Laboratory head
Research projects and Student research
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About us
The Molecular Proteomics laboratory is focused on understanding the molecular function of nano-sized biological extracellular vesicles (EVs) and how their intercellular signalling is important in normal cardiac physiology and disease.
Given the heart's limited regenerative capacity, developing strategies to restore lost cardiac tissue remains a critical, unmet challenge in cardiovascular medicine. Our goal is to engineer EVs to overcome limitations in their therapeutic application and identify new deliverable therapeutic targets.
What are extracellular vesicles?
Extracellular vesicles are nano-sized, cell-derived signalling mediators that package and transfer key molecular cargo to target cells. They've emerged as an innovative cell-free regenerative strategy due to their ability to deliver therapeutic cargo — offering new hope for repairing damaged hearts without traditional cell transplantation.
Research approach
Our team develops multidisciplinary strategies to define and understand the form and function of EVs, the heart as a signalling organ, and innovative proteomic technologies to understand the mechanistic underpinnings of complex biology.
The advanced molecular and micro-functional assay approaches developed in our laboratory have identified novel regulators of the secretome — cell-derived secreted factors — and EV biology. We integrate advanced mass spectrometry-based proteomics to decipher key regulators and networks remodelled in various models of cardiovascular disease.
Multi-omics for cardiac health
We apply multi-omics approaches to understand complex molecular changes, including protein modifications, in heart health and as therapeutic strategies in vascular and cardiac disease. These innovations have led to preclinical and clinical utility, including commercialisation, with significant engagement with national and international industry networks in biotechnology, proteomics and regenerative medicine fields.
Our integrated expertise
The Molecular Proteomics team incorporates advanced proteomics, systems biology, cell signalling, molecular biology, nanomaterials, nanobiotechnology, regenerative cell biology and expertise in molecular therapies. Our goal is to identify new deliverable therapeutic targets and therapeutic strategies to understand vascular and cardiac disease, and ultimately facilitate effective engineered approaches for next-generation cell-free cardiac therapy.
