The Victorian mRNA Innovation Hub is focused around two complementary themes, developing next generation mRNA and next generation nanoparticle delivery systems.

The VMIH takes a collaborative approach, bringing together high-level expertise from 4 Nodes across the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity and the University of Melbourne Department of Chemical Engineering in Australia, to enable the growth of novel approaches towards the design and delivery of RNA therapeutics.

Next generation mRNA research

The Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity are home to numerous diverse RNA research groups and host two of the VMIH Nodes, focusing on intricacies of RNA stability, modifications and production, in addition to exploring elements that can potentially enable and enhance the future of treatment and prevention of disease using RNA therapeutics.

Node 1: Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI)

The VMIH BDI Node Leader Prof. Traude Beilharz heads the RNA Systems Biology group, interrogating mRNA stability through cytoplasmic polyadenylation and de-adenylation kinetics, profiling RNA sequences to identify elements that improve the stability of mRNA. Science Lead, Prof. Chen Davidovich is head of the Epigenetic Structure and Function group, investigating mRNA stability and the effects modified on mRNA stability and mitigating innate immune responses towards therapeutic RNA. Additionally, Science Lead Dr. Gavin Knott leads the Knott Group and takes a unique approach towards identifying molecular tools from nature with the aim to improve the efficiency of RNA production, which could replace or improve traditional methods used for the production or RNA therapeutics.

Node 2: Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

The VMIH-associated research activities at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity are largely centred around viral diseases. Node Leader Prof. Damian Purcell heads the Molecular Virology Laboratory, leading research in RNA structural elements and novel regulatory mechanisms that control RNA activity, including modulating the lifespan of viral RNA. Also aligning with research of the VMIH Node at the Doherty Institute, the MacKenzie Group, led by VMIH Science Lead Prof. Jason MacKenzie, undertakes multi-faceted research exploring the replication mechanisms of viruses, investigating the development of therapeutic approaches to prevent and treat viral infections. With improved knowledge of viral replication mechanisms comes the opportunities to improve and develop future potential therapeutic RNA for the treatment and prevention of viral infection.

Next generation nanoparticle research

The VMIH Nodes located at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Melbourne have a longstanding history of nanoparticle research and are well positioned to advance our current understanding and application of nanoparticles for the delivery of nucleic acids for therapeutic applications. Our VMIH-associated next-generation nanoparticle research encompasses novel nanoparticle formulation and technology development, in addition to comprehensive biodistribution and pharmacokinetics analysis of nanoparticles developed for therapeutic applications.

Node 3: Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The VMIH-associated research of the MIPS Node centres around the development of novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations to target specific organs and cell types. Node Leader, Prof. Colin Pouton has a strong track record in mRNA vaccine and LNP formulation development, whilst the research of Science Lead, Assoc. Prof. Angus Johnston who heads the NanoMaterials for Biology Group focuses on building novel platforms and cutting-edge technologies for cell-specific delivery of therapeutic mRNA. Complementary to this, Science Lead, Assoc. Prof. Natalie Trevaskis who heads the Lymphatic Biology and Drug Delivery laboratory, is an expert in lymphatic modes of therapeutics delivery, examining the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of nanoparticles.

Node 4: University of Melbourne

Prof. Frank Caruso is the Node Leader of the University of Melbourne Node and is also the head of the Caruso Nanoengineering Group, specialising in the design and synthesis of advanced materials. Research explores the use of novel materials with the aim of pioneering therapeutic strategies for biomedical applications. The research expertise of the Nodes’ Science Leads, Assoc. Prof. Georgina Such, Assoc. Prof. Brooke Farrugia, complement the Nodes expertise in biomaterials development for safe and efficient nucleic acid delivery.

VMIH Management Committee

  • Prof. Christopher Porter Chair of the VMIH Management Committee, Director of the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Australia.

  • Prof. Traude Beilharz Node Leader, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Australia.

  • Prof. Damian Purcell Node Leader, Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Australia.

  • Prof. Colin Pouton Node Leader, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Australia.

  • Dr. Simone Beckham Victorian mRNA Innovation Hub Manager, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Australia.

VMIH Leadership