Anatomy and Physiology Research

The Department's research groups are contributing to world-changing research and dedicated to advancing human health.

Anatomy and Physiology Research

About Us

Welcome to The Department of Anatomy and Physiology Research – home to 35 world-class research laboratories led by a dynamic team of forward thinkers.

Here you will discover the innovative research taking place under four key themes: Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences; Muscle Biology; Neuroscience; Stem Cell and Developmental Biology as well as the Centre for Muscle Research (CMR) and Melbourne Academy of Surgical Anatomy (MASA).

Through cutting-edge facilities, innovative research, training opportunities and the support of diverse funding streams, we remain at the forefront of disease-focused research.

Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences

**Image: Lipid droplets and mitochondria in primary hepatocytes**

Image depicting an isolated primary hepatocyte, examining the mitochondria–lipid droplet interaction, stained with Mitotracker (red) and Bodipy (green) to visualize mitochondria and lipid droplets, respectively.

Credit: Stacey Keenan

Outstanding scientific and clinical researchers are improving our understanding of cellular metabolism and, ultimately, generating fresh insight into how to tackle metabolic disorders. Our inter-disciplinary community is at the forefront of novel therapeutic strategies for obesity, diabetes, liver and heart disease, and many cancers.

Dr Magda Montgomery, Academic Theme Lead

Dr Helen Jiao, Deputy

Metabolism is essential for the optimal function of every cell in your body.

Without effective control, metabolic impairments impact the normal function of all body tissues and underpin some of the leading causes of death in our society. This includes obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and many cancers.

Our researchers investigate metabolism and metabolic dysfunctions of the:

Liver
Heart
Vasculature
Adipose tissues
Skeletal muscle
Gut
Brain and
Eye

The theme collectively interrogates the biology of cellular metabolism – the ways in which cells communicate to regulate metabolism – and the complex interactions between the endocrine system, enteric nervous system and sensory systems in the context of health and disease.

We adopt systems biology and translational approaches with the ultimate aim of identifying and developing novel therapeutic strategies to tackle metabolic diseases to improve patient outcomes.

Muscle Biology

of skeletal muscle , zebrafish embryo, anti-Myosin (red) and anti-Actinin (green) antibodies — **Image:Super resolution image of skeletal muscle from a zebrafish embryo, labelled with anti-Myosin (red) and anti-Actinin (green) antibodies.**

Our group creatively integrates diverse model systems, from 2D and 3D human muscle tissue cultures to fly, fish and mouse models, which we complement with work on human samples, to model complex acquired and inherited muscle diseases.

Credit: Dr Avnika Ruparelia.

From the first breath of a newborn to the resilience of an athlete, from fighting disease to embracing longevity, muscle is indispensable to our existence. Our groundbreaking research explores ways to keep our muscle strong and healthy, aiming to help people from all walks of life—from babies to adults—live better, more active lives.

^{Dr Avnika Ruparelia, Academic Theme Lead}

^{Dr Kristy Swiderski, Deputy}

Muscle is Indispensable for our daily Life

Muscle is indispensable for our daily life, enabling us to sit, walk and simply stand upright. In line with its vital function, loss of muscle structure and function is associated with many diseases and conditions, including ageing and frailty, cancer, muscle injury, sepsis and muscular dystrophies.

These conditions are major health problems that contribute to a large burden of disability and suffering worldwide.

Our researchers investigate the mechanistic basis of muscle wasting and weakness not only at the level of the muscle cell itself but also examine the biology of other cell types found within the tissue, including muscle stem cells, neuronal cells and immune cells, among others. We further leverage this knowledge to develop and test novel therapies for muscle disorders.

Our work spans across biomedicine, biomedical engineering, agriculture, and aquaculture, concentrating on five key areas:

Muscle growth and development
Adaptation and plasticity
Muscle atrophy and disease
Exercise and metabolism
Injury and regeneration

Neuroscience

**Image: A blooming bud**

This is a three-dimensional image of mouse vagal ganglia which have been labelled with three different markers of neurons, chemically treated to become transparent and imaged at a confocal microscope. The neurons and nerve fibres which are embryologically derived from a special group of cells called neural crest are labelled with green fluorescent protein. Two other subtypes of vagal neurons and their fibres are labelled with red and far red (pseudo-coloured as magenta here) fluorescent proteins.

Credit: Dr Aung Aung Kywe Moe

There's no doubt this is one of the most exciting times to be working in neuroscience research. The ground-breaking discoveries we make today will underpin the new treatments of tomorrow, advancing human health and allowing us to reach new frontiers.

^{Dr Mike Clark, Neuroscience Theme Lead}

^{Dr Marlene Hao, Deputy Neuroscience Lead}

Unravelling the complexities of the nervous system through the study of genes, cells and neural circuits.

How is blood pressure controlled and maintained? How do we regulate breathing, the urinary tract, feeding or digestion? What about changes in genes, synapses or nerve cell insulation that cause neurological diseases? How does the nervous system enable us to detect, interpret and experience the world around us and within us?

Neuroscience researchers in the Deptartment of Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Melbourne employ state-of-the-art experimental and computational methods to advance understanding of:

The causes of hypertension and heart failure
Obesity and type-2 diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Neuropsychiatric disorders
Dysfunctions of the urinary, reproductive, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems
Ocular development
Retinal function
How the brain then interprets sensory stimuli to produce adaptive behaviours

We have established links with clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, bioengineers and research institutes within the Parkville medical precinct, such as The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. Our goal is to develop novel ways to target the nervous system through pharmacological, bioelectric or genetically-targeted therapies to treat chronic neurological and life-threatening conditions.

Stem Cell and Developmental Biology

**Image: Portrayals of Prospero**

Drosophila melanogaster larval brain with tumours. The knock-down of the neuronal-fate determinant prospero in Neural Stem Cells (NSC, in magenta) causes cells to fail to differentiate into neurons, leading to increased proliferation of NSC and ultimately tumour growth (in white). Additionally, we can see neuronal projections and axons in green.

Credit: Edel Alvarez

Tremendous advances in biomedical technologies are allowing us to understand how cells develop and differentiate into complex tissues and organisms, and this helping us to unravel the processes involved in many diseases.

^{Associate Professor Kelly Smith, Academic Theme Lead}

^{Dr Lincon Stamp, Deputy}

Cells are the basic unit of life.

Understanding how cells develop and differentiate into complex tissues and organisms is of fundamental biological importance and a key determinant of disease.

Our researchers use computational systems, stem cells and animal models to investigate the normal and pathological development of tissues and organs, including how sex organs, the heart and the nervous systems develop.

We also examine how cell state and fate change in macular degeneration, heart diseases and vascular disorders.

Our internationally recognised research into ethics, law and society addresses the societal impacts of emerging technologies such as stem cells.

Collectively, we aim to develop new methods for regenerative medicine, including:

Replacement cells for blood, brain and gut, and
Identifying improved treatments for retinal disease and neuropsychiatric disorders

Centre for Muscle Research (CMR)

Investigating the mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle wasting and weakness.

Established in 2019, the Centre for Muscle Research is the central hub of muscle biology at the University of Melbourne.

The Centre’s goal is to advance the University’s capacity for basic, clinical and translational research on skeletal muscle, by actively facilitating world-class research and research training on muscle-related diseases and conditions of unmet clinical needs.

Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and leaders at the local, national, and international level, our mission is to:

• Translate breakthroughs in muscle biology to industries by enhancing sustainability
• Create smart foods to maintain health across the lifespan, and
• Tackle muscle disease and inform healthy ageing strategies for Australians as they transition through life

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

The Department of Anatomy and Physiology is committed to sustainable, engaging teaching practices informed by evidence-driven approaches and innovative initiatives from our skilled educators. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning drives this best practice through the review and implementation of modern teaching techniques both in and out of the classroom, underpinned by a dedication to pastoral care and the student experience.