Research
The La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) continues to build on its strengths to take advantage of new technologies in Biosensors, Synthetic Biology, Digital Biology and Space Biology, and apply them to seek new solutions to cancer, cardiovascular health, and infection and immunity areas.
As well as conducting research across three of La Trobe University's campuses, LIMS hosts three embedded biotech companies:
Cancer
The Cancer Program investigates the mechanisms of cancer initiation and progression, the crosstalk between cancer cells and their environment, and the potential of novel or repurposed strategies for preventing and combating the disease.
Infection and Immunity
The Infection and Immunity theme studies the molecules used by viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi to infect humans, animals and plants, and the immune response associated with this.
Synthetic Biology
Developing CRISPR, mRNA, nucleotide and peptide technologies to design tailored immune cells and microbiomes for personalised preventative and recovery interventions.
Biosensors
The Biosensor theme develops, refines, and applies advanced biosensing technologies to enhance timely health monitoring, disease detection, and environmental assessment at the point-of-need.
Space Biology
Utilising the unique challenges of space as a test bed for robust and universally deployable health and technological solutions.
Digital Biology
The Digital Biology theme aims to apply advances in machine learning techniques, artificial intelligence and data analytics to better understand biological systems and enhance disease prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Cardiovascular Biology
The Cardiovascular Biology theme undertakes world-class multidisciplinary research to understand the causes of and develop new therapies for cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes.
Research Centres
LIMS is home to three of La Trobe University's Research Centres, spanning cardiovascular research, extracellular vesicles research, and biosensors research.