International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.151640"> Credit: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.151640 New research into koala milk could prove crucial to future conservation of the iconic, yet endangered Australian species. The study, led by Edith Cowan University (ECU) Ph.D. candidate Manujaya W. Jayamanna Mohottige, is part of a larger project on koalas and their survival led by the Australian Wildlife Genomics Group at The University of Sydney and the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science. Mohottige's Ph.D. work reveals how koala milk transforms throughout the first year to meet a growing joey's needs. "Koala milk is more than just food. It contains peptides and proteins that help the joey grow stronger, supporting energy, development and early protection," Mohottige explained. "Young koalas are born tiny and fragile.…