Research projects

Laboratory overview

In 2008, the Discovery Biology group was established within the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD), Griffith University. The focus of our laboratory is drug discovery, with the aim of identifying novel molecules for the treatment and improved understanding of disease.

Our laboratory undertakes both basic and applied research in drug discovery, primarily in the areas of cancer and neglected diseases.  We develop innovative technological approaches for high throughput screening (HTS), Hit-to-Lead and lead optimization, with a particular interest in imaging. Discovery Biology is currently one of Australia’s leading HTS facilities.

Our laboratory has successfully designed and implemented assays for Malaria and Human African Trypanosomiasis, for the not for profit organizations Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Drugs for Neglected diseases initiative (DnDi), respectively. We were awarded MMV Project of the Year (2007) for our innovative use of technology to identify new anti-malarials and are currently recognized as MMV’s global screening centre. In 2009, we received the Griffith University Pro-Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award for a Research Group.