The School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at UNSW

Associate Professor Robert Yang has been studying the biogenesis and dynamics of lipid droplets for over a decade.

Molecular Medicine

Molecular Medicine within BABS has a unique strength in combining fundamental biological and biomolecular sciences with a strong applied biotechnology and medical focus.

The School facilitates collaborative research efforts across discipline boundaries for fundamental discoveries, generation of commercial opportunities and clinical research. Molecular medicine represents a significant proportion of research output from BABS within the medical area.

The group comprises one Professor, five Associate Professors, 10 senior lecturers, one lecturer and two research associates. Major research strengths of the group currently exist in medical bacteriology, biomaterials, medical virology, immunology, bioinformatics, cancer and genetics. The group uses a wide range of cutting edge molecular and bioinformatic tools to understand and combat disease. Expertise from members of Molecular Medicine naturally integrates into projects within the School’s research areas in studies such as ageing, water research and proteomics.

A number of specific research foci involve several academics, and include:

• Medical bacteriology: Prof Mitchell, A/Prof White and Drs O'Rourke, Lan and Zhang investigate medically important bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori and Salmonella enterica and studies involve evolution, antibiotic resistance and their role in diseases.
• Biomaterials: A/Prof Foster and Drs Bulmus, Foong and Marquis conduct research that encompasses biomaterials, such as microbially produced biopolymers, bioplastics for medical applications, novel polymeric nanoparticles as antitumor drug delivery systems. For more information: see Here
• Medical virology: A/Prof White and Drs Whitaker and Bull work in the area of medical virology involving viruses such as hepatitis C virus, human papillomavirus and norovirus.

Members of the Molecular Medicine group have successfully attracted competitive funding through bodies such as the ARC, NHMRC, NCRIS, UNSW Goldstar and Strategic Initiative schemes, and from charitable and industry sources. The group has also been active in securing infrastructure funding in proteomics in particular protein expression. This facility naturally fits into the strong proteomics theme present in the School's Systems and Cellular Biology group and underpins large projects involving other BABS groups, such as The UNSW Hepatitis C Vaccine Initiative.

Further growth designed to complement current strengths is envisaged in the areas of ageing, immunology, water research, genetics and human health. These growth areas will enhance existing research areas and provide opportunities for new collaborations.

Academic and Research Staff associated with Molecular Medicine and Biomaterials