Wolvetang Group Honours Projects

Supervisor Dr Giovanni Pietrogrande

We have developed a next-generation brain organoid model that combines myelinated axons and functional immune cells (microglia) within the same system. This powerful platform allows us to study complex neuro-immune interactions in ways that were previously impossible. While we are currently applying it to understand multiple sclerosis, its potential spans a wide range of neurological and inflammatory diseases.

We are looking for passionate, curious students to join us in pushing the boundaries of human brain modelling. This project sits at the cutting edge of stem cell biology, organoids, immunology, virology, and synthetic biology. You’ll work on innovative, translational research aimed at uncovering disease mechanisms and developing new therapeutic strategies.

If you’re excited by bold ideas and impactful science, come build the future of neuroimmunology with us.

Supervisor Dr Giovanni Pietrogrande

We have set up a cutting-edge human brain organoid model of hypoxic injury to study the early molecular drivers of neuronal death in neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This platform allows us to precisely control oxygen–glucose deprivation and reperfusion, enabling us to dissect the mechanisms of acute injury and identify new therapeutic targets beyond hypothermia.

This project offers students the opportunity to work at the intersection of stem cell biology, neurodevelopment, and translational neuroscience. You will gain hands-on experience in organoid modelling, live imaging, multi-omics, and neuroprotection studies, contributing to research with real potential to improve outcomes for newborns.

If you are motivated by impactful science and want to help tackle one of the most urgent challenges in neonatal medicine, we would love to have you join the team.

Supervisor Dr Giovanni Pietrogrande

We are pioneering a next-generation gene editing technology designed to make genome engineering safer, more precise, and more affordable. This platform has broad applications — from engineering immune cells for CAR-T and CAR-NK therapies, to creating universal blood donor cells, and enabling scalable biotech manufacturing solutions.

Our work spans therapeutic cell engineering, synthetic biology, and translational biotechnology, with real potential to reshape how we treat disease and produce advanced cell-based products.

We are looking for driven, creative students who want to work at the cutting edge of CRISPR innovation. Whether your interests lie in wet-lab experimentation, computational biology, or technology development, you’ll be part of a team building technologies that could define the future of cell therapy and biotech.

If you’re excited by ambitious, high-impact science with strong potential for future commercialisation, let us know!

Supervisor Professor Ernst Wolvetang & Dr Sarah Withey

Ataxia telangiectasia is a debilitating disease in children that is due to loss of function of the ATM kinase. ATM regulates DNA repair in the nucleus but also plays an important role in coordinating anti-oxidant defence. Here we will investigate how ATM may be involved in regulating the amount of catalase (a major anti-oxidant defence enzyme) in peroxisomes, using human stem cell derived liver cells.

Supervisor  Dr Giovanni Pietrogrande

Our team is a leader in brain organoid technology in Australia and internationally. We have developed a next-generation model that integrates patient-derived cells to create a personalised immune system within brain organoids. While currently focused on Parkinson’s disease, this platform is designed to evolve into a powerful system for high-throughput drug screening for hospitals and pharmaceutical partners, with applications across multiple neurological disorders.

For this highly interdisciplinary project, we teamed up with the School of Biomedical Sciences and expert partners, and we offer students hands-on training in immunology, stem cell engineering, and advanced organoid modelling. You’ll contribute to translational research with real potential to transform patient care.

If you’re excited by innovative science with tangible impact, join us in shaping the future of personalised medicine.

Supervisor Professor Ernst Wolvetang & Dr Selin Pars

CASK (Calcium/Calmodulin Dependent Serine Protein Kinase)-related disorder is a X-linked rare disease caused by mutations in CASK gene, causing severe neurological symptoms such as microcephaly, development delay, seizures, ataxia. We will investigate how the neurodevelopment is altered in this disorder using brain organoids derived from CASK-patients.

Supervisor Dr Selin Pars & Dr Hamid Karimi-Rouzbahani

CASK (Calcium/Calmodulin Dependent Serine Protein Kinase)-related disorder is a X-linked rare disease caused by mutations in CASK gene, causing severe neurological symptoms such as microcephaly, development delay, seizures, ataxia. We will investigate how the neurodevelopment is altered in this disorder using brain organoids derived from CASK-patients.

Supervisor Professor Ernst Wolvetang & Dr Hannah Leeson

Mutations in the SPG56/CYP2U1 gene cause hereditary spastic paraplegia. CYP2U1 is expressed in neurons and astrocytes of the cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum and is found to be associated with mitochondria and the ER. Using a variety of brain organoids derived from patient iPSC and from genome edited hiPSC this project aims to gain insight into disease mechanism, identify novel biomarkers, and perhaps even test therapeutics.