Understanding the molecular and cellular basis of cell growth and its control is central to our understanding of tissue development in embryos as well as regeneration of damaged or diseased tissue. This research will have major implications for the treatment of disease in the future. Researchers are investigating a variety of developmental problems; embryonic neural tube development, cellular mechanisms of disease development in vascular tissue and its prevention or reversal, molecular mechanisms of developmental motor neuronal cell death, bone remodeling and healing responses.

All group leaders in Developmental Biology are funded via grants from the NH and MRC and/or ARC as well as a variety of other sources. Cardiovascular research is associated with the Centre for Research in Cardiovascular Biology (Director, Professor Julie Campbell), a leader into research into the cellular and molecular biology of smooth muscle tissue and its progenitors. The importance of developmental biology in the applied area of tissue engineering will make it a key element in the emerging AIBN.