The McMorran group discovered that platelets play a protective role in malaria by releasing Platelet factor 4 (PF4), which kills the parasite, and are currently studying the molecular mechanisms behind this function.

The use of miRNA as potential therapeutic targets in diseases causing retinal degenerations

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.

This includes studies of genes of vaccinia virus that might be an impediment to use of this virus as a vaccine vector, genes of herpes simplex virus that block antigen presentation and genes involved in effective host responses.

We have a particular interest in viral and host gene expression during the latent phase of infection.

We utilise a unique mouse model to explore the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors in promoting autoimmune disease development, particularly in SLE research.

Our projects use genomics, cellular immunology, and transcriptomics to uncover the unique causes of chronic disease in Indigenous Australians, aiming to identify new treatment targets and improve community health outcomes.

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