
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
2012
Journal Article
Mutations in mouse Ift144 model the craniofacial, limb and rib defects in skeletal ciliopathies
Ashe, Alyson, Butterfield, Natalie C., Town, Liam, Courtney, Andrew D., Cooper, Ashley N., Ferguson, Charles, Barry, Rachael, Olsson, Fredrik, Liem, Karel F., Parton, Robert G., Wainwright, Brandon J., Anderson, Kathryn V., Whitelaw, Emma and Wicking, Carol (2012). Mutations in mouse Ift144 model the craniofacial, limb and rib defects in skeletal ciliopathies. Human Molecular Genetics, 21 (8) ddr613, 1808-1823. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddr613
2012
Journal Article
Postlipolytic insulin-dependent remodeling of micro lipid droplets in adipocytes
Ariotti, Nicholas, Samantha Murphy, Hamilton, Nicholas A., Wu, Lizhen, Green, Kathryn, Nicole Schieber, Li, Peng, Martin, Sally and Parton, Robert G. (2012). Postlipolytic insulin-dependent remodeling of micro lipid droplets in adipocytes. Molecular Biology of The Cell, 23 (10), 1826-1837. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E11-10-0847
2012
Journal Article
Expression of PTRF in PC-3 cells modulates cholesterol dynamics and the actin cytoskeleton impacting secretion pathways
Inder, Kerry L., Zheng, Yu Zi, Davis, Melissa J., Moon, Hyeongsun, Loo, Dorothy, Nguyen, Hien, Clements, Judith A., Parton, Robert G., Foster, Leonard J. and Hill, Michelle M. (2012). Expression of PTRF in PC-3 cells modulates cholesterol dynamics and the actin cytoskeleton impacting secretion pathways. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 11 (2) M111.012245, M111.012245. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M111.012245
2012
Conference Publication
New Insights into the Formation and Function of Caveolae
Parton, Robert (2012). New Insights into the Formation and Function of Caveolae. 56th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical-Society, San Diego Ca, Feb 25-29, 2012. CAMBRIDGE: CELL PRESS. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2011.11.1286
2012
Conference Publication
Cavin regulates caveolar endocytosis by forming "crescents" that girdle caveolae, stabilizes them in relatively flat conformations, and links them to cortical actin filaments
Morone, N., Parton, R. and Heuser, J. (2012). Cavin regulates caveolar endocytosis by forming "crescents" that girdle caveolae, stabilizes them in relatively flat conformations, and links them to cortical actin filaments. BETHESDA: AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY.
2012
Conference Publication
Cavins and Caveolins independently regulate the CLIC/GEEC endocytic pathway
Chaudhary, N., Howes, M. and Parton, R. G. (2012). Cavins and Caveolins independently regulate the CLIC/GEEC endocytic pathway. Unknown, Unknown, Unknown. Bethesda, MD United States: American Society for Cell Biology.
2011
Journal Article
Fsp27 promotes lipid droplet growth by lipid exchange and transfer at lipid droplet contact sites
Gong, Jingyi, Sun, Zhiqi, Wu, Lizhen, Xu, Wenyi, Schieber, Nicole, Xu, Dijin, Shui, Guanghou, Yang, Hongyuan, Parton, Robert G. and Li, Peng (2011). Fsp27 promotes lipid droplet growth by lipid exchange and transfer at lipid droplet contact sites. Journal of Cell Biology, 195 (6), 953-963. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201104142
2011
Journal Article
The endocytic protein GRAF1 is directed to cell-matrix adhesion sites and regulates cell spreading
Doherty, Gary J., Ahlund, Monika K., Howes, Mark T., Moren, Bjorn, Parton, Robert G., McMahon, Harvey T. and Lundmark, Richard (2011). The endocytic protein GRAF1 is directed to cell-matrix adhesion sites and regulates cell spreading. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 22 (22), 4380-4389. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E10-12-0936
2011
Journal Article
Quantitative proteomic analysis of the adipocyte plasma membrane
Prior, Matthew J., Larance, Mark, Lawrence, Robert T., Soul, Jamie, Humphrey, Sean, Burchfield, James, Kistler, Carol, Davey, Jonathon R., La-Borde, Penelope J., Buckley, Michael, Kanazawa, Hiroshi, Parton, Robert G., Guihaus, Michael and James, David E. (2011). Quantitative proteomic analysis of the adipocyte plasma membrane. Journal of Proteome Research, 10 (11), 4970-4982. doi: 10.1021/pr200446r
2011
Journal Article
High-throughput screening of Australian marine organism extracts for bioactive molecules affecting the cellular storage of neutral lipids
Rae, James, Fontaine, Frank, Salim, Angela A., Lo, Harriet P., Capon, Robert J., Parton, Robert G. and Martin, Sally (2011). High-throughput screening of Australian marine organism extracts for bioactive molecules affecting the cellular storage of neutral lipids. PLoS One, 6 (8) e22868, e22868.1-e22868.13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022868
2011
Journal Article
Caveolins/caveolae protect adipocytes from fatty acid-mediated lipotoxicity
Meshulam, Tova, Breen, Michael R., Liu, Libin, Parton, Robert G. and Pilch, Paul F. (2011). Caveolins/caveolae protect adipocytes from fatty acid-mediated lipotoxicity. Journal of Lipid Research, 52 (8), 1526-1532. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M015628
2011
Journal Article
Clearing the confusion of Cav1 and caveolae in cancer compartments
Hill, Michelle M., Parat, Marie-Odile, Parton, Robert G. and Lee, C. Soon (2011). Clearing the confusion of Cav1 and caveolae in cancer compartments. Cell Online, 146 (1).
2011
Journal Article
A role for phosphatidic acid in the formation of "supersized" lipid droplets
Fei, Weihua, Shui, Guanghou, Zhang, Yuxi, Krahmer, Natalie, Ferguson, Charles, Kapterian, Tamar S., Lin, Ruby C., Dawes, Ian W., Brown, Andrew J., Li, Peng, Huang, Xun, Parton, Robert G., Wenk, Markus R., Walther, Tobias C. and Yang, Hongyuan (2011). A role for phosphatidic acid in the formation of "supersized" lipid droplets. Plos Genetics, 7 (7) e1002201, e1002201.1-e1002201.11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002201
2011
Journal Article
Pore-forming toxins induce multiple cellular responses promoting survival
Gonzalez, Manuel R., Bischofberger, Mirko, Freche, Barbara, Ho, Sylvia, Parton, Robert G. and van der Goot, F. Gisou (2011). Pore-forming toxins induce multiple cellular responses promoting survival. Cellular Microbiology, 13 (7), 1026-1043. doi: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01600.x
2011
Journal Article
High-resolution mapping reveals topologically distinct cellular pools of phosphatidylserine
Fairn, Gregory D., Schieber, Nicole L., Ariotti, Nicholas, Murphy, Samantha, Kuerschner, Lars, Webb, Richard I., Grinstein, Sergio and Parton, Robert G. (2011). High-resolution mapping reveals topologically distinct cellular pools of phosphatidylserine. Journal of Cell Biology, 194 (2), 257-275. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201012028
2011
Journal Article
Role of snx16 in the dynamics of tubulo-cisternal membrane domains of late endosomes
Brankatschk, Ben, Pons, Véronique, Parton, Robert G. and Gruenberg, Jean (2011). Role of snx16 in the dynamics of tubulo-cisternal membrane domains of late endosomes. PLoS One, 6 (7) e21771, e21771.1-e21771.15. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021771
2011
Journal Article
Role of AP1 and Gadkin in the traffic of secretory endo-lysosomes
Laulagnier, Karine, Schieber, Nicole L., Maritzen, Tanja, Haucke, Volker, Parton, Robert G. and Gruenberg, Jean (2011). Role of AP1 and Gadkin in the traffic of secretory endo-lysosomes. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 22 (12), 2068-2082. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E11-03-0193
2011
Journal Article
Redistribution of caveolae during mitosis
Boucrot, Emmanuel, Howes, Mark T., Kirchhausen, Tomas and Parton, Robert G. (2011). Redistribution of caveolae during mitosis. Journal of Cell Science, 124 (12), 1965-1972. doi: 10.1242/jcs.076570
2011
Journal Article
Therapeutic levels of the hydroxmethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor lovastatin activate Ras signaling via phospholipase D2
Cho, Kwang-jin, Hill, Michelle M., Chigurupati, Sravanthi, Du, Guangwei, Parton, Robert G. and Hancock, John F. (2011). Therapeutic levels of the hydroxmethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor lovastatin activate Ras signaling via phospholipase D2. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 31 (6), 1110-1120. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00989-10
2011
Journal Article
Not just fat: The structure and function of the lipid droplet
Fujimoto, Toyoshi and Parton, Robert G. (2011). Not just fat: The structure and function of the lipid droplet. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 3 (3) a004838, 004838.1-004838.17. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a004838
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
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Novel pathways of endocytosis in cultured cells and in tissues
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Bioengineering of novel nanovesicles for drug delivery
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Molecular and Functional Characterisation of the Lipid Droplet as an Innate Immunity Hub
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Harriet Lo, Dr Tom Hall
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Doctor Philosophy
Functional Analysis of Caveolae
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicholas Ariotti, Dr Harriet Lo
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of The Role of Caveolar Coat Proteins in Breast Cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins, Dr Harriet Lo
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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 Harriet Lo
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Doctor Philosophy
Mechanical and biological determinants of epithelial homeostasis.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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Doctor Philosophy
Uncovering why CCM vascular malformations are restricted to the brain.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor 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
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Doctor Philosophy
Revealing the mechanobiology of neural tube formation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yanina Alvarez, Dr Mel White
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
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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 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
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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: 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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