Research in molecular and cellular biology

Research groups and labs

• Lê Cao Lab – Director of MIG

  Integrating biological -omics data (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome, metagenomics, single cell transcriptomics and multi-omics) with multivariate and dimension reduction methodologies and R software development.

• Alex Idnurm Lab - Mycology

  This research aims to prevent fungi from causing problems to humans and to find new treatment and management strategies, while addressing also the potential fungi have to enhance our lives.

• Andrianopoulos Lab - Microbial and Developmental Genetics

  Using an array of genetic and genomic approaches, the research in the lab aims to understand how fungi infect humans, get around the immune defence systems and cause disease.

• Brumley Lab

  Our research group uses mathematical modelling and quantitative video-microscopy to study a range of dynamic processes in biology – crucially at the scale of individual cells – with specific applications in bacterial motility, symbioses, nutrient cycling and flows around coral reefs.

• CropGEM Lab: Crop Genetics and Molecular Evolution Lab

  The Crop Evolution and Molecular Genetics Group (CropGEM) researches the genetic and molecular basis of cereal improvement, focussing primarily on cereal crops including wheat, barley, and oat.

• Flegg Lab

  Using mathematics and statistics to answer questions in biology and medicine. In particular, developing mathematical models in areas such as wound healing, tumour growth and infectious disease epidemiology.

• Food Science

  The Food Science and Nutrition Group conducts research to understand the fundamental characteristics of food including composition, structure, function, flavour and aroma of foods and beverages.

• Haydon Plant Cell Signalling Lab

  We use genetics, chemical biology, molecular biology, biochemistry and systems analyses to understand mechanisms that control circadian rhythms with a particular focus on metabolic signalling and nutrient balance.

• Hinde Lab: Cellular Biophysics

  The Laboratory for Cellular Biophysics develops optical microscopy methods based on fluorescence lifetime, anisotropy and correlation spectroscopy to spatiotemporally map the cell nucleus and uncover the role of nuclear architecture in genome function.

• Johnson Lab Group - Plant Nutrition

  Can we change how plants absorb nutrients to produce more nutritious crops? We employ a variety of molecular tools to discover, characterize and engineer plant genes that are important for the absorption and bioavailability of iron and zinc.

• Jusuf Lab - Neural Development and Regeneration

  Understanding the genetic networks that co-ordinate the generation of different types of neurons in the central nervous system of vertebrates.

• Laboratory for Cellular Biophysics

  The focus of the Laboratory for Cellular Biophysics lies at the interface between physics and cell biology. Our specific interest is in the cell nucleus and establishment of biophysical imaging tools to uncover the role live cell nuclear architecture plays in genome function.

• McFadden Lab - Malaria and Endosymbiosis

  Our group is interested in malaria and symbiosis - two topics that seem somewhat far apart but are in fact strangely interconnected. Our research has led to a paradigm shift in understanding the malaria parasite.

• Physical Bioscience

  Development of new technologies for bio-sensors, systems for remote-location oxygen delivery, diamond-based implant devices, and quantum imaging systems for bio-magnetic processes.

• Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Lab

  Programs covering the broad spectrum of research using modern techniques to genetically engineer pasture, vegetable and horticulture crops for future agricultural and environmental needs.

• Plant Pathology

  Plant Pathology focuses on using the latest molecular biology tools combined with a basic disciplinary approach to drive cutting-edge research in host-pathogen relationships, taxonomy and genetic diversity of fungal plant pathogens and development of diagnostics for biosecurity.

• PEARG Lab - Pest and Environmental Adaptation

  Research on adaptation of organisms (particularly invertebrates) to environmental stresses including climate change and chemical pollutants, using field sites in the Victorian mountains, in tropical rainforests and in wetlands around Melbourne.

• Soil Molecular Ecology

  Soil Molecular Ecology Group employs advanced bio-molecular and physicochemical approaches to understand the distribution and diversity of microbial and faunal communities in soils, and the processes and mechanisms of soil organisms-mediated carbon, nitrogen and other elemental cycling.

• Watt Group - Plant and Root System Biology

  Led by Michelle Watt, the Adrienne Clarke Professorial Chair of Botany, making discoveries about the root systems of plants, and applying those discoveries to engineering plant systems that sustain healthy life on Earth and in future in space.

• Wedell Group - Evolutionary insect lab

  Researching the role of genomic parasites in generating intragenomic conflict, predominantly working with insects, by elucidating the consequences for mating systems, the evolution of new traits, the creation of biological novelty, and the survival of populations.

• Veterinary Inflammation and Metabolism

  The Veterinary Inflammation and Metabolism research group investigates the disease processes and develops novel therapies for inflammatory and metabolic diseases.