“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.
Marie Curie
Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
Our Vision
The Lombardi Lab is building an interdisciplinary research programme focused on therapeutic peptides at biological barriers and interfaces. We are interested in how peptide structure, stability and interactions with biological environments influence transport, delivery and function.
By combining peptide chemistry, drug delivery, human-relevant in vitro models and bioanalytical approaches, we aim to generate clearer experimental evidence on peptide behaviour and develop practical design principles for future peptide therapeutics and peptide-inspired systems.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a rigorous and collaborative research environment where peptide science, barrier biology and bioengineering can be brought together to address difficult problems in therapeutic delivery and biological-interface function.
We are committed to training students and early-career researchers in careful experimental design, quantitative thinking, responsible research practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“Science is not only a disciple of reason,
Stephen Hawking
but, also, one of romance and passion.”
PI
Dr Lucia Lombardi is an Assistant Professor and Research Group Leader
Dept. Biological Science, Queen’s University Belfast
Dept. Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London
Research
Current and developing areas include:
- Therapeutic peptides at CNS-relevant barriers
- Human-relevant engineered models for peptide evaluation
- Peptide behaviour at mucosal and microbial interfaces
- Peptide-regulated sensing systems
- Design rules for peptide transport, delivery and function
Join us
We welcome enquiries from motivated students and researchers interested in peptide therapeutics, biological barriers, drug delivery, bioengineered models, mucosal and microbial interfaces, and peptide-regulated sensing systems.
Prospective MPhil, MRes, MSci, MSc and PhD students, as well as postdoctoral researchers interested in fellowship or externally funded opportunities, are encouraged to get in touch.
Latest News
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Royal Society International Exchanges Award with the Italian Institute of Technology
The Lombardi Lab has been awarded a Royal Society International Exchanges grant. The award will support research visits, knowledge exchange and the development of interdisciplinary links between Queen’s University Belfast and the Italian Institute of Technology. The collaboration involves Dr Lucia Lombardi at Queen’s University Belfast and Dr Maria Lombardi…
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Royal Society Hooke Discussion Meeting selected for 2027-2028 programme
We are pleased to share that our proposal for a Royal Society Hooke Discussion Meeting, “Peptides at the interface of engineering biology and discovery”, has been selected for the 2027-2028 programme. The meeting will be organised by Dr Lucia Lombardi (Queen’s University Belfast), Dr Louise Walport (Imperial College London) and…
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AISUK 10th Anniversary Event with ESA Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti
AISUK – the Association of Italian Scientists in the UK – celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special event hosted at the Residence of the Ambassador of Italy in London. The event was organised by Lucia Lombardi, Co-Director of AISUK, in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in London and…
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Congratulations, Angelina!!!
Our lab manager, Dr Angelina Madden, received the Queen’s Technician Award 2026 for Contribution to Sustainability. The award recognises exemplary actions to support the implementation of sustainability practices within the labs, and across wider University operations, teaching, and research.
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Sabanci University International Seed Collaboration Project
We are very grateful to Sabanci University for funding the project “AI-Guided Discovery and Validation of Human Blood–Brain Barrier Peptide Shuttles” that will now support the collaboration with Oznur Tastan and Nur Mustafaoglu. This is only the beginning, and we are sure we will do great things together. A special…