Synthetic biology and drug discovery

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Perkins researchers focus on some of the major diseases that affect our community. In particular we focus on cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neuromuscular diseases.
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Home » Research » Labs » Cancer Program » Synthetic biology and drug discovery – Overview

Home > Research > Labs > Cancer Program > SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

The Synthetic Biology and Drug Discovery group focuses on re-engineering bacteria and yeast for use as microscopic drug factories, and in the manipulation of mammalian gene expression.

Large, high quality libraries of new drugs are absolutely essential resources to find new medicines. However, their use is restricted to a few pharmaceutical giants. We are engineering cells to make a wide variety of drug-like molecules, providing a unique drug discovery resource accessible to almost any scientific laboratory. As each cell can make a different molecule of interest, billions of different potential drugs could be produced in a single tube. This technology provides an opportunity to put the future of drug discovery in the hands of the wider scientific community and provides new tools for Australian industries. Furthermore, these synthetic biology studies will provide insights into the fundamental biological processes that are essential for all living cells.

Professor Oliver Rackham

Scientists find way to wipe a cell’s memory to better reprogram it as a stem cell

In a groundbreaking study published today in Nature, Australian scientists have resolved a long-standing problem in regenerative medicine. Led by Professor Ryan Lister from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and The University of Western Australia and Professor Jose M Polo from Monash University and the University of Adelaide,…

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Perkins researcher elected as prestigious new Fellow

Professor Alistair Forrest from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research has been selected alongside 27 new Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Professor Forrest is internationally regarded for his pioneering work, which has been driving forward our understanding of human diseases and the complex behaviour…

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Molecular machines stop cancer’s clock

Head of the laboratory for Synthetic Biology and Drug Discovery, Professor Oliver Rackham, says cancer cells grow uncontrollably whereas normal cells limit their growth. “A normal cell grows for just the right amount of time that is required for us to develop and maintain our bodies. “They control their growth with…

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