Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology partnerships

The Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology has an extensive network of affiliations, collaborations and partnerships spanning government, community and industry.

These relationships drive teaching innovations and research excellence and position us as a partner of choice for co-developing solutions to some of the key challenges in medicine, health and wellbeing, and conservation biology (or ecology).

A sample of our teaching and research partnerships include:

The Australian abalone industry faces significant challenges from the highly pathogenic virus, Haliotid Herpesvirus (HaHV-1), which has an almost 100% death rate in most Australian abalone species. Our researchers are working with the Australian Abalone Growers Association to control this virus and protect the livelihood of Australian abalone farmers.

Our academic staff are members of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance, the national peak leadership body for cardiovascular and stroke research. Together, we are forming a nationwide network of researchers and organisations committed to breaking down traditional barriers and collaborating to tackle the global challenge of cardiovascular and stroke diseases with research-driven solutions.

Our researchers are partnering with Data Biome to reduce methane emissions from cattle. Using bioinformatic approaches, the team are advancing our understanding of bacteria in the cow’s rumen to develop environmentally sustainable solutions.

La Trobe University partners with Darebin Creek Management Committee to provide students with real-world experience on local restoration projects. Students study soils from selected sites, exploring changes in microbiology to inform restoration solutions. This partnership supports the Nangak Tamboree partnership between La Trobe University, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Corporation, DCMC and Melbourne Water to restore the Grassy Woodlands on the Darebin Creek.

Our academic staff are partnering with Greenfleet, a leading environmental not-for-profit organisation, to conduct long-term studies of soil health and carbon levels at Greenfleet native revegetation sites. This partnership provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to use advanced molecular techniques to examine soil microbiology, with the long-term data helping researchers to further understand soil and ecosystem health.

Our researchers are collaborating with Modex and Arborvitae to identify supplements that enhance blood flow and improve exercise performance and recovery.

La Trobe University collaborates closely with The University of Melbourne Body Donor Program to support cadaveric specimens for human anatomical education and research. Unique graduate skills, such as empathy, are developed from working with cadavers and the altruism of the donor is honoured at a thanksgiving service.