ProfDavid Gallego Ortega
Professor & Director, Single Cell Genomics Facility
School of Electrical, Mechanical and Biomedical ENG
Orcid identifier0000-0002-2347-7835 (opens in a new tab)
- Professor & Director, Single Cell Genomics FacilitySchool of Electrical, Mechanical and Biomedical ENG
FUNDED RESEARCH
My research group uses single-cell resolution approaches to study developmental mechanisms of the mammary gland and the progression to breast cancer.
Project 1. We study the mechanisms of tumour tolerance and progression driven by tumour infiltrated myeloid cell populations, with the overarching aim of identifying novel molecular targets for the development of immunotherapies. Our work demonstrates that targeting Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSC) restores immune-system control over disease progression, offering novel therapeutic opportunities for breast cancer.
Project 2. We use bioengineering tools to develop high-fidelity ex vivo models that preserve the cell diversity and extracellular matrix of the tissue microenvironment. In healthy tissue, we use these tools for biotechnological applications to study the function of the mammary gland during lactation and involution. In breast cancer, we use these biomimetic tools as a personalised medicine platform for drug selection and classification of anti-cancer therapy at single-cell resolution.
Project 1. We study the mechanisms of tumour tolerance and progression driven by tumour infiltrated myeloid cell populations, with the overarching aim of identifying novel molecular targets for the development of immunotherapies. Our work demonstrates that targeting Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSC) restores immune-system control over disease progression, offering novel therapeutic opportunities for breast cancer.
Project 2. We use bioengineering tools to develop high-fidelity ex vivo models that preserve the cell diversity and extracellular matrix of the tissue microenvironment. In healthy tissue, we use these tools for biotechnological applications to study the function of the mammary gland during lactation and involution. In breast cancer, we use these biomimetic tools as a personalised medicine platform for drug selection and classification of anti-cancer therapy at single-cell resolution.
FUNDED RESEARCH
- GRANTSingle cell fate mapping of intracranial dissemination in glioblastomaThe trustee for Tour De Cure Trust1 Apr 2025 - 1 Apr 2026People funded by this grant:
- Carter D,
- Jeff,
- Chung S,
- Bryan,
- Gallego Ortega D
- GRANTSingle Cell Proteomics PlatformAustralian Research Council1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025People funded by this grant:
- Gallego Ortega D,
- Packer N,
- Ashe A,
- Yang J,
- Molloy M
- GRANTA one-two punch therapeutic strategy to overcome chemotherapy-induced cell plasticity in neuroblastomaNational Health & Medical Research Council1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2027People funded by this grant:
- Carter D,
- Gallego Ortega D,
- Chung S,
- Fletcher J,
- Marshall G
- GRANTThe I-DIMENSIONS Project: Integrated DMG genomIc Methylomic EpigeNetic Spatial transcrIptomic prOteomic subtypiNg SystemCharlie Teo Foundation3 Jul 2023 - 30 Nov 2024People funded by this grant:
- Dun M,
- Waszak S,
- Valdes Mora F,
- Cairns M,
- Davis M
- GRANTDelineating cancer immunotolerance of metastatic triple-negative breast cancerThe Cancer Council NSW1 Apr 2023 - 31 Dec 2026People funded by this grant:
- Gallego Ortega D,
- Valdes Mora F,
- Salomon R,
- Colino Sanguino Y,
- Anderson R
- CONSULTINGBecton Dickinson Beta Test AgreementBECTON DICKINSON PTY. LTD16 Jan 2023 - 16 Mar 2023People funded by this grant:
- Pearson H,
- Rodriguez de la Fuente L,
- Gallego Ortega D
- GRANTA multifaceted technology platform to enhance single cell genomicsAustralian Research Council1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023People funded by this grant:
- Wilkins M,
- Paulsen I,
- Li M,
- Myers G,
- Hassan K
- GRANTHarnessing immune plasticity to develop new immune therapies for breast cancerNational Breast Cancer Foundation1 Oct 2022 - 1 Oct 2024People funded by this grant:
- Chtanova T,
- Gallego Ortega D,
- Zanini F,
- Yam A,
- Lidums M
- GRANTA paradigm shift in the management of future cardiovascular risk following hypertensive disorders in pregnancy using mini-hearts and patient-derived stem cellsMaridulu Budyari Gumal - The Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE)30 Jun 2022 - 30 Dec 2022People funded by this grant:
- McClements L,
- Henry A,
- Gallego Ortega D,
- Gentile C,
- McGrath K
- GRANTHigh-fidelity tumouroids: accelerating next-generation personalised medicineNational Health & Medical Research Council1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2025People funded by this grant:
- Gallego Ortega D,
- Lu H,
- Thavaneswaran S,
- Tanwar P,
- Shahsavar Haghighi K
- CONTRACT RESEARCHMicrofluidic encapsulation of tumour tissues for single cell analysisGarvan Institute of Medical Research10 Aug 2021 - 31 Dec 2021People funded by this grant:
- Gallego Ortega D
- GRANTAccelerating next generation personalised medicineNational Breast Cancer Foundation1 Jul 2021 - 31 Dec 2023People funded by this grant:
- Gallego Ortega D,
- Millar E,
- Lim E,
- Valdes Mora F