ARMI postdocs selected for biomedical research translation ​​​​​​program 

Two postdoctoral researchers from the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) have been selected for this year’s Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Bridge Program, a national initiative focused on translating biomedical research into real-world therapies. 

Dr Macsue Jacques and Dr Jean Tan will join up to 100 participants from across Australia in the year-long program, which brings together researchers, clinicians, industry professionals and investors to build capability in pharmaceutical and biotechnology commercialisation. 

Delivered by QUT in collaboration with a consortium of industry and university partners, the Bridge Program provides training across the scientific, regulatory, financial and clinical pathways required to bring new medicines to market.  

For Dr Jacques, whose research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying ageing and exercise, the program offers an opportunity to extend her work beyond discovery. 

“The program offers a clear view of how different parts of the development pipeline connect – from discovery through to regulatory, clinical and commercial considerations,” Dr Jacques said. “That broader perspective is critical for positioning research so it can move with intent beyond the lab and bring more clinical relevance and translational opportunities to improve healthspan.” 

Dr Jacques has an established track record in both laboratory and computational research, with expertise in DNA methylation and other omics in multiple organ systems, with emphasis on human skeletal muscle. Her work sits at the intersection of physiology, ageing processes, and molecular biology, with potential implications for personalised health strategies. 

Dr Tan, a Research Fellow in the Martino Group, works at the interface of immunology and bioengineering, investigating how the immune system can be guided to support tissue repair rather than scarring. Her research includes developing biomaterials and delivery systems to improve regeneration outcomes, with a clear translational focus. 

“The Bridge Program provides a structured way to learn how to move regenerative medicine approaches closer to clinical and commercial application,” Dr Tan said. “It’s an opportunity to connect with people working across the full development pipeline.” 

Her work on regulatory T cells and engineered therapeutic strategies reflects a growing emphasis in regenerative medicine on not only understanding biological mechanisms but applying them in clinical contexts. 

Selection for the Bridge Program is competitive, with applicants assessed on their experience, career stage and interest in commercialisation. Participants gain access to an influential national network of more than 900 alumni and engage directly with industry through seminars, site visits and collaborative activities. 

The inclusion of Dr Jacques and Dr Tan in the 2026 cohort reflects ARMI’s strategic focus on supporting researchers to translate fundamental scientific discoveries into therapies that improve patient outcomes. 

Their participation in the program will strengthen links between ARMI and the wider biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, reinforcing the institute’s vital role in advancing regenerative medicine from the laboratory to the clinic.