For more than 50 years the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has pioneered insights into some of the most widespread diseases affecting our community today. Garvan's mission is to make significant contributions to medical research that will change the directions of science and medicine and have major impacts on human health. Garvan strives to enhance and develop research programs that combine fundamental science with strong clinical interactions. Research at Garvan is focused upon understanding the role of genes and molecular and cellular processes in health and disease as the basis for developing future preventions, treatments and cures. For over 50 years, significant breakthroughs have been achieved by Garvan scientists in the understanding and treatment of diseases such as: * Cancer * Diabetes and obesity * Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, hearing loss, mental illnesses and eating disorders * Osteoporosis * Immunological diseases such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and Sjogren's syndrome Garvan's ultimate goal is prevention, treatment or cure of these major diseases.