Who are mRNA Core?
We are a highly skilled team of scientists based at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), Australia’s premier Pharmaceutical Sciences hub and ranked #2 in the world for research in Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
Who are we?
About mRNA Core
mRNA Core was founded with a mission to provide scientists based in Australia and across the globe with high-quality mRNA products, designed specifically with your project in mind. Our Core values are that one plus one is greater than two: by working together, we can bring out the best in both of us.
We bring together academics, technical staff and graduate students to design and manufacture mRNA products, in addition to our innovative and collaboration-driven research program towards developing the next generation of mRNA therapeutics.
Meet our highly skilled team
Prof Colin Pouton
Director
mRNA Core’s fearless leader, an expert in designing projects and achieving synergy with collaborators across diverse disciplines.
Professor / Lab Head
Dr Emily Pilkington
Project Manager | LNP Formulation
Specialises in cryo-electron microscopy of nanomaterials and lipid nanoparticle formulation development.
Senior Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Rekha Shandre Mugan
Project Manager | mRNA Production
Specialises in designing and conducting in vitro pharmacokinetic assays and mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Stewart Fabb
Molecular Biologist | mRNA Design
mRNA Core’s resident "gene jockey" for all things RNA, and an expert in molecular biology.
Senior Postdoctoral Researcher
Ms Chee Leng Lee
LNP Formulation
Our jack-of-all-trades across mRNA-LNPs, able to take on diverse challenges in manufacturing.
Research Assistant
Mr Asuka Takanashi
LNP Formulation
Specialises in vivo biodistribution studies and conducting immunoassays, including ELISA and dot blot techniques.
PhD candidate
Dr Serena Teo
mRNA Production
Expert in protein expression and purification from simple peptides to antibody complexes.
Research Officer
Mr Thomas Payne
mRNA Production
Specialises in the design of constructs for gene editing applications, including pegRNAs and CRISPR technologies.
PhD candidate
Dr Tianxia (Tina) Zhang
LNP Formulation
Specialises in developing pharmacological cell-based assays for compound screening and analysis.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Ms Hee Jung Kang
mRNA Production
Highly skilled in the design and development of LNP formulations for gene editing applications.
Research Assistant
Ms Dominique Plumanns
Administrative Assistant
A self-confessed ‘perpetual student’ providing all-round support for the team, assisting with drafting and editing of mRNA Core contracts and documentation.
Learn more about doing a PhD with mRNA Core.