The central aim of Associate Professor Michael Gantier’s research is to define how nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) modulate immune responses. Following on his PhD studies on RNA interference in Dublin (Ireland), he joined the laboratory of Prof Bryan Williams in 2006, to define the interaction of small RNAs with the innate immune system. This led to the discovery of structural determinants of RNAs which underlie their capacity to activate, or inhibit immune responses, resulting in the rational design of molecules with potential therapeutic application in cancer and autoinflammatory diseases. More recently, his laboratory discovered how immune responses could be engaged in damaged cells, with implications in infection, immunity and cancer. 

In addition, Associate Professor Gantier made important findings regarding how a class of endogenous small RNAs, known as microRNAs, persist in cells to regulate inflammation. This has led to the identification of microRNA sequence variations, which control microRNA stability and could be used as novel disease biomarkers. 

In 2015, following the award of an ARC Future Fellowship and several NHMRC project grants, he was promoted to lead his own research group in the Hudson Institute of Medical Research and in 2020 was promoted to Associate Professor. 

The central aim of Associate Professor Michael Gantier’s research is to define how nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) modulate immune responses. Following on his PhD studies on RNA interference in Dublin (Ireland), he joined the laboratory of Prof Bryan Williams in 2006, to define the interaction of small RNAs with the innate immune system. This led to the discovery of structural determinants of RNAs which underlie their capacity to activate, or inhibit immune responses, resulting in the rational design of molecules with potential therapeutic application in cancer and autoinflammatory diseases. More recently, his laboratory discovered how immune responses could be engaged in damaged cells, with implications in infection, immunity and cancer. 

In addition, Associate Professor Gantier made important findings regarding how a class of endogenous small RNAs, known as microRNAs, persist in cells to regulate inflammation. This has led to the identification of microRNA sequence variations, which control microRNA stability and could be used as novel disease biomarkers. 

In 2015, following the award of an ARC Future Fellowship and several NHMRC project grants, he was promoted to lead his own research group in the Hudson Institute of Medical Research and in 2020 was promoted to Associate Professor.