Bourke Laboratory
Respiratory Pharmacology Group
Welcome to the Bourke Lab
Our laboratory focuses on identifying new drug targets for lung diseases, such as asthma and silicosis, to relieve symptoms and to reverse progressive loss of function that makes it harder to breathe.
We're part of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and a member of the Cardiovascular Disease Program, and the Department of Pharmacology.
Professor Jane Bourke
My global research connections, partners and funding can be viewed on my Monash Research Profile.
Click the links below to connect with me on Twitter, ORCID, Google Scholar, LinkedIn and ResearchGate.
Our research
Our research focuses on chronic lung diseases that occur following premature birth (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), emerge during childhood (asthma), or develop in adulthood (COPD, pulmonary hypertension, silicosis). We use a novel lung slice technique to identify new therapeutic targets when current drugs are ineffective – to treat symptoms and to protect against the development of the changes in lung structure that lead to loss of function. We are currently examining multiple novel drug candidates in animal models and in human lung tissue to support their future clinical development.
Images showing airway and artery contraction within a lung slice – uncontracted (left) contracted (right).
Lab members
We are committed to excellence in research.
Join Our Lab
We're always interested in collaborating with bright and motivated researchers, clinicians and industry. Whether you want to research, study or partner with us to accelerate our discoveries, find out about the work we do.