Drug Discovery

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. 

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.

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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+).