Cheetham Group

Next generation RNA vaccines and therapeutics

The Cheetham Group’s research program focuses on next generation RNA vaccines and therapeutics. mRNA technologies are a new paradigm for therapy and vaccinology; however, their full potential is yet to be realised.

First-generation mRNA vaccines have simple designs that do not yet take advantage of the latest advances in RNA sciences. We use approaches including modified nucleotides, RNA structural elements, high-throughput screening, circularisation, and transcriptomics to improve the properties of therapeutic RNAs.

The mRNAs that the Cheetham Group designs are used in diverse applications including vaccines, cellular reprogramming, and onco-immunology to treat intractable diseases.

Partner with the Cheetham Group

Group leader

Dr Seth Cheetham

Group Leader and NHMRC Early Career Fellow

Cheetham Group

Researchers

Dr Laura Leighton

Postdoctoral research fellow

Cheetham Group
Dr Daniel Nielsen

Research Fellow

Cheetham Group

Students

Maria Victorova

PhD student

Cheetham Group
Yohaann Jafrani

PhD student

Cheetham Group
Bettina Dietmair

PhD Student

Cheetham Group
Yee Jing (Eunice) Gee

PhD Student

Cheetham Group
Nissa Carrodus

PhD student

Cheetham group
Mariano Aguilar Vela

Masters Student

Cheetham Group

Do a PhD with the Cheetham Group

Publications

Click here to view Cheetham group publications

Mito funding kicks off PhD career after 15 years as a research assistant

Published on: 18 October 2024

Nissa Carrodus has trained countless students in the ways of the lab over her 15 years as a research assistant. Now she’s starting a PhD of her own.
Using mRNA to tackle ultra-rare mitochondrial disease

Published on: 10 October 2024

With the support of the Lily Foundation, University of Cambridge Neurologist Dr Jelle van den Ameele and AIBN group leader Dr Seth Cheetham are hoping to change the fortunes of those born with a fatal condition.
Personalised cancer vaccines to be produced at new mRNA lab

Published on: 26 July 2024

A new facility at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology is set to provide researchers with cancer vaccines tailored to individual patients.
ARC funding to help streamline clinical-grade mRNA products

Published on: 27 June 2024

A new parcel of federal funding will help AIBN researchers produce clinical-grade mRNA products that are safer and better quality, and will potentially cost less.
Small science, giant steps: The AIBN 2022 in review

Published on: 6 December 2022

As we close the book on 2022 it is time to look at how far the AIBN has come during the year, and how we are setting ourselves up for an even bigger 2023.
Investigator wins to turbocharge vaccine research, mRNA breakthroughs

Published on: 17 October 2022

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology researchers have scored crucial funding wins as they push to create the next generation of medicines and treatments.