Research Centres
LIMS is home to three of La Trobe University's Research Centres, spanning cardiovascular research, extracellular vesicles research, and biosensors research and to two embedded companies: AdAlta, Imunexus Therapies, and VivaZome.
Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology Research Centre (BEST)
The Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST) Research Centre is newly created and holds a goal of improving the quality of life for people within our society. We aim to do this by developing new and better sensor technology.
Sensor technology is an important research field. Chemical sensors and biosensors provide essential information about our chemical and biological environment. In doing so, they enable better quality of life through accurate and personalized medical diagnoses, efficient energy use, better industrial processes, safer and more ethical food, and a cleaner environment.
Because sensor technology is a very broad topic, we have brought together a range of varied expertise from academia and industry. Through collaboration, we can create better sensors, and improve quality of life.
Research Centre for Extracellular Vesicles
The La Trobe Research Centre for Extracellular Vesicles (RCEV) integrates a diverse group of internationally recognised researchers sharing a major interest in the study of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Our team explores EVs and their critical role in cell and tissue communication.
We are based in the School of Molecular Sciences with links across the university, and coordinate a program of multidisciplinary and collaborative projects. We provide our national and international collaborators and industry partners a unique hub, for research, learning and engagement.
Our objective as a research centre is to work with national and international groups to study how and why EVs mediate cell-cell communication. We hope to explore ways of harnessing this power. We will do this by:
building an Australian Research Centre encompassing academic researchers, industry partners and educational activities to gain knowledge about EVs in intercellular communication.
Spearheading a multidisciplinary, collaborative program of research to understand, monitor and exploit EVs in the normal and disease processes of all organisms, from plants to humans.
Find out more at the Research Centre for Extracellular Vesicles website.
Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research (CCBDR)
Cardiovascular disease refers to chronic diseases involving the heart and/or blood vessels, often leading to heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. Cardiovascular disease is also a major cause of dementia.
In Australia, 4 million people suffer from cardiovascular disease, costing the economy $5 billion annually. Alarmingly, cardiovascular disease claims more than 40,000 Australian lives per year, with the highest death rates amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and those living in remote and regional areas. It is for these reasons that cardiovascular disease is recognised as a National Health Priority area by the Australian Government. There is an urgent need for more research and greater public awareness to address the enormous health and economic impacts of cardiovascular disease.
The Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research was established in 2018 by Professors Chris Sobey and Grant Drummond. In just four years, the Centre has attracted more than $10 million in research funding and is now home to 60 research staff and students, making it one of the largest cardiovascular research groups in Australia.
Research in the Centre spans the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases including:
- hypertension
- stroke
- heart failure
- vascular dementia.
The Centre also studies obesity and diabetes to better understand how these conditions lead to cardiovascular diseases.
Our researchers utilise leading animal, organoid and cell culture models, and cutting-edge technologies including mouse genetics, physiology, immunology, genomics and molecular imaging. This enables translation of discoveries into novel diagnostics, preventions and treatments for cardiovascular disease. Our experimental findings on cell therapy in stroke have recently been translated into Phase I and Phase II clinical trials.
Our Centre is located in the heart of Melbourne’s northern metropolitan area, serving a community that is disproportionately impacted by the devastating consequences of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Our researchers work closely with the local community through public awareness campaigns, high school education programs, and partnerships with local government, health care providers and industries. The Centre also seeks input from members of the local community for strategic decision making, research planning and dissemination of findings.