Research groups

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.  

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

The Khachigian Group has 2 principal aims:

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

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.

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. 

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

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. 

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.

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+).

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+).

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. 

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.

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.  

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. 

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.