“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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Lucia visits the Italian Institute of Technology to strengthen international research collaborations
Lucia recently visited the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Italy to kick off a new research collaboration supported by the Royal Society International Exchanges programme. The visit provided an opportunity to meet with collaborators, explore new approaches combining peptide chemistry, biological barrier models and AI-based image analysis, and discuss…
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Lucia joins the RSC Chemistry Biology and Bioorganic Group Committee
Lucia has joined the Royal Society of Chemistry Chemical Biology and Bioorganic Chemistry Group (CBBG) Committee. The committee supports the activities of the RSC Chemical Biology and Bioorganic Chemistry Group, bringing together researchers working across chemical biology, bioorganic chemistry and related interdisciplinary areas.Lucia looks forward to contributing to the committee’s…
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Lucia interviewed for an upcoming BBC documentary on injectable peptides
Lucia has completed filming her interview for an upcoming BBC documentary exploring the growing interest in injectable peptides and their applications in health and medicine. The discussion covered weight-loss drugs, emerging peptides attracting public attention, and the science behind their biological effects, therapeutic potential and safety concerns. It was a…
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Rosetrees Seedcorn Award for micropeptide research
We are pleased to share that Lucia has been awarded a Rosetrees Seedcorn Award as Project Lead for “Micropeptide-based modulation of signalling in triple-negative breast cancer”. The project will be developed in collaboration with Mr Francesco Tammaro and Prof Paolo Grieco at the University of Naples, Prof Wafa Al-Jamal at Queen’s…
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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…