PhD Project Areas Available in 2009

A brochure describing PhD projects available in the School of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences in 2009 is available for download here. Further information about specific projects offered by many laboratories can be found using the list of research areas below:

Biochemistry
Genetics
Microbiology & Immunology
Physiology
Proteomics

Note! Many laboratories are willing to discuss additional project areas and may be able to tailor projects to the interests and expectations of individual students. For this reason, you are strongly encouraged to contact members of the laboratory for further information. The research pages of every laboratory have links in the left hand toolbar that provide contact details (click "Personnel") and, in many cases, descriptions of specific projects (click "Current Research Projects" and then "PhD Projects"). Research and contact details for affiliate laboratories (not housed within the School) are provided in downloadable .pdf documents.

Biochemistry

Structural Biology and Drug Design - Dr. Grant Booker

Molecular and Cell Biology of Reproductive Tissue Differentiation – Professor Richard Ivell

Cell Signalling: the Regulation of Cell-Cell Adhesion and How It Impacts Upon Developmental Mechanisms, Cancer Progression and Inflammatory Processes - Dr. Yeesim Khew-Goodall

Molecular Components of Cellular Oxygen Sensing and the Hypoxic Response - Dr. Dan Peet

Sphingolipid-Mediated Signal Transduction Pathways and How They Contribute To Cancer, Inflammatory Diseases, Hypertension and Other Conditions - Dr. Stuart Pitson

Molecular Genetics of Brain Development in Mice and Man – Dr. Paul Thomas

Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulatory Mechanisms and the Control of Development – Dr. Kirk Jensen

Biological Switches: Molecular Mechanisms in the Utilisation of Alternative Developmental States - Dr. Keith Shearwin

The Structure, Function and Regulation of Biotin Enzymes and Insulin-Like Growth Factors - Professor John Wallace

Signal Regulated Transcription Factors - Associate Professor Murray Whitelaw

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Genetics

Bioinformatics and Computational Genetics - Professor David Adelson

Evolution of Australian Fauna – Speciation and Population Structure – Dr. Steven Cooper

Science Education Research and Development – Dr. Michelle Coulson

Computational Investigations of the Dynamics of Adaptive Evolution at the Molecular Population Genetic Level Using HIV as a Model System – Dr. Jack da Silva

Control of Blood Formation and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Leukaemia – Associate Professor Richard D’Andrea

Molecular Systematics and Evolution – Professor Stephen Donnellan

Identification of Genes and Understanding of Molecular Mechanisms Leading to Intellectual Disability – Associate Professor Josef Gecz

Genome Organisation, Chromosome Evolution and Sex Determination in Vertebrates – Dr. Frank Grutzner

Genetic Dissection of Gene Regulatory Networks – Dr. Joan Kelly

Using Zebrafish Embryos to Investigate the Normal Development of the Nervous System, the Genetics of Dementia, and Transgenic Technology - Dr. Michael Lardelli

Use of Animal Model Genetic Systems (Drosophilia and Zebrafish) to Dissect the Normal and Pathogenic Molecular Pathways Influenced by Genes Associated with Human Diseases Such as Huntington’s Disease and Cancer – Associate Professor Robert Richards

Eukaryotic Genome Evolution (Genetic Interactions Between Cytoplasmic Organelles and the Nucleus) and Biotechnology and Genetic Manipulation to Enhance Cotton Fibre Quality – Professor Jeremy Timmis

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Microbiology & Immunology

Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Infections – Dr. Ivan Bastian

Replication and Pathogenesis of Hepatitis C Virus – Dr. Michael Beard

Replication and Pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS – Dr. Li Peng, Prof. Chris Burrell

Pathogenesis of Dengue Haemorrhagic Shock Syndrome – Dr. Jill Carr, Dr. Li Peng

Immunopathology of Parasitic Infections and Asthma – Dr. Lindsay Dent

Molecular Mechanisms in Bacterial Pathogenesis – Dr. Mike Heuzenroeder

Gastroenteritis Virus Infections of Humans – Dr. Geoff Higgins

Pathogenesis and Prevention of Infection with Hepatitis B-Like Viruses - Dr. Allison Jilbert

Respiratory Virus Infections – Dr. Tuckweng Kok

Cellular Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases – Associate Professor Graham Mayrhofer

Role of Chemokines in Immunity and Disease Processes – Professor Shaun McColl

Pathogenesis of Enteric Bacterial Infections – Dr. Renato Morona

Pathogenesis and Prevention of Pneumococcal Infections – Professor James Paton

Food Microbiology and Food Borne Bacterial Infections – Dr. Connor Thomas

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Physiology

Neural control of gastrointestinal motility - Dr Elizabeth Beckett

Visual Physiology, Biomedical Engineering and Computational Neuroscience - Associate Professor David O’Carroll, Dr. Karin Nordstrom, Dr. Russell Brinkworth

Cortical Inhibition and Neuroplasticity in Fine Control of Human Jaw and Finger Movements – Associate Professor Mike Nordstrom

Neurophysiological Investigation of Human Motor Cortical Plasticity - Dr. Mike Ridding

Molecular and Cellular Physiology of Ion Channel Function – Dr. Grigori Rychkov

Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biophysics - Associate Professor David Saint

Cardiovascular Health and Disease – Professor Prash Sanders, Dr. Lorraine Mackenzie

Cellular Endocrinology and Development of Pituitary Function - Associate Professor Jeff Schwartz

Cortical and Spinal Control of Movement with Exercise and Training and the Effects of Ageing – Dr. John Semmler

Neurophysiology and Human Movement – Dr. Gabrielle Todd

Molecular Physiology of Vascular Smooth Muscle – Dr. David Wilson

Aquaporin Channel Physiology and Drug Discovery Laboratory – Professor Andrea Yool

Micronutrients and Gstrointestinal Pysiology – Dr. Cuong Tran

The Hormonal Regulation of Calcium Metabolism and Bone Metabolism – Dr. Peter O’Loughlin, Dr. Paul Anderson, Professor Howard Morris

Sensory Function and Control of the Gastrointestinal Tract – A/Professor Ashely Blackshaw, Dr. Stuart Brierley Dr. Amanda Page (Hanson Institute)

Diet, Exercise and Cardiovascular Risk – Professor Peter Clifton

Discovery and Characterisation of Tumor Markers for Colorectal Cancer as Diagnostic and Therapeutic Targets – Dr. Jennifer Hardingham

Novel Tests of Gut Function and Treatments for Gastrointestinal Disease – Dr. Gordon Howarth

Nutritional Physiology, Exercise and Metabolic Fitness – Professor Peter Howe, A/Professor Jon Buckley

Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Sleep-Disordered Breathing – Professor. Doug McEvoy

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Proteomics

Protein and proteome analyses - Dr Peter Hoffman

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