Current student research opportunities with the Metabolomics laboratory
Characterising myeloperoxidase oxidation on lipids and lipoproteins
A central process in our innate immune system is the ability of neutrophils to react to acute inflammatory stimuli and, when necessary, mount a defence against foreign pathogens, including bacteria. Such a response often leads to the production of reactive molecules through the action of myeloperoxidase (MPO). Among the compounds generated by MPO is hypochlorous acid, a cytotoxic oxidant deployed to eliminate bacteria. Hypochlorous acid is known for causing oxidative damage to nearby tissues, particularly noted for its high reactivity with lipids. This project, suitable for a honours, masters or PhD student, seeks to identify and characterise lipids generated from myeloperoxidase induced oxidation, across a broad spectrum of lipid classes using mass spectrometry, with the goal of understanding their subsequent effects on cellular stress and death.
Development and validation of a high throughput clinical lipidomics platform
An innovative research initiative aimed at translating world-class laboratory protocols into a clinical setting. This research, suitable for a Masters or PhD student, strives to create an integrated system combining LC-MS/MS technology and statistical modelling to predict future disease by assessing patients' metabolic health based on lipid biomarker profiling.
Exploring the impact of enriching breast milk ether lipids on offspring's endogenous lipidome
A pioneering project that investigates the impact of breastfeeding on infant lipidomic profiles and immunity. Ideal for a Masters or PhD student, this study examines the potential immune-boosting properties of ether lipids, opening new avenues for understanding infant health and the development of diseases later in life, using mouse models.
Exploring the role of breast milk ether lipids in modulating immune function in early life
Breastfeeding offers vital health benefits to infants over formula feeding, although the mechanisms behind this are not known. Human milk is rich in many lipids, including ether lipids, which are significantly lower in infant formula, or completely absent. These ether lipids may confer antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties and may partly explain why breast and formula fed infants differ in their health outcomes. Our project aims to investigate how human milk ether lipids affect immune cell development and help in the development of immunity in early life.
Revolutionising disease prediction and management through plasma lipidomic profiling
A transformative project, utilising cutting-edge lipidomic data to uncover the secrets of disease pathways and personalised risk prediction. Ideal for a bioinformatics-oriented Masters or PhD student, this work will involve developing computational tools and models to translate lipidomic profiles into actionable insights for precision medicine.
Understanding the effects of plasmalogen modulation on the systemic lipidome
An innovative project that investigates the impact of alkylglycerol supplementation on the modulation of endogenous plasmalogens. Ideal for an Honours, Masters, or PhD student, this study examines the potential impact of alkylglycerols on the systematic lipidome, opening new opportunities for understanding the therapeutic potential of plasmalogens using mouse models.
Unlocking the secrets of cardiometabolic diseases through multi-omic integration
An opportunity for students to contribute to groundbreaking research integrating multi-omic data to revolutionise our understanding of cardiometabolic diseases. Ideal for a bioinformatics-oriented Masters or PhD student, this work will involve bioinformatics and statistical modelling to uncover causal lipid metabolic pathways in cardiometabolic diseases, potentially identifying new therapeutic targets.