By arriving here, you have taken the first step toward understanding a cause that has the potential to change thousands of lives, including those affected by some of the most complex and misunderstood neurological and mental health conditions.

In Australia, it is estimated that 45% of the population will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives. Disorders like depression, epilepsy, addiction, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) contribute not only to emotional suffering, but also to a growing economic and healthcare burden. Yet despite how widespread and life-altering these conditions are, there are still few truly effective treatment options.

That’s where The Homer Hack comes in.

By raising funds for research into the Homer1 gene, we are supporting a new frontier in understanding the genetic drivers of neurological and psychiatric illness. With your help, we are backing world-class scientists and institutions who are unraveling the complexity of the brain, something that has long held back progress in treatment and care.

Below, you will hear directly from Professor Terence J. O’Brien, a globally recognised neurologist and researcher at Alfred Health, about the critical importance of this work, and Dr Ana Antonic-Baker, a senior researcher at the Department of Medicine, about utilising stem cells to study neurological conditions. You will also learn more about the impact of our research funding with Monash University, one of Australia’s most respected research institutions, where exciting progress is being made in understanding the role of Homer1.