More than 400,000 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer worldwide this year. Many treatments that are meant to save a child can leave them with lifelong side-effects, including heart damage, infertility and cognitive issues. But for the first time, precision medicine is using the tiniest tools – nanoparticles – to design tailor-made treatments to beat childhood cancer. 

Tune in to learn how precision medicine is changing the odds in the fight against childhood cancer with Professor Maria Kavallaris AM, a researcher whose own cancer diagnosis occurred at the same time as a career-changing opportunity to join the Children's Cancer Institute.

More than 400,000 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer worldwide this year. Many treatments that are meant to save a child can leave them with lifelong side-effects, including heart damage, infertility and cognitive issues. But for the first time, precision medicine is using the tiniest tools &ndash; nanoparticles &ndash; to design tailor-made treatments to beat childhood cancer.&nbsp;
Tune in to learn how precision medicine is changing the odds in the fight against childhood cancer with Professor Maria Kavallaris AM, a researcher whose own cancer diagnosis occurred at the same time as a career-changing opportunity to join the Children's Cancer Institute.

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Ideas is a thought-provoking program of events and digital content from the globe's leading thinkers, authors and artists.

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Ideas is a thought-provoking program of events and digital content from the globe's leading thinkers, authors and artists.

UNSW Centre for Ideas

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Idea…

UNSW Centre for Ideas | All Episodes

One Big Idea program luminaries had no more than ten minutes to share how one concept in their field of expertise could revolutionise life on earth. You might be surprised what this curious, insightful group of experts can do with a spotlit stage and a single prompt; what if? 

Get inside the whip-smart minds of the people whose job it is to make the world a better place. From the impact of nanotechnology on cancer treatments to supporting ocean environments with urban engineering to the power of radical acts of kindness. Either watch their talks or listen to the podcast with Benjamin Law as he digs deeper into the lives of the people behind the big ideas.

One Big Idea&nbsp;program luminaries had no more than ten minutes to share how one concept in their field of expertise could revolutionise life on earth. You might be surprised what this curious, insightful group of experts can do with a spotlit stage and a single prompt; what if?&nbsp;
Get inside the whip-smart minds of the people whose job it is to make the world a better place. From the impact of nanotechnology on cancer treatments to supporting ocean environments with urban engineering to the power of radical acts of kindness. Either watch their talks or listen to the podcast with Benjamin Law as he digs deeper into the lives of the people behind the big ideas.

One Big Idea

Tailor-Made Childhood Cancer Treatments with Professor Maria Kavallaris AM | One Big Idea

With Australia on track to be among the first countries in the world to eliminate the transmission of HIV, there is a lot to be optimistic about. Yet globally the rates of transmission and AIDS-related deaths are predicted to rise, disproportionately impacting marginalised communities and people living in low and middle income countries.   

Weakening US political commitment and recent funding cuts are threatening the delicate global healthcare architecture designed to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. High-income countries, like Australia, have a crucial role to play in enabling accessible research, testing, treatment, healthcare and public education with international communities.  

Hear renowned leading infectious disease researcher and President of the International AIDS Society, Dr Beatriz Grinsztejn, in conversation with Australia’s Dr Norman Swan. From diversifying funding sources to strengthening universal public health systems and promoting community involvement, Dr Grinsztejn and Dr Swan will discuss how to overcome the setbacks deepening the inequities between who gets care and who goes without.

Co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, Kirby Institute and UNSW Medicine & Health.

With Australia on track to be among the first countries in the world to eliminate the transmission of HIV, there is a lot to be optimistic about. Yet globally the rates of transmission and AIDS-related deaths are predicted to rise, disproportionately impacting marginalised communities and people living in low and middle income countries.  &nbsp;
Weakening US political commitment and recent funding cuts are threatening the delicate global healthcare architecture designed to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. High-income countries, like Australia, have a crucial role to play in enabling accessible research, testing, treatment, healthcare and public education with international communities. &nbsp;
Hear renowned leading infectious disease researcher and President of the International AIDS Society, Dr Beatriz Grinsztejn, in conversation with Australia&rsquo;s Dr Norman Swan. From diversifying funding sources to strengthening universal public health systems and promoting community involvement, Dr Grinsztejn and Dr Swan will discuss how to overcome the setbacks deepening the inequities between who gets care and who goes without.
Co-presented by the <a href="https://unswcentreforideas.com/">UNSW Centre for Ideas</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kirby.unsw.edu.au/">Kirby Institute</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/medicine-health">UNSW Medicine &amp; Health.</a>

David Cooper Lecture | Ending AIDS: A Global Responsibility

In an era of increasing productivity, efficiency and automation it’s important not to lose sight that education – the learning and teaching that we all pursue – is about human connection and transformation.   

Tune in to learn from Dr Gabi Nudelman, a Senior Lecturer in business sustainability and ethics, on how kindness could be our secret weapons against disconnection in our work and school environments.

In an era of increasing productivity, efficiency and automation it&rsquo;s important not to lose sight that education &ndash; the learning and teaching that we all pursue &ndash; is about human connection and transformation. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Tune in to learn from Dr Gabi Nudelman, a Senior Lecturer in business sustainability and ethics, on how kindness could be our secret weapons against disconnection in our work and school environments.

Kind by Design with Dr Gabi Nudelman | One Big Idea

The blood-brain barrier prevents 98% of medicines from reaching the brain. This prevents the effective treatment of neurological disorders, from cancer to Alzheimer’s. If we knew how to create drugs that could pass through this barrier, then we’d be able to create targeted, effective treatments. But doing so requires a lot of trial and error, and there aren’t a lot of effective, ethical, targeted treatments. Until now. 

Tune in to learn from Dr Alexis Minchaca Acosta, a Research Officer at the Children’s Cancer Institute, on how her work in lab-made blood brain barriers could change the game for neurological disorders.

The blood-brain barrier prevents 98% of medicines from reaching the brain. This prevents the effective treatment of neurological disorders, from cancer to Alzheimer&rsquo;s. If we knew how to create drugs that could pass through this barrier, then we&rsquo;d be able to create targeted, effective treatments. But doing so requires a lot of trial and error, and there aren&rsquo;t a lot of effective, ethical, targeted treatments. Until now.&nbsp;
Tune in to learn from Dr Alexis Minchaca Acosta, a Research Officer at the Children&rsquo;s Cancer Institute, on how her work in lab-made blood brain barriers could change the game for neurological disorders.

Tailor-Made Childhood Cancer Treatments with Professor Maria Kavallaris AM | One Big Idea

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