We are exploring a number of therapeutic options, developed at ANU and by commercial partners, which include gene-based therapies, non-invasive therapeutics (including the use of low-level laser therapy using red light) and novel compounds.

Investigating the role of Spindle-E Zinc Finger motif in piRNA ping-pong biogenesis

RNA Sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies produces a stream of signals that can be decoded to uncover the properties of individual molecules.

Major questions about the molecular mechanisms of rapid stress adaptation remain unanswered.

We investigate the neuro-protective benefits of different forms of exercise to retinal health and aim to understand what molecular processes mediate this.Our ongoing projects aim to determine whether or not these benefits can be translated into therapeutic approaches for retinal diseases such as AMD.

The long-term goal of this project is to understand the interplay between chromatin modifications, nucleosome-positions, -turnover and -occupancy, and perhaps other as yet unknown chromatin characteristics, that allow the dynamic regulation of the eukaryotic genome.

An exciting and novel development in the field of DNA-repair. Our mid-to long-term research goals will focus on the molecular mechanism behind this finding both in the fission yeast S. pombe and in mammalian cells. Findings have also identified potential new targets for cancer treatments.

To determine the role of histone variants, and other important epigenetic regulators, in regulating gene transcription and splicing.

To elucidate the role of the epigenome, including the histone variant H2A.Z, in regulating the 3-dimensional architecture of the genome by inhibiting the expression of epigenetic regulators cellular differentiation.

To study the role of histone variants and other epigenetic regulators in controlling pre-mRNA splicing on brain function and spermatogenesis using mouse knockout models. In addition, how the regulation of splicing impacts the progression of cancer using human breast cell lines.

This project combines NGS technology with isolation of polyribosomal complexes from living cells, to generate transcriptome-wide snapshots of the distribution of translation complexes along mRNAs

One core regulator of growth and division of great interest to our research is the MYC oncogene, which is a potent activator of cell growth networks and upregulated in most human cancers. This research aims to use a combination of models to unravel the mechanisms for regulation of MYC expression by FBP/FIR.

We wish to identify malignant-specific rapid responses to drug stress and find new compounds that would block such responses and reduce the adaptation rate.

We aim to molecularly characterise these newly emerging splicing regulations and to investigate their roles in non-germline tissues such as brain and muscles.

We aim to anatomically and molecularly identify the causative defects in the somatic development of piRNA pathway mutant ovaries.