School of Biomedical Sciences cordially invites you to join the RGC GRF/ECS 2026-27 Brainstorming Workshop – Research Seminar by Professor Mathias François:

Speaker: Professor Mathias François, Professor of Developmental Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney; Founder and Academic Director, Genome Imaging Center, The Centenary Institute and The University of Sydney
Talk Title: From developmental biology to drug repurposing: Targeting transcription in vascular diseases

Date: 7 August 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 3, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road

Biography

Prof. Mathias François is a developmental biologist and molecular geneticist whose research career is notable for groundbreaking discovery, technological innovation and dissemination, strategic collaboration, and translation in commercial and medical contexts.

Mat is leading a research group that studies transcriptional regulation and cardio-vascular development at the University of Sydney. The group research activity relies on a highly multi-disciplinary approach that combines developmental biology, molecular imaging complemented by biophysics and genomics methods to investigate the control of gene transcription. The aim of our research is to take advantage of a deep understanding of transcription factor mode of action during development to unlock new therapeutic avenues in vascular-related pathologies. Findings from the lab have repositioned the clinical management of two rare orphan diseases and opened up therapeutic avenue for infantile hemangioma. A spin off company from the lab (Gertrude Biomedical Pty Ltd, Bio21 Melbourne) was founded in 2019 is currently developing the next generation of anti-cancer therapeutics that target an endothelial specific transcription factor.

Abstract
Join me as I take you on a scientific journey into the world of SOX18, a transcription factor critical for endothelial cell differentiation during embryonic development and a key player in vascular diseases. Our quest to uncover its molecular secrets led us to develop a groundbreaking strategy to identify and characterise the first-in-class small molecule inhibitors of SOX18 – compounds now progressing as anti-cancer therapeutics.

Along the way, we discovered how targeting SOX18 opens up both new and repurposed druggable pathways, offering fresh hope for treating rare vascular syndromes and virus-induced vascular cancers. Finally, I will share our latest findings that challenge traditional views of transcription factor biology, revealing how cutting-edge quantitative molecular imaging in live cells is redefining the field.

All are welcome.