Who we are

In 2015, with the support from NHMRC CRE ACTIONS and the Alfred Foundation, Prof. David McGiffin, Prof. Anton Peleg, and Dr. Yue Qu started cutting-edge research on ventricular assist device (VAD) driveline infections. The team developed and modified various in vitro biofilm assays that closely mimic clinical microenvironments and grew biofilms that are structurally and functionally like that found in VAD patients.  In the last few years, the team has established a very active and productive collaboration with leading scientists across Monash and other organizations, including Prof. David Kaye (The Alfred), Prof. Nicolas Voelcker (MCN), Dr. Helmut Thissen (CSIRO), Prof. John Forsythe (MIME), A/Prof. Ben Roger (MMC), and Prof. Mark Wilcox (UNSW), resulting in the publication of collaborative papers in prestigious medical journals and the award of major competitive grants.

Our SIG is housed at Monash Biomedical Discovery Institute (BDI) and benefits enormously from its outstanding research facilities and platforms. We have access to a wide range of clinical resources available at the Alfred Hospital (Infectious Diseases and Cardiothoracic Surgery). The Melbourne Centre of Nanofabrication (MCN), Monash Institute of Medical Engineering and CSIRO’s Manufacturing Business Unit are located adjacent to Monash BDI, with state-of-the-art chemistry/material engineering infrastructure and nanofabrication facilities to support our research.

Founding members and co-leaders

Our staff members

Key collaborators

  • Prof. David Kaye (Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute)
  • Prof. Silvana Marasco (Cardiothoracic surgery, the Alfred Hospital)
  • Prof. Nicolas Voelcker (Melbourne Centre of Nanofabrication, Monash Institute of Pharmacology)
  • Prof. John Forsythe (Monash Institute of Medical Engineering)
  • A/Prof. Tim Scott (Faculty of Engineering, Monash University)
  • Dr. Helmut Thissen (Biomedical Materials and Translational Facilities, CSIRO)
  • A/Prof. Benjamin Rogers (Infectious Diseases, Monash Medical Centre)
  • Prof. Mark Wilcox (School of Optometry & Vision Science, UNSW)

Key industry partners

  • Abbott Medical, Heart Failure
  • BiVACOR Inc