AUSTRALIA is on the verge of a health revolution offering cancer cures, replacement body parts and hope that paraplegics will walk again.

That's the view of the nation's top scientists, who have nominated seven medical advances they believe will transform our lives - with stem-cell science, gene technology and bionic innovation at the forefront of the coming breakthroughs.

Ten eminent medical scientists combined their expertise to look into the future for the Research Australia project.

The report, Then, Now Imagine, is released today to coincide with national Thank You Day, when researchers thank those who fund their work.

It says new drugs and vaccines will soon emerge to tackle a range of cancers, while stem cells will help cure diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.

Miniature technology and smart materials are predicted to help repair damaged nerves and possibly broken spinal cords.

Surgery techniques will allow specialists to operate on babies in utero and heal brain injuries.

Some advances, such as gene profiling to detect disease risk, may be available in a decade.