About the Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology
Our Department has a proud history of teaching and research in the disciplines of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology.
We are part of La Trobe's School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment.
Our research focuses on some of today’s biggest challenges in health, disease and the environment. Our breadth of expertise and co-location in world-class facilities create opportunities for new discoveries in cardiometabolic disease, developmental biology, host-pathogen interactions, microbial ecology, musculoskeletal function, neurodegenerative diseases and pain management.
Each year, we teach over 3000 undergraduate students enrolled in La Trobe’s Science, Biomedicine, Biological Science and Allied Health courses. We take pride in offering a friendly and supportive environment and creating a positive experience for our students.
Our Department has a dynamic Higher Degree by Research program that reflects the disciplinary interests of our academic staff. We are currently training around 75 postgraduate students from Australia and abroad.
The result: We produce graduates who are ready to take up a range of job opportunities, with potential careers in government departments and agencies, hospitals, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, private healthcare organisations and research centres.
Read our Statement of Strategic Intent.
It is a privilege to work with such a committed team of researchers and educators who are always striving to make an impact, whether that is via a breakthrough research discovery or by leaving our students with an unforgettable learning experience that sets up their future careers.
Beyond the textbooks
Our academic staff are committed to providing our undergraduate students with an outstanding learning experience and the flexibility to engage with subjects, either online or face-to-face.
Our curriculum is designed in partnership with the industries that our students will find employment in, ensuring it is relevant and engaging, and that our graduates are job ready.
For students enrolled in La Trobe’s Science, Biomedicine or Biological Sciences courses, we offer majors in Microbiology and Human Physiological Sciences, and a minor in Anatomy.
We also contribute Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology subjects to La Trobe’s accredited Allied Health courses, as well as in partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Our academic staff are at the forefront of their research disciplines, enabling them to go ‘beyond the textbooks’ to disseminate the latest findings from their fields.
Many staff are also engaged in education-focused research, allowing us to incorporate the latest technologies and best practices into our curriculum. Several of our teaching staff have been recognised as Fellows/Senior Fellows of Advance HE, and have received University and national awards for innovation and excellence in curriculum design and delivery.
We also offer Honours and Higher Degree by Research programs, where students can make their own discoveries by working under the supervision of academics in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Find out more about our courses and our distinctive student experience.
Research with impact
Our researchers use cutting-edge technologies to answer fundamental questions relating to health, disease and the environment.
Our work focuses on basic biochemical and cellular processes, studies on whole organisms from microbes to humans, and the interactions of these organisms with their environment.
The Department is recognised nationally and internationally for its research. We are rated at well above world average in Excellence in Research for Australia.
Our contribution aligns with La Trobe University's research themes: Understanding and preventing disease, Healthy people, families and communities, Resilient environments and communities and Sustainable food and agriculture.
Our research is grouped into eight key areas:
Our researchers combine molecular biology, DNA technology, genomics and bioreporter techniques, with traditional microbiological methods and ecological principals, to examine microorganisms in mixed communities, their interactions and effects on ecosystems.
Our researchers are working to understand the causes of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease and heart failure, with a view to identifying new therapies to combat these conditions.
Our researchers analyse the molecular, functional and biochemical processes governing how cells behave, both in isolation and within tissues and organ systems.
Our researchers are working on assessment and feedback, employability, the first-year experience, scientific skill development, blended learning, and technology in teaching and learning.
Our researchers study the interactions of viruses, bacteria and parasites with their human and animal hosts, as well as the host immune response to infections. They have expertise in the isolation and culture of microorganisms.
Our researchers are working to understand the mechanisms underlying devastating human diseases such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
Our researchers examine the cellular and biochemical pathways that control skeletal muscle, cartilage and bone function in healthy individuals, and how these are altered by injury and disease.
Our researchers are investigating the molecular basis of neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioural disorders to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and brain injury after stroke.
To find out more about our individual research groups, please take a look at our research booklet.
Research Centre
The Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology is also home to the Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research.
Comprising 15 research divisions and more than 75 staff and Higher Degree by Research students, the Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research is one of the largest groups of cardiovascular researchers in Australia. Our researchers investigate the mechanisms that cause diseases including hypertension, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart failure, diabetes, vascular dementia and kidney disease. The long-term goal of this research is to develop more effective medicines and diagnostics to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Find out more about the Centre.