Welcome to the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences

Science is a rapidly evolving discipline that influences almost all areas of our lives from the food we eat to the technologies we use and our health and well-being.

The School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences has a superb range of specialized facilities to support research in the molecular, biological and biomedical sciences. Research efforts are strengthened by 25 Post-Doctoral Research Fellows funded by the ARC, NHMRC, NIH, Royal Society of London, and the Wellcome Trust, amongst other bodies. The school has recently organized itself to reflect its research and teaching strengths and priorities. There are five research disciplines: Biophysical Chemistry and Structural Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Nutrition and Metabolism, and Proteomics and Biotechnology and a teaching discipline, Excellence in Learning, Assessment, Teaching and Evaluation.

These disciplines within the fields of life and biomedical sciences are providing new insights into key molecular, cellular, and metabolic processes. The results of research in these discipline areas are being successfully applied to normal human biology and disease. Given the vested interest we all have in the prevention, control and cure of disease, and improvement of quality of life, it is hardly surprising that these fields are advancing rapidly and creating rewarding employment for our graduates.

Within the School, groups study areas as diverse as the Glycemic Index (GI) of food, disease prevention and treatment (including cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, obesity), antibiotic resistance, genetic engineering, tissue engineering, cell structure and drug delivery and design.

Our academic staff are recognised for teaching and research excellence and often receive awards. In 2006, we received in excess of $7.5 million in competitive research grants from government, industry and charity. The School has commenced a major refurbishment that will cost more than $10 million over the coming years. We have a broad range of facilities from major research equipment to areas where we can feed people special diets.

Associate Professor Arthur Conigrave, BSc(Med) MB BS MSc PhD, FRACP
Head of School (2007 - 2009)