Research focus
We carry out fundamental research into various aspects of molecular, cellular and developmental biology. Our goal is to help gather and disseminate knowledge essential to understanding and combating disease.
Knowing how a complex organism is formed from a single cell is integral to modern biomedical research.
It requires a detailed knowledge of gene expression, cell behaviour and cellular interactions, processes which are fundamental to the mechanisms involved in constructing an elaborate, multi-cellular organism.
In recent years, the use of molecular techniques for effecting genetic manipulation and the production of transgenic organisms has had an enormous impact on our understanding of the developmental process and its importance in health and disease.
As we expand our knowledge of the mechanisms which regulate the behaviour of developing cells, these advances provide further insight into the causes and potential therapies for congenital abnormalities, cancers and degenerative diseases.
Areas of interest
We publish short briefing papers about our areas of interest.
- The building and rebuilding of mammalian organs (PDF)
- Developmental genetics of neurogenesis in Drosophila (PDF)
- Molecular mechanisms of brain development (PDF)
- Developmental neurobiology of axon guidance (PDF)
- How brains are made (PDF)
- Mapping and computational modelling of nucleosome positions (PDF)
- Patterning and axon pathfinding in the forebrain (PDF)
- Stem cells and genetic defects of the corneal epithelium (PDF)
See our staff profiles for more detailed information about their research projects.
This article was published on Mar 30, 2010