Anatomy and Physiology Research

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 five key themes: Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences; Muscle Biology; Sensory Neuroscience; Stem Cell and Developmental Biology and Systems Neuroscience, 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

Image: Human muscles

The image show 3D human muscle tissues cultured for 7+ days. The muscle tissues are labelled for the structural protein Titin (green) showing the complex architecture of the muscle fibre and nuclei (blue). The generation of 3D human muscle tissues provides new capabilities to model complex acquired and inherited muscle diseases.

Credit: Dr. Kevin Watt
Medical conditions impacting our muscles are a major health problem that contributes to a large burden of disability and suffering globally. We are in an exciting era - finding treatments for these conditions is now becoming a reality

Associate Professor Paul Gregorevic, Academic Theme Lead

Dr Kristy Swiderski, Deputy

Skeletal muscle is essential for movement, breathing and metabolism.

Loss of muscle structure and function is associated with many diseases and conditions, including ageing and frailty, cancer, muscle injury, sepsis and the muscular dystrophies.

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

Our researchers investigate the biology of muscle wasting and weakness while also contributing to the development and testing of novel therapies for muscle disorders.

In diverse areas of biomedicine, biomedical engineering, agriculture and aquaculture this work focuses on:

  • Muscle growth and development
  • Adaptation and plasticity
  • Exercise and metabolism
  • Injury and regeneration

Sensory Neuroscience

Image: Thy1+ganglion cells

Thy1-driven GFP fluorescence in ganglion cells of the mouse retina.

Credit: Dr Ursula Greferath
We have established links with clinicians, pharmaceutical companies and bioengineers. This means, our innovative research is leading to treatments for patients with vision impairment, chronic pain and chronic cough.

Dr Alice McGovern, Academic Theme Lead

Dr Andrew Jobling, Deputy

The sensory nervous system enables us to detect, interpret and experience the world around us and within us.

These senses are encoded by a complex architecture of neurons, they support cells in our body tissues and are conveyed to the brain through dedicated neural circuits.

Encompassing the eye, internal organs and the skeletal system, our researchers investigate the anatomy and physiology of our sensory nervous system, including how diseases impact on these fundamental processes.

We have established links with clinicians, pharmaceutical companies and bioengineers. This means, our research leads to treatments for vision impairment, chronic pain and chronic cough. Our key areas of focus are:

  • Ocular development
  • Retinal function and
  • Sensations from the pelvic organs, skeletal system and lungs

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

Systems 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 discovery neuroscience. 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 Song Yao, Academic Theme Lead

Dr Marlene Hao, Deputy

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?

We employ state-of-the-art experimental and computational methods to advance understanding:

  • The causes of hypertension and heart failure
  • Obesity and type-2 diabetes
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Neuropsychiatric disorders, and
  • Dysfunctions of the urinary, reproductive, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems

Our goal is to develop novel ways to target the nervous system through pharmacological, bioelectric or genetically-targeted therapies to treat chronic and life-threatening conditions.

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

MASA: Melbourne Academy of Surgical Anatomy (including Surgical Anatomy Research)


A detailed understanding of how body anatomy forms the basis of clinical medicine.

Anatomical research in the Melbourne Academy of Surgical Anatomy (MASA) is underpinned by one of the oldest and largest Body Donation Programmes in Australasia and supported through our clinical networks in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.

With internationally recognised leaders in plastic, reconstructive and body and limb surgical anatomy, we are developing:

• New and refined methods for surgery
• The visualisation of medically imaged vasculature, and
• The 3D modelling of the soft tissues supporting joints

Our researchers have also been successful in clinical anatomy research that influences regional anesthesia and pain management, orthopedic surgery and dentistry.

Through our research and the broader activities of MASA, we aim to be a global leader in the advancement of clinical anatomy and to ultimately improve the care of patients.