Anaemia Research Lab

Iron is essential for life. Tight control of bodily iron levels is critical since too much (iron overload) and too little (iron deficiency) both have untoward consequences. We are defining how iron levels are controlled under normal conditions as well as manipulating key players in iron regulation to further understand their role. This knowledge helps us determine how iron homeostasis is altered in diseases where iron regulation is perturbed (e.g. blood cancer, infectious diseases) and during distinct life stages (e.g. infancy, pregnancy).

Team members: Cavan Bennett, Kate Fielding, Ricardo Ataide, Anne Pettikiriarachchi

We study erythropoiesis (red blood cell production) using a range of experimental techniques including genomic and epigenetic studies, live cell imaging, genome engineering and proteomics. Using these techniques we hope to find ways to improve red cell health and hence prevent and treat anaemia.

Lab Members: Gemma Moir-Meyer, Robert Sertori, Cavan Bennett

Through collaboration with Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre we utilise samples from patients with a range of blood disorders, and apply state-of-the-art genomic, transcriptomic, and imaging technologies to define cellular and systemic changes caused by these conditions. Diseases studied include myeloproliferative neoplasms (e.g. Polycythaemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythaemia and Myelofibrosis).

Team members: Cavan Bennett, Indu Raman

The placenta acts as a mediator for communication between the mother and fetus, facilitating the transfer of maternal nutrients, metabolites, immunoglobulins, and oxygen to the developing fetus. It also plays a crucial role in producing hormones that support fetal growth, eliminates fetal waste and carbon dioxide, and, importantly, enables the maternal immune system to tolerate the presence of fetal tissues. As a fetal organ, the delivered placenta represents a unique window into fetal development and metabolism.

We are currently using established histopathology characterisation techniques together with advanced state-of-the-art spatial transcriptomic and imaging approaches to answer questions related to placental development, placental iron biology and transport, placental response to infection (such as Malaria) and inflammation and to evaluate the contribution of placental dysfunction to maternal, fetal and infant outcomes in our trial cohorts.

Team members: Ricardo Ataide, Kate Fielding

Anaemia and undernutrition is very common in low- and middle-income countries, especially in pregnancy and in young children. We are undertaking a program of large randomised controlled trials in rural Bangladesh and Malawi to assess new solutions for anaemia control with the goal of improving maternal and child health, including pregnancy outcomes, maternal wellbeing, infection risk and child growth and development.