Roman Lab
Movement is natural to us. From slowly crawling out of bed to the occasional dash to catch the bus, our muscles are hardwired to mechanically comply to our command. This ability stems from the unique architecture of the muscle organ which is designed to contract and regenerate damages. Our laboratory is interested in understanding how cells communicate to establish muscle architecture and how this communication is altered during exercise, muscle diseases and aging.
To study intercellular communication, we combine tissue engineering, cell biology and imaged-based spatial transcriptomics. This allows us to observe in real time how cells respond to one another by linking cell behaviour and genetic responses.
Our goals lie at both the translational and fundamental ends of the discovery pipeline. We devise technologies to preserve muscle integrity in muscle diseases, aging, and exercise. In parallel, we harness the one-of-a-kind structure of muscle to understand the mechanistic processes underlying intercellular communication.
Myofiber self-repair
Skeletal muscle is prone to rip and tear. Thankfully, muscle possesses an outstanding capacity to repair injuries and to adapt by growing stronger and/or more endurant. At the forefront of this regenerative prowess is the satellite cell, a stem cell which activates, proliferates, and regenerates muscle cells. However, we recently showed that muscle cells can repair autonomously local damages by upregulating repair genes. This self-repair mechanism may represent the first line of defence against muscle injury. Our goal is to understand the cytoplasmic and genetic networks that operate to coordinate the self-repair mechanism and how this process interacts with stem cell-dependent regeneration.
Research
Muscle engineering
Advances in microfabrication, stem cells and cell biology have paved the way to generate complex cellular in vitro systems. We adopt an organ-on-chip strategy to compartmentalize and organize different cell types into microdevices. This bottom-up approach enables to control the environment and behaviour of cells and their interaction. We particularly focus on generating innervated and irrigated muscle cultures as well as a myotendinous junction. These muscle systems are used to model exercise and muscle disorders for biological investigation and drug discovery.
Cell-cell communication
We are interested in understanding how cells coordinate to establish organ architecture. Being the largest cell in the body, myofibers act as communication hub with other cell types such as neurons, stem cells, tenocytes as well as endothelial and immune cells. This cellular interplay results in unique structures such as the neuromuscular and myotendineous junctions. By observing cellular and transcriptomic responses, we aim to identify fundamental mechanisms of intercellular communication during development, disease, and aging.
Publications
Selected Publications
Science. 2021 Oct 15. Vol. 374, No. 6565. doi: 10.1126/science.abe5620
Roman W Ϯ and Muñoz-Cánoves P Ϯ.
Trends in Cell Biology. 2022 April 1. 1:S0962-8924(22)00061-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.03.001
Roman W Ϯ, Martins JP, Gomes ER Ϯ.
Developmental cell. 2018 Jul 2;46(1):102-111.e6. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2018.05.031.
Roman W, Martins JP, Filomena AC, Voituriez R, Abella VG, Santos NC, Cadot B, Way M, Gomes ER.
Nature Cell Biology, 2017 Oct;19(10):1189-1201. doi: 10.1038/ncb3605.
EMBO Mol Med. 2014 Sep 28;6(11):1455-75. doi: 10.15252/emmm.201404436.
ROMAN
LAB
Monash University, Melbourne
William Roman laboratory
Gallery
beads
optogenetics
biosensors
immunofluorescence
smFISH
live imaging
micropatterning
disease modelling
RNA multiplexing
microfabrication
tissue engineering
laser injuries
Team
Mafalda Pimentel, PhD
Research Associate
Mafalda.pimentel [at] monash.edu
Quan Le Tran
PhD student
Esther Garcia-Dominguez
Post-doctoral fellow
Esther.Garcia-Dominguez [at] monash.edu
EMBL Australia Group Leader
Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute
William.roman [at] monash.edu
Melinda Wang
Post-doctoral fellow
Melinda.Wang [at] monash.edu
Connor Leayr
Master student BRM5021
Molly Man
PhD Student
Social and events
Master graduation 2024
Lab official photo of 2024
New Year's Barbi 2024
Mid year bowling celebration 2024
Christmas party 2023
Lab Values
The lab is founded on six core values established from the beginning to ensure they permeate every aspect of the lab's environment. These values aim to create a safe, enriching, and inclusive space where everyone can personally and scientifically grow.
Our mission is to preserve physical mobility for all members of society. By working at the interface of biology and technology, we strive to gain an unprecredented insight into muscle function and adaptation. We are committed to ensuring our discoveries contribute both to fundamental knowledge and to impactful applications.
Innovation
Integrity
Productivity
Well-being
Autonomy
Inclusion
Time is the most valuable resource, and we are committed to helping each lab member achieve their career goals. Our lab is designed to maximize productivity, supporting both experimental work and personal development.
Big discoveries require bold innovations. Our lab is dedicated to nurturing each member to become an independent scientist, empowering them to innovate in ways that reflect their unique identity and strengths.
We celebrate our differences and value non-conformity. Our goal is for all members to feel comfortable, excited to come to the lab, and empowered to feel their best selves as part of our team.
To foster the growth of knowledge, it is essential to build on solid foundations. We strive to maintain a culture of honesty, trust, and accountability, ensuring the generation of accurate and reliable results.
The lab strongly believes that satisfaction in scientific and personal growth comes from achieving autonomy. We provide support to help members gradually conduct research independently, allowing them to align their research with who they are and make their own discoveries.
Life, like research, is a roller coaster of highs and lows. Our lab prioritizes well-being, aiming to stand by our members during their highs and provide support during their lows. We strongly believe that you will be the best scientist when you are a happy one.
Join US!
We are looking for motivated scientists with experience in cell/molecular biology, tissue engineering, bioinformatics and genomics.
If you are interested in joining, please send a motivation letter and CV.
Use the form for any other queries
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Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute
1 st floor, 15 Innovation Walk
Clayton
Victoria 3800, Australia
