RNA Victoria Network
RNA Victoria Network aiming to accelerate RNA-focused research in Victoria by connecting scientists studying RNA biology and its applications.
RNA experts in Victoria
Monash University
My group uses different model systems from plants to human cell culture to address questions related to environmental response in organisms at a mechanistic level. One of the recent interests in the lab is how variations in RNA splicing occur and what are the genomic determinants of the same. We have developed a simple and efficient tool "SpliSER" that allows quantifying splice-site usage from RNA-Seq data. We have used RNA-Seq data generated via the 1001 genome project to generate splice-site usage data for all splice-sites across the genome and mapped the genomic variants associated with splicing variation through GWAS.
Monash University
Traude is interested in the dynamics of RNA synthesis, processing, and decay. Specifically, her team investigates the roles that polyadenylation plays in RNA stability, translation or turnover; almost no RNA is exempt. However, there is still much to learn about the mechanism and function of many of the enzymes responsible for polyadenylation and how non-canonical polyadenylation is regulated. Traude's team use custom transcriptomics, bioinformatics and model organisms (from yeasts to mice) to answer fundamental questions in eukaryotic post-transcriptional control of gene expression.
CSIRO
Our group is based at the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, a high-containment lab dedicated to the safe handling of dangerous pathogens. Our group has a particular interest in host-encoded microRNAs and the host response to infection. We study microRNAs as biomarkers for disease detection and prognosis. We also study the role of host-encoded microRNAs in virus replication and other aspects of the infection cycle.
St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research
The Chong lab at St Vincent’s Institute is interested the studies the biogenesis and function of microRNAs, particularly in the context of the adaptive immune system. The lab is also interested RNA cleavage mechanisms and the regulation of stem cell pluripotency.
University of Melbourne
We are interested in many aspects of RNA biology, with a particular focus on the roles of splicing and RNA isoforms in regulating development and in conferring risk for complex diseases. We are also interested in utilising RNA-based risk scores to predict disease risk and outcomes. A second focus of our research is to develop applications for long-read nanopore sequencing; to take advantage of its unique potential in transcriptomics, disease characterisation and diagnosis. We have expertise in many areas of RNA biology including nanopore long-read sequencing, RNA splicing, long-noncoding RNAs, bioinformatics and transcriptomic method development.
Monash University
Our laboratory research interests focus on how epigenetic and epitranscriptomic changes regulate gene expression programs to control embryonic stem cells (ESCs) state, neurodevelopment, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Monash University
The Davidovich lab studies the regulation of transcription — the birth of RNA — with emphasis on how RNA regulates its own biosynthesis. The lab focused on the study of chromatin-modifying complexes required to repress transcription.
Hudson Institute of Medical Research
My research focuses on the interaction between RNAs and immune responses. On one hand my lab works to define how innate immune sensors detect RNA modifications, with critical implications for the development of RNA-based therapeutics (with specific expertise in antisense oligonucleotides and siRNAs). On the other hand, we are studying how changes in the landscape of small RNAs feed back to buffer immune responses (with specific expertise in microRNA isoforms - isomiRs).
St Vincent’s Institute
I am a Team Leader within the Cancer and RNA biology Lab at St Vincent’s Institute in Melbourne. I am interested in the role of RNA modifications, such as A-to-I RNA editing by the ADAR enzymes, in modulating the structure and immunogenicity of endogenous RNAs. I am interested in the interplay between RNA-binding proteins, RNA modifications and RNA structure with the immune system as well as understanding physiological roles of RNA editing. To study this and uncover novel components of the pathways involved, I use mouse genetics, cell culture models, CRISPR screening and RNA sequencing.
Monash University
The evolutionary back and forth between hosts and mobile genetic elements drive the innovation of remarkable molecular strategies to sense or conceal RNA. The Knott Lab uses structural biology and biochemistry to understand how CRISPR-Cas and other novel immune systems specifically sense RNA. We aim to better understand the function of nucleic acid sensors to harness their activity as tools for molecular diagnostics or as innovative biomedicines.
Monash University
Fionna Investigates how RNA binding proteins recognise and chaperone RNA in health and disease. From mRNA that encodes protein to catalytic RNA at the heart of machines such as the ribosome, the single-stranded nature of RNA is fundamental to its versatility. However, this also renders RNA susceptible to misfolding. We use nuclear magnetic resonance and other biophysical techniques to study the detailed mechanisms by which proteins bind and guide RNA structures. Understanding these fundamental properties can lead to new insights into how aberrant RNA-protein interactions contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Monash University
The McGlinn Lab investigates microRNA function during development and disease. Their work has identified critical new roles for microRNAs in controlling cell identity, proliferation and tissue patterning in the embryo. They are now applying this knowledge to understanding human diseases of development and adult blood disorders. The McGlinn lab is constantly evolving with the rapidly advancing genomic technologies, and utilises parallel in vitro and in vivo approaches to allow them to capitalize on the breadth of these technologies.
University of Melbourne
We are interested in understanding how gene expression is impacted by RNA processing and by RNA modifications. Our laboratory uses Nanopore and Illumina sequencing to characterise gene expression, alternative splicing, and nonsense-mediated decay of RNA, with a particular focus on gene regulation in the human parasites Plasmodium (the causative agent of malaria) and Toxoplasma.
Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Dr Natalia Sampaio specializes in the cellular immune sensors of RNA, in particular those involved in detection of virus infection. She applies cutting-edge technologies to understand the nature of the immune-stimulatory RNA, and how these activate the pro-inflammatory interferon and cytokine responses. She has recently published work on RNA sensors that detect SARS-CoV-2.
St Vincent’s Institute
We are interested in understanding how A-to-I RNA editing by ADAR enzymes contributes to both normal development and to disease pathogenesis.
Dr Vi Wickramasinghe
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
My laboratory studies how RNA is altered in cancer. Specifically, we study the molecular mechanisms of how RNA is processed and exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. We aim to use these fundamental biological insights to develop novel therapeutics that target the RNA processing machinery.
Dr Qi Zhang
Monash University
I am a group leader within the Biomedicine Discovery Institute of Monash University. I study how RNA regulates histone-modifying enzymes using structural biology, biochemistry and molecular biology approaches.
Hudson Institute of Medical Research
I am interested in studying RNA architecture and its interactions with other RNA or protein partners in living cells, and believe it is fundamental to understanding the biochemical pathways of RNA acting. I use a combination of biochemical and structural biology approaches to study how RNA protein interactions change the RNA structure leading to gene expression regulation.