
All cancer types
Dr Robert Ju
Harnessing the immune system to target and destroy metastatic cancer cells

Dr Robert Ju's research is funded by Cure Cancer
He is based at the Australian Institute for Biotechnology and Nanotechnology / Institute for Molecular Bioscience, and The University of Queensland.
Dr Robert Ju is a research officer pioneering new paths in cancer treatment through his groundbreaking research in cell biology. His innovative work has been published in the world's leading scientific journals, including Nature Cell Biology and Nature Communications.
In 2018, a project he led on growth factor mutations in endometrial cancer earned him a co-first author publication that received the prestigious ‘Most Outstanding Publication of the Year’ award from the Journal of Cell Science. This discovery has opened new possibilities for developing more effective cancer treatments.
Today, Robert continues to push boundaries in cancer research, collaborating with top institutions worldwide. His exceptional talent has been recognised through several prestigious awards, including a Fulbright Fellowship during the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed him to collaborate with researchers at the University of California, San Francisco—one of the world's premier medical research centres.
Treating advanced metastatic cancers
In 2023, over 200,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer. While survival rates are improving, people with metastatic cancer—when cancer spreads beyond the original tumour—still face limited treatment options and poor outcomes. This urgent need for better therapies has prompted health authorities to prioritise treatments that prevent cancer from spreading and improve responses to immunotherapy.
Dr Robert Ju's research
Dr Robert Ju’s research addresses a critical challenge in treating advanced metastatic cancer. Current therapies struggle to stop cancer from spreading, largely because researchers don’t fully understand how cancer cells invade surrounding healthy tissue.
Robert and a team of domestic and international collaborators recently discovered that invasive cancer cells protect themselves by resisting mechanical forces as they squeeze through narrow spaces during metastasis. His work explores whether targeting this weakness can cause cancer cells to rupture and die—and whether this rupture could trigger the immune system to recognise and attack remaining cancer cells. This innovative approach could lead to new strategies that complement existing treatments and offer new hope for patients with advanced cancer.
Transforming cancer treatment
Robert's research has the potential to introduce groundbreaking treatments that prevent cancer from spreading at any stage. By targeting cancer cells’ mechanical vulnerability, it could lead to therapies that make cancer cells rupture, stopping metastasis. This strategy may also boost the body’s natural immune response, helping immune cells recognise and eliminate cancer more effectively. Additionally, it could provide new options for drug-resistant cancers, enhance current immunotherapies, and ultimately improve survival rates and quality of life for people living with metastatic cancer.
A passion for curiosity and impact
Dr Robert Ju’s journey into cancer research stems from a lifelong curiosity about how things work and a desire to make a meaningful difference. “I have always been curious about how things work and why they are the way they are. I think my curiosity, paired with a strong desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, has naturally steered me towards research. I see science and research as the most powerful tool we possess to better understand and address some of the world’s biggest challenges, particularly in health and disease. I believe that knowledge uncovered through research holds the potential to transform lives, which is what keeps me motivated every day.”
For Robert, the complexity and intricacy of biology are a constant source of inspiration. “In many ways, I feel fortunate to have stumbled onto this path—it’s a rare and rewarding opportunity to pursue such impactful work. I’m constantly reminded of how complex and intricate biology is, and how much of it is still unknown. That realisation humbles me and keeps me curious.”
Navigating challenges in early-career research
Like many emerging researchers, Robert acknowledges the difficulties of working in a highly competitive funding environment. “Some challenges that early-career researchers face, particularly in Australia, is navigating the fiercely competitive funding landscape and persevering despite the stacked funding odds while all the while trying to fulfil the gamut of responsibilities that come with the job. The demands that early-career researchers—and most researchers—face often come at a personal cost—sometimes small, but other times significant. I know many in this stage of their career feel the same strain.”
Even success can feel complicated, he notes. “Sometimes, when we achieve success, like securing a grant or publishing a paper, it can be hard to fully enjoy those moments, knowing how many of our peers are still struggling with rejections and battling for funding in an increasingly tough environment. It creates a strange dynamic where sharing successes feels bittersweet, given the wider challenges so many of us face.”
Why Cure Cancer funding matters for emerging researchers
Robert emphasises the critical role of Cure Cancer’s support in enabling groundbreaking research. “Cure Cancer funding is incredibly important, both to the scientific community and to me personally and professionally. The funding provided is critical for early-career researchers like me, as it allows us to pursue innovative ideas that might otherwise go unexplored due to financial limitations. Research, especially in cancer biology, is resource-intensive and expensive, and securing this type of funding ensures that we can continue running experiments, testing hypotheses, and pushing the boundaries in science."
Together, we can cure cancer.
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