ProfessorMathias Francois

Mat Francois is leading a lab that studies the control of gene regulation during vessel development and vascular neoplams.

The group research activity relies on a multi-disciplinary approach that combines developmental biology, molecular imaging complemented by biophysics and genomics methods to investigate the control of gene transcription in the endothelium. The aim of our research is to take advantage of a deep understanding of transcription factor mode of action during embryogenesis to unlock new therapeutic avenues in vascular-related pathologies. Findings from the lab have repositioned the clinical management of a two rare orphan diseases and opened up therapeutic avenue for infantile hemangioma. A spin off company from the lab (Gertrude Biomedical Pty Ltd, Bio21 Melbourne) was founded in 2019 is currently developing the next generation of inhibitors that target an endothelial specific transcription factor.