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Medicine & Health School of Biomedical Sciences

Research groups

See our list of research groups.

Cancer

Curious how cells are kept running like well-oiled machines, Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan uses high resolution, live cell imaging to investigate cellular dynamics within the crowded environment inside mammalian cells.Ìý

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The Biro Group investigates how immune cells locate and kill cancer cells, adopting multi-disciplinary methods encompassing biophysics, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, advanced microscopy, image analysis, and mathematical and coputational modelling.

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The Davis Lab explores how intracellular calcium signalling orchestrates the development, function and regeneration of the mammary gland. Our research utilizes genetic model organisms and quantitative imaging (across the scales of cells, tissues and the organ as a whole).

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Faridani Group: Single Cell Technologies and Precision Oncology

The Faridani lab uses state-of-the-art technology in the field of "single cell omics" to tackle hard-to-crack problems of cancer treatment, with a focus on pancreatic cancer and other solid tumours. The main goal of the lab is to tailor treatment for each patient.

Hardeman & Gunning Group: Cytoskeleton Therapeutics Research Unit (CTRU)

The CTRU studies the building blocks of cell architecture and develops therapeutic strategies based on drug-targeting these building blocks. Our focus is the actin cytoskeleton that is responsible for the internal scaffolds of cells, the generation and reaction to force exerted by the environment and the movement of cells throughout the body.Ìý

Holst Group: Translational Cancer Metabolism Laboratory

Our laboratory utilises a variety of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo techniques to dissect out the role of key transporters and metabolic enzymes in cancer growth. We have determined a number of metabolic pathways that are differentially regulated in breast cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma and more recently glioblastoma.

Khachigian Group: Vascular Biology and Translational Research

The Khachigian Group has 2 principal aims:

  1. To better understand how potentially harmful genes are controlled in vascular cells.Ìý
  2. To develop novel vascular therapeutic agents for cardiovascular and inflammatory disease, tumour growth and metastasis.Ìý
Kovacelic Group: Tumour Microenvironment Group

The critical role of the tumour microenvironment in cancer growth and survival suggests it is vulnerable to intervention.ÌýWe aim to improve the survival rate of cancer patients by deciphering and therapeutically exploiting elements of the tumour microenvironment that facilitate chemoresistance.

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Lock Group: Cancer Systems Microscopy Lab

The Cancer Systems Microscopy Lab aims to contribute to improved cancer treatment outcomes by advancing: Precision Diagnostics;ÌýTargeted Therapies; and Fundamental Insights.

Luciani Group: Systems Immunology and Artificial Intelligence

Our research group is at the intersection of systems immunology and artificial intelligence (AI). Our vision is to develop cutting-edge knowledge and tools to unravel the intricate workings of T cells and harness their potential in modern immunotherapy.

Phillips Group: Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research

Our team is dedicated to improving treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer. We have developed a patient-centered drug development pipeline focusing on the unmet clinical challenges faced by patients which include, the heterogeneity of tumours, the scar tissue fortress, and tumour metastasis.

Pimanda Group: Stem Cell Lab

We are a molecular and cell biology laboratory with a research focus in blood development and leukemia. Our research interest lies in identifying critical components of the hematopoietic transcriptional network in healthy and leukemic blood stem cells and how these govern stemness.Ìý

The Poole group are interested in how cells can "feel" their surroundings. Our research seeks to identify how cells sense and respond to changing mechanical inputs by identifying the molecules that can convert forces into electrical or biochemical signals that influence cell behaviour.Ìý

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Vittorio Group: Metal-Targeted Therapy & Cancer Immunology

Despite an overall improvement in survival in children with cancer, survival rates for those with aggressive cancers, such as high-risk neuroblastoma and brain tumours, remain dismal. Moreover, survivors frequently have life-long health issues due to the toxic effects of chemotherapy. Targeted and less toxic therapies are urgently required.

Wu Group: Laboratory for Ageing Research

Our lab studies the molecular and metabolic mechanisms that underlie biological ageing, with a focus on its impacts on female fertility. A key mechanistic interest for the lab is the role of altered metabolism, including the molecular metabolism of the redox cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).

Research Centres

Centre for Molecular Oncology

The Centre for Molecular Oncology applies basic, translational and clinical approaches to understanding cancer biology through patient-centred discovery programs, and uses this information to improve patient outcomes through clinical trials.Ìý

Biophysics

Curious how cells are kept running like well-oiled machines, Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan uses high resolution, live cell imaging to investigate cellular dynamics within the crowded environment inside mammalian cells.Ìý

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The Biro Group investigates how immune cells locate and kill cancer cells, adopting multi-disciplinary methods encompassing biophysics, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, advanced microscopy, image analysis, and mathematical and coputational modelling.

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To combat viruses, host cells have developed weapons to sabotage the delivery of viral genetic code into their nuclei. There are specialised proteins that either prematurely crack open the protective viral capsid encasing the virus—exposing its genetic material to degradation—or lock the DNA in so it cannot enter the nucleus.

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The Davis Lab explores how intracellular calcium signalling orchestrates the development, function and regeneration of the mammary gland. Our research utilizes genetic model organisms and quantitative imaging (across the scales of cells, tissues and the organ as a whole).

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Jesse Goyette wants to understand exactly how T cells transmit signals to initiate an immune response. How does the T cell receptor work? What does a T cell need to be activated?

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Housley Group: Sensori-motor Physiology and Therapeutic Group

Broadly, our aim is to translate discoveries about transmembrane receptor and ion channel signal transduction, into new platforms for treatment of neurological disorders. Our research program focuses on neuroprotection and repair in sensori-motor pathways.

David Jacques is teasing apart the molecular interactions between viral and host proteins to figure out how viruses like HIV and HTLV trick the host into enabling infection while simultaneously escaping cellular defense networks.

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Electrical and chemical signals generated within cells, tissues and organ systems drive vital functions. Izzy Jayasinghe and her team investigate how these signals are relayed to trigger a heartbeat, and drive other bodily functions, by combing super-resolution microscopy tools they develop with existing technologies.

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Kovacelic Group: Tumour Microenvironment Group

The critical role of the tumour microenvironment in cancer growth and survival suggests it is vulnerable to intervention.ÌýWe aim to improve the survival rate of cancer patients by deciphering and therapeutically exploiting elements of the tumour microenvironment that facilitate chemoresistance.

Lock Group: Cancer Systems Microscopy Lab

The Cancer Systems Microscopy Lab aims to contribute to improved cancer treatment outcomes by advancing: Precision Diagnostics;ÌýTargeted Therapies; and Fundamental Insights.

Luque Group: Viral Macromolecular Structures

Our research is focused on investigating how different viruses interact with and overcome the complex membranous system that surround and reside within the cell.Ìý

The Poole group are interested in how cells can "feel" their surroundings. Our research seeks to identify how cells sense and respond to changing mechanical inputs by identifying the molecules that can convert forces into electrical or biochemical signals that influence cell behaviour.Ìý

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Emma Sierecki–together with Yann Gambin–is mapping protein interactions to solve mysteries that have so far eluded researchers. Their strategy–combining cell-free protein expression with AlphaScreen and single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy–allows them to rapidly screen a huge number of protein binding partners.

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Yann Gambin is watching how certain proteins clump together, leading to cell death and Parkinson’s disease. Together with Emma Sierecki, he is using single-molecule approaches–to watch proteins working with each other–that are ten times faster than traditional approaches.

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Microbiome, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation

Baum Group: Next Generation Malaria Vaccines

Since the establishment of the Baum lab at UNSW in 2022, the group has been passionately committed to translational research to accelerate the reduction in the global disease burden caused by Malaria.ÌýÌý

The Biro Group investigates how immune cells locate and kill cancer cells, adopting multi-disciplinary methods encompassing biophysics, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, advanced microscopy, image analysis, and mathematical and coputational modelling.

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To combat viruses, host cells have developed weapons to sabotage the delivery of viral genetic code into their nuclei. There are specialised proteins that either prematurely crack open the protective viral capsid encasing the virus—exposing its genetic material to degradation—or lock the DNA in so it cannot enter the nucleus.

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Bull Group: Viral Immunity

The Viral Immunity Group is focused on understanding the host-pathogen interaction of human RNA viruses (hepatitis C, norovirus, dengue, influenza, SARS CoV-2). We have made several seminal discoveries in the topics of virus transmission and characterisation of protective immune responses against RNA viral infections.Ìý

Di Girolamo Group: Ocular Diseases Research

The group is interested in diseases that develop in the anterior segment of the eye including those that arise on the surface of the cornea because of deficiency in stem cells, environmental insults, from infection or autoimmunity.Ìý

Jesse Goyette wants to understand exactly how T cells transmit signals to initiate an immune response. How does the T cell receptor work? What does a T cell need to be activated?

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Hardeman & Gunning Group: Cytoskeleton Therapeutics Research Unit (CTRU)

The CTRU studies the building blocks of cell architecture and develops therapeutic strategies based on drug-targeting these building blocks. Our focus is the actin cytoskeleton that is responsible for the internal scaffolds of cells, the generation and reaction to force exerted by the environment and the movement of cells throughout the body.Ìý

Herbert Group: Pulmonary Inflammation Research

The focus of research in this group is the inflammatory mediators that drive inflammation in lung diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sarcoidosis.Ìý

David Jacques is teasing apart the molecular interactions between viral and host proteins to figure out how viruses like HIV and HTLV trick the host into enabling infection while simultaneously escaping cellular defense networks.

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Kaakoush Group: Host-Microbiome Interactions

The goal of our team is to identify microbial and host components contributing to treatment response, allowing the development and transition to defined microbial therapies.Ìý

Khachigian Group: Vascular Biology and Translational Research

The Khachigian Group has 2 principal aims:

  1. To better understand how potentially harmful genes are controlled in vascular cells.Ìý
  2. To develop novel vascular therapeutic agents for cardiovascular and inflammatory disease, tumour growth and metastasis.Ìý
Luciani Group: Systems Immunology and Artificial Intelligence

Our research group is at the intersection of systems immunology and artificial intelligence (AI). Our vision is to develop cutting-edge knowledge and tools to unravel the intricate workings of T cells and harness their potential in modern immunotherapy.

Liu Group: Gastrointestinal and Bladder Disease Research

Our research focuses on uncovering causes and developing treatments for gut and bladder diseases. For gut research, we study diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease using human specimens, supported by a unique tissue bank from colorectal surgery collaborations.Ìý

Luque Group: Viral Macromolecular Structures

Our research is focused on investigating how different viruses interact with and overcome the complex membranous system that surround and reside within the cell.Ìý

Emma Sierecki–together with Yann Gambin–is mapping protein interactions to solve mysteries that have so far eluded researchers. Their strategy–combining cell-free protein expression with AlphaScreen and single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy–allows them to rapidly screen a huge number of protein binding partners.

opens in a new window

Yann Gambin is watching how certain proteins clump together, leading to cell death and Parkinson’s disease. Together with Emma Sierecki, he is using single-molecule approaches–to watch proteins working with each other–that are ten times faster than traditional approaches.

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Telda Group: Immune Regulation Research

Our research program to define functional biology of a family of immune regulatory molecules, known as Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (LILRs) in innate immune responses, chronic inflammatory diseases and central nervous system injuries.Ìý

Vittorio Group: Metal-Targeted Therapy & Cancer Immunology

Despite an overall improvement in survival in children with cancer, survival rates for those with aggressive cancers, such as high-risk neuroblastoma and brain tumours, remain dismal. Moreover, survivors frequently have life-long health issues due to the toxic effects of chemotherapy. Targeted and less toxic therapies are urgently required.

Wu Group: Laboratory for Ageing Research

Our lab studies the molecular and metabolic mechanisms that underlie biological ageing, with a focus on its impacts on female fertility. A key mechanistic interest for the lab is the role of altered metabolism, including the molecular metabolism of the redox cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).

Neuroscience

Curious how cells are kept running like well-oiled machines, Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan uses high resolution, live cell imaging to investigate cellular dynamics within the crowded environment inside mammalian cells.Ìý

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Carrive Group: Brain, Blood Pressure and Stress

The research conducted in the Brain, Blood Pressure and Stress laboratory aims to understand how the brain controls the autonomic and cardiovascular changes associated with stress, emotions and hyperarousal.

Froehlich Group: CNS Gene Therapy Lab

The CNS Gene Therapy Group is interested in the molecular mechanisms of normal and pathological functions of neurons and myelin-forming cells in the central nervous system. Our main focus is on a group of neurological disorders termed leukodystrophies.Ìý

Hardeman & Gunning Group: Cytoskeleton Therapeutics Research Unit (CTRU)

The CTRU studies the building blocks of cell architecture and develops therapeutic strategies based on drug-targeting these building blocks. Our focus is the actin cytoskeleton that is responsible for the internal scaffolds of cells, the generation and reaction to force exerted by the environment and the movement of cells throughout the body.Ìý

Housley Group: Sensori-motor Physiology and Therapeutic Group

Broadly, our aim is to translate discoveries about transmembrane receptor and ion channel signal transduction, into new platforms for treatment of neurological disorders. Our research program focuses on neuroprotection and repair in sensori-motor pathways.

Kumar Group: Cardiorespiratory Neuroscience

Our lab investigates cellular and physiological mechanisms used by autonomic systems; cardiovascular, respiratory and glucoregulatory. Physiological reflexes (e.g. baroreflex, chemoreflex, glucose counter regulation) function to maintain homeostasis in the healthy state.

Moalem-Taylor Group: Neuroimmune Pain Research

The principal aim of our research is to understand the relationship between the nervous system and the immune system, with particular emphasis on how immune cells and their mediators affect chronic pain conditions, such as neuropathic pain, and to assess immunotherapeutic approaches.Ìý

Morris Group: Environmental Determinants of Obesity

Our research addresses critical questions concerning how provision of a varied, energy rich diet can override the control mechanisms that otherwise maintain body weight, with a particular focus on the brain-gut axis and cognitive decline, using rodent models.ÌýÌý

Power Group: Neuroplasticity in Memory & Addiction

Our group examines how changes in neurons and their connections mediate learning. We focus on motivated learning which underlies addiction and associated behaviours. This work complements Psychology collaborators who investigate the behavioural effects of manipulating these circuits.

Emma Sierecki–together with Yann Gambin–is mapping protein interactions to solve mysteries that have so far eluded researchers. Their strategy–combining cell-free protein expression with AlphaScreen and single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy–allows them to rapidly screen a huge number of protein binding partners.

opens in a new window

Yann Gambin is watching how certain proteins clump together, leading to cell death and Parkinson’s disease. Together with Emma Sierecki, he is using single-molecule approaches–to watch proteins working with each other–that are ten times faster than traditional approaches.

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Vickery & Birznieks Group: Sensory Bionics and Motor Control

As humans, we use touch to feel, to communicate, to move, to explore the environment around us, and to protect us from danger. What may seem like instinctive reactions are in fact the result of a complex interplay between our brain, nerves and touch receptors in our skin.

Drug Discovery

Hardeman & Gunning Group: Cytoskeleton Therapeutics Research Unit (CTRU)

The CTRU studies the building blocks of cell architecture and develops therapeutic strategies based on drug-targeting these building blocks. Our focus is the actin cytoskeleton that is responsible for the internal scaffolds of cells, the generation and reaction to force exerted by the environment and the movement of cells throughout the body.Ìý

Housley Group: Sensori-motor Physiology and Therapeutic Group

Broadly, our aim is to translate discoveries about transmembrane receptor and ion channel signal transduction, into new platforms for treatment of neurological disorders. Our research program focuses on neuroprotection and repair in sensori-motor pathways.

Liu Group: Gastrointestinal and Bladder Disease Research

Our research focuses on uncovering causes and developing treatments for gut and bladder diseases. For gut research, we study diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease using human specimens, supported by a unique tissue bank from colorectal surgery collaborations.Ìý

Lock Group: Cancer Systems Microscopy Lab

The Cancer Systems Microscopy Lab aims to contribute to improved cancer treatment outcomes by advancing: Precision Diagnostics;ÌýTargeted Therapies; and Fundamental Insights.

Phillips Group: Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research

Our team is dedicated to improving treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer. We have developed a patient-centered drug development pipeline focusing on the unmet clinical challenges faced by patients which include, the heterogeneity of tumours, the scar tissue fortress, and tumour metastasis.

Rye & Thomas Group: Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Research

The Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Research Group is co-led by Prof. Kerry-Anne Rye, opens in a new window and A/Prof. Shane Thomas. The research group consists of post-doctoral scientists, PhD students and honours students.Ìý

Smith Group: Orphan Receptor Laboratory

The specific focus of the Orphan Receptor Laboratory is the discovery of new drugs for receptors where the partner hormone is still to be found. These are called ‘orphan’ G protein-coupled receptors and make up the majority of all receptors in the family.Ìý

Vittorio Group: Metal-Targeted Therapy & Cancer Immunology

Despite an overall improvement in survival in children with cancer, survival rates for those with aggressive cancers, such as high-risk neuroblastoma and brain tumours, remain dismal. Moreover, survivors frequently have life-long health issues due to the toxic effects of chemotherapy. Targeted and less toxic therapies are urgently required.

Waters Group: Regeneration and Stem cell Translational Research

My team has developed an Australian national biobank of stem-cell-derived airway and gut organoids, and has built a platform for high-throughput functional therapy-testing on patients organoids.

Wu Group: Laboratory for Ageing Research

Our lab studies the molecular and metabolic mechanisms that underlie biological ageing, with a focus on its impacts on female fertility. A key mechanistic interest for the lab is the role of altered metabolism, including the molecular metabolism of the redox cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).

Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease

Hardeman & Gunning Group: Cytoskeleton Therapeutics Research Unit (CTRU)

The CTRU studies the building blocks of cell architecture and develops therapeutic strategies based on drug-targeting these building blocks. Our focus is the actin cytoskeleton that is responsible for the internal scaffolds of cells, the generation and reaction to force exerted by the environment and the movement of cells throughout the body.Ìý

Electrical and chemical signals generated within cells, tissues and organ systems drive vital functions. Izzy Jayasinghe and her team investigate how these signals are relayed to trigger a heartbeat, and drive other bodily functions, by combing super-resolution microscopy tools they develop with existing technologies.

opens in a new window
Kumar Group: Cardiorespiratory Neuroscience

Our lab investigates cellular and physiological mechanisms used by autonomic systems; cardiovascular, respiratory and glucoregulatory. Physiological reflexes (e.g. baroreflex, chemoreflex, glucose counter regulation) function to maintain homeostasis in the healthy state.

Morris Group: Environmental Determinants of Obesity

Our research addresses critical questions concerning how provision of a varied, energy rich diet can override the control mechanisms that otherwise maintain body weight, with a particular focus on the brain-gut axis and cognitive decline, using rodent models.ÌýÌý

Rye & Thomas Group: Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Research

The Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Research Group is co-led by Prof. Kerry-Anne Rye, opens in a new window and A/Prof. Shane Thomas. The research group consists of post-doctoral scientists, PhD students and honours students.Ìý

Biomedical Education Research & Development

Herbert & Polly Group: Digital and Immersive Education Research

Our research focusses on the use of novel digital technologies to enhance student engagement, motivation and success. This includes the development and evaluation of interactive online modules, digital tools for learning and assessment and immersive virtual environments.