Aquaporin Physiology and Drug Discovery Program
The dual water and ion channels known as aquaporins (AQPs) are found in all forms of life, from bacteria to vertebrates. They play key roles in water balance and fluid homeostasis across cell membranes.
The Aquaporin Physiology and Drug Discovery laboratory aims to define the molecular basis of AQP function, understand the roles of AQPs in physiological systems, and build a definitive portfolio of AQP antagonist and agonist compounds as tools for basic research and clinical innovation.
Our work over the past two decades has challenged the assumptions about AQP function, leading to the existence of new knowledge of AQPs as ion channels, and as osmotic water channels. We have defined the first library of pharmacological agents in the world and are now working with traditional Chinese and Indian medicinal herbs, as well as testing potentially powerful dual therapies for blocking cell migration.
Our findings offer exciting translational opportunities for clinical intervention in cancer metastasis and other fluid transport disorders. Our drug agents are currently being tested in collaborative projects in Australia, Europe and the United States of America.
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Lead researcher
Professor Andrea Yool
Professor Andrea Yool is a Professor of Physiology at the University of Adelaide. She obtained her PhD from the University of California Santa Barbara and held joint academic appointments in Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Arizona. In 2007 she moved to Australia as Professor and Head of the Department of Physiology at the University of Adelaide. She is currently a member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts, and Associate Editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology.
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Research team
Research team
Role
Lead researcher
Postdoctoral researcher, Lecturer
PhD candidate
PhD candidate
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Partnerships
- Dr Sunita Ramesh, Flinders University
- A/Prof Rohan A Davis, Griffith University
- Dr Carmela Ricciardelli, University of Adelaide
- A/Prof Lyndsey Collins-Praino, University of Adelaide
- Dr Simon Wade Baxter, University of Melbourne
- Damian Espinase Nandorfy, Australian Wine Research Institute
- Prof François Chaumont, Université Catholique de Louvain
- Prof Olivier Devuyst, University of Zurich
- Dr Caitlin Byrt, Australian National University
- Prof Steve Tyerman, University of Adelaide
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Related areas of research
Interested in a postgraduate research degree?
We offer exciting opportunities for researchers at the honours, masters and PhD levels. Our research degrees are open to students from a broad range of backgrounds, and range from basic sciences to clinical research. If you are interested in human health, consider furthering your research career with us.
