Overview
Background
Our research focuses on understanding how cells work and what goes wrong in disease. We are studying the role of cellular organelles in defence against pathogens, the molecular changes underlying muscle disease, and optimising methods to deliver therapeutics to specific cell types in whole animals.
Professor Robert Parton is an ARC Laureate Fellow, a group leader in the IMB Centre for Cell Biology of Chronic Disease, and Deputy Director of the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and an Associate Member of EMBO.
Availability
- Professor Robert Parton is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Edinburgh
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Leicester
Research interests
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Multiscale analysis of cellular membrane function
Each of the cells that make up the organs of our bodies is enclosed by a plasma membrane, a complex sheet made up of lipids (fats) and proteins. The plasma membrane plays a crucial role in detecting signals for growth or in taking nutrients up into the cell. At the same time the plasma membrane protects the cell against unwanted invaders and must remain intact in the face of considerable forces. The properties of the plasma membrane rely on the specialisation of the plasma membrane into regions of specific function. The Parton group are studying caveolae, a specialised domain of the cell surface with a distinct structure (see Figure). Caveolae have been implicated in the regulation of cell growth and in maintaining the balance of lipids in the cell. Defective caveolae in human patients are associated with cancer, lipodystrophies (lack of fat tissue), muscular dystrophy, and cardiac disease. We have shown that caveolae can respond to forces on the plasma membrane by flattening and releasing proteins into the cell. In addition, we have shown that caveolae can respond to other signals, such as oxidative stress. We are now studying how these functions of caveolae are disrupted in human disease conditions. A significant goal of the group is to move from cell culture systems to studying cell biology in the whole organism. For this we extensively use the zebrafish, Danio rerio, as a model system. We are interested in using these systems to dissect how nanoparticles can be targeted to specific cell types, such as cancer cells. Finally, we have a major interest in the way that cells defend against invading pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. We have shown that cellular organelles that store fat, called lipid droplets, can kill invading bacteria. With our international collaborators, we are now unravelling the mechanisms and molecules involved in this novel defence pathway.
Works
Search Professor Robert Parton’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Defensive-lipid droplets: cellular organelles designed for antimicrobial immunity
Safi, Rémi, Sánchez-Álvarez, Miguel, Bosch, Marta, Demangel, Caroline, Parton, Robert G. and Pol, Albert (2023). Defensive-lipid droplets: cellular organelles designed for antimicrobial immunity. Immunological Reviews, 317 (1), 113-136. doi: 10.1111/imr.13199
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Early proteostasis of caveolins synchronizes trafficking, degradation, and oligomerization to prevent toxic aggregation
Morales-Paytuví, Frederic, Fajardo, Alba, Ruiz-Mirapeix, Carles, Rae, James, Tebar, Francesc, Bosch, Marta, Enrich, Carlos, Collins, Brett M., Parton, Robert G. and Pol, Albert (2023). Early proteostasis of caveolins synchronizes trafficking, degradation, and oligomerization to prevent toxic aggregation. Journal of Cell Biology, 222 (9) e202204020. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202204020
Featured
2023
Journal Article
The role of membrane lipids in the formation and function of caveolae
Kenworthy, Anne K., Han, Bing, Ariotti, Nicholas and Parton, Robert G. (2023). The role of membrane lipids in the formation and function of caveolae. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 15 (9) a041413, 1-19. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041413
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Caveolae and the oxidative stress response
Wu, Yeping, Lim, Ye-Wheen and Parton, Robert G. (2023). Caveolae and the oxidative stress response. Biochemical Society Transactions, 51 (3), 1377-1385. doi: 10.1042/bst20230121
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Dynamin2 functions as an accessory protein to reduce the rate of caveola internalization
Larsson, Elin, Morén, Björn, McMahon, Kerrie-Ann, Parton, Robert G. and Lundmark, Richard (2023). Dynamin2 functions as an accessory protein to reduce the rate of caveola internalization. Journal of Cell Biology, 222 (4) e202205122. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202205122
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Caveolae sense oxidative stress through membrane lipid peroxidation and cytosolic release of CAVIN1 to regulate NRF2
Wu, Yeping, Lim, Ye-Wheen, Stroud, David A., Martel, Nick, Hall, Thomas E., Lo, Harriet P., Ferguson, Charles, Ryan, Michael T., McMahon, Kerrie-Ann and Parton, Robert G. (2023). Caveolae sense oxidative stress through membrane lipid peroxidation and cytosolic release of CAVIN1 to regulate NRF2. Developmental Cell, 58 (5), 376-397.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.02.004
Featured
2022
Journal Article
Nanoparticle entry into cells; the cell biology weak link
Griffiths, Gareth, Gruenberg, Jean, Marsh, Mark, Wohlmann, Jens, Jones, Arwyn T. and Parton, Robert G. (2022). Nanoparticle entry into cells; the cell biology weak link. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 188 114403, 1-44. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114403
Featured
2022
Journal Article
Volume electron microscopy
Peddie, Christopher J., Genoud, Christel, Kreshuk, Anna, Meechan, Kimberly, Micheva, Kristina D., Narayan, Kedar, Pape, Constantin, Parton, Robert G., Schieber, Nicole L., Schwab, Yannick, Titze, Benjamin, Verkade, Paul, Weigel, Aubrey and Collinson, Lucy M. (2022). Volume electron microscopy. Nature Reviews Methods Primers, 2 (1) 51, 51. doi: 10.1038/s43586-022-00131-9
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Cavin4 interacts with Bin1 to promote T-tubule formation and stability in developing skeletal muscle
Lo, Harriet P., Lim, Ye-Wheen, Xiong, Zherui, Martel, Nick, Ferguson, Charles, Ariotti, Nicholas, Giacomotto, Jean, Rae, James, Floetenmeyer, Matthias, Moradi, Shayli Varasteh, Gao, Ya, Tillu, Vikas A., Xia, Di, Wang, Huang, Rahnama, Samira, Nixon, Susan J., Bastiani, Michele, Day, Ryan D., Smith, Kelly A., Palpant, Nathan J., Johnston, Wayne A., Alexandrov, Kirill, Collins, Brett M., Hall, Thomas E. and Parton, Robert G. (2021). Cavin4 interacts with Bin1 to promote T-tubule formation and stability in developing skeletal muscle. Journal of Cell Biology, 220 (12) e201905065. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201905065
2024
Journal Article
The desmosome-intermediate filament system facilitates mechanotransduction at adherens junctions for epithelial homeostasis
Nanavati, Bageshri Naimish, Noordstra, Ivar, Lwin, Angela K.O., Brooks, John W., Rae, James, Parton, Robert G., Verma, Suzie, Duszyc, Kinga, Green, Kathleen J. and Yap, Alpha S. (2024). The desmosome-intermediate filament system facilitates mechanotransduction at adherens junctions for epithelial homeostasis. Current Biology, 34 (17), 4081-4090.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.074
2024
Journal Article
Interview with Journal of Cell Science Editor Rob Parton
Parton, Rob (2024). Interview with Journal of Cell Science Editor Rob Parton. Journal of Cell Science, 137 (13) jcs262287. doi: 10.1242/jcs.262287
2024
Journal Article
Is endocytosis by caveolae dependent on dynamin?
Parton, Robert G., Taraska, Justin W. and Lundmark, Richard (2024). Is endocytosis by caveolae dependent on dynamin?. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 25 (7), 511-512. doi: 10.1038/s41580-024-00735-x
2024
Journal Article
Is endocytosis by caveolae dependent on dynamin?
Parton, Robert G., Taraska, Justin W. and Lundmark, Richard (2024). Is endocytosis by caveolae dependent on dynamin?. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 25 (7), 1-2. doi: 10.1038/s41580-024-00735-x
2024
Journal Article
Reversible expansion of tissue macrophages in response to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF1) transforms systemic lipid and carbohydrate metabolism
Keshvari, Sahar, Masson, Jesse J.R., Ferrari-Cestari, Michelle, Bodea, Liviu-Gabriel, Nooru-Mohamed, Fathima, Tse, Brian W.C., Sokolowski, Kamil A., Batoon, Lena, Patkar, Omkar L., Sullivan, Mitchell A., Ebersbach, Hilmar, Stutz, Cian, Parton, Robert G., Summers, Kim M., Pettit, Allison R., Hume, David A. and Irvine, Katharine M. (2024). Reversible expansion of tissue macrophages in response to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF1) transforms systemic lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 326 (2), E149-E165. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00347.2023
2024
Journal Article
The Biology of Lipids
Parton, Robert G. and Simons, Kai (2024). The Biology of Lipids. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 16 (8) ARTN a041713, a041713. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041713
2024
Journal Article
Single molecule visualization of tropomyosin isoform organization in the mammalian actin cytoskeleton
Cagigas, Maria L., Ariotti, Nicholas, Hook, Jeff, Rae, James, Parton, Robert G., Bryce, Nicole S., Gunning, Peter W. and Hardeman, Edna C. (2024). Single molecule visualization of tropomyosin isoform organization in the mammalian actin cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton. doi: 10.1002/cm.21883
2023
Journal Article
Caveola mechanotransduction reinforces the cortical cytoskeleton to promote epithelial resilience
Brooks, John W., Tillu, Vikas, Eckert, Julia, Verma, Suzie, Collins, Brett M., Parton, Robert G. and Yap, Alpha S. (2023). Caveola mechanotransduction reinforces the cortical cytoskeleton to promote epithelial resilience. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 34 (12) ar120, 1-14. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e23-05-0163
2023
Journal Article
Cell surface plasticity in response to shape change in the whole organism
Hall, Thomas E., Ariotti, Nicholas, Lo, Harriet P., Rae, James, Ferguson, Charles, Martel, Nick, Lim, Ye-Wheen, Giacomotto, Jean and Parton, Robert G. (2023). Cell surface plasticity in response to shape change in the whole organism. Current Biology, 33 (19), 4276-4284. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.068
2023
Journal Article
A mechanosensing mechanism controls plasma membrane shape homeostasis at the nanoscale
Quiroga, Xarxa, Walani, Nikhil, Disanza, Andrea, Chavero, Albert, Mittens, Alexandra, Tebar, Francesc, Trepat, Xavier, Parton, Robert G., Geli, María Isabel, Scita, Giorgio, Arroyo, Marino, Le Roux, Anabel-Lise and Roca-Cusachs, Pere (2023). A mechanosensing mechanism controls plasma membrane shape homeostasis at the nanoscale. eLife, 12 e72316, 1-35. doi: 10.7554/elife.72316
2023
Journal Article
Discovery and structural characterization of novel nanobodies targeting the Cavin1 complex essential for forming caveola membrane vesicles
Gao, Ya, Tillu, Vikas A., Wu, Yeping, Rae, James, Hall, Thomas E., Chen, Kai-En, Weeratunga, Saroja, Guo, Qian, Parton, Robert G. and Collins, Brett M. (2023). Discovery and structural characterization of novel nanobodies targeting the Cavin1 complex essential for forming caveola membrane vesicles. Acta Crystallographica. Section A: Foundations and Advances, 79 (a2), C939-C939. doi: 10.1107/s2053273323086825
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Robert Parton is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Zebrafish as a model to understand human muscle diseases
Contact Prof. Parton for further details
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Structure and function of a new family of caveolar coat proteins
Contact Prof. Parton for further details
-
Novel pathways of endocytosis in cultured cells and in tissues
Contact Prof. Parton for further details
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Bioengineering of novel nanovesicles for drug delivery
Contact Prof. Parton for further details
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Tracking Nanoparticles in Cells and Tissues
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tom Hall
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Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Caveolar Proteins in Cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins, Dr Kerrie-Ann McMahon, Dr Harriet Lo
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Doctor Philosophy
Revealing the mechanobiology of neural tube formation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yanina Alvarez, Dr Mel White
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Doctor Philosophy
Control of innate immunity by mitochondria and lipid droplets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Sweet
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Doctor Philosophy
Uncovering why CCM vascular malformations are restricted to the brain.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anne Lagendijk
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Doctor Philosophy
A lipid sensing nexus between endocytosis and cardiovascular disease: characterising a new regulation pathway for eNOS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicholas Ariotti
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Cytoskeletal-Golgi cross talk in cellular pathfinding in crowded tissue environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mel White, Dr Samantha Stehbens
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL MODULAR ENCAPSULATION SYSTEM FOR TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tom Hall
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of the cavin proteins role in the circadian rhythm
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kerrie-Ann McMahon
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Proteomic mapping of cavin-associated proteins in muscle: in vitro and in vivo proteomic approaches
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kerrie-Ann McMahon, Dr Harriet Lo, Dr Tom Hall
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Functional characterisation of caveolae: in vivo investigations using the zebrafish
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Harriet Lo, Dr Tom Hall
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of the function of caveolar coat cavin proteins in cancer progression
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kerrie-Ann McMahon
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Cell-free caveola formation as a system for high throughput interaction analysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicholas Ariotti
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and functional characterisation of the cavin membrane coat complex
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular and Functional Characterization of a Clathrin-Independent Endocytic pathway, the CLIC/GEEC pathway
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Towards the development of a prokaryotic system for the in vitro study of caveola formation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The cavin proteins as regulators of caveolae formation and function
Principal Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Clathrin Independent Carriers: Molecular characterisation of a novel clathrin-independent endocytic pathway
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Fiona Simpson
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
THE ROLE OF CAVEOLIN IN ENDOCYTOSIS AND CAVEOLAE BIOGENESIS
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
EFFECTS OF CELLULAR INTERACTIONS ON MICROTUBULE - DEPENDENT EVENTS IN MYELINATION
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL EXPRESSION OF CAVEOLIN
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
PROTEIN-LIPID INTERACTIONS WITHIN THE CELL
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
ENTRY OF ONCOGENIC DNA VIRUSES INTO ANIMAL CELLS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Caveolae Respond to Acute Mechanical Stress by Activating a Novel Signalling Pathway for Reinforcement of Actomyosin
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Caveolae/Caveolin-1: A regulator of monolayer tension and oncogenic cell extrusion
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the role of caveolae in the uptake process of Streptococcus pyogenes into non-phagocytic host cells
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Walker
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular characterisation of the adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2
Associate Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Biomechanics of Epithelial Interactions: From Multicellular Cohesion to Oncogenic Transformation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Biodiscovery Search for Marine-Derived Inhibitors of P-gp, BCRP and MRP1 as a Means to Improve Cancer Chemotherapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim, Professor Rob Capon
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation into the Regulation of Iosine- Monophophate Dehydogenase (IMPDH)
Associate Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Hypervariable regions of Ras isoforms dictate distinct functionality by targeting to specific protein complexes at microdomains
Associate Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
The Functional Characterisation of Centrobin in Endocytic Trafficking and Microtubule Dynamics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kum Kum Khanna, Honorary Professor Nathan Subramaniam
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
A Proteomic Analysis of Ras-Containing Nanodomains & The Investigation of Endogenous Ras Signalling
Associate Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Cadherin-Microtubule Cooperativity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
A STUDY OF THE MEMBRANE INTERACTIONS OF K-RAS
Associate Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
CO-OPERATION BETWEEN E-CADHERIN, PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL-3-KINASE, RAC AND THE WASP FAMILY PROTEIN, WAVE, IS NECESSARY FOR PRODUCTIVE CADHERIN-DEPENDENT CONTACT FORMATION.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
A NOVEL ROLE FOR THE NUCLEAR GROWTH HORMONE RECEPTOR IN CELLULAR PROLIFERATION
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Robert Parton directly for media enquiries about:
- Cancer development
- Caveolae
- Cell surface
- Cells
- Muscular dystrophy
- Plasma membrane
- Tumour formation
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