Prof Francine Marques

New paper from our team 🧠🦠 After stroke, gut‑derived bacteria can migrate into the brain Blocking sympathetic tone ↓ gut permeability, ↓ brain bacterial load, and improves motor outcomes—without changing infarct size Congrats @alexpehCG! tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10…

Two of the most important recent quotes about the future direction of medicine, a pivot to prevention @Thomas_Rando @NatureAging; Francisco Caiado and Markus Manz @ScienceMagazine

For anyone working in microbiome science, gnotobiotics, or reproductive biology, I highly recommend giving it a read, published now in Gut Microbes: 🔗 tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10… #microbiome #microbiota #germfree #pregnancy #gut

This paper is a reminder that rigorous science isn’t just about confirming hypotheses; it’s about staying open to the story the data is trying to tell A big shout out to Dr @ChudanXu, who led this project, and Dr Simona Antonacci, who provided invaluable technical expertise

Our first paper of 2026 is out! Key insight: the maternal microbiome profoundly shapes pregnancy success #Microbiome researchers — this one’s for you tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10… 🧵

@Carmendemigue12 @HypertensionAus @ASCEPTanz @fmarquez Thank you Carmen it was a very special moment

@FZMarques @HypertensionAus @ASCEPTanz Congratulations on the lecture @fmarquez!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I was asked to share my @HypertensionAus Colin Johnston lecture, delivered at the joint Hypertension Australia-@ASCEPTanz last month in Adelaide So if you missed it, here it is: youtube.com/watch?v=5qZnl2…

- How microbiome–blood pressure science has evolved over the past decade - Key discoveries from our team, spanning dietary fibre, short‑chain fatty acids, and gut–immune–heart pathways - Future directions for improving cardiovascular health by supporting the gut microbiome

I talk about: - My career path and the influence of key figures in the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, including Profs Colin Johnston, Austin Doyle and Paul Korner, as well as the mentors who shaped my scientific journey

Can’t wait to welcome Prof @timspector at the @MonashVHI next month Join us for a community talk to discus diet, gut microbes and heart health Register below 👇 limited space available

Last but not least 😎 Nelson Mandela Epic Fail Award - Inspired by Mandela’s quote ‘I never lose. I either win or learn’, this award recognizes failing but learning from it: winners Liz Vecchio, Phoebe Cheong, and @DinakisEvany

🏆 Research Rockstar Award - For achieving the highest number of peer-reviewed recognition as a PhD student: Chaoran Yang 🏆 Research Rockstar Award - For achieving the highest number of peer-reviewed recognition as a postdoctoral researcher: @rikeishm

Announcing our lab annual award winners 🏆 Every year, our team votes on team members who contributed towards helping behaviours, something we fail to capture in promotion and fellowship applications Here are the 2025 award winners: