The McMorran group works in the Division of Immunology and Infectious Disease at ANU’s prestigious the John Curtin School of Medical Research. We investigate the two major cells of the blood, red blood cells (RBC) and platelets, and the important roles of these cells play in various human diseases affecting the circulation. We have a strong track record in discovery science, having identified platelets as innate immune protective cells in malarial infection and that platelets are regulators of erythrocyte turnover. Our current work explores the biology and biochemistry that underpins these remarkable platelet functions. We are interested in both the broader physiological significance of platelet-RBC interactions in the bloodstream, how these cells impact on host susceptibility and resistance to malaria, and how they contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic conditions affecting platelet and erythrocytes, as well as translating this knowledge for clinical applications.

In other collaborative work, we also host projects investigating the genetic causes of chronic kidney disease in an Indigenous Australian community. The projects listed below are available for undergraduate and post-graduate students interested in immunology and parasitology, malaria drug development, haematology and platelet function, or human genetics.

Student projects: Students interested in studying host-pathogen interactions, anti-plasmodial drug development, haematology and platelet and erythrocyte biology, or human genomics and kidney disease can contact Associate Professor Brendan McMorran for more information about current available projects.

Current projects:

• The roles of platelets in the protection against malarial infection.
• Developing host-inspired molecules for treating malaria.
• The functions of platelets in regulating RBC turnover.
• Genes causing chronic kidney disease in Indigenous Australians.