Lachlan Thompson

Professor Lachlan Thompson is a leading academic in neurogenesis and neural transplantation, affiliated with the School of Medical Sciences. His work focuses on advancing stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, particularly through engineered neural grafts and hydrogel-based delivery systems. He leads research on optimizing stem cell differentiation, immune evasion, and functional integration within host neural circuits.

Current research students include Laura Ancellotti and Alex Johnson. Key grants include a 2024 NHMRC Ideas Grant for improving Parkinson’s cell therapies and 2023 startup funding for establishing his research programs. His lab collaborates with the Charles Perkins Centre, focusing on translational neuroregenerative strategies.

Research interests span stem cell engineering, neural circuit reconstruction, and disease modeling using patient-derived iPSCs. Recent work emphasizes hydrogel oxygen reservoirs, suicide gene activation in grafts, and developmental timing of neural progenitors. Over 80 publications detail advancements in neural transplantation safety, gene therapy approaches, and rodent models of neurological disorders.

Awards and recognitions are not explicitly mentioned, though his high-impact publications and NHMRC grants highlight his academic standing. His lab integrates biomaterials science, genetic engineering, and clinical translation to address unmet needs in neurodegenerative therapies.