Centre launch marks a new era in predictive biology
The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems – or MACSYS for short – officially launched this week.
Although MACSYS began operations in 2024, the formal launch held at Science Gallery Melbourne celebrates the Centre’s ambitious vision, groundbreaking research and the collaborative spirit that drives its mission.
University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Mark Cassidy, speaking at the launch
Funded with $35 million through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centres of Excellence program, MACSYS Director, Professor Trevor Lithgow, said the Centre is poised to revolutionise biology by discovery and development of the new mathematic and computational technologies required to make biology predictive.
“We need to be able to predict what a cell is going to do in response to some intervention,” Professor Lithgow said.
“If a stimulus is made, if a change in environmental conditions rips through, we must understand fully and comprehensively what the outcomes will be. That’s the power of whole cell modelling.”
The Centre is headquartered at the University of Melbourne and brings together 20 Chief Investigators across five node universities, including Monash University, the Australian National University, Queensland University of Technology, and the University of New South Wales.
It is a multidisciplinary team of researchers spanning cell biology, mathematical modelling, statistics, computer science and artificial intelligence.
Its research mission is to establish mathematical whole cell models for in silico biology (using computer models) as a powerful complement to traditional in vivo (inside living organisms) and in vitro (lab experiment) approaches. These models will tackle fundamental biological problems and create a world-leading research and biotechnology translation environment.
University of Melbourne Professor Jennifer Flegg is the Centre’s Deputy Director.
“If we can unlock the potential of a whole cell model, then there are vast biological, medical, and biotech applications that will advance greatly from our science,” Professor Flegg said.
MACSYS is proud to acknowledge its partner organisations, whose collaboration enriches its research and outreach:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance (ATSIMA) – working together to support ATSIMA’s mission for an education revolution in mathematics.
- Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) – collaborating on modelling yeast activity and capability in winemaking.
- JuliaHub – engaging closely to apply radical new computational approaches to biological data modelling.
ARC Executive Director for Humanities and Creative Arts, Professor Allison Ross, expressed her confidence in MACSYS’ future impact.
“The ARC looks forward to seeing MACSYS deliver the discoveries, insights, and innovations that will place Australia at the forefront of this transformative field,” Professor Ross said.
Attendees at the Centre launch