The future of genetic medicine, now
The Nanomedicine Biofoundry within the Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) is the first facility of its kind in Australia, an integrated resource for high-throughput synthetic biology.
Our Biofoundry leverages Griffith’s expertise in RNA and nanoparticle therapies for cancers and infectious diseases to lower the barrier for researchers to test DNA and RNA treatments in cell cultures and in vivo or animal models.
Successful research outcomes enabled by our technology and expertise will lead to human clinical trials of novel therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancers.
Our vision
We provide end-to-end solutions for nanomedicine, from initial exploration stages through to the development of research-grade nanoparticles for in vivo testing.
In providing high-quality lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for academia and industry, we support development of the next generation of nanomedicine.
Our mission
The Biofoundry was established to lower the barrier for researchers needing to move their promising therapeutics to the next stage, in turn facilitating the translational capabilities of these treatments.
Our track record
- Griffith’s Nanomedicine Biofoundry developed the world’s first direct antiviral siRNA for the treatment of COVID-19
- We achieved a complete regression of HPV-driven cancers in animal models using CRISPR-based LNP formulations
- We developed and optimised multiple nanoparticle formulations for targeting various conditions and delivery routes
- We delivered a wide range of nucleic acids (pDNA, mRNA, siRNA, ASO) using our LNP Delivery systems
Our research and impact
Rapid response to infectious diseases
Our infectious disease research program directly targets diseases at their core genes. Leveraging our expertise in virology, RNA biology, and nanomedicine, we develop modular platform RNA interference (RNAi)-based approaches to targeting respiratory and other infectious viruses.
Our research program has successfully developed the world’s first direct antiviral against the coronavirus family (including SARS-COV-2), among other viruses. We design our therapeutics against reserved regions of the virus to ensure preserved efficacy not only against arising variants, but also against other viruses of the same family.
Our expertise spans the designing of targets through to development of specialised delivery platforms to ensure our therapeutics reach their full potential. This full-spectrum capacity helps drive our rapid response to endemic viruses or emerging viruses with pandemic potential.
Read highlights of our infectious disease research:
Gene therapies for cancer
We are proud to be the first nanomedicine centre in the world to achieve a complete regression of cervical cancer using CRISPR gene editing delivered in nanoparticles in vivo.
None of the world’s current cancer therapies tackle cancers at their source—the genes that drive normal cells to become malignant.
Developing an effective gene-based therapeutic for cancers requires a solid understanding of cancer biology as well as its underlying driver genes. Our knowledge in these areas was applied to the development of specialised targeting approaches against the critical genes for cancer survival.
Collectively, our work provides translational means for genetic medicine by allowing us to examine critical aspects of the CRISPR technology including delivery, clinical potential and modular components.
Read highlights of our cancer-fighting research:
Our services
CRISPR/siRNA design and testing
We will design suitable candidates for your target gene using industry-standard algorithms; CRISPR and siRNA services are available.
Screening in vitro and in vivo
We can screen your CRISPR or siRNA targets in cell culture or within an animal system. We can also determine your particle biodistribution in vivo.
Particle development
We can work with you to design, develop, and manufacture your own particles. We also provide a wide range of quality control measures including packaging efficiency, size, charge, distribution, and concentration.
LNP packaging
We provide a packaging service for your DNA/RNA or protein into a range of LNPs, including particles based on the recipes of all commercial LNPs on the current market. We also have our own stealth LNPs available. These particles are shipped in aliquots or in bulk and can be used for your lab.
Partner with us
The Nanomedicine Biofoundry works with leading industry partners to develop and design healthcare solutions across the lifecycle of musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiac and vascular conditions.
If you would like to partner with us, or tap into our research expertise, facilities or services, please get in touch.