton, res...
02/06/2026

“I never planned to go into research, but everything changed when I lost my mum to mesothelioma.” Mackenzie Lighton, researcher at the Institute.

Mackenzie’s mum, Debra, was brave, funny and full of love. She could find beauty and joy in almost anything and had a cracking sense of humour. Even when she was in pain, she still tried to make people laugh.

She did not live in fear. She encouraged Mackenzie and her sister to live boldly and to go after what mattered to them.

What Mackenzie misses most is her mum’s love. Her smile. Her warmth. The way she backed Mackenzie in whatever path she chose.

When Debra was diagnosed with mesothelioma, Mackenzie wanted more time with her. More treatment options. More hope.

After Debra passed away, Mackenzie could not shake the feeling that she needed to do something.

Research gave her a way to turn grief into something meaningful.

Today, Mackenzie works alongside Dr Alistair Cook at the Institute on mesothelioma research that could help change what families face after a diagnosis.

For Mackenzie, this work is a way to honour her mum and help other families facing mesothelioma.

If you would like to support this research, please donate before 30 June. Your gift will be doubled and help give back more time to families facing mesothelioma.

https://fundraising.resphealth.org.au/tax-appeal-26

📸 – Mackenzie with her mum Debra.

The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases Aerodrome Management Services

Researchers at The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases are working on a new approach to cancer treatment that ...
29/05/2026

Researchers at The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases are working on a new approach to cancer treatment that could change the way we think about personalised medicine.

Dr Francois Rwandamuriye is developing mRNA cancer vaccines that train the immune system to recognise the unique mutations in each patient's tumour. His current focus is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, where treatment options remain limited.

"What excites me most about the mRNA vaccine approach is its flexibility and precision. mRNA vaccines can be rapidly designed to target the unique features of a patient's tumour, making personalised cancer treatment more achievable."

The success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated interest in applying this technology to cancer, and Dr Rwandamuriye's work is at the forefront of that effort here in Western Australia.

UWA Research

WE DID IT!A huge thank you to everyone who walked, ran, donated and supported Team Breathe at this year’s HBF Run for a ...
24/05/2026

WE DID IT!

A huge thank you to everyone who walked, ran, donated and supported Team Breathe at this year’s HBF Run for a Reason.

It was an incredible day and we’re so grateful to everyone who helped raise awareness and support respiratory research and clinical trials at the Institute for Respiratory Health.

There’s still time to support Team Breathe:
https://runforareason26.grassrootz.com/institute-for-respiratory-health

Tomorrow is the day.Team Breathe lines up at the HBF Run for a Reason, walking, running and showing up for every person ...
23/05/2026

Tomorrow is the day.

Team Breathe lines up at the HBF Run for a Reason, walking, running and showing up for every person living with lung disease in our community.

To everyone who has registered, donated and shared our page: thank you. You’ve helped us get closer to our $10,000 goal, and it means more than we can say.

See you on the start line tomorrow. 24 May 2026.

Run for Research. Run for Every Breath.

lungresearchsuperpower

May is Lung Health Awareness Month, and last week our team brought it to life at G Block, Watling Walk, with free lung h...
22/05/2026

May is Lung Health Awareness Month, and last week our team brought it to life at G Block, Watling Walk, with free lung health checks.

More than 100 people came through across the day. Nurses performed spirometry testing and shared results with participants on the spot. The community's response was wonderful, and the team left energised by the level of interest in lung health.

Thank you to everyone who came along and to all who helped make it happen.

Last chance to double your donation for Team Breathe.Today is the only day gifts will be matched by Aerodrome Management...
21/05/2026

Last chance to double your donation for Team Breathe.

Today is the only day gifts will be matched by Aerodrome Management Services, and it ends tonight. If you have been meaning to support Team Breathe ahead of Sunday's HBF Run for a Reason, now is the time.

Donate before midnight: https://runforareason26.grassrootz.com/institute-for-respiratory-health/

Today is Double Your Donation Day for Team Breathe.Thanks to the generous support of Aerodrome Management Services, dona...
20/05/2026

Today is Double Your Donation Day for Team Breathe.

Thanks to the generous support of Aerodrome Management Services, donations made today to Team Breathe will be matched. That means your gift will go twice as far to help fund vital respiratory research right here in WA.

Race day is Sunday. Today is your best chance to make double the impact.

Donate here: https://runforareason26.grassrootz.com/institute-for-respiratory-health/

Our research is making the news. POST Newspapers has featured the TTOCS trial this week, led by Professor John Blakey at...
20/05/2026

Our research is making the news. POST Newspapers has featured the TTOCS trial this week, led by Professor John Blakey at the Institute for Respiratory Health, which is testing a more personalised approach to asthma care.

Around 250,000 people in Western Australia live with asthma, and for many, treatment hasn't changed in decades. The trial aims to change that by reducing reliance on prednisolone tablets and targeting the specific factors driving each person's condition.

On International Clinical Trials Day, if you or someone you know has used prednisolone to treat asthma in the past couple of years, you may be eligible to take part.

Visit our clinical trials page to find out more: https://www.respclinicaltrials.org.au/clinical-trials/asthma-ttocs-2/

19/05/2026

Your experience can help shape what researchers focus on next.

If asbestos exposure or asbestos-related disease has affected you, your family, your workplace, or your community, we want to hear what questions matter most to you.

Please complete the Asbestos Voices survey — and help us reach others by sharing this post across your networks and communities.

A broader response will help ensure future research reflects the experiences and priorities of people affected across Australia.

👉 https://redcap.link/ncardresearchvoices

Our June LIFE Group meeting is coming up, and we're welcoming a special guest.Penny Webb, Chief Executive Officer of Peo...
19/05/2026

Our June LIFE Group meeting is coming up, and we're welcoming a special guest.

Penny Webb, Chief Executive Officer of People Who Care, will join us to share how her organisation supports older adults, people living with disabilities, veterans and those experiencing hardship to live independently across Perth and the Peel region.

Whether you're a long-time member or joining us for the first time, everyone is welcome.

Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 | 12 noon – 2 pm
Institute for Respiratory Health, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands

Also available via Microsoft Teams

More info: https://www.resphealth.org.au/event/life-group-meeting-3-june-2026/

RSVP: [email protected] or (08) 6151 0815

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Level 2, Harry Perkins Institute Of Medical Research
Perth, WA
6009

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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