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Timaru Boys' High School

Professor Nigel McMillan —

Professor Nigel McMillan, right, and his colleague Dr Luqman Jubair have been developing a way to edit the genes of cervical cancer cells to eradicate them.

 by TBHS

Old Boy makes Cancer Breakthrough

TBHS - November 3, 2019

We are very proud of Old Boy, Professor Nigel McMillan who has made a major breakthrough in the battle against cancer by using gene-editing technology to eliminate cervical cancer in mice.

Based at the Menzies Health Institute in Queensland, Professor McMillan said it is the first cure for any cancer using the technology. This technology allows cancer to be attacked at its very source - the genes themselves.

Attending Timaru Boys' High School from 1978 to 1982, Nigel credited his biology teacher, Mr Ian Willis (a current teacher) for sparking his interest in the field.  With a PhD in virology from the University of Otago, he has spent time working in North America and has been in Australia since 1994. 

We look forward to hosting Professor McMillan on his upcoming visit to Timaru Boys' in the near future.