THE SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND PHARMACY
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
“A glimpse at junctional dynamics” A top down view of a differentiating airway epithelium from an asthmatic donor cultured in air-liquid interface. Structural proteins in tight junction region – zonula occluden and claudin-1 were stained in red and green respectively. Nuclei stained in blue. By Ngan Fung Winnie Li (PhD Candidate) April 2018 Beautiful Science Winner
2 | Page
Table of Contents WELCOME ...... 4 SCHOOL STRUCTURE ...... 5 SCHOOL ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ...... 5 SCHOOL STAFF COMPOSITION ...... 7 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE – 2018 ...... 8 ACADEMIC PROMOTIONS – 2018 ...... 10 TEACHING ...... 11 SCHOOL TEACHING AND LEARNING ...... 11 TEACHING SUPPORT UNIT ...... 11 ADVANCED SURGICAL ANATOMY POSTGRADUATE TRAINING COURSE ...... 12 PHARMACY PROGRAM ...... 13 SCHOOL RESEARCH ...... 14 RESEARCH SUPPORT UNIT ...... 15 EXERCISE, REPRODUCTION, GENETICS AND NUTRITION RESEARCH CLUSTER ...... 16 IMMUNOLOGY & MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH CLUSTER ...... 24 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY RESEARCH CLUSTER ...... 34 NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH CLUSTER ...... 45 PHARMACY AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY RESEARCH CLUSTER ...... 60 STUDENTS ...... 68 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ...... 68 POST GRADUATE RESEARCH ...... 70 SCHOOL INITIATIVES ...... 72 RESEARCH PAPER OF THE MONTH ...... 72 BEAUTIFUL SCIENCE COMPETITION - 2018 ...... 72 SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 2018 ...... 75 AWARDS RECEIVED BY STAFF/STUDENTS ...... 75 ACADEMIC HONOURS RECEIVED BY STAFF/STUDENTS ...... 76 EDITORIAL SERVICE ...... 76 EXPERT REVIEWS FOR INSTITUTIONS OR ORGANISATIONS ...... 77 HONORARY OR CONJOINT PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS ...... 78 INVITED OR PLENARY SPEAKER (NATIONAL AND/OR INTERNATIONAL) ...... 79 OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY AND/OR MEDIA ...... 81 REVIEW NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL GRANTS ...... 82 VOLUNTEERING – WORK RELATED OR NON-WORK RELATED - update ...... 82 PUBLICATIONS ...... 84
3 | Page
WELCOME
Welcome to the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy at the University of Newcastle. The School is an amalgamation of several interrelated disciplines and enjoys a reputation as a world-class place to conduct biomedical research. The high profile of the School has enabled continued significant grant funding success and the recruitment of stellar researchers who draw on a sophisticated array of tools and techniques to answer relevant and important biomedical questions. Indeed, research in the School was judged as in the top two categories -"well above" or "above" world standard in the 2012 Excellence in Research for Australia University assessments.
In 2018 our School included 90.91 full-time equivalent research and academic staff, 52.95 full-time equivalent professional staff (41.76 lab based, 11.19 non-lab based), 166 Research Higher Degree students and 16 Honours Students distributed across the Newcastle (Callaghan) and Central Coast (Ourimbah) campuses and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). We are also proud to have 46 Conjoint appointed staff, 9 Emeritus Professors and 2 Laureate Professors.
Complementing our outstanding research, the School recognises the importance of education and mentoring and prides itself in the delivery of quality undergraduate and postgraduate learning opportunities. The School has primary responsibility for the Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Biomedical Science Honours programs, the Master of Pharmacy and the new Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) program. The School also provides teaching into medicine and health-related programs, including physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, medical radiation science and nursing.
With teaching and research based across 6 campuses, our staff and students are geographically widespread, and external affiliations and collaborations, both domestically and internationally, ensure the School is well known for high quality teaching and research excellence. The School is driven by a central vision of excellence and we are excited about the future.
We welcome your interest and seek to recruit outstanding staff and students.
Professor Darryl Knight Head, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle
4 | Page
SCHOOL STRUCTURE SCHOOL ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
Executive Officer Head of School
Head of School Personal Assistant
School Executive (Head of School, Deputy Head of School, Executive Officer, Director Teaching & Learning, Director Research)
Director Teaching and Learning Steering Committee Research Committee
Discipline of Immunology & Immunology & Microbiology Teaching Support Unit Microbiology Research Cluster Research Support Unit
Discipline of Pharmacy & Pharmacy & Pharmacology Experimental Pharmacology Research Cluster
Discipline of Medical Molecular Biology Biochemistry & Genetics Research Cluster
Discipline of Human Physiology Neuroscience Research Cluster
Exercise, Reproduction, Genetics Discipline of Anatomy & Nutrition Research Cluster
5 | Page
School Executive 2018 Professor Phil Hansbro (Director Research), Professor Darryl Knight (Head of School), Associate Professor Phillip Dickson (Deputy Head of School) Mrs Diane Nesbitt (Executive Officer), Associate Professor Suzanne Evans (Director Teaching & Learning),
6 | Page
SCHOOL STAFF COMPOSITION Staffing Profile as at December 31 2019/January 1 2019
Male/Female School Staff Members (Not FTE Based)
49
41
29
19 19 15 16 11 6402 7 2
PROFESSIONAL DR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR LAUREATE CONJOINT EMERITUS PROFESSOR PROFESSOR PROFESSORS
Male Female
Male/Female School Staff Members (FTE Based)
39.77 35.56
19
13.18 14.2 11 63.1502
PROFESSIONAL DR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PROFESSOR LAUREATE PROFESSOR
Male Female
7 | Page
SCHOOL PERFORMANCE – 2018
Research Funding
New Grants Commencing by Type 13,000,000.00
12,000,000.00
11,000,000.00
10,000,000.00
9,000,000.00
8,000,000.00
7,000,000.00
6,000,000.00
5,000,000.00
4,000,000.00
3,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
‐ 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Fellowships Scholarships Equipment Grants Research/Project Grants Other
New Grants Commencing By $ Value 10,000,000.00
9,000,000.00
8,000,000.00
7,000,000.00
6,000,000.00
5,000,000.00
4,000,000.00
3,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
‐ 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
ARC NHMRC HMRI Other
8 | Page
Publications
Publication Category Groups 325 300 275 250 225 200 175 150 125 100 75 50
25 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2015 2015 2016* 2017 YTD* 2018 YTD* B1 Book Chapter ‐ Research (HERDC) C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal (HERDC)
9 | Page
ACADEMIC PROMOTIONS – 2018 (Effective January 2019)
Promotion to Professor
Chris Dayas Liz Milward Rohan Walker
Promotion to Associate Professor
Phil Jobling Kirsty Pringle Nicole Verrills
10 | Page
TEACHING SCHOOL TEACHING AND LEARNING
The School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (SBSP) is divided into the teaching disciplines of anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, physiology, microbiology and immunology and experimental pharmacology and pharmacy. Through these teaching disciplines, the school delivers the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (including Biomedical Science Honours) degrees, and the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours). The Bachelor of Biomedical Science has an intake of approximately 120 students per year and is rated by students as one of the University's most sought after degrees. The Pharmacy program currently has an intake of approximately 60 students per year. The School also provides education and mentoring in basic medical sciences in all the professional health degrees offered by the university, as well as in education and science degrees.
In total during 2018, staff within the School taught in over 80 courses, delivered to 1265 full-time equivalent students enrolled in 20 different programs of study. Students enrolled in study areas as diverse as medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, medical radiation science, podiatry, oral health and exercise & sports science were all taught by staff of the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy.
Gross income from the school’s undergraduate teaching in 2018 was $31.7M.
Teaching and its administration in the school is supported by a specialist teaching support unit, and teaching quality across all disciplines is overseen by an academic director of teaching and learning. A specialist group of staff within the school form the Biomedical Sciences Group for Research and Innovation in Teaching (BIOGRIT), dedicated to innovative developments in teaching, and their evaluation, dissemination and publication. This group publishes in a range of science and clinical higher education journals.
TEACHING SUPPORT UNIT
In 2018 the School Teaching Support Unit (TSU) comprised 7 ½ Administrative staff and 9 Technical Officers. Our staff support the teaching activities across five teaching terms through the year, two Semesters and three Trimesters, and three campuses, Callaghan, Ourimbah and Port Macquarie. In 2018, 8093 students were enrolled in HUBS and PHAR courses that the Teaching Support Unit provided administrative support for.
The responsibilities of the Administrative staff include course outline generation, timetabling, student assessments, exam paper preparation, marking, grade entering, blackboard management, placement and all ongoing administrative teaching support during Trimesters/Semesters.
The Technical Officers’ responsibilities include teaching laboratory preparation, trialling new experiments, assisting in lab classes, organising safety requirements and ordering of equipment and consumables with some senior staff also having the responsibility of managing the day-to-day running of these laboratories.
Technical Officers 2018 Teaching Support Unit 2018 Lee Mears, Carolyn Clark, Alana Gent, Yvonne Rego, Back row: Linda Anslow, Maxine Kerr, Cathy Morrow Merryl Case, Sam Faulkner, Brett Hill Front row: Diane Nesbitt, Ruth Harvey, Donna Feeney (not present: Jovanka Stojanovski, Sally Butler, Joshua (not present: Julie Harvey, Maxine Squires, Jacqui Brzozowski) McLachlan)
11 | Page
ADVANCED SURGICAL ANATOMY POSTGRADUATE TRAINING COURSE
In 2012 a ‘Needs Assessment’ for post-graduate doctors (Years 1 and 2) identified a critical need for postgraduate, surgically relevant, anatomical education and dissection opportunities for the advancement of knowledge and training for junior doctors. As a result of this the inaugural Advanced Surgical Anatomy Postgraduate Training Course (ASAPTC) was launched in 2014 and is delivered annually (2014-2019).
The course is a unique collaborative effort by the Discipline of Anatomy (School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy) and surgeons and radiologists from the Hunter New England Health District Surgical Training Network.
The ASAPTC has developed as a result of an ongoing highly successful, collaborative anatomy education relationship that has been in place since 2007. http://gradschool.edu.au/executive-education/open-courses/advanced-surgical-anatomy-postgraduate- training-course
The ASAPTC provides supervised and comprehensive dissection training and topographical studies in Anatomy to the standard required by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons for the General Surgical Sciences Examination (Anatomy). The ASAPTC is recognised and approved by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Australian Orthopaedic Association and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.
This highly regarded course also contributes 20 units of unspecified credit towards both the Master of Traumatology: Surgery Specialisation and the Master of Traumatology: Research Specialisation degrees. https://www.newcastle.edu.au/degrees/master-traumatology
Figure 1: ASAPT Course in progress
Since inception the ASAPTC course has successfully provided postgraduate surgical anatomy learning opportunities for 90 medical graduates. Course delivery involves 6 intensive weekends (one weekend a month for 6 months) with associated distance learning and formal assessments (theory, practical and oral examinations).
12 | Page
PHARMACY PROGRAM
With the process of accreditation in consultation with the Australian Pharmacy Council successfully behind us, Dr Joyce Cooper, 2018 Bpharm (Hons) program convenor welcomed potential new students at the University of Newcastle Open Day. Joyce oversaw program changes to prepare our graduates for the evidence-based landscape of pharmacy practice.
Our Pharmacy students continue to participate actively in placements, and some travelled as far afield as Alice Springs, Northern Territory and Karratha, Western Australia, and experienced local cultures and pharmacy practice. Our department are grateful to the preceptors who generously provide opportunities for learning experiences, reinforcing our links with local pharmacy communities, hospitals and networks.
During 2018 the BPharm (Hons) pharmacy cohort grew to 240 undergraduates who were guided by pharmacy and School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy staff, and teacher-practitioners. Our teacher- practitioners are drawn from community and hospital pharmacy and actively contribute to creating an authentic learning environment.
Our academic staff continue to excel. Dr Roger Liang received an award from Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) to develop novel nanoparticles to target colorectal cancer cells; Susan Hua was promoted to Associate Professor and contributed as a HMRI research participant in an event for school students; and teacher-practitioners Alison Hooper, Chelsea Felkai, Sharmila Prasad, Jemima Dzator and Tabitha McLachlan enrolled in PhD studies in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy.
The Pharmacy Discipline received four Faculty of Health and Medicine pilot teaching grants in 2018, and we congratulate Drs Saad Salem and Joyce Cooper, and Associate Professors Jenny Schneider and Therése Kairuz and their teams of co-investigators. Professor Shu Chuen Li was actively engaged in promoting the University of Newcastle as a guest speaker at international conferences in the Asia Pacific region, Dr Karen Kerr completed a successful sabbatical in the Netherlands, and Jacqui MacLachlan and Lee Mears experienced overseas travel during well-deserved leave from their pharmacy teaching duties which include direct contact with students on a daily basis. Pharmacy academics contributed to current scientific literature with peer-reviewed research, conference presentations and professional articles, noteworthy achievements which are expected to continue as the Discipline of Pharmacy continues to thrive.
Pharmacy Laboratory Medical Sciences West Building
13 | Page
SCHOOL RESEARCH
The School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy is one of the University of Newcastle's most research- intensive schools, currently ranked in the top three in terms of external research funding. Our researchers apply cutting-edge technology and relevant disease models to address important questions and accelerate knowledge transfer and translation in areas of health and disease including: ● Cancer Genetics and Molecular Therapeutics - Melanoma and Reproductive cancers ● Cardiovascular Diseases - Calcium channels and mechanisms of release, endogenous pacemakers ● Drug Development and Nanotechnology - Analgesics, drug delivery systems ● Exercise Physiology - Chronic disease modification and prevention, healthy lifestyle ● Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Mucosal inflammation and immunity, lung-gut cross talk ● Neurological and neurodegenerative diseases - Addiction, pain, Parkinson’s disease, nausea, balance, iron-related disease ● Nutrition and Nutraceuticals - Dietary modulation of inflammation and cardio-pulmonary function ● Pharmacy - Health economics, drug interactions, serotonin toxicity, pelvic pharmacology, rural and remote health ● Reproductive Science – Neurosteroids, foetal development, Chlamydia infections / sexually transmitted diseases ● Respiratory Diseases - Cellular and immunological basis of asthma, COPD, infection, fibrosis, lung cancer ● Stroke - Recovery and therapeutics, rehabilitation
The school’s investigators collaborate locally with clinical researchers at the John Hunter and Mater Hospitals and are key members of the Hunter Medical Research Institute and several University Priority Research Centres. The researchers also collaborate extensively nationally in every state and internationally with many countries around the world.
Research Committee 2018
(Right to left): Kristen Coupland (ECR Representative), Cherry Thompson (RHD Representative), Dr Kathryn Skelding, Professor Estelle Sontag, Professor Jon Hirst, Professor Simon Keely, Professor Chris Dayas (Chair), Dr Jude Weidenhofer Not present: Professor Therèse Kairuz, Professor Hubert Hondermarck, Laureate Professor Paul Foster, Associate Professor Brett Graham (Honours Co-ordinator), Ms Lorraine Lynch (Secretary)
14 | Page
RESEARCH SUPPORT UNIT
In 2018 the Research Support Unit (RSU) comprised 4 ½ staff. The unit’s primary directive is to provide support to School Researchers and Research Higher Degree Students, based at the various campuses, Callaghan, Ourimbah, HMRI and the Mater Hospital.
The RSU provides a central point of contact including administrative assistance and guidance in relation to purchasing (research consumables and equipment), travel arrangements including conference registration and documentation, staffing/personnel enquiries and new staff recruitment assistance. The primary responsibility of the RSU Manager (School Research Coordinator) is to provide research grant financial assistance, advice and guidance, and support the Head of School and Research Committee Chair in their decision making by providing up to date and timely information.
The school increases in number each year, and the university’s policies and procedures are constantly adjusting to meet the demands of the government and funding bodies. It is the School Research Support Unit’s responsibility to ensure that the school, and its staff and students, are keeping abreast of the relevant internal and external changes in order to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing research environment.
Research Support Unit 2018 Back row: Lorraine Lynch, Margot Hondermarck, Linda Anslow Front row: Jayde Metcalfe, Susan Edwards
15 | Page
EXERCISE, REPRODUCTION, GENETICS AND NUTRITION RESEARCH CLUSTER
16 | Page
Breast Cancer Group Laboratory and Research overview: The central theme of this laboratory’s research is to understand the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer progression and treatment resistance, with a particular focus on the p53 pathway and epigenetics (miRNAs and methylation). Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Two major challenges in the treatment of this disease are 1) resistance to therapy and 2) the development of secondary cancers (the leading cause of death from breast cancer). The vast majority of breast cancer-related deaths are due to the development of cancer at distant sites other than the primary cancer site – this is called metastasis. Once a patient has developed a metastasis they are incurable. The molecular changes that lead to metastasis are not fully understood and research aimed at discovering new biomarkers that mediate these events is urgently required, so that targeted therapies to inhibit breast cancer metastasis can be developed. This laboratory is investigating the role of small molecules (called miRNAs) and altered regulation of key tumour suppressor proteins (p53) in breast cancer progression and whether they are potential new therapeutic targets for breast cancer. Dr Kelly Avery- Kiejda Competitive Grants: Hunter Cancer Research Alliance: Career Advancement Fellowship in Cancer Research. Avery-Kiejda KA. Postdoctoral HMRI Hunter Cancer Biobank: The functional role of p53 in breast cancer stem cells. Morten B, Kiejda K, Scott Researcher R. (2018) Brianna Morten Cancer Institute NSW: The Hunter Cancer Biobank: Maximising community value through validation, annotation and distribution throughout NSW. Walker M, Ackland S, Scott R, Forbes J, Zhang XD, Tanwar P, Bowden N, RHD Students Gedye, Lynam J, Avery-Kiejda KA, Sakoff J, Rassam L, Roberts T. Lee S, Kan B. (2015-2018) Xiajie Zhang HMRI: MHF Brain Cancer GARD: Mark Hughes Foundation Brain Cancer Collaborative Genomics pipeline for Mamta Pariyar Advancing Research into biomarker discovery. Scott R, Kiejda K. (2018-20) Khairunnisa Binti Md NSW Health Pathology- Pathology North: Hunter Cancer Biobank. Walker M, Scott R, Ackland S, Goode S, Yusof Tanwar P, Verrills N, Hondermarck H, King S, Vilain R, Bowden N, Avery-Kiejda K, Keely S, Rowe C. (2018-19)
Key Publications: Stirzaker C#, Zotenko E#, Song JZ, Qu W, Nair SS, Locke WJ, Stone A, Armstrong NJ, Robinson MD, Dobrovic A, Avery-Kiejda KA, Peters KM, French JD, Stein S, Korbie DJ, Trau M, Forbes JF, Scott RJ, Brown MA, Francis GD, Clark SJ. Methylome sequencing in triple-negative breast cancer reveals distinct methylation clusters with prognostic value. Nature Communications. 2015 Feb 2;6:5899. doi:10.1038/ncomms6899 #These authors contributed equally to this work. Mathe A, Wong-Brown M, Locke WJ, Stirzaker C, Braye SG, Forbes JF, Clark SJ, Avery-Kiejda KA#, Scott RJ#. DNA methylation profile of triple negative breast cancer-specific genes comparing lymph node positive patients to lymph node negative patients. Scientific Reports. 2016 Sep 27;6:33435. doi: 10.1038/srep33435. Avery-Kiejda KA#, Morten B, Wong-Brown MW, Mathe A, Scott RJ. The relative mRNA expression of p53 isoforms in breast cancer is associated with clinical features and outcome. Carcinogenesis. 2014 Mar;35(3):586- 596. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgt411 #Corresponding author. Avery-Kiejda KA#, Braye SG, Mathe A, Forbes JF, Scott RJ. Decreased expression of key tumour suppressor microRNAs is associated with lymph node metastases in triple negative breast cancer. BMC Cancer. 2014 Jan 31;14:51. doi:10.1186/1471-2407-14-51 (Highly accessed) #Corresponding author Avery-Kiejda KA, Zhang XD, Adams LJ, Scott R, Vojtesek B, Lane DP, Hersey P. Small molecular weight variants of p53 are expressed in human melanoma cells and are induced by the DNA-damaging agent cisplatin. Clinical Cancer Research. 2008 Mar 15;14(6):1659-1668. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-1422
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/kelly-kiejda
17 | Page
Mothers and Babies Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory’s research focuses on problems in pregnancy and how these problems may influence immediate and long term outcomes for the offspring. The group are most interested in childhood health outcomes following preterm birth, pregnancies affected by fetal growth problems and stresses during late pregnancy. Growth restriction is the failure of the fetus to grow to its full potential and is also a major contributor to adult diseases. These pregnancy compromises are associated with an increased incidence of behaviour disorders including ADHD and aggressive behaviour in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The group’s work particularly examines the deficiencies in the steroid hormone environment of the developing brain that may cause these disorders. The placenta has a key role in controlling growth promoting steroid levels in the fetal brain and so problems with normal development and function lead to marked deficits in steroid supply to the brain. The group’s studies also examine replacement therapies used shortly after preterm birth to improve outcomes and lessen the likelihood of behavioural problems for those born Professor Jonathan prematurely or small. Hirst Neurosteroid hormones form a key modulatory system that has a major role in regulating the levels of excitation. Inadequate levels of these hormones have been shown to contribute to major hyperactivity and anxiety disorders. Research The objectives of the laboratory’s recent work is to determine if prenatal stress or stress in the neonatal period Associate causes reductions in neurosteroid signalling leading to suboptimal brain development. The group also examines Hannah Palliser treatments with a synthetic neurosteroid or a drug that raises neurosteroid production for improving these conditions.
Postdoctoral Competitive Grants: Research Fellow NHMRC: Perinatal stress leads to neurosteroid deficits and adverse behavioural outcomes. Hirst JJ, Walker DW, Julia Shaw Palliser HK, Hodgson D. (2015-19) HMRI: Neurosteroid therapy to prevent long-term behavioural deficits following prenatal stress exposure. Palliser RHD Students HK, Shaw J, Hirst JJ, Pennell C. (2018) Gabriella Crombie Sandeep Ajgaonkar Key Publications: Bennett GA, Palliser HK, David Walker DW, Hirst JJ. Severity and timing: How prenatal stress exposure affects glial developmental, emotional behavioural and plasma neurosteroid responses in guinea pig offspring. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016 Aug;70:47-57. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.04.011 Hirst JJ, Cumberland AL, Shaw JC, Bennett GA, Kelleher MA, Walker DW, Pallister HK. Loss of neurosteroid- mediated protection following stress during fetal life. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2016 Jun;160:181-188. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.09.012 Cumberland AL, Palliser HK, Gabrielle K. Crombie GK, Walker DW, Hirst JJ. Increased anxiety-like phenotype in female guinea pigs following reduced neurosteroid exposure in utero. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience. 2017 May;58:50-58. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.02.001 Shaw JC, Palliser HK, Berry Dyson Hirst JJ. Disruptions to the cerebellar GABAergic system in juvenile guinea pigs following preterm birth. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience. 2018 Apr;65:1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.10.002 Shaw JC, Dyson RM, Palliser HK, Gray C, Berry MJ, Hirst JJ. Neurosteroid replacement therapy using the allopregnanolone-analogue ganaxolone following preterm birth in male guinea pigs. Pediatric Research. 2019 Jan;85(1):86-96. doi: 10.1038/s41390-018-0185-7. Epub 2018 Sep 20
www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/jon-hirst
18 | Page
Pregnancy and Placental Biology Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory’s research examines the roles of the intrauterine, circulating and intrarenal renin angiotensin systems (RASs) in pregnancy and female reproductive health, which have been implicated in pregnancy complications such as preterm birth and preeclampsia as well as in disease states such as endometrial cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and hypertension. This group is led by Associate Professor Kirsty Pringle in partnership with Emeritus Scientia Professor Eugenie Lumbers AM FAA Dist FRSN. Current areas of research interest include: ● Investigation of the role of the prorenin receptor in placentation; ● Maternal recognition of fetal sex in the regulation of labour; ● MicroRNAs that regulate the placental renin angiotensin system and how they impact placental angiogenesis, fetal kidney development and maternal cardiovascular health; ● The use of markers of the circulating and intrarenal RAS to identify Indigenous women with underlying kidney disease and who are potentially at risk of preeclampsia; ● The roles of the endometrial and cervical RAS in endometrial and cervical cancer and the potential use of RAS blocking drugs as therapeutic agents; ● Novel biomarkers for detection of endometrial cancer.
Competitive Grants: NHMRC Project Grant: Maternal Recognition of Fetal Sex in the Regulation of Labour. Pringle KG, Lumbers ER, Zakar T. (2018-2020) NHMRC Project Grant: Factors regulating maternal levels of soluble (pro)renin receptor and its role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Pringle KG. (2019-21) Hunter Medical Research Institute: Consequences of the in utero environment on kidney function for infants in the Gomeroi gaaynggal cohort. Rae K, Schumacher T, Pringle KG. (2018) Associate Professor Kirsty Pringle Key Publications: Wang Y*, Lumbers ER*, Arthurs AL, Corbisier de Meaultsart C, Mathe A, Avery-Kiejda KA, Roberts CT, Pipkin Emeritus Scientia FB, Marques FZ, Morris BJ, Pringle KG. Regulation of the human placental (pro)renin receptor-prorenin- Professor Eugenie angiotensin system by microRNAs. Molecular Human Reproduction. 2018 Sep 1;24(9):453-464. *Joint first Lumbers authors. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gay031. Pringle KG, Corbisier de Meaultsart C, Sykes SD, Weatherall LJ, Keogh L, Clausen DC, Dekker GA, Smith R, Research Assistant Roberts CT, Rae KM, Lumbers ER. Urinary angiotensinogen excretion in Australian Indigenous and non- Celine Corbisier de Indigenous pregnant women. Pregnancy Hypertension. 2018 Apr;12:110-117. doi: 10.1016/j.preghy.2018.04.009 Meaultsart Lee YQ, Collins CE, Schumacher YL, Weatherall lJ, Keogh L, Sutherland K, Gordon A, Rae KM, Pringle KG. Disparities exist between the dietary intake of Indigenous Australian women during pregnancy and the Australian RHD Students dietary guidelines: the Gomeroi gaaynggal study. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 2018 Aug;31(4):473- Mohammed 485. Doi: 10.1111/jhn.12550. Riazuddin Lee YQ, Collins CE, Gordon A, Rae KM, Pringle KG. The Relationship between Maternal Nutrition during Sarah Delforce Pregnancy and Offspring Kidney Structure and Function in Humans: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2018 Feb Yu Qi Lee 21;10(2). pii: E241. doi: 10.3390/nu10020241. Samantha Rodrigues Diehm CJ, Lumbers ER, Weatherall L, Keogh L, Eades S, Brown A, Smith R, Johnson V, Pringle KG, Rae KM. Anya Arthurs Assessment of fetal kidney growth and birth weight in an Indigenous Australian cohort. Frontiers in Physiology. Saije Morosin 2018 Jan 9;8:11129. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.01129. Sonia Tamanna http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/kirsty-pringle
19 | Page
Cancer and Common Disease Genomics Laboratory and Research overview: Inherited forms of cancer have been Professor Scott’s main interest for around 25 years. Professor Scott’s research first focused on the identification of genes associated with inherited forms of colorectal cancer and breast cancer. The research area proved to be extremely successful and established the group’s current understanding of the genetic basis of malignancy. Investigations cover aspects associated with the risk of developing disease through to understanding the genetic basis of disease recurrence. As increased knowledge of the genetic basis of disease became more widespread, current interests are no longer restricted to inherited forms of cancer but a variety of diseases. Current research activities are focused on determining circulating tumour DNA, a new and potentially a major paradigm shift in the management of patients diagnosed with a solid tumour. This exciting area of research result of exquisitely sensitive methods of DNA detection that can reveal the presence of minute levels of tumour DNA from a single blood sample. Professor Scott’s work has also diversified to include studies that are associated with a better understanding of Laureate Professor the genetic basis of common diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and stroke etc.). Rodney Scott Awards: Honorary PhD, FRSN
Laboratory Manager Competitive Grants: Trish Collinson NHMRC: Role of IncRNA IDH1-AS1 in regulating c-Myc driven-glycolysis and tumorigenesis. Zhang XD, Scott RJ, Liu T. (2018-20) Research Fellows Mark Hughes Foundation: MHF Brain cancer GARD: Mark Hughes Foundation brain cancer collaborative Kelly Avery Kiejda genomics pipeline for advancing research into biomarker discovery. Scott RJ, Kiejda K. (2018-20) Heather Lee NSW Health Pathology: Hunter Cancer Biobank. Walker M, Scott RJ, Ackland S, Goode S, Tanwar P, Verrills Vicki Maltby N, Hondermarck H, King S, Vilain R, Bowden N, Kiejda K, Keely S, Rowe C. (2018-19) HMRI NSW Ministry of Health: HMRI MRSP Cancer Research Program 2018. Ackland S, Zhang XD, Scott RJ, RHD Students Verrills N, Martin J, Smith S, Paul C, Greer P, Proietto A, Day F, Scarlett C. (2018) Alex Xavier NSW Health Pathology: Illumina NovaSeq. Scott RJ. (2018) Xiajjie Zhang Streck: Investigation of disease markers in asymptomatic patients with colorectal carcinoma or colonic Nadine Berry adenomas. Dun M, Pockney P, Scott RJ. (2018-19) Benjamin Kamien Multiple Sclerosis Research Aust Ltd: Investigation of erythrocyte microRNA content in Multiple Sclerosis. Kira Groen Lechner-Scott J, Scott RJ, Maltby V. (2017) Prathima Nagendra Cancer Institute NSW: Hunter Cancer Research Alliance/ Ackland S, Scott RJ, Smith S, Sanson-Fisher R, Sean Bernard Zhang XD, Proietto A, Greer P, Paul C. (2014-19) NHMRC: What predicts the progressive phase of multiple sclerosis? Scott RJ, Taylor B, Lechner-Scott J, Lea R. (2017-21)
Key Publications: Brainstorm Consortium, Anttila V, … Scott RJ, … Neale BM. Analysis of shared heritability in common disorders of the brain. Science. 2018 Jun 22;360(6395). pii: eaap8757. doi: 10.1126/science.aap8757. PMID:29930110 O'Mara TA, Glubb DM, Amant F, ... Scott RJ, … Thompson DJ. Identification of nine new susceptibility loci for endometrial cancer. Nature Communications. 2018 Aug 9;9(1):3166. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-05427-7. PMID:30093612 Ten Broeke SW, van der Klift HM, Tops CMJ, … Scott R, Senter L, Spruijt L, Steinke-Lange V, Suerink M, Thibodeau S, Vos YJ, Wagner A, Winship I, Hes FJ, Vasen HFA, Wijnen JT, Nielsen M, Win AK. Cancer Risks for PMS2-Associated Lynch Syndrome. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2018 Aug 30:JCO2018784777. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.4777. Sina AA, Carrascosa LG, Liang Z, Grewal YS, Wardiana A, Shiddiky MJA, Gardiner RA, Samaratunga H, Gandhi MK, Scott RJ, Korbie D, Trau M. Epigenetically rreprogrammed methylation landscape drives the DNA self-assembly and serves as a universal cancer biomarker. Nature Communications. 2018 Dec 4;9(1):4915. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07214-w. Li N, Rowley SM, Goode DL, Amarasinghe KC, McInerny S, Devereux L; LifePool Investigators, Wong-Brown MW, Lupat R, Lee JEA, Hughes S, Thompson ER, Zethoven M, Li J, Trainer AH, Gorringe KL, Scott RJ, James PA, Campbell IG. Mutations in RECQL are not associated with breast cancer risk in an Australian population. Nature Genetics. 2018 Oct;50(10):1346-1348. doi: 10.1038/s41588-018-0206-9.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/rodney-scott
20 | Page
Smart Devices and eHealth use in Managing and Treating Chronic Diseases Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory’s research is centred on an Integrated approach to Chronic Disease care. Recent studies have focussed on the emerging use of mHealth and eHealth technology and strategies to increase the effectiveness of the management and treatment of Chronic Diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. As a founding member of the Chronic Disease eHealth Research Group, Dr Sculley has been involved in the development and use of mobile technology in conjunction with a dedicated mobile app - Integrated Clinics - that will greatly increase the monitoring, management and treatment of disease. The group utilise Smart Technology to increase the effectiveness of both health prescription and data collection. Our international team have developed a cloud-based data handling facility that is customisable depending on the individual trial and has the capacity to provide immediate data once uploaded from smart devices. Dr Dean Sculley The group are currently involved in Type 1 & 2 Diabetes and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis eHealth programmes. Smart devices are used to provide information including nutrition, physical activity goals and medication RHD Students: adherence prompting and record output via an array of sensors on the devices. Data such as duration and Belinda Thompson intensity of physical activity, nutritional targets, pain perception and blood glucose concentration are processed Kranjit Kaur via the use of Smart Devices including watches, mobile phones and added peripherals such as blood glucose Sonia Butler concentration monitors. The App modules are designed to improve the comprehension of tasks in order for Sergio Alvares children and adults for whom spoken and written English may be a challenge to successfully participate. The ability to upload data to the cloud facility allows immediate access to both researchers and health professionals. In addition, the group are working towards introducing eHealth programmes within the Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander populations. The established Gomeroi Gaaynggal mothers and babies study is working to improve health, particularly chronic disorders such as kidney disease, among the Indigenous Australian population in Northern NSW. The group are taking this one step further by improving maternal health and wellbeing in an effort to reduce potential undernutrition. Working within the Developmental Origins of Adult Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, improving maternal nutrition and wellbeing reduces the risk of Intrauterine Growth Restriction that has been implicated in the increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease and Type 2 Diabetes in offspring via disruptions to organ development or cell signalling. This program aims to reduce the vicious circle of inherited risk factors for these diseases and improve the health and wellbeing of the Indigenous Australian population. Other research activities include the management and treatment of Periodontal Disease with current studies investigating the role of gene polymorphisms and epigenetic modifications and their impact on disease status.
Competitive Grants: Perpetual Limited Scheme: Impact Philanthropy Program: Randomised control trial of smart-watch technology for improving pain, quality of life, drug-therapy & physical-activity adherence in children with Juvenile Arthritis (Invited Woodend application). Sculley D, Major G, Coda A. Auckland University of Technology Scheme: Research Grant Smart Technologies in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Sculley D, Coda A.
Key Publications: Lee YQ, Beckett EL, Sculley DV, Rae KM, Collins CE, Pringle KG. The Relationship between Maternal Global Nutrient Restriction during Pregnancy and Offspring Kidney Structure and Function: A Systematic Review of Animal studies. American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology. 2019 Jun 1;316(6):F1227-F1235 doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00082.2019. Coda A, Sculley DV, Santos D, Girones X, Acharya S. Exploring the Effectiveness of Smart Technologies in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2018 Jan;12(1):199-201. doi: 10.1177/1932296817711198 [Epub 2017 May 25] Sculley DV, Lucock M. Maternal Undernutrition and Type 2 Diabetes in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: History and Future Direction. Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine. 2017 Dec;2(4):117-121. doi: 10.14218/ERHM.2017.00028 Erhuma A, Slater A, Sculley DV. Prenatal exposure to a low protein diet programme disordered regulation of lipid metabolism in the ageing rat. American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2007 Jun;292(6):E1702-14. Epub 2007 Feb 13. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00605.2006 Mallinson JE, Sculley DV, Craigon J, Plant R, Langley-Evans SC, Brammeld JM. Foetal exposure to a maternal low-protein diet during mid-gestation results in muscle-specific effects on fibre type composition in young rats. The British Journal of Nutrition. 2007 Aig’98(2):292-299. doi: 10.1017/S0007114507701678 Langley-Evans SC, Sculley DV. The association between birthweight and longevity in the rat is complex and modulated by maternal protein intake during fetal life. FEBS Letters. 2006 Jul 24;580(17):4150-4153. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.06.062
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/dean-sculley
21 | Page
Reproductive Science Group Laboratory and Research overview: The Sutherland lab research program incorporates the dissection of the molecular pathways responsible for egg and ovary development in the context of improving the diagnosis of female infertility. Dr Sutherland is positioned within the HMRI Pregnancy and Reproductive Program and the PRC in Reproductive Science. She has a strong background in reproduction and fertility, with expertise spanning across in the areas of; ovarian and testis biology, reproductive toxicology, sexual health, and developmental biology. The current research within this laboratory has 3 focus areas: the analysis of ovary dynamics, the delineation of factors causing poor egg quality, and the improvement of fertility knowledge. As such, the Sutherland research program is strategically placed to span the full gamut from basic science through clinically impactful research to significant educational outcomes, with the capacity to benefit end users across the entire translational cycle.
Competitive Grants: NHMRC Peter Doherty Australian Biomedical Fellowship: The role of primordial follicle activation in premature ovarian failure. Sutherland JM. (2017-21) Hunter Medical Research Institute: Improving the diagnosis of women at risk of premature menopause. Dr Jessie Sutherland Sutherland JM. (2018)
Hunter Medical Research Institute: Ignite Equipment Grant. Sutherland JM. (2018) RHD Students Australian Society for Reproductive Biology: Early Career Researcher Collaborative Research Travel Emmalee Ford Award. Sutherland JM. (2017-18) Emily Frost
Key Publications: Sutherland JM, Frost ER, Ford EA, Peters AE, Reed NL, Seldon AN, et al. Janus Kinase JAK1 maintains the ovarian reserve of primordial follicles in the mouse ovary. Molecular Human Reproduction. 2018 Nov 1;24(11): 533-542. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gay041 [C1] Mihalas BP, Bromfield EG, Sutherland JM, De Iuliis GN, McLaughlin EA, John Aitken R, Nixon B. Oxidative damage in naturally aged mouse oocytes is exacerbated by dysregulation of proteasomal activity. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2018 Dec; 293 18944-18964. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA118.005751 [C1] Hall SE, Upton RMO, McLaughlin EA, Sutherland JM. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) follicular signalling is conserved in the mare ovary. Reproduction, Fertility & Development. 2018 Mar;30(4):624-633. doi: 10.1071/RD17024 [C1] Sutherland JM, Sobinoff AP, Fraser BA, Redgrove KA, Siddall NA, Koopman P, et al. RNA binding protein Musashi-2 regulates PIWIL1 and TBX1 in mouse spermatogenesis. Journal of Cellular Physiology. 2018 Apr;233(4):3262-3273. doi: 10.1002/jcp.26168. [C1] Lucock M, Thota R, Garg M, Martin C, Jones P, Furst J, Sutherland JM, et al. Vitamin D and folate: A reciprocal environmental association based on seasonality and genetic disposition. American Journal of Human Biology. 2018 Sep;30(5):e23166. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.23166. [C1] Saeidi S, Shapouri F, de Iongh RU, Casagranda F, Sutherland JM, Western PS, et al. Esrp1 is a marker of mouse fetal germ cells and differentially expressed during spermatogenesis. PLoS One. 2018 Jan 11;13(1) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190925. [C1]
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/jessie-sutherland
22 | Page
Nutrition Research Group, Asthma and Respiratory Diseases Laboratory and Research overview: This group investigates nutritional approaches to managing respiratory diseases, including asthma and COPD. There is great consumer interest in nutritional approaches to managing these diseases, however, there has been a paucity of good quality scientific evidence to indicate how diets should be modified to assist in disease management. The group are working towards addressing this need. In 2018, the four main themes: ● Fibre: Studies are ongoing which examine the anti-inflammatory potential of pre-biotic soluble fibres. ● Antioxidants: Children with asthma are consuming high anti-oxidant diets to examine the effect on exacerbation risk, anti-viral responses and epigenetic mechanisms. ● Fatty acids: A series of projects is examining the effect of saturated fat on airway inflammation and broncho- dilator responses in asthma. ● Obesity: Adipose tissue is being collected from patients during bariatric surgery, to examine the function of adipose tissue-derived immune cells and to test interventions to reduce inflammation in obesity. Professor Lisa Wood Competitive Grants: Research Fellows NHMRC Project Grant: Mechanisms of impaired bronchodilator response associated with fatty acid intake in Bronwyn Berthon obese asthma. Wood LG, Oliver B, Young P. (2015-18) Hayley Scott Asthma Australia Project Grant: Improving asthma through lifestyle interventions: how much exercise is Netsanet Negawo best? Upham J, Scott HA, Wood LG. (2016-18) Evan Williams HMRI Project Grant: Understanding the role of diet and gut bacteria in asthmatic children. Wood LG, Jensen Rebecca McLoughlin ME, Mattes J, Berthon B, Baines K. (2018) Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company Project Grant. Soluble fibre for respiratory health. Wood LG. RHD Students (2017-19) Banafshe Hosseini The JuicePlus+ Company. Addressing sarcopenia in an aging population. LG Wood (2018-2021) Cherry Thompson
Shaun Eslick Key Publications (Peer reviewed papers): Isobel Stoodley Periyalil H, Wood LG, Wright T, Karihaloo C, Starkey M, Miu A, Baines K, Hansbro P, Gibson P. Obese Lily Williams Asthmatics are Characterised by Altered Adipose Tissue Macrophage Activation. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy. 2018 June; 48(6): 641-49. doi: 10.1111/cea.13109 Rutting S, Xenaki D, Lau E, Horvat J, Wood LG, Hansbro P, Oliver B. Dietary omega-6, but not omega-3 polyunsaturated or saturated fatty acids, increase inflammation in primary lung mesenchymal cells. American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 2018 Jun 1;314(6): L922-L935. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00438.2017 Blekkenhorst LC, Lewis JR, Prince RL, Devine A, Bondonno NP, Bondonno CP, Wood LG, Puddey IB, Ward NC, Croft KD, Woodman RJ, Beilin LJ, Hodgson JM. Nitrate-rich vegetables do not lower blood pressure in individuals with mildly elevated blood pressure: a randomised controlled crossover trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Jun 1;107(6):894-908. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy061 Hosseini B, Berthon BS, Saedisomeolia A, Starkey MR, Collison A, Wark PAB, Wood LG. Effects of fruit and vegetables consumption on inflammatory biomarkers and immune cell populations: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Jul 1;108(1):136-155. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy082 Wang CS, Wang J, Zhang X, Zhang L, Zhang HP, Wang L, Wood LG, Wang G. Is the consumption of fast foods associated with asthma or other allergic diseases? Respirology. 2018 Oct;23(10):901-913. doi: 10.1111/resp.13339
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/lisa-wood
23 | Page
IMMUNOLOGY & MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH CLUSTER
24 | Page
Viral Immunology and Respiratory Disease Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory focuses on the interplay between common respiratory viruses and chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. Acute respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide, with infants and young children especially susceptible. A number of pathogens are responsible for acute respiratory infections but in most cases they are caused by viruses – the most common being rhinovirus. Viral respiratory infections represent the most widespread infectious disease in developed and developing countries with the burden of disease caused by the primary infection and their complications such as exacerbations of asthma and COPD being considerable. The research can be divided into the following themes: ● Identification of asthmatic and COPD airway epithelial cell susceptibility factors that predispose to virus-induced lower respiratory tract disease. Nathan Bartlett ● Utilise (human and mouse) pre-clinical rhinovirus infection airways disease models for drug development ● Rhinovirus replication in differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells. Research ● Development (with industry partners) of therapeutics to prevent/treat respiratory viral infections and exacerbation Associate (ECR) of chronic airway diseases. Jason Girkin ● Innovative approaches to rhinovirus vaccine development and anti-viral drug delivery Su-Ling Loo Competitive Grants: Research NHMRC: How does bronchoconstriction worsen asthma? Grainge CL, Bartlett NW, Knight DA, Wark PAB, Stewart Assistants A. (2018-21) Michelle Gleeson NHMRC: Shared innate immune mechanisms underpin-steroid resistant pathogen-induced asthma exacerbations. Kristy Nichol Foster PS, Yang M, Bartlett NW. (2017-20) Sanofi: Pre-clinical studies with REG 3500 and dupilumab. Bartlett NW, Wark PAB. (2017-19) RHD Students Asthma Australia: Novel epithelial targets and targeting strategies to prevent asthma exacerbations. Bartlett NW, Punnam Veerati Wark PAB, Liang R, Knight DA. (2017-18) Camille Esneau HMRI: Plasma Torque Teno virus load as a novel tool to monitor intensity of immunosuppression in renal Teresa Williams transplant recipients. Davis J, Bartlett NW, Choi P. (2018) Winnie Li Bilal Malik Stan Kan Industry sponsored grants: Amama Kanwal Abeome Corporation: Efficacy of ABM109 in blocking rhinovirus induced asthma exacerbation: preclinical proof Ngan Fung Li of concept. Bartlett NW. (2016-19) Ena Therapeutics: Inhibition of rhinovirus-induced disease by TLR2 agonist. Bartlett NW, Wark PAB. (2016-19)
Key Publications: Reid AT, Veerati PC, Gosens R, Bartlett NW, Wark PA, Grainge CL, et al. Persistent induction of goblet cell differentiation in the airways: Therapeutic approaches. Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2018 May;185:155-169. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.12.009. Singanayagam A, Glanville N, Girkin JL, Ching YM, Marcellini A, Porter JD, et al. Corticosteroid suppression of antiviral immunity increases bacterial loads and mucus production in COPD exacerbations. Nature Communications. 9 (2018) [C1] Chairakaki AD, Saridaki MI, Pyrillou K, Mouratis MA, Koltsida O, Walton RP, Bartlett NW, et al. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells drive acute asthma exacerbations. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2018 Aug;142(2):542-556.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.08.032. Wark PAB, Ramsahai JM, Pathinayake P, Malik B, Bartlett NW. Respiratory Viruses and Asthma. Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medcine. 2018 39;45-55 [C1]
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/nathan-bartlett
25 | Page
Asthma, Allergy & Inflammation Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: Current research in this laboratory primarily aims at defining the key cellular and molecular processes that underlie the development of allergic disease (lung, skin and gastrointestinal tract) and of viral (RSV, RV and influenza) and bacterial induced exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma). The group are particularly interested in the molecular events that predispose to remodelling of the airways in chronic disease and the subsequent impact on lung function. In particular, projects are focusing on the biology of CD4+ T-helper cells, CD8+ T cells and eosinophils, and in signalling arrangements between cytokine and chemokine systems that pertain to infection induced pathogenesis and exacerbation of asthma. The aim is to develop integrative concepts on molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis by employing an approach that is multifactorial ranging from transgenic systems to the identification of novel gene products. The laboratory has established in vivo models of asthma (acute and chronic), allergic cutaneous disease and of eosinophil and lymphocyte homing to sites of allergen provocation or Laureate Professor infection. Novel mechanisms to attenuate allergic and infection induced disease are also being explored. The group Paul Foster have also established models of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Research Fellows Competitive Grants: Dr Hock Tay HMRI NSW MRSP Infrastructure Grant: MRSP Infrastructure Funding VIVA Program. Foster PS, Gibson P. Dr Kelly Asquith (2018) Dr Ling Chen NHMRC Project Grant: Functional characterisation of novel metabolites in asthma and identification of new Dr Thi Hiep Nguyen biomarkers. Kaiko G, Foster PS. (2018-21) Dr Leon Sokulsky NHMRC Project Grant: Understanding the role of Th22 cells in regulating respiratory immune responses in health and disease. Foster PS, Plank M. (2017-21) Research Assistants NHMRC Project Grant: Shared innate immune mechanisms underpin-steroid resistant pathogen-induced Fiona Eyers asthma exacerbations. Foster PS, Yang M, Bartlett N. (2017-20) Jessica Weaver NHMRC Project Grant: Characterising the pro-inflammatory role of Il-36A/IL-36R in pathogen-induced Alyssa Lochrin exacerbations of asthma and COPD. Foster PS, Tay H. (2017-20) UON Priority Research Centre: Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs. Foster PS, Gibson P. (2016-20) RHD Students Eric Kalo Key Publications: Gabriela Hoefel Nguyen TH, Maltby S, Tay HL, Eyers F, Foster PS, Yang M. Identification of IFN-γ and IL-27 as Critical Keilah Garcia Regulators of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Induced Exacerbation of Allergic Airways Disease in a Mouse Model. Lorena Sabino Journal of Immunology. 2018 Jan 1;200(1):237-247. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1601950. IF 4.539 Cited 1 Panisar Meechan Identification for a role of macrophages. Xiaoming Liu Maltby S, Lochrin AJ, Bartlett B, Tay HL, Weaver J, Poulton IJ, Plank MW, Rosenberg HF, Sims NA, Foster PS. Jessica Weaver Osteoblasts Are Rapidly Ablated by Virus-Induced Systemic Inflammation following Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus or Pneumonia Virus of Mice Infection in Mice. Journal of Immunology. 2018 Jan 15;200(2):632-642. View record in Web of Science doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1700927 IF 4.539 Cited 3 Impact of lung infection on bone formation. Foster PS, Maltby S, Rosenberg HF, Tay HL, Hogan SP, Collison AM, Yang M, Kaiko GE, Hansbro PM, Kumar RK, Mattes J. Modeling TH 2 responses and airway inflammation to understand fundamental mechanisms regulating the pathogenesis of asthma. Immunology Reviews. 2017 Jul;278(1):20-40. doi:10.1111/imr.12549. IF 9.217 Cited 12 Review of role of Type 2 responses in asthma. Mattes J, Collison A, Plank M, Phipps S, Foster PS. Antagonism of microRNA-126 suppresses the effector function of TH2 cells and the development of allergic airways disease. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2009 Nov 3;106(44):18704-9. IF 9.740 cited 377 First demonstration of the therapeutic potential for targeting microRNA for the treatment of inflammation and asthma. Collison A, Hatchwell L, Verrills N, Wark PA, de Siqueira AP, Tooze M, Carpenter H, Don AS, Morris JC, Zimmerman N, Bartlett NW, Rothenberg ME, Johnston SL, Foster PS, Mattes J. The E3 ubiquitin ligase midline 1 promotes allergen and rhinovirus-induced asthma by inhibiting protein phosphatase 2A activity. Nature Medicine. 2013 Feb;19(2):232-7. doi: 10.1038/nm.3049. IF 22.860 Cited 79 Identification of a novel role of midline 1 in regulating inflammation. http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/paul-foster
26 | Page
Microbiology, Asthma and Airways Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: Professor Phil Hansbro is an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow and internationally recognised research leader in the study of respiratory diseases. He has a wide network of national and international collaborators.
This laboratory’s work has made internationally important contributions to the understanding of the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD)/emphysema, infections, as well as reproductive tract infections and lung cancer. This has led to the identification of novel avenues for therapy that are under further study. This has been achieved through the development of novel mouse models that recapitulates the hallmark features of the human diseases. These models are employed in integrated approaches (infection, immunity and physiology with particular expertise in lung function analysis) to understand human diseases and develop new treatment strategies. Research outcomes have a translational goal and the studies are Professor Phil conducted in parallel with collaborative human studies with clinical collaborators. Hansbro During 2018 the group progressed with their major interests in studying the pathogenesis and developing new NHMRC ECR therapies for respiratory diseases, funded by five continuing NHMRC projects and one ARC discovery grant, Research Fellows NHMRC Early Career Fellowships to Drs Malcolm Starkey, Rebecca Vanders and Chantal Donovan and a Malcolm Starkey Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Fellowship to Dr Richard Kim. Rebecca Vanders Chantal Donovan Competitive Grants: Richard Kim Cancer Council NSW: Identification of genomic mutations associated with the development and progression of lung cancer for use in early diagnosis. Hansbro P, Wark P, Watkins D, Kaplan W. (2016-19) Post-doctoral NHMRC: Targeting mitochondrial oxidative stress & metabolism in COPD. Hansbro P, Wark P, Adcock I, O’Neill Fellows L. (2016-19) Shakti Shukla NHMRC: Novel NLRP3 inhibitors for steroid resistant asthma. Hansbro P, Cooper M, Gibson P, O’Neill L. (2017- Alex Brown 19) Jemma Mayall NHMRC: Elucidating the role and potential for therapeutic targeting of TLR7 in emphysema and COPD. Hansbro P, Wark P, Adcock I, Miyake K. (2018-21) Laboratory Manager NHMRC: Defining the roles and targeting interferon-epsilon as a new therapy for influenza in asthma and COPD. Nicole Hansbro Hansbro P, Wark P, Horvat J, Hurt A. (2018-22) NHMRC: Elucidating the roles and mechanisms of activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and developing Research Assistants therapeutic interventions for severe steroid-resistant asthma. Hansbro P, Gibson P, Cooper M, O’Neill L, Gibson Tegan Hunter P. (2017-19) Adam Graham Medical Research Council (United Kingdom): New treatments for COPD. Whiteman, Hansbro P. (2018-21) Brad Mitchell Bre Anderson Key Publications: Nair PM, Starkey MR, Haw TJ, Ruscher R, Liu G, Maradana MR, Thomas R, O’Sullivan BJ, Hansbro PM. RelB- RHD Students deficient dendritic cells promote the development of spontaneous allergic airway inflammation. American Journal Lohis Balachandran of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 2018 Mar;58(3):352-65. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0242OC. Kurtis Budden Haw TJ, Starkey MR, Pavlidis S, Fricker M, Arthurs AL, Nair PM, Liu G, Hanish I, Kim RY, Foster PS, Horvat JC, Vrushali Chimankar Adcock IM, Hansbro PM. Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 have opposing roles in the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke- Henry Gomez Bernadette Jones induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. American Journal of Physiology – Lung Cellular and Molecular Zhe Lu Physiology. 2018 Feb 1;314(2):L298-L317. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00154.2017 Duc Nguyen Fricker M, Goggins BJ, Mateer S, Jones B, Kim RY, Gellatly SL, Jarnicki AG, Powell N, Oliver BG, Radford- David Skerrett-Byrne Smith G, Talley NJ, Walker MM, Keely S, Hansbro PM. Chronic smoke exposure induces systemic hypoxia that Sandra Rutting drives intestinal dysfunction. JCI Insight. 2018 Feb 8;3(3). pii: 94040. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.94040. Saima Firdous Mateer SW, Mathe A, Bruce J, Liu G, Maltby S, Fricker M, Goggins BJ, Tay HL, Marks E, Burns G, Kim RY, Priyanka Sahu Minahan K, Walker MM, Callister RC, Foster PS, Horvat JC, Hansbro PM*, Keely S*. IL-6 drives neutrophil- Nia Lopez mediated pulmonary inflammation associated with bacteremia in murine models of colitis. American Journal of Sophie Pickles Pathology. 2018 Jul;188(7):1625-1639. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.03.016 Svenja Loering Swaroop Kanth Vinod Choudharry Xiaofan Tu http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/philip-hansbro
Post graduate students Guy Cameron Huw McCarthy Adam Webster Olivia Carroll
27 | Page
Inflammation and Infection-Induced Diseases Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory’s research programs aim to inform novel targets for the development of improved therapeutic strategies for asthma, infection-associated respiratory and reproductive tract diseases and neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Infection & severe asthma: The group are developing an understanding of the immunological and patho- physiological interactions between lung infections and asthma and have shown for the first time that early-life, but not adult, infection enhances the severity of asthma in later life. Infection during asthma in adults results in the development of a phenotype resembling severe, steroid-resistant, neutrophilic asthma. More recently, the group have commenced investigations into the mechanisms that underpin infection and high fat diet/obesity-induced Associate Professor severe asthma. Jay Horvat Role of iron & respiratory disease: The group have also recently begun investigating the interplay between iron, infection and immunity in the context of lung disease in 2016 and have a number of exciting papers and grants that Research Team are in preparation for submission in 2018 – 2019 Dr Jemma Mayall Workplace and environmental dust: The group have secured funding to establish a research program in Dr Alexandra Brown collaboration with engineers (materials scientists) and work place health and safety researchers to characterise the effects of inhalation of particulate matter. Primary RHD Infection & reproductive tract disease: The group are investigating the immunobiology of Chlamydia infection Students and its role in the pathogenesis of Chlamydia reproductive tract and brain disease. This has been extended further James Pinkerton by investigating the association between infection with a number of other diseases including multiple sclerosis. Nia Lopez Competitive Grants/Awards: Md Khadem Ali Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle: Gladys M Brawn Fellowship; Teaching Assist. (2017-20) Kanth Swaroop Coal Services Health and Safety Trust: Characterising the epidemiological and biological effects of particulate Vanka matter exposures in coal mining to protect and improve the health of workers. Hansbro P, Horvat J, Williams K, Ilic
Ja D, Wheeler C, James C. (2018-20) NHMRC: Galectin-3 & phagocyte function in severe asthma. Simpson J, Baines K, Horvat J, Bylund J. (2016-18) NHMRC: How the placental protein Syncytin impairs maternal immune responses to influenza. Wark P, Smith R, Horvat J. (2016-18) NHMRC: Defining the roles and targeting interferon-epsilon as a new therapy for influenza in asthma and COPD. Hansbro P, Wark P, Horvat J (2018-21)
Key Publications: Mateer SW, Mathe A, Bruce J, Liu G, Maltby S, Fricker M, Goggins BJ, Tay HL, Marks E, Burns G, Kim RY, Minahan K, Walker MM, Callister RD, Fostr PS, Horvat JC, Hansbro PM, Keely S. IL-6 Drives Neutrophil- Mediated Pulmonary Inflammation Associated with Bacteremia in Murine Models of Colitis. American Journal of Pathology. 2018. Jul;188(7):1625-1639. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.03.016. [C1] Haw TJ, Starkey MR, Pavlidis S, Fricker M, Arthurs AL, Nair PM, Liu G, Hanish I, Kim RY, Foster PS, Horvat JC, Adcock IM, Hansbro PM. Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 have opposing roles in the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke- induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology. 2018 Feb 1;314(2):L298-L317. Doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00154.2017. [C1] Rutting S, Xenaki D, Lau E, Horvat J, Wood LG, Hansbro PM, Oliver BG. Dietary omega-6, but not omega-3, polyunsaturated or saturated fatty acids increase inflammation in primary lung mesenchymal cells. American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 2018 Jun 1;314(6):L922-L935. Doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00438.2017. [C1]
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/jay-horvat
28 | Page
Gastrointestinal Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: This group’s research examines molecular mechanisms of disease in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), food allergy, colorectal cancer and functional GI diseases (FGIDs). Through clinical and industry collaboration, the laboratory has a strong focus on translating fundamental understanding of disease into rationally-designed, therapeutic and surgical interventions. As part of the Priority Research Centre for Digestive Health and Neurogastroenterology, the research explores how mucosal tissues and commensal microbiota respond to the metabolic changes that occur in tissues during mucosal inflammation. In particular, the group are interested in how intestinal tissues function and repair with the reduced oxygen availability that is characteristic of inflammation and surgery. The group are also interested in how this inflammation alters host- Associate microbial interactions and how these changed interactions influence the progression and resolution of mucosal Professor Simon diseases. The ultimate goal of this research is to understand how these processes may be pharmacologically Keely manipulated with novel compounds for therapeutic benefit, and to identify potential biomarkers of cellular processes which will allow for better diagnose of gastrointestinal (GI) disease. Postdoctoral Researchers Competitive Grants: Dr Andrea Mathe NHMRC Project Grant: Epithelial metabolism as a mediator of host-microbiome interactions in inflammatory Dr Gang Liu bowel disease. Keely S, Morrison M, O’Cuiv P, Veysey M, Hua S. (2017-19) Dr. Marie Parsons Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellowship: Investigating the role of hypoxia in tumour biology and microbiota interactions using a novel orthotopic model of colorectal cancer. Keely S. Mathe A, Liu, G (2017-19) Research Assistant Hunter Medical Research Institute: Non- immunosuppressive strategies for the treatment of IBD. Keely S, Johns Kyra Minahan A, Liu G. (2018-19) Simonne Sherwin Hunter Medical Research Institute: Analysis of luminal bacteria at the site of colorectal anastomoses and their association with anastomotic leaks. Keely S, Pockney P, Smith S, Grainge I, Mathe A (2018-19) RHD Students Bridie Goggins Industry Funding: Grace Burns Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited: The role of microbial oxygen sensing in the development of anastomotic Jessica Bruce leaks Keely S, Pockney P, Smith S (2018-19) Ke Ning Fan NSW Health Pathology - Pathology North: Hunter Cancer Biobank (2018-20) Gayatri Das Georgia Carroll Key Publications: Rachel Neal Potter MDE, Walker MM, Keely S, Talley NJ. What's in a name? 'Non-coeliac gluten or wheat sensitivity': Veral Vishnoi controversies and mechanisms related to wheat and gluten causing gastrointestinal symptoms or disease. Gut. Samwel 2018 Dec;67(12):2073-2077. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2018-316360 Makenyengo Hollins SL, Brock L, Barreto R, Harms L, Dunn A, Garcia-Sobrinho P, Bruce J, Dickson PW, Walker MM, Keely S, Hodgson DM. A Rodent Model of Anxiety: The Effect of Perinatal Immune Challenges on Gastrointestinal Honours Student Inflammation and Integrity. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2018;25(3):163-175. doi: 10.1159/000493320. Carly Turner Potter MD, Walker MM, Jones MP, Koloski NA, Keely S, Talley NJ. Letter: gluten sensitivity in patients with
inflammatory bowel disease. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2018 Nov;48(10):1167-116820. doi: 10.1111/apt.15012. Turner A, Veysey M, Keely S, Scarlett C, Lucock M, Beckett EL. Interactions between Bitter Taste, Diet and Dysbiosis: Consequences for Appetite and Obesity. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 20;10(10). doi: 10.3390/nu10101336. McIlroy DJ, Minahan K, Keely S, Lott N, Hansbro P, Smith DW, Balogh ZJ. Reduced deoxyribonuclease enzyme activity in response to high postinjury mitochondrial DNA concentration provides a therapeutic target for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 2018 Aug;85(2):354-358. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000001919 Potter MDE, Walker MM, Jones MP, Koloski NA, Keely S, Talley NJ. Wheat Intolerance and Chronic Gastrointestinal Symptoms in an Australian Population-based Study: Association Between Wheat Sensitivity, Celiac Disease and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2018 Jul;113(7):1036-1044. doi: 10.1038/s41395-018-0095-7. Mateer SW, Mathe A, Bruce J, Liu G, Maltby S, Fricker M, Goggins BJ, Tay HL, Marks E, Burns G, Kim RY, Minahan K, Walker MM, Callister RC, Foster PS, Horvat JC, Hansbro PM, Keely S. IL-6 Drives Neutrophil- Mediated Pulmonary Inflammation Associated with Bacteremia in Murine Models of Colitis. The American Journal of Pathology. 2018 Jul;188(7):1625-1639. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.03.016. Mroz MS, Lajczak NK, Goggins BJ, Keely S, Keely SJ. The bile acids, deoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid, regulate colonic epithelial wound healing. American Journal Physiology, Gastrointestinal and liver physiology. 2018 Mar 1;314(3):G378-G387. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00435.2016 Fricker M, Goggins BJ, Mateer S, Jones B, Kim RY, Gellatly SL, Jarnicki AG, Powell N, Oliver BG, Radford-Smith G, Talley NJ, Walker MM, Keely S, Hansbro PM. Chronic cigarette smoke exposure induces systemic hypoxia that drives intestinal dysfunction. JCI Insight. 2018 Feb 8;3(3). doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.94040.
UON Profile:http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/simon-keely Full bibliography: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1xS9yiv18nlQH/bibliography/47932721/public/
29 | Page
Pulmonary Pathology and Pharmacology Laboratory and Research overview: The laboratory’s research is centred on understanding how the lung repairs itself after inflammatory insult and how in susceptible people, abnormal repair responses i) develop ii) contribute to the severity and chronicity of disease and iii) impact on treatment. The group’s primary disease interests are asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), although the interplay between these cells likely plays a significant role in several other chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In recent years the research team, in collaboration with others nationally and internationally has led a paradigm shift in the understanding of the pathobiology of asthma, revealing the airway epithelium as an important contributor to disease pathogenesis. This included the first mechanistic description of intrinsic biochemical and functional differences between airway epithelial cells from asthmatic and healthy children. Given that re-modelling of asthmatic airways can occur prior to a diagnosis of asthma, this data suggests that epithelial abnormalities may be causative rather than a product of the disease. As a follow on from that study, the team then showed that Professor Darryl asthmatic epithelial cells, despite having greater proliferative potential are very inefficient at repairing Knight mechanically induced wounds, due in part to epigenetic inhibition of fibronectin deposition. More recently, the group was the first to discover and characterise a population of stem/progenitor cells that resides within the Research Fellows epithelium of human airways. Similarly, the group were the first to show that a population of human airway Andrew Reid epithelial cells undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition. In both latter studies, there were a disproportionately larger number of cells involved in asthmatic epithelium when compared to non-asthmatic epithelium. This data suggests that the asthmatic epithelium is more plastic and not differentiating appropriately. Research Associate The research program which focuses on mechanisms of fibrosis, pioneered the study of the transcription factor Michael Schuliga signal transducer and activator of transcription, STAT3 in fibroblast biology. It was the first study to show intrinsic dysregulated activation of STAT3 in a population of fibroblasts taken from the lungs of patients with IPF. The Research Assistant significance of this observation led the team to develop and characterise dysregulated STAT3 in complex mouse Jane Read models. Recent studies have focussed on understanding the mechanisms and impact of cellular senescence in driving Pulmonary Fibrosis. Initial work focussed on Fibroblast senescence with key published studies showing RHD Students that STAT3 is central to driving fibroblasts towards a senescent phenotype. More recently, we have turned David Waters towards senescence in alveolar epithelial cells and how this may drive aberrant epithelial-fibroblast crosstalk in Kaj Blokland pulmonary fibrosis. Dr Shuliga has also begun to investigate the role of self-DNA (mitochondrial and nuclear) as Teresa Williams an initiator of senescence through activation of pattern recognition receptors. Camille Esneau Winnie Li Competitive Grants: Stanislav Kan Wan Lei Ida Chang NHMRC: Fibroblast Senescence as a driver of pulmonary fibrosis. Knight DA, Burgess J, Westall G, Laurent G, Virinchi Kuchibhotla Prele C, Mutsaers, S. (2016-19) NHMRC: Modifying epigenetics as a novel treatment in COPD. Hansbro P, Knight DA, Wark P, Adcock I. (2015-19) NHMRC: Centre for Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis. Corte TA, Knight DA, Holland AE, Chambers DC, Laurent GJ, Westall GP, Walters EH, Moodley YP, Glaspole I, Palmer A. (2017-21) Asthma Australia: Novel epithelial targets and targeting strategies to prevent asthma exacerbations. Bartlett NW, Liang R, Knight DA, Wark PA. (2017-18) NHMRC: Epithelial-Mesenchymal cell communication; towards new therapeutic targets for fibrosis. Prele CM, Knight DA, Fear M, McAnulty RJ, Wood FM, Laurent GJ. (2017-20) NHMRC: How does bronchoconstriction worsen asthma? Grainge C, Bartlett NW, Knight DA, Wark PA. (2018- 21) NHMRC: Circulatory biomarkers for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: improving patient outcomes. Moodley YP, Corte T, Knight DA, Reynolds P, Walters EH, Glaspole IA, Baltic S, Sohal S, Grainge C. (2018-20)
Research Contracts: Boehringer Ingelheim: Collaborative Research Agreement: New pathways and targets in severe asthma and COPD. Knight D, Grainge C, Wark P, Bartlett N. (2016-18)
Publications: Knight DA, Hansbro PM. Restricted access or access all areas? A new cadherin upregulated in the inflamed esophagus. Mucosal Immunology. 2018 11:1-2. doi: 10.1038/mi.2017.56 Waters DW, Blokland KEC, Pathinayake PS, Burgess JK, Mutsaers SE, Prêle CM, Schuliga M, Grainge CL, Knight DA. Fibroblast senescence in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. American Journal of Physiology (Lung Cell Mol Physiol). 2018 Apr 26. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00037.2018 Knight DA, Hirota JA. The Epithelium. In Middletons Allergy 9th Edition (chapter). Elsevier Publishers. Published 2018 May
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/darryl-knight
30 | Page
Immunology and Regenerative Medicine Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: The general research focus of this laboratory is in understanding how immune cells regulate fundamental physiological processes and how these are disrupted in various disease states. Current research focuses on a subset of innate immune cells called group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) and their involvement in organ homeostasis and development, as well as respiratory, kidney and urological diseases. The goal is to develop innovative strategies to harness the natural power of our immune system to facilitate repair and regeneration in multiple organs, to repair damaged systems and reverse disease.
Competitive Grants: Australian Research Council: Understanding how innate lymphoid cells regulate mammalian lung Dr Malcolm Starkey development. Starkey M. (2017-19) TSANZ: Lungs for Life Research Grant. Starkey M, Hansbro P. (2018-20) Post-doctoral fellows HCRF: Group 2 innate lymphoid cells in urinary tract infection. Starkey M. (2018) Bernadette Jones- Freeman Key Publications: Nair PM, Starkey MR, Haw TJ, Ruscher R, Liu G, Maradana MR, Thomas R, O’Sullivan BJ, Hansbro PM. RHD Students RelB-Deficient Dendritic Cells Promote the Development of Spontaneous Allergic Airway Inflammation. Svenja Loering American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 2018 Mar;58(3):352-365. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2017- Guy Cameron 0242OC Nirmal Bhatt Haw TJ#, Starkey MR, Pavlidis S, Fricker M, Arthurs AL, Nair PM, Liu G, Hanish I, Kim RY, Foster PS, Horvat Sergey Vavilov JC, Adcock IM, Hansbro PM. Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 have opposing roles in the pathogenesis of cigarette Dilaran Eliezer smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Duc Nguyen Henry Gomez Biology. 2018 Feb 1;314(2)LK298-L317. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00154.2017 Banafsheh Hosseini Periyalil HA, Wood LG, Wright TA, Karihaloo C, Starkey MR, Miu AS, Baines KJ, Hansbro PM, Gibson PG. Sean Hardy Obese asthmatics are characterized by altered adipose tissue macrophage activation. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy. 2018 Jun;48(6):641-649. doi: 10.1111/cea.13109 Honours Student Hosseini B, Berthon B, Saedisomeolia A, Starkey MR, Collison A, Wark PAB, Wood LG. Effects of fruit and Ben Lawrence vegetables consumption on inflammatory biomarkers and immune cell populations: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Jul1;108(1):136-155. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy082
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/malcolm-starkey
31 | Page
Viralytics Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory’s research focuses on the use of live viruses for the treatment of cancer, a growing field called oncolytic virotherapy. A/Prof Shafren is the chief scientific officer of Viralytics Ltd., which has been conducting human clinical trials of live Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21) to treat cancer patients. CVA21 is a small virus belonging to the Picornaviridae family. The virus is one of the many causes of the common-cold and infections in humans are usually asymptomatic. The serendipitous discovery that CVA21 could selectively destroy melanoma cells through the targeting of over-expressed viral-entry receptors forms the basis of Viralytics Ltd.’s intellectual property. CVA21 is being commercialised under the tradename of CAVATAK™ and has applications for other malignancies including lung and bladder cancer. The team is based at the Hunter Medical Research Institute and coordinates the multi-site human clinical trials being Associate conducted in the USA and UK, and performs the laboratory testing associated with patient samples collected from the Professor different centres. In 2016, significant progress was made with the clinical testing of Coxsackievirus A21 (CAVATAK™) Darren Shafren in combination with a new class of anticancer drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The preliminary data of the open-label, Phase Ib MITC study (Melanoma Intra-Tumoural CAVATAK and Ipilimumab [anti-CTLA-4]) results were Laboratory presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer in November 2016. The CVA21-iplimumab combination Manager immunotherapy treatment was well tolerated and displayed antitumour activity in local, regional and distant systemic Robert Herd disease. No dose-limiting toxicities were reported with a best overall response rate (BORR) of 53.3% (8/15 patients) in ipilimumab naive patients. This was higher than published rates for either agent used alone (CVA21: 28.1% and Research Team ipilimumab: ~15-20%) in advanced melanoma patients. A disease control rate of 77.8% (14/18 patients) in which 66% Roberta Karpathy had been administered prior systemic therapy(s). Susanne Preliminary data from the CAPRA Phase Ib study (CAVATAK and pembrolizumab in advanced melanoma) was Johansson assessed for the first 10 patients and reductions in a number of injected and non-injected visceral/non-visceral lesions Bronwyn Davies were seen. The best overall response rate was 70% (7/10 patients) with a disease control rate of 100% (10/10 patients). Rebecca Ingham No grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events were observed. These results were encouraging with further Camila Salum de updates expected in 2017. Oliveira Part B of the STORM (Systemic Treatment of Resistant Malignancies) study (KEYNOTE 200) is being undertaken in a Amanda Kelly collaboration with Merck, and is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of intravenously delivered CAVATAK™ in Min Yuan Quah combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer or metastatic Yvonne Wong bladder cancer. KEYTRUDA is a checkpoint inhibitor designed to block the molecule PD-1 (programmed death receptor Penny Yates -1) resulting in enhanced T-cell responses against tumour cells. Jack Hockley The Viralytics research group also carries out preclinical research using CVA21 and other related enteroviruses, for the Olivia Lisle treatment of melanoma, malignant glioma, non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. The team is also responsible for developing methods of manufacturing and purification of these viruses for commercial purposes. Students Lincoln Smith In February 2018 in one of the biggest biotech transactions in Australian history, world-leading pharmaceutical Sophie Wells company MSD (a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA) acquired virotherapy firm Viralytics, founded in Newcastle by Associate Professor Darren Shafren.
Key Scientific Presentations: Phase I STORM study (KEYNOTE 200): Intravenous delivery of a novel oncolytic immunotherapy agent, Coxsackievirus A21 in combination with pembrolizumab in advanced cancer patients – 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 4-6 June. Elevated immune activity following an anticancer combination therapy of a novel oncolytic immunotherapeutic agent, CAVATAK (Coxsackievirus A21), and immune checkpoint blockade – 2016 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2016 Phase I/II CANON study: Oncolytic immunotherapy for the treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder (NMIBC) Cancer using intravesical Coxsackievirus A21 – Oncolytic virus Conference 10th International Meeting 4th October 2016 Interim results of the CAPRA clinical trial: CAVATAK and pembrolizumab in advanced melanoma – Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 31st Annual Meeting National Harbor MD, USA – 12th November 2016 A Phase Ib study of intratumoural CAVATAK (Coxsackievirus A21) and ipilimumab in patients with advanced melanoma – SITC 31st Annual Meeting National Harbor MD, USA – 12th November 2016
Key Human Clinical Trials: Phase I/II: Systemic Treatment Of Resistant Metastatic Disease Employing CVA21 and Pembrolizumab in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Bladder Cancer (STORM/KEYNOTE-200) [NCT02043665] Phase I Study of Intratumoral CAVATAK™ and Pembrolizumab in Subjects with Advanced Melanoma (CAPRA) [NCT02565992] Phase I: Study of Intratumoral CAVATAK™ (Coxsackievirus A21) and Ipilimumab in Patients With Advanced Melanoma [NCT02307149] Completed studies: Phase II: A Study of Intratumoral CAVATAK in Patients With Stage IIIc and Stage IV Malignant Melanoma [NCT01227551] Condition: Malignant melanoma Safety and Clinical Activity of CAVATAK™ Alone or With Low Dose Mitomycin C in Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer [NCT02316171]
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/darren-shafren
32 | Page
Innate Immunity and Lung Diseases Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: Current research in this laboratory primarily aims at defining the key cellular and molecular processes that underlie the development of allergic disease (lung, skin and gastrointestinal tract) and of viral (RSV and influenza) and bacterial induced pulmonary inflammation. The group has received international recognition through publication in leading biomedical science journals and has contributed to more than 40 refereed manuscripts in high impact journals (J Exp Med, J Clin Invest, Gastroenterology, J Allergy Clin Immunology, PNAS, J Immunology) with more than 2300 combined citations. Dr Yang has been successful in obtaining research grants both independently and in collaboration with other investigators (over $6.5 Million). In recent years Dr Yang has initiated investigations into the mechanisms that regulate steroid resistant inflammatory pathways in the lung, to help understand how steroid resistance may develop in asthma. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate steroid-resistant inflammation is important and developing novel non- steroidal therapeutic approaches for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung will be highly Dr Ming Yang beneficial, as these patients suffer greater morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no effective treatment and there is very limited functional evidence of the way in which the inflammatory pathways are activated in these Research Fellows patients. Building on clinical studies, the group have recently demonstrated, for the first time, that macrophages Dr Thi Hiep Nguyen are crucial in regulating steroid-resistant inflammatory signals. Two papers have been published in the Journal of Dr Leon Sokulsky Immunology and their significance has been recognised by the American Academy of Asthma Allergy and Immunology (symposium invitation, 2010) and the invitation to write two reviews for Current Drug Research Assistants Targets and Journal of Leukocyte Biology. Fiona Eyers Alyssa Lochrin Competitive Grants: NHMRC: Shared innate immune mechanisms underpin-steroid resistant pathogen-induced asthma RHD Students exacerbations. Foster PS, Yang M, Bartlett N. (2017-20) Keilah Garcia Netto NHMRC: Modelling the role of innate immune cells in exacerbation of asthma. Foster PS, Tay HL, Yang M. Xiaoming Liu (2019-22)
Visiting Scientist Key Publications: Dr Zhenzhong Su Hadjigol S, Maltby S, Tay HL, Nguyen TH, Hansbro NG, Eyers F, Hansbro PM, Yang M**, Foster PS. LPS induces steroid-resistant exacerbations in a mouse model of allergic airway disease downstream of IL-13 and pulmonary macrophage activation. Journal of Immunology. 2018 (In Press) Nguyen TH, Liu XM, Su ZZ, Hsu AC, Foster PS, Yang M**. (2018). Potential role of microRNAs in the regulation of anti-viral responses to influenza infection. Fronteris in Immunology. 2018 Jul 4;9:1541. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01541. IF = 5.511 Liu C, Yuan L, Zou YZ, Yang M, Chen Y, Qu XP, Liu HJ, Jiang JX, Xiang Y, Qin XQ. ITGB4 deficiency enhanced HDM-induced airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2018 May;103(5):879-908. doi: 10.1002/JLB.3A1017-411RR. IF = 4.289. Foster PS, Maltby S, Rosenberg HF, Tay HL, Hogan SP, Collison AM, Yang M, Kaiko GE, Hansbro PM, Kumar RK, Mattes J. Modeling TH 2 responses and airway inflammation to understand fundamental mechanisms regulating the pathogenesis of asthma. Immunological Reviews. 2017 Jul;278(1):20-40. doi: 10.1111/imr.12549 IF = 10.12 Maltby S, Tay HL, Eyers F, Yang M, Foster PS. Mouse models of severe asthma: understanding the mechanisms of steroid-resistance, tissue remodelling and disease exacerbation. Respirology. 2017 Jul;22(5):874-885. doi: 10.1111/resp.13052. Nguyen TH, Maltby S, Tay HL, Eyers F, Foster PS, **Yang M. Identification of IFN-γ and IL-27 as critical regulators of respiratory syncytial virus-induced exacerbation of allergic airways disease in a mouse model. Journal of Immunology. 2018 Jan 1;200(1):237-247. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601950. IF = 5.26.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/ming-yang
33 | Page
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY RESEARCH CLUSTER
34 | Page
Neurobehavioural Genomics Group Laboratory and Research overview: The human brain is by far the most complex of organs, with around 100 billion neurons interconnected by up to 1000 trillion synapses. During development, the formation, position and connectivity of these cells is precisely regulated and yet remain responsive to external sensory input and output from internal processing. The group is interested in understanding the molecular systems that regulate neural development and synaptic plasticity so they can identify the underlying molecules and mechanisms that orchestrate the formation and behaviour of neural circuits. These circuits provide the physiological basis of neural activity-associated logic, and their structure and plasticity is the foundation for a life-long capacity for learning and cognition. These systems are sensitive to genetic and environmental influences, and a complex combination of these neurodevelopmental challenges can lead to neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. By investigating the molecular neurobiology of these complex systems, and the syndromes that interfere with their normal function, the group has the potential Professor to better understand human brain development and function. These steps also provide a strong basis for developing Murray Cairns biomarkers of brain disease and novel therapeutic strategies to defeat the most devastating neurocognitive disorders. Research Fellow During 2018/19 the group made further progress in developing a framework for precision medicine using Michael Geaghan personalised common variant systems biology. In this approach, the group use genome-wide association data for Joshua Atkins complex trait disorders as a scaffold for the pharmacological annotation of individual variant profiles captured by polygenic risk. This research project is supported by an NHMRC grant “Complete genomics for mechanistic insight Research Assistant and precision treatments of schizophrenia” ($1,149,208), which enabled the group to explore this approach in Heath Cairns participants from the Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank. This research has provided an opportunity for involvement in several global collaborations in brain and behavioural genomics, including the genetics working group RHD Students of the ENIGMA consortium for brain imaging; the CHARGE (Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Ebrahim Mahmoudi Epidemiology) consortium and the schizophrenia and PTSD working groups of the Psychiatric Genomic Consortium. Dylan Kiltchewskij Professor Cairns’ group is also participating in the establishment of a new global consortium for machine learning in Behnaz Khavari psychiatry and the Medical Genome Reference Bank. This work has already led to several high-profile publications William Reay in Science, Nature Genetics, Nature Neuroscience and Biological Psychiatry. In support of ongoing work, Professor Michelle Barnette Cairns was awarded a further $647,345 from the NHMRC to investigate transcriptomic biomarkers of acute stress, Abbas Masserat resilience and PTSD. Since 2017 Professor Cairns has been supported by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship. Laura Greco Further refinement in the group’s understanding of the function of non-coding variants is being achieved through the Sarah development of isogenic cell lines produced through RNA-guided genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 approach. This initiative in high-resolution functional genomics was established with a grant from the US based Brain and Honours Students Behavioural Research Foundation, Independent Investigator Grant. This initiative in high-resolution functional Danielle Adams genomics was established with a grant from the US based Brain and Behavioural Research Foundation, Independent Investigator Grant. Further functional genomic intervention studies in vivo, have been achieved by gene delivery to the rat brain using lentiviral transduction. These have been successful at revealing schizophrenia-related neurobehavioural phenotypes associated with miRNA dysregulated in the disorder (collaboration with Chris Dayas and Rohan Walker).
Competitive Grants: NHMR Senior Research Fellowship: Cairns MJ. Personalised genomics in precision medicine of psychotic illness. Cairns MJ. (2017-21). NHMRC Project Grant: Complete genomics for mechanistic insight and precision treatments of schizophrenia. Cairns MJ, Green MJ, Carr V. (2018-20). NHMRC Project Grant: Cognitive inflexibility and the development of pathological habits in brain diseases. Dayas C, Balleine B, Corbit L, Smith D, Cairns M, Kenny P, Chieng B. (2018-20). NHMRC Project Grant: Network biomarkers of traumatic stress resilience and sensitivity. Cairns MJ, Glatt S. (2018-20). NHMRC Equipment Grant: Multi-Channel Systems: Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) System: MEA2100-60-System- E. Lim R, Cairns MJ, Brichta A, Zhang XD, Dastoor P, Neilan B. (2018).
Key Publications: Reay WR, Atkins JR, Quidé Y, Carr VJ, Green MJ, Cairns MJ. Polygenic disruption of retinoid signalling in schizophrenia and a severe cognitive deficit subtype. Molecular Psychiatry. 2018 [EPUB]. van Erp TGM, et al. Cortical Brain Abnormalities in 4474 Individuals With Schizophrenia and 5098 Control Subjects via the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics Through Meta Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium. Biological Psychiatry. 2018 Nov 1;84(9):644- 654. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.04.023 Anttila V. et al. Analysis of shared heritability in common disorders of the brain. Science. 2018 Jun 22;360(6395) Ruderfer DM et al.Genomic Dissection of Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia, Including 28 Subphenotypes. Cell. 2018 Jun 14;173(7):1705-1715. Fullerton JM et al. Differential effect of disease-associated ST8SIA2 haplotype on cerebral white matter diffusion properties in schizophrenia and healthy controls. Translational Psychiatry. 2018 Jan 22;8(1):21. doi: 10.1038/s41398-017-0052-z. Li W et al. A molecule-based genetic association approach implicates a range of voltage-gated calcium channels associated with schizophrenia. American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics. 2018 Jun;177(4):454-467. LeBlanc M et al. A correction for sample overlap in genome-wide association studies in a polygenic pleiotropy-informed framework. BMC Genomics. 2018 19:494. Quinn RK et al. Temporally specific miRNA expression patterns in the dorsal and ventral striatum of addiction-prone rats. Addiction Biology. 2018 Mar;23(2):631-642. doi: 10.1111/adb.12520. Quidé Y et al. Common variation in ZNF804A (rs1344706) is not associated with brain morphometry in schizophrenia or healthy participants. Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry. 2018 Mar 2;82:12-20.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/murray-cairns
35 | Page
Parkinson’s Disease Research Laboratory and Research overview: The focus of this group’s work is the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase which controls the rate of synthesis of the catecholamines dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline. The group have examined the role of regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase in response to different types of stress. The group’s work is now focused on how regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase plays a role in Parkinson's disease. The group found that there is a selective loss of one of the human TH isoforms in Parkinson's disease and that expression of particular TH isoforms may render the cells more susceptible to death in Parkinson's disease. The current work focus is on the role of infection and inflammation in the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease. The group found that there is a chronic activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in response to infection that only occurs in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. This may explain the capacity of infection processes to cause selective degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra that is a key feature of Parkinson’s disease.
Competitive Grants: HMRI: Role of Infection in the development of Parkinson’s disease. Dickson P, Dunkley P. (2014-17)
Key Publications: Ong LK, Fuller EA, Sominsky L, Hodgson DM, Dunkley PR, Dickson PW. Early life peripheral lipopolysaccharide challenge reprograms catecholaminergic neurons. Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 10;7:40475. doi: 10.1038/srep40475 Ong LK, Page S, Briggs GD, Guan L, Dun MD, Verrills NM, Dunkley PR, Dickson PW. Peripheral Lipopolysaccharide Challenge Induces Long-Term Changes in Tyrosine Hydroxylase Regulation in the Adrenal Medulla. J Cell Biochem. 2017 Aug;118(8):2096-2107. doi: 10.1002/jcb.25839 Gasparotto J, Ribeiro CT, Bortolin RC, Somensi N, Fernandes HS, Teixeira AA, Guasselli MO, Agani CA, Souza NC, Grings M, Leipnitz G, Gomes HM, de Bittencourt Pasquali MA, Dunkley PR, Dickson PW, Moreira JC, Gelain Associate DP. Anti-RAGE antibody selectively blocks acute systemic inflammatory responses to LPS in serum, liver, CSF Professor Phillip and striatum. Brain Behav Immun. 2017 May;62:124-136. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.01.008 Dickson Peres TV, Ong LK, Costa AP, Eyng H, Venske DK, Colle D, Goncalves FM, Lopes MW, Farina M, Aschner M, Dickson PW, Dunkley PR, Leal RB. Tyrosine hydroxylase regulation in adult rat striatum following short-term Emeritus Professor neonatal exposure to manganese. Metallomics. 2016 Jun 1;8(6):597-604. doi: 10.1039/c5mt00265f Peter Dunkley http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/phil-dickson http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/peter-dunkley .e RHD Students Pedro Garcia Sobrinho A. R. Satvik Iyengar
36 | Page
Cancer Neurobiology Laboratory and Research overview: This group works on the crosstalk between nerves and cancer cells, and the impact on tumour progression. Until recently it was thought that neurons were not actively involved in cancer. However, recent evidence in prostate and breast cancers, including from this group, have shown that nerves promote tumour progression and that denervation can suppress both the development of the primary tumour and the outburst of metastases. The objective of the group’s research is to identify the molecular mediators of the crosstalk between nerves and cancer cells, which constitute new and innovative biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oncology. The methodologies used include molecular Professor Hubert analysis of human tumour samples, cell cultures, in vivo Hondermarck experiments and proteomic analysis. The group work in collaboration with neurobiologists, pathologists, clinicians RHD Students and private companies to translate the results into clinical Nathan Griffin outcomes. Alison Rutledge Nerve-cancer cell crosstalk. Nerves infiltrate solid tumours and stimulate cancer growth and metastasis through the liberation of Christopher Rowe neurotransmitters. Conversely, nerve infiltration in the tumour is mediated through the liberation of neurotrophic growth factors by Fangfang Gao cancer cells. Neurotransmitters and neurotrophic growth factors also impact angiogenesis and inflammation. This reciprocal Aysha Ferdoushi interaction fuels cancer development and participates in cancer pain. Xiang Li Brayden March Competitive Grants: Department of Industry, Innovation & Science: Optimize and develop a new ELISA blood kit for diagnosis of Postdoctoral prostate cancer. Hondermarck H. (2018) Research Fellows Biosensis Pty Ltd: Optimize and develop a new ELISA blood kit for diagnosis of prostate cancer. Hondermarck H. Sam Faulkner (2018) Chen Chen Jiang HMRI: A novel biomarker for aggressive prostate cancer. Faulkner S, Hondermarck H. (2018) HMRI: Cancer ER-stress drives nerve infiltration and neuropathic pain. Jiang CC, Hondermarck H. (2018) NHMRC Equipment Grant: Capillary Flow two dimensional high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Nixon B, Dun M, Verrills N, Hondermarck H, Baker M, Bromfield E. (2018) NSW Health Pathology-Pathology North: Hunter Cancer Biobank. Walker M, Scott R, Ackland S, Goode S, Tanwar P, Verrills N, Hondermarck H, King S, Vilain R, Bowden N, Kiejda K, Keely S, Rowe C. (2018-19)
Key Publications: Faulkner S, Jobling P, Rowe CW, Rodrigues Oliveira SM, Roselli S, Thorne RF, Oldmeadow C, Attia J, Jiang CC, Zhang XD, Walker MM, Hondermarck H. Neurotrophin Receptors TrkA, p75NTR, and Sortilin Are Increased and Targetable in Thyroid Cancer. The American Journal of Pathologyl. 2018 Jan;188(1):229-241. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.09.008. Griffin N, Faulkner S, Jobling P, Hondermarck H. Targeting neurotrophin signaling in cancer: The renaissance. Pharmacological Research. 2018 Sep;135:12-17. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.07.019. Sci Rep. 2018 May 25;8(1):8135. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-26408-2. Gao F, Griffin N, Faulkner S, Rowe CW, Williams L, Roselli S, Thorne RF, Ferdoushi A, Jobling P, Walker MM, Hondermarck H. The neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA and its ligand NGF are increased in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. Sci Rep. 2018 May 25;8(1):8135. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-26408-2. Hondermarck H, Jobling P. The Sympathetic Nervous System Drives Tumor Angiogenesis. Trends Cancer. 2018 Feb;4(2):93-94. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2017.11.008. Li X, Dun MD, Faulkner S, Hondermarck H. Neuroproteins in Cancer: Assumed Bystanders Become Culprits. Proteomics. 2018 Jul;18(14):e1800049. doi: 10.1002/pmic.201800049.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/hubert-hondermarck
37 | Page
Cancer Epigenetics Group Laboratory and Research overview: Cancers are heterogeneous – comprised of many cells with different characteristics and capabilities. This is a major challenge for clinicians as certain cells are able to resist therapy and cause relapse. This laboratory’s work is describing cancer heterogeneity with a focus on epigenetic mechanisms, which control how genetic information is read in each cell. The group are primarily studying acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a devastating blood cancer with very poor prognosis. In AML epigenetic mechanisms are frequently disabled by mistakes in the genetic sequence, and epigenetic therapies can also be used to treat AML. The group use experimental techniques that allow them to study the inner workings of individual cancer cells. In each cell the group can profile epigenetic mechanisms, and also assess how the genetic sequence is being read. Currently, the group are using these powerful “single-cell multi-omic sequencing” methods to investigate the heterogeneous response of AML cells to epigenetic therapies. This analysis will reveal how these drugs work, and identify opportunities to enhance their Dr Heather Lee efficacy. Ultimately, this research may identify potential biomarkers to help clinicians monitor cancer progression and provide patients with optimal care. Research Assistant Ellise Roper Competitive Grants: NHMRC: Targeting cancer-initiating cells with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors: single-cell analysis to decipher RHD Student molecular mechanisms and improve efficacy. Lee HJ. (2018-2019) Kumar Uddipto Cancer Institute NSW: Single-cell analysis for improved epigenetic therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia. Lee HJ. (2018-2020) Undergraduate HMRI: Investigating the role of stromal heterogeneity in Myelodysplastic Syndrome following Azacitadine Student therapy. Bond DR, Lee HJ, Enjeti AK. (2018) Kooper Hunt Key Publications: Rulands S*, Lee HJ*, Clark SJ, Angermueller C, Smallwood SA, Krueger F, Kelsey G, Stegle O, Simons BD, Reik W. Genome-scale oscillations in DNA methylation during exit from pluripotency. Cell Systems. 2018; 7:63- 76. doi: 10.1016/j.cels.2018.06.012 Clark SJ, Argelaguet R, Kapourani C, Stubbs TM, Lee HJ, Krueger F, Sanguinetti G, Kelsey G, Marioni JC, Stegle O, Reik W. scNMT-seq enables joint profiling of chromatin accessibility DNA methylation and transcription in single cells. Nature Communications. 2018; 9:781. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-03149-4
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/heather-lee
Preclinical Neurobiology Laboratory and Research overview: The group’s research area is the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating neuronal function during development, plasticity and ischaemic/excitotoxic damage. The main research focus is on the role and regulation of the important regulatory enzyme CaMKII. This group have identified a new mechanism (autophosphorylation of CaMKII at T253) that controls the function of CaMKII in vivo through molecular targeting. The group has shown that this mechanism regulates cell proliferation and is selectively activated in brain tissue by ischaemia and excitotoxity. The current research explores the mechanisms by which this new regulatory mechanism controls cell death in the brain following stroke and the therapeutic potential of drugs that interfere with this regulatory mechanism to reduce brain damage following a stroke.
Key Publications in the 5 years up to 2018: Emeritus Professor Rostas JAP, Spratt NH, Dickson PW, Skelding KA. The role of Ca2+-calmodulin stimulated protein kinase II in John Rostas ischaemic stroke-A potential target for neuroprotective therapies. Neurochemistry International. 2017 Jul;107:33- 42. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.01.012 Rostas JAP, Hoffman A, Murtha LA, Pepperall D, McLeod DD, Dickson PW, Spratt NJ, Skelding KA. Ischaemia- and excitotoxicity-induced CaMKII-Mediated neuronal cell death: The relative roles of CaMKII autophosphorylation at T286 and T253. Neurochemistry International. 2017 Mar;104:6-10. D doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.01.012 Abdul Majeed AB, Pearsall E, Carpenter H, Brzozowski J, Dickson PW, Rostas JAP, Skelding KA. CaMKII Kinase Activity, Targeting and Control of Cellular Functions: Effect of Single and Double Phosphorylation of CaMKIIα. Calcium Signaling. 2014;1(1):36-51. ISSN: 2373-1168 Hoffman A, Carpenter H, Kahl R, Watt LF, Dickson PW, Rostas JAP, Verrills NM, Skelding KA. Dephosphorylation of CaMKII at T253 controls the metaphase-anaphase transition. Cellular Signaling. 2014 April;26(4):748-56. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.12.015 Skelding KA, Arellano JM, Powis DA, Rostas JAP. Excitotoxic stimulation of brain microslices as an in vitro model of stroke. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2014 Feb 4;(84):e51291. doi:10.3791/51291
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/john-rostas
38 | Page
Cancer Cell Biology Laboratory and Research overview: This group are investigating novel signal transduction pathways that control how breast cancer, glioblastoma and leukaemia cells proliferate, metastasise and develop resistance to chemotherapeutics, with a view to developing new anti-cancer therapies that target these pathways that are less toxic than existing treatments. In recent years, the group have made several significant discoveries, and identified a novel target and therapeutic inhibitor that is effective in a range of cancer types (whilst leaving normal cells untouched), including acute myeloid leukaemia and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, breast cancer, and glioblastoma. The group have shown that this inhibitor significantly reduces tumour burden and increases survival times in mouse models of acute leukaemias and glioblastomas, and outperforms existing gold standard treatments for these cancers. This inhibitor is currently being commercialised by Newcastle Innovation. Dr Kathryn Skelding As the overarching aim is to improve patient quality of life, the group focus on developing novel methods of determining prognosis and ways of stratifying patient outcome following administration of existing treatments, so Research Staff that a more personalised approach for cancer treatment can be developed. In addition to the group’s drug Joshua Brzozowski discovery interests, the group use a variety of proteomic and molecular techniques to identify novel biomarkers that can be used for the improved treatment of leukaemias, glioblastoma multiforme, breast and prostate cancers. RHD Students Elizabeth Pearsall Competitive Grants: Fong Ping Chong Mark Hughes Foundation: Investigating new classes of drugs for the treatment of brain cancer. Skelding KA, Chien Yi Koay Gedye C. (2018) Olivia Taylor Mark Hughes Foundation: A new biomarker to predict response to PARP inhibitors in glioblastoma. Skelding Lachlan Schofield KA, Gedye C. (2018) Theresa Schramm Hunter Children’s Research Foundation: Re-purposing PARP inhibitors to treat childhood leukaemias. Skelding KA, Bowden N, Lincz L, Enjeti A, Alvaro F. Co-Supervised RHD Students Key Publications: Jason Woods Skelding KA, Rostas JA. Regulation of multi-functional calcium/calmodulin stimulated protein kinases by Helen Jankowski molecular targeting. 2019. Adv Exp Med Biol 131: 621-51. Abdul Mannan Brzozowski JS, Jankowski H, Bond DR, McCague SB, Munro BR, Predebon MJ, Scarlett CJ, Skelding KA, Weidenhofer J. Lipidomic profiling of extracellular vesicles derived from prostate and prostate cancer cell lines. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2018 17: 211. doi: 10.1186/s12944-018-0854-x Pearsall EA, Lincz LF, Skelding KA. The role of DNA repair pathways in AML chemosensitivity. Current Drug Targets. 2018 19: 1205-19. Invited submission. doi: 10.2174/1389450119666180110093713 Brzozowski JS, Bond DR, Jankowski H, Goldie BJ, Burchell R, Naudin C, Smith ND, Scarlett CJ, Larsen MR, Dun MD, Skelding KA, Weidenhofer J. Extracellular vesicles with altered tetraspanin CD9 and CD151 levels confer increased prostate cell motility and invasion. Scientific Reports. 2018 Jun 11;8(1):1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-27180-z
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/kathryn-skelding
39 | Page
Gynaecology Oncology Laboratory Laboratory and Research overview: The major focus of this group’s research program is to develop new drugs for the treatment of gynaecological cancers (ovarian and uterine cancers). The group are using genetically modified mouse models, cancer patient- derived xenograft models and primary human tissue samples to define the molecular and cellular events involved in carcinogenesis and then using this knowledge to develop targeted therapies to improve clinical outcomes in human patients. The current research focuses on: ● Role of microenvironment in ovarian and uterine cancers ● Wnt-P13K-mTOR signalling axis in ovarian and uterine cancers ● Cancer stem cells in ovarian and uterine cancers ● Circulating tumour cells in ovarian and endometrial cancer ●Pathogenesis of germ cell tumours Associate Professor This work showed that loss of tumour suppressor genes guarding the mTOR pathway occurs, at both genomic and Pradeep Tanwar protein level, in ~60% of human serous ovarian cancer patients and similar alterations in mice also causes the development of serous ovarian cancer. Research Fellows Muhammad In 2019 Associate Professor Tanwar received a $490,655 NHMRC Career Development Fellowship to develop a Jamaluddin Translational Research Program in Gynaecological Cancers. Manish Kumar Shafiq Syed Competitive Grants: Arnab Ghosh Cancer Institute NSW: The Hunter Cancer Biobank (HCB): Maximising community value through validation, annotation and distribution throughout NSW. Walker M, Ackland S, Scott R, Forbes J, Zhang XD, Tanwar PS, Bowden N, Gedye C, Lynam J, Kiejda K, Sakoff J, Rassam L, Roberts T, Lee S, Kan B. (2015-18) RHD Students Cancer Institute NSW: Advanced Technical support for Oncology Single Cell Analysis Technologies. Scott R, Ayesha Ali Zhang XD, Hondermarck H, Ackland S, Gedye C, Tanwar PS, Jiang CC, Dun M, de Souza P, Spring K, Liu T. Prathima Nagendra (2015-18) Lisa Sercombe HMRI: Emlyn & Jennie Thomas Postgraduate Medical Research Scholarship. Brown Y, Tanwar PS, Hua S. Yazmin Brown (2017-18) Varshini D. Venkata NSW Health Pathology-Pathology North: Hunter Cancer Biobank. Walker M, Scott R, Ackland S, Goode S, Aminah A.A. Al-Juboori Tanwar PS, Verrills N, Hondermarck H, King S, Vilain R, Bowden N, Kiejda K, Keely S, Rowe C. (2018-19) NHMRC Career Development (CDF2) Fellowship 2019-2022: Tanwar PS Industry funding 2019. Tanwar PS NHMRC Equipment Grant 2019 Tanwar PS, Zhang X, Jin L, Hondermarck H, Hua S, Jamaluddin M. HMRI: Endometrial cancer project. Tanwar PS, Jamaluddin M, Kumar M (2019-20)
Key Publications: Goad J, Ko YA, Kumar M, Jamaluddin MFB, Tanwar PS. Oestrogen fuels the growth of endometrial hyperplastic lesions initiated by overactive Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Carcinogenesis. 2018 Sep 21;39(9):1105-1116. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgy079. Sahoo SS, Lombard JM, Ius Y, O’Sullivan R, Wood LG, Nahar P, Jaaback K, Tanwar PS. Adipose-derived VEGF-m TOR signalling promotes endometrial hyperplasia and cancer: implications for obese women. Molecular Cancer Research. 2018 Feb;16(2):309-321. doi: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-17-0466. Ko YA, Jamaluddin MFB, Adebayo M, Bajwa P, Scott RJ, Dharmarajan AM, Nahar P, Tanwar PS. Extracellular matrix (ECM) activates β-catenin signalling in uterine fibroids. Reproduction. 2018 Jan:155(1):61-71. doi: 10.1530/REP- 17-0339. Jamaluddin MFB, Nahar P, Tanwar PS. Proteomic characterisation of the extracellular matrix of human uterine fibroids. Endocrinology. 2018 Jul 1;159(7):2656-2669. doi: 10.1210/en.2018-00151. Sahoo SS, Zhang XD, Hondermarck H, Tanwar PS. The emerging role of the microenvironment in endometrial cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2018 Oct 30;10(11). Pii: E408. doi: 10.3390/cancders10110408. Jamaluddin MFB, Ko YA, Kumar M, Brown Y, Bajwa P, Nagendra PB, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Hondermarck H, Baker MA, Dun MD, Scott RJ, Nahar P, Tanwar PS. Proteomic profiling of human uterine fibroids reveals upregulation of the extracellular matrix protein periostin. Endocrinology. 2018 Feb 1;159(2):1106-1118. doi: 10.1210/en.2017-03018. Sahoo SS, Tanwar PS. VEGF-m TOR signalling links obesity and endometrial cancer. Oncoscience. 2018 May; 5(5-6): 150-151. Doi: 10.18632/oncoscience.430 Al-Juboori AAA, Ghosh A, Jamaluddin MFB, Kumar M, Sahoo SS, Syed SM, Nahar P, Tanwar PS. Proteomic Analysis of Stromal and Epithelial Cell Communications in Human Endometrial Cancer Using a Unique 3D Co- Culture Model. Proteomics. 2019 Nov;19(21-22):e1800448. doi: 10.1002/pmic.201800448. Epub 2019 May 7. PubMed PMID: 30865368. Brown Y, Hua S, Tanwar PS. Extracellular matrix-mediated regulation of cancer stem cells and chemoresistance. International Journal Biochemistry Cell Biology. 2019 Apr;109:90-104. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2019.02.002. Epub 2019 Feb 8. Review. PubMed PMID: 30743057.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/pradeep-tanwar
40 | Page
Molecular Oncology Laboratory and Research overview: The Molecular Oncology Group is part of The University of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, The Hunter Medical Research Institute Cancer Research Program and The Hunter Cancer Research Alliance. The group’s research focuses on the molecular basis of cancer development, progression and chemotherapy resistance through the development of sophisticated in vitro and in vivo cancer model systems and world leading technologies. The research program utilises both targeted (e.g. novel molecular knockdown and knockout strategies in cellular and animal models; targeted drug development) and non-targeted (unbiased comparative and quantitative proteomics) approaches to understand cancer and use this knowledge to develop new approaches for therapy. The group work closely with oncologists and haematologists, and employ high resolution techniques to complement these approaches such as multiplexed targeted proteomics (parallel reaction Associate Professor monitoring (PRM)), targeted next generation sequencing (NGS), and drug development pipelines incorporating Nikki Verrills advanced proteogenomic technologies. Associate Professor Verrills has also developed novel laboratory models that are shedding light on the role of key signalling proteins in mammalian development. Postdoctoral Researchers Competitive Grants: Dr Severine Roselli ARC Future Fellowship: Novel models to advance our understanding of mammalian development. Verrills NM. (2017-2021) Research NHMRC: Switching tristetraprolin on to turn off inflammation in COPD. Ammit A, Clark A, Verrills NM, Morris J. Assistants (2018-2020) Richard Kahl Cancer Institute NSW: Career Development Award 2018 (declined due to receipt of ARC Future Fellowship). HMRI: Targeting DNA repair for the improved treatment of blood cancers. Dun MD, Verrills N. (2018) RHD Students HMRI: A new approach for treating therapy resistant breast cancer. Verrills NM, Roselli S (2018) Heather Murray HMRI: Targeting Reactive Oxygen Species Generation as a Novel Treatment Target in Acute Myeloid Abdul Mannan Leukaemia. Dun MD, Enjeti AE, Sillar J, Verrills NM. (2018) Nikita Panicker Pink Fangipani Foundation: Targeting a tumour suppressor in breast cancer. Verrills NM. (2014-2018). Yanfang Cheng Melody Coutman Industry Grants: Takeda Pharmaceuticals Ltd: An integrated proteomics approach to identify novel targets for treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. D’Andrea R, Verrills NM, Dun MD (2018-2019)
Key Publications: Degryse S, de Bock CE, Demeyer S, Govaerts I, Bornschein S, Verbeke D, Jacobs K, Binos S, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Murray HC, Verrills NM, Van Vlierberghe P, Cools J, Dun MD. Mutant JAK3 phosphoproteomic profiling predicts synergism between JAK3 inhibitors and MEK/BCL2 inhibitors for the treatment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia. 2018 Mar;32(3):788-800. doi: 10.1038/leu.2017.276. Almazi JG, Pockney P, Gedye C, Smith ND, Hondermarck H, Verrills NM, Dun MD. Cell-Free DNA Blood Collection Tubes are Appropriate for Clinical Proteomics: a Demonstration in Colorectal Cancer. Proteomics Clinical Applications. 2018 May;12(3):e1700121. doi: 10.1002/prca.201700121. Staudt D, Murray HC, McLachlan T, Alvaro F, Enjeti AK, Verrills NM, Dun MD. Targeting Oncogenic Signaling in Mutant FLT3 Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The Path to Least Resistance. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018 Oct 16;19(10). pii: E3198. doi: 10.3390/ijms1910.198.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/nikki-verrills
41 | Page
Molecular Oncology Laboratory and Research overview: The Cancer signalling group is part of The University of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, The Hunter Medical Research Institute Cancer Research Program and The Hunter Cancer Research Alliance. The group also collaborate closely with the Human Genetics Department, KU Leuven and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark. The group’s research focuses on the molecular basis of cancer development, progression and chemotherapy resistance through the development of sophisticated in vitro and in vivo cancer model systems and world leading technologies. The research program utilises both targeted (targeting tumour suppressor proteins, cellular metabolism and DNA damage) and non-targeted (unbiased comparative and quantitative proteomics) approaches. The group employ high resolution techniques to complement these approaches such as multiplexed Dr Matt Dun targeted proteomics (parallel reaction monitoring (PRM)), targeted next generation sequencing (NGS), and drug development pipelines incorporating advanced proteogenomic technologies. Postdoctoral Researchers Competitive Grants: Dr Trisha Al Mazi Cancer Institute NSW ECR Fellowship: Targeting activated signalling and oxidative stress pathways in acute Dr Mengna Chi myeloid leukaemia. Dun MD (2017-19) Cancer Institute NSW ECR Fellowship: Anticancer Properties of Low THC Hemp and its components Chi M, Research Dun M, Schneider J. (2017-21) Assistants Industry (Australian Natural Therapeutics Group P/L): Anticancer properties of cannabis oil and its Richard Kahl individual components. Dun MD (2017-18) Ryan Duchatel NHMRC: Elucidating the role of epididymosomes in the transfer of fertility-modulating proteins and regulatory classes of RNA to maturing spermatozoa. Nixon B, Dun M. (2018-20) RHD Students HMRI: Novel therapeutic targets and methods for detection of high grade brain cancers. Dun M. (2018-19) Heather Murray Zacary Germon Key Publications: Farjana Afrin Zhou W, Sipilä P, De Iuliis GN, Dun MD, Nixon B. Analysis of Epididymal Protein Synthesis and Secretion. David Skerrett-Bryne Journal of Visualised Experiments. 2018 Aug 25;(138). doi: 10.3791/58308 [C1] Abdul Mannan Staudt D, Murray HC, McLachlan T, Alvaro F, Enjeti AK, Verrills NM, Dun MD. Targeting Oncogenic Signaling Dr Jon Sillar in Mutant FLT3 Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The Path to Least Resistance. International Journal of Molecular Nikita Panicker Sciences. 2018 Oct 16;19(10). pii: E3198. doi: 10.3390/ijms 19103198. [C1] Tabitha McLachlan Wang TE, Li SH, Minabe S, Anderson AL, Dun MD, Maeda KI, Matsuda F, Chang HW, Nixon B, Tsai PJ. Yanfang Cheng Mouse quiescin sulfhydryl oxidases exhibit distinct epididymal luminal distribution with segment-specific sperm Dilana Staudt surface associations. Biology of Reproduction. 2018 Nov 1;99(5):1022-1033. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioy125. [C1] Almazi JG, Pockney P, Gedye C, Smith ND, Hondermarck H, Verrills NM, Dun MD. Cell-free DNA blood collection tubes are appropriate for clinical proteomics: a demonstration in colorectal cancer. Proteomics Clinical Applications. 2018 May;12(3):e1700121. doi:10.1002/prca.201700121 [C1] Zhou W, De Iuliis GN, Dun MD, Nixon B. Characteristics of the epididymal luminal environment responsible for sperm maturation and storage. Frontiers in Endocrinology (Lausanne). 2018 Feb 28;9:59. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00059. [C1]
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/matt-dun edau/profile/nikk
42 | Page
Experimental Oncology Research Overview: This group’s research focus is on improving cancer patient outcomes and quality of life. The research program seeks to achieve this by unravelling the role of extracellular vesicles in the process of metastasis. Through characterising the make-up of these extracellular vesicles the group hope to identify a biomarker as well as a means to target the delivery of current chemotherapeutics specifically to cancer cells. In collaboration with other local, national and international researchers the group are also searching for more effective anti-cancer agents that are hidden within a biodiverse range of organisms. Key aims: Dr Jude Weidenhofer ● Identify a molecule within human body fluids that can predict disease and/or disease outcome for cancer patients ● Improve patient quality of life through the generation of targeted delivery of treatment and the development of RHD Students novel treatments for cancer patients Joshua Brzozowski ● Extract novel molecules from natural sources and test these as anti-cancer agents Helen Jankowski Michelle Barnett (Co- Key Publications: supervised) Brzozowski JS, Bond DR, Jankowski H, Goldie BJ, Burchell R, Naudin C, Smith ND, Scarlett CJ, Larsen MR, Dun MD, Skelding KA, Weidenhofer J. Extracellular vesicles with altered tetraspanin CD9 and CD151 levels Co-supervised RHD confer increased prostate cell motility and invasion. Scientific Reports. 2018 Jun 11;8(1):8822. doi: Students (FScIT) 10.1038/s41598-018-27180-z Benjamin Munro Brzozowski JS, Jankowski H, Bond DR, McCague S, Munro BR, Predebon MJ, Scarlett CJ, Skelding KA, Melanie Predebon Weidenhofer J. Lipidomic profiling of extracellular vesicles derived from prostate and prostate cancer cell lines. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2018 Sep 8;17(1):211. doi: 10.1186/s12944-018-0854-x Bond, DR, Naudin, C, Carroll, AP, Goldie, BJ, Brzozowski, JS, Jankowski, HM, Cairns, MJ, Ashman, LK, Scarlett, CJ, Weidenhofer, J. miR-518f-5p decreases tetraspanin CD9 protein levels and differentially affects normal prostate and prostate cancer cell migration and adhesion. Oncotarget. 2017 Dec 7;9(2):1980-1991. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.23118. eCollection 2018 Jan 5 Goldsmith CD, Bond D, Jankowski H, Weidenhofer J, Stathopoulos C, Roach PD, Scarlett CJ, The Olive Biophenols Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol Selectively Reduce Proliferation, Influence the Cell Cycle, and Induce Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018 Jul 2;19(7). pii: E1937. doi: 10.3390/ijms19071937.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/judith-weidenhofer
43 | Page
Melanoma Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is often referred to as Australia's national cancer as Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world. However, there is currently no curative treatment once the disease spreads beyond the original site. To address this major Australian health problem, this laboratory has been working on translational melanoma research with a focused theme of “overcoming resistance of metastatic melanoma to treatment”. Specifically, the group are working on overcoming resistance of melanoma cells to programmed cell death induced by newly developed targeted therapeutic drugs and immunotherapeutic agents. The group has Professor Xu Dong initiated a number of new projects that advance the frontier of melanoma research including “Long non- Zhang coding RNAs in melanoma”, “targeting resistance mechanisms of quiescent melanoma cells to programmed cell death”, “exploring novel metabolic vulnerabilities for cancer treatment”, and “regulation of immune checkpoints in melanoma”. More recently, the group has broadened its research interest to other types of cancers including colorectal cancer, lung cancer and oesophageal cancer.
Competitive Grants: NHMRC: Acquired resistance to PD1 inhibition in melanoma. Rizos H, Carlino M, Kefford R, Zhang XD. (2017-20) NHMRC: Role of lncRNA IDH1-AS1 in regulating c-Myc driven-glycolysis and tumorigenesis. Zhang XD, Scott RJ, Liu T. (2018-20) NHMRC: Multi-Channel Systems: Multi-Electrode Aray (MEA) System: MEA2100-60-System-E. Lim R, Cairns M, Brichta A, Zhang XD, Dastoor P, Neilan B. (2018) Cancer Institute NSW: Overcoming resistance of metastatic melanoma to treatment with a focus on NHMRC EL2 Fellow investigating a novel survival signalling pathway. Jin L. (2017-19) Dr Lei Jin Key Publications: Lab Manager Hu WL, Jin L, Xu A, Wang YF, Thorne RF, Zhang XD,* Wu M. GUARDIN is a p53-responsive long Margaret Farrelly noncoding RNA that is essential for genomic stability. Nature Cell Biology. 2018; 20:492-502. doi: 10.1038/s41556-018-0066-7. Xiang S, Gu H, Jin L, Thorne RF, Zhang XD*, Wu M. LncRNA IDH1-AS1 links the functions of c-Myc and Research Assistants HIF1a via IDH1 to regulate the Warburg effect. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the Simonne Sherwin USA. 2018; Feb 13;115(7):E1465-E1474. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1711257115. Sang B, Zhang YY, Guo ST, Kong LF, Chen Q, Liu GZ, Thorne RF, Zhang XD, Jin L*, Wu M. Dual functions Pathology Technician for lncRNA OVAAL in initiation of RAF/MEK/ERK pro-survival signals and evasion of p27-mediated cellular Xu Guang Yan senescence. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 2018; Dec 11;115:E11661- E11670. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1805950115. La T, Liu GZ, Farrelly M, Cole N, Feng YC, Zhang YY, Sherwin SK, Yari H, Tabatabaee H, Yan XG Guo ST, RHD Students Liu T, Thorne RF, Jin L, Zhang XD. A p53-responsive microRNA network promotes cancer cell quiescence. Yuan Yuan Zhang Cancer Research. 2018; 78:6666-6679. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-1886. Hamed Yari Zhang YY, Tabataba H, Liu XY, Wang JY, Yan XG, Farrely M, Jiang CC, Guo ST, Liu T, Kao H-Y, Thorne, Ting La RF, Zhang XD,* Jin L. ACTN4 regulates the stability of RIPK1 in melanoma. Oncogene. 2018 Su Tang Guo Jul;37(29):4033-4045. doi: 10.1038/s41388-018-0260-x. Hessam Tabatabaeehatambakhsh
Yu Cheng Feng http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/xu-zhang
Visiting Students Manya Wu Linshi Zhang
44 | Page
NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH CLUSTER
45 | Page
Head and Neck Sensory System Laboratory Laboratory and Research overview: Although now retired after more than 25 years as a research active academic in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Professor Bolton remains active as an honorary (Conjoint) member of the School. He continues to undertake research. In particular, to better understand the role of sensory signals arising from the musculoskeletal system of the neck and the balance (vestibular) system in the head with the intent of identifying ways to reduce both pain and suffering associated with dysfunction and injury to the head and neck.
Key Publications: Bolton P S, Hammam E, Kwok K, Macefield V G. Neck Movement but not neck position modulates skin sympathetic nerve activity supplying the lower limbs of humans. Journal of Neurophysiology. 2018 Apr 1;119(4):1283-1290. doi:10.1152/jn.00043.2017 Conjoint Professor Philip Bolton http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/philip-bolton
Vestibular Research Laboratory Laboratory and Research overview: This group study how the inner ear vestibular organs generate the basic neural signals that provide us with a sense of balance. Attempts to study balance in humans has been hampered by the lack of suitable mammalian models for direct investigation. The group uses a combination of experimental studies of vestibular activity in humans and animals to understand basic balance function. In addition, previous studies have emphasised the properties of individual components, (e.g. receptor cells or vestibular nerve fibres) but not how these components interact with each other to function as a sensory unit. This wide gap in research knowledge is being addressed in a new series of experiments in the laboratory aimed at understanding the intrinsic function of human and non-human vestibular organs. The group’s current research and the focus of recent funding is the feedback pathway that goes from the central nervous system back to the inner ear balance organs. This feedback circuit or Efferent Vestibular System (EVS) is thought to modulate the output of balance organs, but it is not known how the EVS works. The group have assembled an international group of scientists (London, UK, Rochester, Salt Lake City, and Chicago, USA) to study the EVS and determine how it might be used as therapeutic target in cases of disabling dizziness and vertigo, as a result of disease, trauma, or ageing.
Competitive Grants: Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation: NHMRC: Vestibular dysfunction in type II diabetes. Wellings TP, Lim R. (2018-19) NHMRC: Mechanisms underlying the Efferent Vestibular System. Brichta AM, Graham B, Lim R, Callister R, Holt C, Dayas C, Rabbitt R. (2016-19) Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation: Grant-in-Aid Supplement. Brichta AM, Lim R. (2016-18) Professor Alan Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation: The role of calcium in the Efferent Vestibular Brichta System (EVS). Brichta AM, Lim R. (2017-18) Dr Rebecca Lim University of Newcastle Women in Research Fellowship: Investigating vestibular function. Lim R (2017-18)
Research Assistant Key Publications: Hannah Drury Bigland MJ, Brichta AM, Smith DW. Effects of Ageing on the Mitochondrial Genome in Rat Vestibular Organs. Current Aging Science. 2018;11(2):108-117. doi: 10.2174/1874609811666180830143358. RHD Students Feron K, Lim R, Sherwood CP, Keynes A, Brichta AM, Dastoor PC. Organic Bioelectronics: Materials and Lauren Poppi Biocompatibility. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018 Aug 13;19(8). pii: E2382. doi: Connor Sherwood 10.3390/ijms19082382. Mark Bigland Poppi LA, Tabatabaee H, Drury HR, Jobling P, Callister RJ, Migliaccio AA, Jordan PM, Holt JC, Rabbitt Hessam RD, Lim R, Brichta AM. ACh-induced hyperpolarization and decreased resistance in mammalian type II Tabatabaeehatambakhsh vestibular hair cells. Journal of Neurophysiology. 2018 Jan 1;119(1):312-325. doi: 10.1152/jn.00030.2017 Michael Geaghan Adelle Liebenberg http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/alan-brichta http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/rebecca-lim
46 | Page
Human Performance Laboratory Laboratory and Research overview: This group investigates the effects of exercise and related influences on human health, performance and physiology. The projects undertaken in 2018 included investigating a new device to evaluate the effects of combining sensory and motor training on recovery of upper limb function after stroke and trialling a telehealth exercise intervention to help people after stroke exercise at home. Honours student projects in 2018 included investigating the effects of pre-game shoulder strength on shoulder injury in rugby and the effects of exercise training on adults with asthma. New projects included investigating the feasibility of radiation therapists encouraging exercise during treatment for breast cancer and project to reduce cardiovascular disease in women with a history of gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.
Competitive Grants: Professor Robin NHMRC: Efficacy and cost effectiveness of varying levels of technology-delivered personalized feedback on Callister dietary patterns in motivating young Australian adults to improve diet quality and eating habits: The Advice, Ideas and Motivation for My Eating (AIM 4 ME) study. Collins C, Truby H, Attia J, Hutchesson M, Burrows T, Callister R, Research Fellow Hides L, Bonesvski B, Doran C. (2016-19) Dr Ashlee Cambourn NHMRC: Healthy living after stroke: An online intervention for improving stroke survivor health behaviours and quality of life. Bonevski B, Spratt N, Pollack M, Baker A, Magin P, Turner A, Collins C, Callister R. (2017-20) RHD Students Diabetes Australia: Evaluation of a type 2 diabetes risk reduction program for women with recent gestational Craig Richards diabetes. Collins C, Callister R, Rollo M, Hutchesson M, Aguiar E, Wynn K. (2017-18) Sarah Valkenborghs Daracon Group: SHED-IT Recharge: Development and evaluation of a gender-tailored program designed to Sandhya Gopaul improve men’s physical and mental health. Young M, Morgan P, Collins C, Callister R. (2017-19) Chris Downs NHF: A targeted eHealth intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease among women with a history of pre- eccampsia. Hutchesson M, Collins C, Callister R. (2018-19)
Key Publications: Dunn A, Marsden DL, Barker D, van Vliet P, Spratt NJ, Attia J, Callister R. Evaluation of three measures of Cardiorespiratory fitness in stroke survivors. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2019 Jul;35(7):622-632. Epub 2018 Mar 30. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1457746 Valkenborghs S, Visser M, Nilsson M, Callister R, van Vliet P. Aerobic exercise prior to task-specific training to improve post-stroke motor function: A case series. Physiotherapy Research International. 2018 Apr;23(2):e1707. doi:10.1002/pri.1707 Baker AL, Richmond R, Kay-Lambkin FJ, Filia SL, Castle D, Williams JM, Lewin TJ, Clark V, Callister R, Palazzi K. Randomised controlled trial of a healthy lifestyle intervention among smokers with psychotic disorders: Outcomes to 36 months. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2018 Mar;52(3):239-252. doi: 10.1177/0004867417714336 Vincze L, Rollo M, Hutchesson M, Callister R, Collins C. VITAL change for mums: a feasibility study investigating tailored nutrition and exercise care delivered by video consultations for women 3-12 months postpartum. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 2018 Jun;31(3):337-348. doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12549 Quatela A, Callister R, Patterson AJ, McEvoy M, MacDonald-Wicks LK. The protective effect of muesli consumption on diabetes risk: Results from 12 years of follow-up in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Nutrition Research. 2018 Mar;51:12-20. Doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2017.12.007. [C1]
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/robin-callister
47 | Page
Spinal Cord and Pain Physiology Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory’s research can be broadly classified as neurophysiology with an emphasis on nerve cell excitability and synaptic transmission in the spinal cord and brainstem. Techniques employed include patch clamp recording, applied to both in vitro (spinal cord or brainstem slices) and in vivo (deeply anaesthetised) preparations, as well as immunohistochemical and cell-labelling techniques. His current work examines how sensory signals associated with touch, movement, stretch and tissue damage are processed in the spinal cord under normal and pathological conditions. Focus is on sensations and injuries that are important clinically: pain, balance and spinal cord injury.
Competitive Grants: Professor Bob NHMRC: Mechanisms underlying efferent feedback in the vestibular system. Brichta AM, Lim R, Callister RJ. Callister (2016-18) NHMRC: Excitatory interneurons: a sensory amplifier for pathological pain. Graham BA, Callister RJ, Hughes DI, Dayas CA. (2018-20)
Key Publications: Poppi LA, Tabatabaee H, Drury HR, Jobling P, Callister RJ, Migliaccio AA, Jordan PM, Holt JC, Rabbitt RD, Lim R, Brichta AM. ACh-induced hyperpolarization, decreased resistance, and increased capacitance in type II vestibular hair cells. Journal of Neurophysiology. 2018 Jan 1;119(1):312-325. doi: 10.1152/jn.00030.2014 Rank MM, Galea MP, Callister R, Callister RJ. Is more always better? How different 'doses' of exercise after incomplete spinal cord injury affects the membrane properties of deep dorsal horn interneurons. Experimental Neurology. 2018. 300: 201-211. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.11.007 Tadros MA, Graham BA, Callister RJ. Moving functional classification of dorsal horn neurons from art to science. The Journal of Physiology. 596: 1543–1544 Mateer SW, Mathe A, Bruce J, Liu G, Maltby S, Fricker M, Goggins BJ, Tay HL, Marks E, Burns G, Kim RY, Minahan K, Walker MM, Callister RJ, Foster PS, Horvat JC, Hansbro PM, Keely S. (2018) IL-6 Drives Neutrophil-Mediated Pulmonary Inflammation Associated with Bacteremia in Murine Models of Colitis. Am J Pathol 188: 1625-1639, doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.03.016. PMID 29684360 MA Tadros, I Zouikr, DM Hodgson, RJ Callister (2018) Excitability of rat superficial dorsal horn neurons following a neonatal immune challenge. Frontiers in Neurology DOI.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00743
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/robert-callister
48 | Page
Neurobiology of Addiction Laboratory Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory focuses on the brain pathways that are involved in motivated behaviours and stress. This group studies the basic wiring of circuits controlling the activity of specific cell types in the hypothalamus and other nodes of the brain reward-seeking pathway including the amydala. The group’s aim is to dissect the maladaptive rewiring that occurs in the brain which promote pathological motivational states that can manifest as addictions, obesity and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Research projects centre around two major themes: ● Understanding the hypothalamic circuit remodelling that occurs in response to physical, chemical or emotional challenges. ● Determine the cellular and molecular basis for why some individuals are more prone to pathologies of motivational state e.g. addiction or stress than others.
Competitive Grants: Associate Professor NHMRC: Hypothalamic Control of Motivated Behaviour. Dayas CV, Graham BA, McNally GP, Bains JS. Chris Dayas (2017-19) NHMRC: Mechanisms underlying efferent feedback in the vestibular system. Brichta A, Graham B, Lim R, Postdoctoral Callister R, Holt C, Dayas CV, Rabbitt R. (2016-19) Researchers Australian Research Council: All-optical manipulation and recording of neural circuit activity. McNally G, Jiann Yeoh Balleine B, Dayas CV, Richardson R, Killcross A, Brichta A, Graham B. (2018) Simon Fisher NHMRC: Excitatory interneurons: a sensory amplifier for pathological pain. Graham B, Callister R, Hughes D, Dayas CV. (2018-20) RHD Students NHMRC: Cognitive inflexibility and the development of pathological habits in brain diseases. Dayas CV, Ms Caitlin Mitchell Balleine B, Corbit L, Smith D, Cairns M, Kenny P, Chieng B. (2018-20) Ms Leila Akbari Key Publications: Honours Student Burrows T, Kay-Lambkin F, Pursey K, Skinner J, Dayas CV. Food addiction and associations with mental Clifford TeBay health symptoms: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 2018 Aug;31(4):544-572. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12532. Quinn RK, James MH, Hawkins GE, Brown AL, Heathcote A, Smith DW, Cairns MJ, Dayas CV. Temporally specific miRNA expression patterns in the dorsal and ventral striatum of addiction-prone rats. Addiction Biology. 2018 Mar;23(2):6311-642. doi: 10.1111/adb.12520. Campbell EJ, Mitchell CS, Adams CD, Yeoh JW, Hodgson DM, Graham BA, Dayas CV. Chemogenetic activation of the lateral hypothalamus reverses early life stress-induced deficits in motivational drive. Eur J Neurosci. 2017 Oct;46(7):2285-2296. Epub 2017 Sep 22. Doi: 10.1111/ejn.13674 Quinn RK, James MH, Hawkins GE, Brown AL, Heathcote A, Smith DW, Cairns MJ, Dayas CV. Temporally specific miRNA expression patterns in the dorsal and ventral striatum of addiction-prone rats. Addict Biol. 2018 Mar;23(2):631-642. Epub 2017 Jun 13. doi: 10.1111/adb.12520. Campbell EJ, Barker DJ, Nasser HM, Kaganovsky K, Dayas CV, Marchant NJ. Cue-Induced Food Seeking After Punishment Is Associated With Increased Fos Expression in the Lateral Hypothalamus and Basolateral and Medial Amygdala. Behavioural Neuroscience. 2017 Apr;131(2):155-67. Epub 2017 Feb 20. Doi: 10.1037/bne0000185
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/christopher-dayas
49 | Page
Spinal Cord Connections Group Laboratory and Research overview: The spinal cord is much like a telephone exchange, receiving information from a multitude of channels, which must be preserved and processed before they can be directed to appropriate destinations. In spinal cord injury those lines of communication are severed, halting the transmission of vital information and causing a loss of sensation and movement below the injury site. In chronic pain, these communication lines can become crossed and information is redirected to inappropriate destinations with the potential to make a gentle touch cause excruciating pain. Similarly, many movement disorders can be likened to a situation where communication lines are either crossed or broken with the consequence being a loss of smooth, efficient, coordinated movement. The group’s goal is to understand and treat this range of spinally-based conditions, by studying how information from the outside world is relayed to our brains through connections in the spinal cord. This is a task that has long been considered too immense given the sheer number of different nerve cell types interconnected in spinal cord Associate Professor networks, and the lack of anatomical organisation – ie, unlike a telephone exchange where wires and cables are Brett Graham organised in a ordered manner, the connections of the spinal cord are intermingled in a chaotic and disorganised mosaic. Fortunately, a number of recent scientific breakthroughs have now given us tools to understand how spinal Research Fellow networks are connected and disconnected by disease and injury. Jiann Yeoh The group have been using a number of these technologies to study specific populations of spinal cord nerve cells. They use transgenic mice where various nerve cells have been labelled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) Research Assistant to: compare different populations; identify unique properties that could be targeted with drugs; and assess how Sally Dickinson different nerve cell types contribute to chronic pain and sensory dysfunction. In addition, the group have established transgenic mouse lines that allow optogenetic stimulation of nerve cells. This means nerve cell activity RHD Students can be controlled by light stimulation, allowing us to study how nerve cell are connected into spinal pain circuits Kelly Smith using our newly installed Laser Stimulating and Uncaging (LASU) microscope. The optogenetic animals also allow Mark Gradwell the group to stimulate specific nerve cells in awake behaving animals and determine how they contribute to Jack Mayhew sensory experiences including pain.
Competitive Grants: NHMRC: Mechanisms underlying efferent feedback in the vestibular system. Brichta AM, Graham BA, Lim R, Callister RJ, Holt C, Dayas CV, Rabbitt R. (2016-2019) NHMRC: Hypothalamic Control of Motivated Behaviour. Dayas CV, Graham BA, McNally G, Bains J. (2017-19) HMRI: Supporting Optogenetic Research to advance chronic back pain treatments. Graham BA, Browne T. (2018-21) HMRI MRSP Infrastructure Funding Brain and Mental Health Program 2018: Brichta AM, Kelly B, Chan S, Kay-Lambkin F, Brown S, Juanita Todd, Smith D, Graham BA. (2018)
Key Publications: Smith KM, Boyle KA, Mustapa M, Jobling P, Callister RJ, Hughes DI, Graham BA. Distinct forms of synaptic inhibition and neuromodulation regulate calretinin-positive neuron excitability in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Neuroscience. 2016 June 21;326:10-21 Farrell KE, Rank MM, Keely S, Brichta AM, Graham BA, Callister RJ. In vivo characterization of colorectal and cutaneous inputs to lumbosacral dorsal horn neurons in the mouse spinal cord. Neuroscience. 2016 Mar 1;316:13-25 Duchatel RJ, Jobling P, Graham BA, Harms LR, Michie PT, Hodgson DM, Tooney PA. Increased white matter neuron density in a rat model of maternal immune activation - Implications for schizophrenia. Progress in Neuro- Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. 2016 February 4;65:118-126 Tadros MA, Graham BA, Callister RJ. Moving functional classification of dorsal horn neurons from art to science. The Journal of Physiology. 2018 May 1;596(9):1543-1544. doi: 10.1113/JP275870 Mayhew J, Graham BA, Biber K, Nilsson M, Walker FR. Purinergic modulation of glutamate transmission: An expanding role in stress-linked neuropathology. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 2018 Oct;93:26-37. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.023. Epub 2018 Jun 28. [C1]
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/brett-graham https://uonblogs.newcastle.edu.au/pnr/group-leaders/spinal-cord-research-group/
50 | Page
Autonomic Nervous System Laboratory Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory studies the autonomic motor and primary sensory neurones that control peripheral tissues. The group use a combination of anatomical, electrophysiological and molecular techniques to study populations of neurons that communicate with a wide range of organs and cells. Ongoing projects include: Nerve infiltration and Neurotransmitters in Breast Cancer: This project investigates the relationship between nerves and mammary gland tumours in a mouse model of breast cancer that resembles human HER2-positive tumors. The group first quantified the distribution of nerves in normal mouse mammary gland and then used immunohistochemistry to quantify nerve fibres and receptors for neurotransmitters in mammary gland tumours. They found that this preclinical model mirrors the innervation patterns seen in human disease allowing them to trial targeted interventions to reduce tumour growth. Dr Phil Jobling Effect of infections on motility of the female reproductive tract: Infertility subsequent to inflammation of the reproductive tract (eg Pelvic inflammatory RHD Students: disease-PID) is an increasing clinical problem. In this project the group use a well- Jasmine Lee defined model of genital tract infection and subsequent PID to investigate changes in motility of the female reproductive tract. The group use in vivo and in vitro Zana Mandaza & Amy Gregson Co-Supervised RHD physiological recording techniques and acquire detailed knowledge on cellular Students: changes that occur after Chlamydia infection. In addition to changes in motility, they have also found that Chlamydia Ryan Duchatel infection modifies spinal cord sensory nerves which is consistent with the pain pathologies observed in people with Kelly Smith pelvic inflammatory disease subsequent to genital tract infection. FangFang Gao Using optogenetics to study autonomic nerve function: Aysha Ferdoushi In this project the group used optogenetics to investigate autonomic control of the Nathan Griffin pancreas using a transgenic mouse where channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2) is expressed in neurons containing the enzyme for acetylcholine synthesis. The group found Honours Student neuroanatomical and functional evidence that ChR2 is expressed in the peripheral Kateleen Hedley nervous system in these mice and focal stimulation with blue light can activate action potentials in the vagus nerve. This finding will allow the group to gain detailed knowledge Third Year Project about the autonomic control of visceral organs by allowing selective activation in vivo and Students in vitro of specific neural circuits. Zana Mandaza PhD candidate Jasmine Lee Amy Gregson Collaborations: A number of collaborative projects are also being conducted with Visiting Scholar investigators in other laboratories including: Veera Leskelä Dr Brett Graham, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (Pain Research) (Karolinksa Institute) Professor Hubert Hondermarck (Cancer Research) Associate Professor Paul Tooney, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (Schizophrenia Research) Dr Rebecca Lim, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (Vestibular System) Honours student Professor Dirk van Helden, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (Cardiovascular Kate Hedley System) Professor Marjorie Walker, Anatomical Pathology (Cancer Research)
Competitive Grants: HMRI: A therapy against pancreatic cancer and associated pain. Hondermarck H, Jobling P, Walker M, Thorne R. (2017-19) Maitland Cancer Appeal Committee: Targeting Nerves as a New therapeutic Strategy in Pancreatic Cancer. Hondermarck H, Jobling P, Walker M. (2017-19)
Key Publications: Griffin N, Faulkner S, Jobling P, Hondermarck H. Targeting neurotrophin signalling in cancer: The remaissance. Pharmacological Research. 2018 Sep;135:12-17. Doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.07.019 Duchatel RJ, Meehan CL, Harms LR, Michie PT, Bigland MJ, Smith DW, Walker FR, Jobling P, Hodgson DM, Tooney PA. Late gestation immune activation increases IBA1-positive immunoreactivity levels in the corpus callosum of adult rat offspring. Psychiatry Research. 2018 Aug;266:175-185. Epub 2018 May 25. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.05.063. Gao F, Griffin N, Faulkner S, Rowe CW, Williams L, Roselli S, Thorne RF, Ferdoushi A, Jobling P, Walker MM, Hondermarck H. The neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA and its ligand NGF are increased in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. Scientific Reports. 2018 May 25;8(1):8135. Duchatel RJ, Meehan CL, Harms LR, Michie PT, Bigland MJ, Smith DW, Jobling P, Hodgson DM, Tooney PA. Increased complement component 4 (C4) gene expression in the cingulate cortex of rats exposed to late gestation immune activation. Schizophrenia Research. 2018 Sep;199:442-444. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.03.035 Hondermarck H, Jobling P. The Sympathetic Nervous System Drives Tumor Angiogenesis. Trends in Cancer. 2018 Feb;4(2):93-94. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2017.11.008
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/phillip-jobling
51 | Page
Pre-clinical Neurobiology Group Laboratory and Research overview: This research group aims to better understand how the properties of calcium release channels of the heart (RyR2) are linked to contraction and rhythmicity in the heart. To this end, the group have developed the first 3D computer model of the cardiac dyad that reproduces the time-course of localized Ca2+ release events in heart cells (Ca2+ sparks). This work has identified the first plausible negative-regulation mechanism for SR calcium release that counters the inherently regenerative process of calcium induced calcium release. Thus providing an explanation for the control of cardiac Ca2+ release by the surface membrane. The group also carry out experiments to understand how mal-regulation of RyR2 by intracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ give rise to cardiac arrhythmias and how inhibitors of RyR2 can restore normal heart rhythm. The group have identified mutations in CaM (a binding partner of RyR2) that cause excess activity of RyR2 which lead to cardiac sudden death in humans. The group discovered that the association of calmodulin with the RyR is essential for Professor Derek the RyR inhibiting action of muscle relaxing/anti-arrhythmic drugs such as dantrolene and a modifier of potency of Laver the anti-arrhythmic drug flecainide.
Laboratory Manager Key Publications: 2+ 2+ Paul Johnson Laver DR. Regulation of the RyR channel gating by Ca and Mg . Biophysical Reviews. 2018 Aug; 10(4):1087- 1095. doi: 10.1007/s12551-018-0433-4. RHD Students Sergiy V, Korol SV, Jin Z, Jin Y, Bhandage AK, Tengholm A, Gandasi NR, Barg S, Espes D, Carlsson PO, Laver Amir Ashna DR, Birnir B. Functional characterization of native, high-affinity GABAA receptors in human pancreatic β cells. Morris Vysma EBioMedicine. 2018 Apr;30:273-282. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.03.014
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/derek-laver
Neurocardiology Laboratory & Centre for Advanced Training Systems Laboratory and Research overview: This laboratory’s research has two directions: neurobiology of nausea and resilience to psychological stress. The group continued their research into the neurobiology of nausea and expanded it to human studies where they explore the consequences of cybersickness – a subtype of motion sickness provoked by an immersion into the virtual environment. The group commenced a collaborative project with the Defence cluster addressing biomarkers of resilience to psychological stresses and have created a Bio-Analytics Research Strategy Group affiliated with the Defence and Security Hub of the University of Newcastle.
PhD Thesis Submitted: Alireza Mazloumi Gavgani: Clinical and physiological characteristics of cybersickness.
Competative Grants: Defence Science & Technology Group: New generation biometrically enabled cognitive resiliency training Associate Professor platform. FR Walker, Nalivaiko E. (2017-19) Eugene Nalivaiko Grants Submitted: RHD Students NSW Defence Innovation Network Pilot Project: Sensors configuration for wearable blood pressure monitor. Alireza Mazloumi HCF Foundation: Psychological Resilience and Post-Surgical Recovery. Adrian Smith ARC Linkage: Motion sickness detection and mititation in autonomous vehicles.
Key Publications: Nalivaiko E. Chapter 27: Thermoregulation and Nausea. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 2018 156;445-456. Romano F, Caramia N, Straumann, Nalivaiko E, Bertolini G. Cross-coupling vestibular stimulation: motion sickness and the vestibule-sympathetic reflex. Journal of Neurology. 2017 Oct;264(Suppl 1):96-103. doi: 10.1007/s00415-017-8496-x. Mendonça MM, Santana JS, da Cruz KR, Ianzer D, Ghedini PC, Nalivaiko E, Fontes MAP, Pedrino GR, Colugnati DB, Xavier CH. Involvement of GABAergic and Adrenergic Neurotransmissions on Paraventricular Nucleus of Hypothalamus in the Control of Cardiac Function. Frontiers in Physiology. 2018; 9:670. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00670. Gavgani AM, Wong RHX, Howe PRC, Hodgson DM, Walker FR, Nalivaiko E. Cybersickness-related changes in brain hemodynamics: A pilot study comparing transcranial Doppler and near-infrared spectroscopy assessments during a virtual ride on a roller coaster. Physiology and Behaviour. 2018 Jul 1;191:56-64. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.04.007. Gavgani AM, Walker FR, Hodgson DM, Nalivaiko E. A comparative study of cybersickness during exposure to virtual reality and “classic” motion sickness: are they different? Journal of Applied Physiology. 2018 Oct 4. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00338.2018.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/eugene-nalivaiko
52 | Page
Neuroscience and Precision Medicine Research and Education overview: The group’s research applies bioinformatics and high-throughput molecular ‘omics’ approaches such as transcriptomics and pharmacogenomics as well as more traditional cellular, molecular and functional approaches to understand central nervous system health and disease and individual responses to medications. The group is part of the Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research and collaborates with researchers at University College London and the University of Warwick in the UK, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in the US and others.
The group strongly support undergraduate research and Professor Milward was appointed to the Executive of the Australasian Council of Undergraduate Research (ACUR) in 2018. William Myles completed his Honours degree with the group and was awarded a University Medal (the second group member to receive both Faculty and University medals). Professor Liz Milward The group also works with industry stakeholders including the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to align research with continuing professional education for responsible delivery of pharmacogenomics and precision medicine in RHD Students healthcare practice. Pharmacist intern and research associate Joel Fossouo-Tagne presented some of the group’s Ritambhara Aryal research in this area at the April 2018 New England Science Symposium at Harvard Medical School [Fossouo- Mohitosh Biswas Tagne et al. Prevalence of genotypes potentially affecting responses to antineoplaastic medication among Thilani Dias community-dwelling older Australians.] Elvis Freeman- Acquah Key Publications: Kristy Martin Eftekhari P, Dias T, Biswas M, Fossuou-Tagne, J, Milward L. CPD: Practice update: Update on genetic testing Jason Woods services in pharmacy practice. Australian Pharmacist. (accepted for publication Dec 2018) Felkai (Lewis) C, Kerr K, Robinson-Kingi H, Milward L, Mate K. Anticholinergic medicines and dementia. Co-Supervised RHD Australian Pharmacist. (accepted for publication Nov 2018) Students: Biswas M, Dias T, Efekhari P, Milward L. Precision medicine and biomarker profiling in pharmacy practice. Khadem Ali Australian Pharmacist. (accepted for publication Sep 2018) Nia Lopez RHD Completions Undergrad Students Dr Mohitosh Biswas Oct 2018 and Associate Professor appointment, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh Seak-Lin Ly Dr Md. Khadem Ali Aug 2018 and post-doctoral appointment Stanford University USA Bridgette Mackley William Myles http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/liz-milward
53 | Page
Neurobiology of Ageing and Dementia Laboratory Laboratory and Research overview: The main aim of the laboratory's research is to better understand the effects of ageing on nervous system function. Society is rapidly ageing and soon there will be more people over the age of 65 than there are children 15 years old or younger. Many elderly will develop dementia and by understanding how ageing impacts the nervous system we hope to be able to reduce the burden of this debilitating age-related disease. The group primarily use genomics (RNA-Seq, microarray, qPCR), lipidomics (LC and GC/MS), protein, electrophysiological, and behavioural approaches to determine how ageing changes central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral (inner ear vestibular apparatus) nervous system structure and function. For example, in the genomics studies they have characterised age-related changes in both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. It is not known Dr Doug Smith whether age-related genomic changes are common across all cell types of the CNS, or whether they occur in a cell- specific manner. This is particularly important for the nervous system given it has a highly heterogeneous cell RHD Students population. To address this issue, the group are characterising the genomic changes in specific populations of cells Mark Bigland using state-of-the-art, laser-based microdissection and single-cell genomics. For instance, midbrain dopamine Jack Mayhew neurons are collected, which play an important role in motor control as can be appreciated from Parkinson's disease, Mitchell Cummins at different ages and determine changes in mitochondrial DNA and the expression level of various genes. Similar Ethan Cresswell approaches are being used for CNS blood vessel associated cells, spinal cord motor neurons, & inner ear vestibular Jessica Madden hair cells. The group’s genomics studies in both rats and mice have indicated cholesterol homeostasis is markedly changed in the ageing CNS. They have introduced lipidomics into their battery of approaches to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of how ageing impacts the way the CNS processes lipids, in particular cholesterol, an essential lipid for myelin. Myelin is the “white substance” in white matter (WM) tracts, and these tracts are very susceptible to the influences of ageing. It is argued that ageing actually has a greater and more deleterious impact on WM compared to grey matter (GM; cell bodies, dendrites, synapses). The majority of the spinal cord is WM, and through the group’sr genomics and lipidomics approaches they hope to better understand how ageing affects information processing and propagation between the brain and the periphery. An important aspect of the study relates to the broader and important issue of whether the course of ageing can be modified. For example, environmental enrichment, which includes improved physical, social and cognitive activities, is thought to be beneficial to health span and the group are finding out whether enrichment can alter age-related genomic and lipidomic changes in various regions of the nervous system.
Competitive Grants: NHMRC: Cognitive inflexibility and the development of pathological habits in brain diseases. Dayas CV, Balleine B, Corbit L, Smith D, Cairns M, Kenny P (2018-20) HMRI: Cholesterol metabolism in the ageing brain – implications for dementia. Smith D. (2017-18) NSW Ministry of Health: HMRI MRSP Infrastructure Funding Brain and Mental Health Program 2018. Brichta A, Kelly B, Chan S, Kay-Lambkin F, Brown S, Todd J, Smith D, Graham B. (2018) HMRI: Investigation of Age-Related neuro-inflammatory and neuro-vascular changes in the central nervous system. Cummins M, Smith D. (2018)
Key Publications: McIlroy DJ, Minahan K, Keely S, Lott N, Hansbro P, Smith DW, Balogh ZJ. Reduced deoxyribonuclease enzyme activity in response to high postinjury mitochondrial DNA concentration provides a therapeutic target for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 2018 Aug;85(2):354-358. doi: 10.1097/TA. 0000000000001919 Quinn RK, James MH, Hawkins GE, Brown AL, Heathcote A, Smith DW, Cairns MJ, Dayas CV. Temporally specific miRNA expression patterns in the dorsal and ventral striatum of addiction-prone rats. Addiction Biology. 2018 Mar;23(2):631-642. doi: 10.1111/adb.12520. Robson AL, Dastloor PC, Flynn J, Palmer W, Martin A, Smith DW, Woldu A, Hua S. Advantages and limitations of current imaging techniques for characterising liposome morphology. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018 Feb 6;9:80. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00080 Bigland MJ, Brichta AM, Smith DW. Effects of ageing on the mitochondrial genome in rat vestibular organs. Current Aging Science. 2018;11(2):108-117. doi: 10.2174/1874609811666180830143358 Duchatel RJ, Meehan CL, Harms LR, Michie PT, Bigland MJ, Smith DW, Walker FR, Jobling P, Hodgson DM, Tooney PA. Increased complement component 4(C4) gene expression in the cingulate cortex of rats exposed to late gestation immune activation. Schizophrenia Research. 3018 Sep;199:442-444. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.03.035 Arms L, Smith DW, Flynn J, Palmer W, Martin A, Woldu A, Hua S. Advantages and limitations of current techniques for analysing the biodistribution of nanoparticles. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018 Aug 14;9:802. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00802
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/douglas-smith
54 | Page
PP2A Signalling in Cell Transformation and Neurodegeneration Group Laboratory and Research overview: Research in this laboratory co-led by Drs Estelle and Jean-Marie Sontag is focused on using molecular and cellular biology tools to understand the role of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in signal transduction and Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. Over the years, the group has uncovered many functions of this major Ser/Thr phosphatase in cell signalling, adhesion and transformation (e.g. Cell 1993; EMBO J 1997; J Cell Biol. 2002), and established its role in the regulation of tau and cytoskeletal dynamics (J Cell Biol 1995; Neuron, 1996; J. Biol. Chem. 1999, 2012, 2013). The group has undertaken pioneering work showing that PP2A methylation becomes downregulated in Alzheimer disease, and following alterations in folate and homocysteine metabolism in several mouse models (JNEN 2004; Associate Professor J. Neurosci. 2007, 2008, 2012; Frontiers in Aging Neurosci. 2014). More recent work in collaboration with Drs. Estelle Sontag Russell Nicholls and Ottavio Arancio, and Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel (Columbia U., NY, USA), has identified that PP2A methylation can protect against the neurotoxic cascade underlying Alzheimer disease (Proc Natl Acad Sci Senior Research USA. 2016). Fellow The group is currently working on further elucidating the mechanisms of regulation of PP2A and assessing their Jean-Marie Sontag functional significance for both neuronal and epithelial cell homeostasis, and pathological conditions. This work is performed in collaboration with several national and international laboratories (Vanderbilt University, The RHD Students University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Baylor University, Nova Southeastern University in the USA; Alexander Hoffman University of Vienna, Austria; Macquarie University; Australia). Diana Schuhmacher Goce Taleski Associate Professor Estelle Sontag is currently a member of the Australian Council Research College of Experts.
Co-supervised Competitive Grants: RHD students HMRI/ Kiriwina Investment Company Pty Ltd: Towards the development of new therapeutic interventions for Elvis Freeman Acquah Alzheimer's Disease. Sontag E, Sontag JM. (2018-19) Ritambhara Aryal Mitchell Cummins Key Publications: Jason Woods Hoffman A, Taleski G, Qian H, Wasek B, Arning E, Bottiglieri T, Sontag JM, Sontag E. Methylenetetra- hydrofolate Reductase Deficiency Deregulates Regional Brain Amyloid-β Protein Precursor Expression and Phosphorylation Levels. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2018;64(1):223-237. doi: 10.3233/JAD-180032 Ogris E, Sontag E, Wadzinski B, Narla G. Specificity of research antibodies: "trust is good, validation is better". Human Pathology. 2018 Feb;72:199-201. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2017.12.003. Epub 2017 Dec 13 Taleski G, Sontag E. Protein phosphatase 2A and tau: an orchestrated 'Pas de Deux'. FEBS Letters. 2018 Apr;592(7):1079-1095. doi: 10.1002/1873-3468.12907. Epub 2017 Nov 19
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/estelle-sontag
55 | Page
Stroke Research Laboratory Laboratory and Research overview: This team's current research into the use of body cooling to reduce the spread of brain injury in stroke victims has led to a breakthrough finding that could make the treatment more viable for a much wider range of patients. Cooling the body to 32-33°C for between 12 & 24 hours – effectively putting it into a state of hibernation – can stall the progression of brain injury and buy time for a blood clot to break up. The procedure is potentially life-saving, but putting the body into a prolonged state of hypothermia can produce severe side effects, including pneumonia or disruption to heart rhythm. As well, pressure within the skull (intracranial pressure) tends to rise sharply in stroke victims within 72 hours of the incident, and while cooling will reduce this pressure, it may return or go even higher once the patient's body is warmed up again. Fortunately, recent work in the laboratory has shown that short duration (2 hours) and mild cooling (35°C) can completely prevent this rise in intracranial pressure while avoiding most side effects, potentially making it a more widely applicable therapy for stroke. Dr Neil Spratt Recent findings from the lab have also highlighted the importance of preventing intracranial pressure rise. An increase in intracranial pressure causes a dramatic reduction in residual (“bypass”) blood supply to the brain. This Research Fellows may then lead to more brain cell death and result in stroke patients being left with severe neurological impairment Kirsten Coupland and disability. While the mechanisms driving this increase in intracranial pressure are yet to be fully determined, our lab has identified a reduction in drainage of cerebrospinal fluid after stroke that may contribute to increased Research pressure within the skull. Assistants The ongoing work in this laboratory aims to: Debbie Pepperall ● Understand the mechanism of short duration body cooling in preventing intracranial pressure elevation. Sara Azarpeykan ● Identify the best method of body cooling. Nick Mackovski ● Understand the pathophysiology of impaired brain fluid homeostasis post stroke. ● Translate these findings into the clinic as a way of preventing intracranial pressure elevation, reducing brain cell RHD Students death and ultimately reducing disability in stroke patients. Kirby Warren Carlos Garcia Neil Spratt is a NHMRC career development fellow (2016-19), neurology specialist and director of acute stroke Esperon services at the John Hunter Hospital, co-director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute Centre for Brain and Alex Denham Mental Health and co-director of the University of Newcastle Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury. Steven Bothwell Daniel Omileke Competitive Grants and Fellow: NHMRC: A new understanding of stroke pathophysiology: late infarct expansion may be under-recognised and Honours (BMed Sci) easily preventable. Spratt N (2016-19) Student NHMRC: Microglial paralysis in post-stroke neurodegeneration: help or hinderance? Walker R, Spratt NJ, Bal Dhital Nilsson M (2018) NHMRC: Stroke induced disturbances in glymphatic clearance: implications for brain repair? Walker R, Spratt NJ, Nilsson M (2018) NHMRC: Healthy living after stroke: An online intervention for improving stroke survivor health behaviours and quality of life. Bonevski B, Spratt NJ, Pollack M, Baker A, Magin P, Turner A, Oldmeadow C, Collins C, Callister R (2017-19) John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust: Understanding the pathophysiology of impaired brain fluid homeostasis using aquaporin modulators. Patabendige A, Spratt NJ (2017-18)
Key Publications: Denham AMJ, Baker AL, Spratt NJ, Guillaumier A, Wynne O, Turner A, Magin P, Bonevski B. The unmet needs of informal carers of stroke survivors: a protocol for a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. BMJ Open. 2018 Jan;8(1):e019571 Lillicrap T, Garcia-Esperon C, Walker FR, Ong L, Nilsson M, Spratt NJ, Levi C, Parsons M, Isgaard J, Bivard A. Growth Hormone deficiency is frequent after recent stroke. Frontiers in Neurology. 2018 9:713 Lin L, Bivard A, Kleinig T, Spratt NJ, Levi CR, Yang Q, Parsons MW. Correction for Delay and Dispersion Results in More Accurate Cerebral Blood Flow Ischemic Core Measurement in Acute Stroke. Stroke. 2018 Apr;49(4), 924- 930 Bivard A, Spratt NJ, Miteff F, Levi C, Parsons MW. Tissue Is More Important than Time in Stroke Patients Being Assessed for Thrombolysis. Frontiers in Neurology. 2018 Feb;9:41 English C, Janssen H, Crowfoot G, Callister R, Dunn A, Mackie P, Oldmeadow C, Ong LK, Palazzi K, Patterson AJ, Spratt NJ, Walker FR, Bernhardt J, Dunstan DW. Breaking up sitting time after stroke (BUST-stroke). International Journal of Stroke. 2018 Dec;13(9), 932-940
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/neil-spratt
56 | Page
Developmental Neurobiology Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: Dr Tadros and her group research sensory pathways, specifically what happens when these pathways are disrupted. This research seeks to understand how the signals from the environment are passed onto the brain and how the brain tells our bodies what to do in response to this information. The group use highly advanced neurological techniques to examine what happens to these signals during early development or when they’re damaged by infection or stress. Dr Tadros has teamed up with Associate Professor Jay Horvat (Respiratory Immunology Research Group, HMRI) and Professor Deborah Hodgson (University of Newcastle, Pro Vice Chancellor [Research and Innovation] and Director of University of Newcastle’s Laboratory of Neuroimmunology) and these collaborative studies aim to better understand the long-term implications of neonatal infections.
Dr Melissa Tadros Key Publications: Tadros MA, Zouikr I, Hodgson DM, Callister RJ. Excitability of rat superficial dorsal horn neurons following a neonatal immune challenge. Frontiers in Neurology. 2018 Sep 7. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00743 Tadros MA, Graham BA, Callister RJ. Moving functional classification of dorsal horn neurons from art to science. The Journal of Physiology. 2018 May 1;596(9): 1543-1544. doi: 10.1113/JP275870 Tadros MA, Lim R, Hughes DI, Brichta AM, Callister RJ. Electrical maturation of spinal neurons in the human fetus: comparison of ventral and dorsal horn. The Journal of Neurophysiology. 2015 Nov;114(5):2661-71. doi: 10.1152/jn.00682.2015
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/melissa-tadros
Neurobiology of Schizophrenia and Brain Cancer Group Laboratory and Research overview: Associate Professor Tooney has a keen interest in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of diseases, so that better diagnoses and treatment strategies can be developed. The research from 1998 to 2017 focused on the neurobiology and genetics underpinning schizophrenia. The laboratory conducted and collaborated on studies detailing the changes to gene expression in the brain and blood from patients with schizophrenia. A/Prof Tooney was instrumental in the establishment and running of the Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank (ASRB). This led to an invitation to join and collaborate with the international Schizophrenia Working Group of the Psychiatric Genetics Consortium that has published a number of high profile papers identifying new genetic associations in schizophrenia. In 2014, A/Prof Tooney began a collaboration with Professor Deborah Hodgson and Emeritus Professor Patricia Michie to investigate whether maternal infection (a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia) has a role in the changes to neurons in the brains of their offspring.
Associate Professor In 2017, Associate Professor Tooney started a new research direction investigating glioblastoma, the most Paul Tooney devastating adult brain cancer. This collaboration with Dr. Mike Fay, A/Prof Nikola Bowden, Dr. Moira Graves, Prof Jennifer Martin and Dr. Jennette Sakoff studies treatment resistant glioblastoma. In particular, he studies new and RHD Student repurposed drugs as well as theranostics for treatment resistant glioblastoma. He studies the impact of the immune Ryan Duchatel system and tumour microenvironment on glioblastoma with the view to prolonging patient survival.
Key Publications: Duchatel RJ, Meehan CL, Harms LR, Michie PT, Bigland MJ, Smith DW, Jobling P, Hodgson DM, Tooney PA. Increased complement component 4 (C4) gene expression in the cingulate cortex of rats exposed to late Gestation immune activation. Schizophrenia Research. 2018 Sep;199:442-444. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.03.035 Duchatel RJ, Meehan CL, Harms LR, Michie PT, Bigland MJ, Smith DW, Walker FR, Jobling P, Hodgson DM, Tooney PA. Late gestation immune activation increases IBA1-positive immunoreactivity levels in the corpus callosum of adult rat offspring. Psychiatry Research. 2018 Aug;266:175-185. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.05.063 van Erp TGM, Walton E, Hibar DP, Schmaal L, Jiang W, Glahn DC, et al. Cortical Brain Abnormalities in 4474 Individuals With Schizophrenia and 5098 Control Subjects via the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics Through Meta Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium. Biological Psychiatry. 2018 Nov 1;84(9):644-654. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.04.023
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/paul-tooney
57 | Page
Calcium Channel Signalling Group Laboratory and Research overview: This group investigates treatments of heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias. These more clinically directed areas arise in part from the group’s research into cellular rhythms including those in lymphatics, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, female reproductive tract, heart and specific mood-associated brain nuclei. The group have discovered a new mechanism that is driven by intracellular Ca2+ stores that allow groups of cells to self-pace and hence become rhythmic. The group is exploring the relevance of this mechanism in collaboration with Professor Derek Laver & Dr Phil Jobling both from UoN. These studies may influence future therapies to control heart arrhythmias, heart failure, lymphedema, digestive disorders and brain mood states. Further to this, in collaboration with Dr Ramatis de Oliveira (Univates, Brazil), the group is investigating the role of mitochondria in neurodegeneration. In this regard the group have uncovered a putative cytoskeletal link between mitochondria and a common membrane calcium channel finding that this mechanism is specialised to specific neurons such Professor as those of the Locus coeruleus, cells that are badly damaged in Parkinson’s disease. We have recently published Dirk van Helden a key paper on this subject (de Oliveira et al, 201). The group is also continuing investigations into snake bite first aid. Previously they reported that inhibiting lymphatic flow provided a first aid against snake bite. To improve this RHD Students further the group need to block a second pathway, namely direct entry of venom into the vasculature. The group (Co-supervised) are progressing with this by having found that there are venom components that actively permeabilise blood Sonia Tamana vessels allowing toxin entry with our initial findings now published (van Helden et al, 2019). Amir Ashna Aysha Ferdoushi Competitive Grants NSW Ministry of Health: HMRI MRSP Infrastructure Funding Cardiovascular Program. Van Helden D, Plotnikoff R, Collins C, Morgan P. 2018 NHMRC: Translational Australian Clinical Toxicology (TACT) Program Pilot Project Grants Translational Australian Clinical Toxicology Program (TACT): This is a component of an NHMRC Program grant administered by the University of Sydney).
Publications Donovan LC, Douglas CD, van Helden D. Wound tension and ‘closability’ with keystone flaps, V-Y flaps and primary closure: a study in fresh-frozen cadavers. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 2018 88(5): 1089-1089 doi: 10.1111/ans.14830 Donovan LC, Douglas CD, van Helden D. Wound tension and ‘closability’ with keystone flaps, V-Y flaps and primary closure: a study in fresh-frozen cadavers. Widespread white matter microsctructural differences in schizophrenia across 4322 individuals: results from the ENIGMA Schizophrenia Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) Working Group., 2018 88(5): 486-490 doi: 10.1111/ans.14163
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/dirk-vanhelden
58 | Page
Centre for Advanced Training Systems (ATS) Research overview Professor Walker co-directs the newly established Centre for Advanced Training Systems (ATS). The mission of centre is to develop improved methodologies for training, with a specific focus on digital simulation. A strength of ATS is on enhancing training outcomes via the use of biometric monitoring approaches. The centre now partner widely across academia and industry. Professor Walker currently leads several major projects with the Department of Defence, the Meat and Livestock Industry, as well as a number of other industry partners. In 2019 he was appointed to the newly created role of Assistant Dean of Partnerships and Innovation for the Faculty of Health and Medicine. He also works closely with Professor Michael Nilsson within the Centre for Professor Rohan Walker Rehabilitation Innovations; sits as an executive member of the Stroke and Brain Injury Priority Research Centre and is an active member of The Animal Welfare Collaborative. Research Fellows Kirsten Coupland Competitive Grants: Marina Illicic Australian Defence Force: Free Roam Immersive Combat Simulation. Nalivaiko E. Walker R. Prajwal Gywali Defence Innovation Hub: Next Generation Biometrically Enhanced Cognitive Resilience Training Platform. Rebecca Hood Walker R, Nalivaiko E. (2017-19) Defence Innovation Network: Cognitive Load and Situational Awareness in Air Traffic Control. Nalivaiko E, Project Manager Walker R. Ann Stevenson Ramsay Health Foundation: Development and implementation of an advanced clinical decision making tool for the delivery of efficient, personalised rehabilitation for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Research Coordinator Nilsson M, Walker R, Johnson S, Wills A, Borges N, Pollack M. (2018-21) Murielle Kluge Key Publications: Project Officers Pietrogrande G, Zalewska K, Zhao Z, Abdolhoseini M, Chow WZ, Sanchez-Bezanilla S, Ong LK, Johnson SJ, Steven Maltby Nilsson M, Walker FR. Low oxygen post conditioning prevents thalamic secondary neuronal loss caused by Angela Keynes excitotoxicity after cortical stroke. Scientific Reports. 2019 Mar 19;9(1):4841 Fernandes J, Blache D, Maloney SK, Martin GB, Venus B, Walker FR, Head B, Tilbrook A. Addressing RHD Students Animal Welfare through Collaborative Stakeholder Networks. Agriculture. 2019 9 (6), 132 Wei Zhen Chow Hinwood M, Kluge MG, Ilicic M, Walker FR. Understanding microglial involvement in stress-induced mood Sonia Sanchez Bezanilla disturbance: a modulator of vulnerability? ScienceDirect. doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.01.001
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/rohan-walker
59 | Page
PHARMACY AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY RESEARCH CLUSTER
60 | Page
Nutraceuticals Research Program Laboratory and Research overview: This group’s research focuses on investigations of the foods, nutrients and dietary supplements (essential fatty acids, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds) in human health and disease with a particular emphasis on elucidation of mechanisms involved. The group’s research specialise in running clinical intervention trials, in normal free living healthy human subjects as well as those with hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, obesity and athletes to investigate mechanisms by which diet manipulations modulate health determinants including blood lipid levels, glycaemic control, oxidative stress, platelet aggregation and inflammation mediators including cytokines. The research activities span from conducting clinical and behavioural trials, through community and population-based research to basic metabolism and physiology. In 2018, the group published 14 full-length manuscripts.
Competitive Grants: Riddet Institute: Lipid metabolism and improved cardiovascular health. Garg ML. (2017-19) Professor Manohar NARG-BASF: Long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for the prevention of gestational diabetes: A Garg double-blind randomized controlled trial. Garg ML et al. (2017-19) NARG-BASF: Complementary and/or synergistic effects of Phytosterols and Curcumin for reducing Research Fellows Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Hyperlipidaemic Individuals. Garg ML et al. (2017-19) Dr Rohith Thota Dr Jessica Ferguson Key Publications: Dr Noha Nasef Martins R, Goozee K, Chatterjee P, James I, Shen K, Sohrabi H, Asih P, Dave P, Yan CM, Taddei K, Ayton S, Dr Bhaskar Mitra Chung R, Garg ML, Kwok J, Magnussen J, Bush A. Elevated plasma ferritin in elderly individuals with high neocortical amyloid-beta load. Molecular Psychiatry. 2018 Aug;23(8):1807-1812. doi: 10.1038/mp.2017.146 Research Assistant Skinner JA, Garg ML, Dayas CV, Fenton S, Burrows TL. The relationship between dietary intake and behaviours Melissa Fry with oxytocin: a systematic review of studies in adults. Nutrition Reviews. 2018 May 1;76(5):303-331. doi: 10.1093/nutri/nux078 RHD Students Ferguson JJ, Stojanovski E, MacDonald-Wicks L, Garg ML. Curcumin potentiates cholesterol-lowering effects of Nisha Panth phytosterols in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trial. Metabolism: Clinical and Anu Alex Experimental. 2018 May;82:22-35. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2017.12.009 Janelle Skinner Markworth JF, Mitvchell CJ, D’Souza RF, Aasen KMM, Durainayagam BR, Mitchell SM, Chan AHC, Singlair AJ, Jessica Ferguson Garg ML, Cameron-Smith D. Arachidonic acid supplementation modulates blood and skeletal muscle lipid profile Kylie Abbott with no effect on basal inflammation in resistance exercise trained men. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes & Nora Kalagi Essential Fatty Acids. 2018 Jan;128:74-86. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2017.12.003 Taciana Lunelli Barrilero R, Gil M, Amigó N, Dias CB, Wood LG, Garg ML, Ribalta J, Heras M, Vinaixa M. Correig X. LipSpin: a G. Castillo-Fernandez new bioinformatics tool for quantitative 1H-NMR lipid profiling. Analytical Chemistry. 2018 Feb 6;90(3):2031-2040. Natasha Nayak doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b04148 Pamoda Jayatunga Thota RN, Ferguson JJA, Abbott KA, Dias CB, Garg ML. Science behind the cardio-metabolic benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: biochemical effects vs clinical outcomes. Food & Function. 2018 Jul 17;9(7):3576-3596. doi: 10.1039/c8fo00348c Panth N, Abbott KA, Dias CB, Wynne K, Garg ML. Differential effects of medium and long-chain saturated fatty acids on blood lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Oct 1;108(4):675-687. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy167 Thota RN, Dias CB, Abbott KA, Acharya SH, Garg ML. Curcumin alleviates postprandial glycaemic response in healthy subjects: A cross-over, randomized controlled study. Scientific Reports. 2018 Sep 12;8(1):13679. Doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-32032-x. 8:13679, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-32032-x.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/manohar-garg
61 | Page
Clinical Nutrition Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: The Clinical Nutrition Research Group is the Newcastle component of the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, a multidisciplinary research collaboration with complementary research teams at the University of South Australia, Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland. The group conducts human intervention trials (ICH-GCP standard) to evaluate cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, metabolic, mood and cognitive benefits of functional foods and nutraceuticals in partnership with the food and supplement industries. The group are currently examining the potential for vasoactive nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin and resveratrol to improve circulatory function in the brain in populations with heightened risk of microvascular disease (e.g. obese, hypertensive, diabetic, postmenopausal), with the aim of restoring/maintaining optimal brain function and counteracting cognitive decline and mood disorders. The group recently discovered that chronic administration of resveratrol can improve cerebrovascular and cognitive functions and reduce pain in postmenopausal women (Australian innovation patent filed 31/317). The group are now conducting a large-scale, long term trial (RESHAW) to further define these benefits in postmenopausal women and examine effects on body composition, viz, reducing muscle and bone loss. RESHAW is supported by an NHMRC- ARC Dementia Research Fellowship awarded to Dr Wong and a grant from Evolva SA. Building on a pilot study of the effects of DHA-rich fish oil on brain function which was supported by a grant from Westfund, the group are embarking on a large-scale intervention trial (FOCUS) supported by Blackmores Ltd to evaluate cerebrovascular and cognitive effects of DHA and curcumin, separately and in combination, in older overweight and sedentary volunteers. Cardiometabolic and inflammatory risk factors are also being evaluated. These large scale clinical trials (~150 participants in each) afford novel and challenging projects for RHD students and pharmacy honours students. Supported by the HMRI project grants, the group is currently characterising abnormal cerebral hemodynamics and cognitive function in adults with type-1 diabetes. Preliminary findings showed pronounced deficits in brain function even in young adulthood. The groups is also investigating the role of cerebrovascular dysfunction in menstrual Emeritus Professor migraineurs. An intervention with resveratrol to mitigate vascular dysfunction and to reduce disabilities associated Peter Howe with menstrual migraine is set to commence in late 2019. The group published 21 peer-reviewed papers and gave 10 conference presentations in 2018. Dr Rachel Wong Key Publications: RHD Students Wong RHX, Howe PRC. Resveratrol and cognitive performance: Selecting the evidence. Pharmacological Jay Jay Thaung Zaw Research. 2018 Feb;128:403. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2017.09.018 Julia Kuszewski Thaung Zaw JJ, Howe PRC, Wong RHX. Postmenopausal health interventions: Time to move on from the Jemima Dzator Women’s Health Initiative? Ageing Research Reviews. 2018 Dec;48:79-86. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2018.10.005 Howe PRC, Evans HM, Kuszewski JC, Wong RHX. Effects of Long Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Research Support on Brain Function in Mildly Hypertensive Older Adults. Nutrients. 2018 Oct 2;10(10). pii: E1413 Hamish Evans doi:10.3390/nu10101413 Natasha Baker Wong RHX, Howe PRC. Resveratrol Counteracts Insulin Resistance—Potential Role of the Circulation. Nutrients. 2018 Aug 24;10(9). pii: E1160. doi:10.3390/nu10091160 Gavgani AM, Wong RHX, Howe PRC, Hodgson DM, Walker FR, Nalivaiko E. Cybersickness-related changes in brain hemodynamics: A pilot study comparing transcranial Doppler and near-infrared spectroscopy assessments during a virtual ride on a roller coaster. Physiology and Behavior. 2018 Jul 1;191:56-64. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.04.007 Kuszewski J, Wong RHX, Howe PRC. Can Curcumin Counteract Cognitive Decline? Clinical Trial Evidence and Rationale for Combining ω-3 Fatty Acids with Curcumin. Advances in Nutrition. 2018 Mar 1;9(2):105-113. doi:10.1093/advances/nmx013
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/peter-howe http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/rachel-wong
62 | Page
Therapeutic Targeting Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: Associate Professor Hua is an academic pharmacist within the school, and group leader of the Therapeutic Targeting research program at the University of Newcastle. She has independently established the first translational nanopharmaceutics laboratory in the Hunter region, which has led to significant research discoveries in targeted nanomedicines. Nanomedicine applies nanotechnology to highly specific medical interventions for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. The research is focused on improving the way patients are treated through the development of more effective and safer medications and diagnostic agents. The general research focus of the group is on therapeutic targeting utilising novel drug delivery platforms in biomedical applications. Of particular interest is using nanotechnology to study novel mechanistic pathways as well as to develop more efficient therapeutic delivery systems. Associate Professor Hua’s research expertise covers the areas of advanced pharmaceutical formulation, in vitro cellular studies, and preclinical in vivo animal studies. Associate Professor This expertise provides a solid foundation to formulate and evaluate new drug delivery systems and to apply Susan Hua them to pathological disease states, in order to assess potential clinical applicability and identify novel therapeutic targets. This research provides a platform for the translational development of targeted therapeutics that will RHD Students ultimately provide a novel therapeutic strategy in clinical disease management. Tu-Son Nguyen Kehong Yang Competitive Grants: Thi-Xuan-Phuong Dong NHMRC Development Grant: Achieving Targeted Delivery of Drugs to Uterine Muscle in Women for the Yazmin Crossingham Prevention of Preterm Labour. Smith R, Hua S, Robertson S, Ho R, Adams Waldorf K. (2016-20) Lauren Arms NHMRC Project Grant: Epithelial metabolism as a mediator of host-microbiome interactions in inflammatory bowel disease. Keely S, Morrison M, Cuiv P, Veysey M, Hua S. (2017-19) ausEE Research Grant: Hua S, Talley N, Walker M. Using Nanotechnology to Target Eosinophilic GI Disease (EGID). (2016-19) Gladys M Brawn Career Development Fellowship. Hua S. (2016-19) John Hunter Charitable Trust Grant: A targeted drug delivery system for the uterus: characterisation for clinical translation. Paul J, Hua S, Andrew B. (2017-18) Hunter Medical Research Institute Grant: A targeted drug delivery system for the uterus: MRI characterisation of nanoliposome biodistribution. Paul J, Hua S, Smith R. (2017-18) GH Varley Pty Ltd Research Funding: Investigation of respiratory dust associated with the Hunter Valley rail corridor. Surjan Y, Hua S, Fiedler T, Williams K, Coelho G. (2017-20) University of Newcastle Multi-disciplinary Innovation Grant: Evaluation of the effect of micro- and nanoparticulate dust exposure in the mining industry on human health and the development of an early detection system. Hua S, Williams K, Fiedler T, Surjan Y. (2017-20)
Key Publications: Hua S, de Matos MBC, Metselaar JM, Storm G. Current Trends and Challenges in the Clinical Translation of Nanoparticulate Nanomedicines: Pathways for Translational Development and Commercialisation. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018;9(790):1-14. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00790 Arms L, Smith DW, Flynn J, Palmer W, Martin A, Woldu A, Hua S*. Advantages and limitations of current techniques for analysing the biodistribution of nanoparticles. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018;9(802):1-17. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00802 Robson AL, Dastoor PC, Flynn J, Palmer W, Martin A, Smith DW, Woldu A, Hua S*. Advantages and limitations of current imaging techniques for characterising liposome morphology. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018;9(80):1-8. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00080 Nguyen TS, Nguyen TLH, Van Pham TT, Hua S, Ngo QC, Li SC. Pharmacists’ training to improve inhaler technique of patients with COPD in Vietnam. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2018;13:1863-72. Nguyen TS, Nguyen TLH, Pham TTV, Cao TBT, Nguyen VK, Hua S, Li SC. Effectiveness of a short training program for community pharmacists to improve knowledge and practice of asthma counselling – A simulated patient study. Respiratory Medicine. 2018;144:50-60.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/susan-hua
63 | Page
Pharmacy Research Group Research overview: Associate Professor Therése Kairuz is a pharmacist registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA), the New Zealand Pharmacy Council and the South African Pharmacy Council. Research activities are centred within the Quality Use of Medicines, with a focus on health literacy and medication safety, including drug utilisation. Many of the studies in which she has been involved include vulnerable populations such as paediatrics, the aged and refugees. A recent development has been research related to full scope of practice of pharmacists and University of Newcastle PhD candidates Sharmila Prasad, Alison Hooper, Chelsea Felkai and Kaesha Thiruchelvam are investigating medications/management in inflammatory bowel disease, addiction, sports medicines and medication reviews to optimise medication safety among the elderly, respectively. Associate Associate Professor Professor Kairuz is principal supervisor for PhD candidate Kim Bellamy, through an honorary appointment at the Therése Kairuz University of Queensland; Suresh Kumar, through an honorary appointment with the International Medical University in Malaysia, to investigate sleep disorders among the elderly in aged care homes; and for candidate Lynn Andriés, who is investigate the association between leadership and trust, at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. Research into health and wellbeing in the workplace continues to develop, and Associate Professor Kairuz is one of only a handful of Australian academics exploring this within academia.
Competitive Grants: (Internal-Awarded) University of Newcastle: Faculty of Health and Medicine Pilot Teaching Grant (2018)
Competative Grants Applied: Translational Research Grants Scheme: (Hunter New England Health - Can we reduce hospital admissions? Medical Research Future Fund: Optimising medicine use in aged care. Kairuz T. Faculty Health and Medicine: Peer Observation to Enhance Teaching Quality. Kairuz T. Faculty Health and Medicine: Pharmacists in Aged Care. Kairuz T. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Young Academic Women in Asia Network. Kairuz T.
Key Publications: Drovandi A, Robertson K, Tucker M, Robinson N. Perks S, Kairuz T. A systematic review of clinical pharmacist interventions in paediatric hospital patients. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2018 Aug;177(8):1139-1148. Doi: 10.1007/s00431-018-3187-x. Hasan SS, Clavarino A, Mamun A, Doi S, Kairuz T. Anxiety as a risk factor for the onset of Type 2 diabetes in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health [Accepted] Thiruchelvam K, Wong PS, Kairuz T, Babar ZU, Hasan SS. Consolidated Medication Review Algorithm to Improve Medications Use in Older Adults: Components, Scoring Scheme, and Implementation. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2018 Aug;19(8):717-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2018.03.007 Carson S, Kairuz T. Improving the accuracy of medication profiles held by General Practitioners through the use of Home Medication Reviews. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research. 2018 Aug;4(5):340-7. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1411
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/therese-kairuz
64 | Page
Pharmacy Research Laboratory and Research overview: This group’s research focuses on inappropriate prescribing in the elderly in general and more specifically looks at two areas. The first area looks at the summative effects of anticholinergic drugs such as atropine and amitriptyline on cognitive function in the elderly. The effects of sedatives and opiates on cognition is also of interest. The group are investigating the effects of changes in anticholinergic load on cognition over time, as well as on other clinical outcomes such as depression and physical quality of life. This area is especially relevant given the increasing aging population, incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease and polypharmacy. The group have found that the summative adverse effects of lower level anticholinergic drugs is having a significant impact on patient health. A collaboration with Kylie Radford and her team at Neuroscience Research Australia will extend this work to urban and regional community dwelling Aboriginal people.
The second area looks at the co-prescription of drugs that are either inhibitors or inducers of the cytochrome P450 metabolic enzymes with other drugs that are substrates for these enzymes. This situation may result in drugs being prescribed at doses that will either not be therapeutically effective or will result in high blood concentrations of a particular drug with potentially fatal or severe adverse effects. As CYP drug-drug interactions are more common in patients on higher numbers of medications, particular vigilance is required at the time of prescribing and dispensing medications for elderly patients with multiple conditions.
Collaborators: Professor Dimity Pond, Conjoint Professor Parker Magin, Associate Professor David Newby. School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine.
Dr Karen Kerr Key Publications: Dr Karen Mate Pond D, Mate K, Stocks N, Gunn J, Disler P, Magin P, Marley J, Paterson N, Horton G, Goode S, Weaver N, Brodaty H. (2018). Effectiveness of a peer-mediated educational intervention in improving general practitioner diagnostic assessment and management of dementia: a cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2018 Aug 17;8(8):e021125 1-12. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021125
Conference Publications: Mate K, Kerr K, Priestley A, Broe T, Delbaere K, Daylight G, Radford K. Anticholinergic burden is associated with negative health outcomes in elderly Aboriginal people. 3rd Annual NNIDR Australian Dementia Forum. Sydney, June 2018.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/karen-kerr http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/karen-mate
Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Laboratory and Research overview: This group’s research is at the interface of multidisciplinary fields including chemical & molecular engineering, materials science, chemistry, biotechnology and medicine. The group seeks to develop novel biomaterials and strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. One of the group’s specific interests lies in the mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle interaction with biological systems, with special focus on improving cell- specific uptake of therapeutic nanoparticles and understanding sub-cellular dynamics associated with nanoparticle trafficking. During 2018, the group worked on microfluidic synthesis of multifunctional nanoparticles and development of novel nanopharmaceuticals for cancer, asthma and animal sterilization. The group also carried out research in subcellular mitochondrial targeting, which has great potentials in tackling many mitochondria-associated diseases including cancer, diabetes, aging, neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases.
Competitive Grants: Dr Roger Liang Asthma Australia Project Grant: Novel epithelial targets and targeting strategies to prevent asthma exacerbations. Bartlett, N, Wark P, Liang M, Knight DA. (2017-18) RHD Students HMRI Project Grant: Therapeutic Targeting of Long Noncoding RNA REG1CP for Colorectal Cancer Treatment. Stanislav Kan Liang M, Jin L, Zhang XD. (2018-19) Barbara Frazer Thomas Adams http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/roger-liang
65 | Page
Pharmacoeconomics Research Laboratory and Research overview: Before taking up his current position, Professor Li worked as an academic at the National University of Singapore and as Acting Director and Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Evaluation Section (PES) of Pharmaceutical Benefits Branch, Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing in Canberra. During this period in Singapore, besides his academic appointment, he has been instrumental in developing the Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Utilisation Unit at the Centre for Drug Administration, Health Sciences Authority and in organising several of the first ever pharmaceoconomics and outcomes conferences in the region. In his capacity as Acting Director and Deputy Director of PES in Australia, he was among the few pioneers that put the principles of pharmacoeconomic evaluation into practice for regulatory affairs, and has been involved in the implementation of the first version of the Australian Pharmacoeconomics Guidelines and the development of the second version of the same Guidelines. Professor Shu Chuen Professor Li has been very active in the area of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research as well as Li pharmacy practice. Recently, his research interest has been concentrated more on the areas of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research, as well as drug policy. RHD Students Hao Hu Key Publications: Tang Lau Tahir NAM, Li SC. Meta-analysis of newer antiepileptic drugs as adjunct for treatment of focal epilepsy in Luan Luan children. Epilepsy Research. 2018 Jan;139:113-122. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2017.11.007. Epub 2017 Nov Nurul Ain Mohd Tahir 22. Cheng Leng Chan Nguyen TS, Nguyen TLH, Pham TTV, Hua S, Ngo QC, Li SC. Pharmacists’ training to improve inhaler Kehong Yang technique of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Vietnam. International Journal of Chronic Thi Xuan Phuong Dong Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2018 Jun 11;13:1863-1872. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S163826. eCollection 2018. Tu-son Nguyen PMID:29928117 Gao L, Li SC. Cost-effectiveness analysis of lipegfilgrastim as primary prophylaxis in women with breast cancer in Australia—a modelled economic evaluation. Breast Cancer. 2018 Nov;25(6):671-680. doi: 10.1007/s12282- 018-0872-6. Epub 2018 May 25. PMID:29802592 Guo JJF, Lee V, Li SC, Luo N, Shafie A, Yang MC. Dynamic Health Economic and Outcomes Research in Emerging Markets of the Asia Pacific Region. Value in Health Regional Issue (Editorial) 2018 May. Patton T, Hu H, Luan L, Yang KQ, Li SC. Mapping between HAQ-DI and EQ-5D-5L in a Chinese patient population. Quality of Life Research. 2018 Nov;27(11):2815-2822. doi: 10.1007/s11136-018-1925-1. Epub 2018 Jul 4. Nguyen TS, Nguyen TLH, Pham TTV, Cao TBT, Nguyen VK, Hua S, Li SC. Effectiveness of a short training program for community pharmacists to improve knowledge and practice of asthma counselling – a simulated patient study. Respiratory Medicine. 2018 Nov;144:50-60. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2018.10.003. Epub 2018 Oct 9. PMID:30366584 Ren S, Holliday E, Hure A, Peel R, Stephen Hancock S, Leigh L, Oldmeadow C, Newby D, Li SC, Attia J. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine associated with reduced lengths of stay for cardiovascular events hospital admissions. Experience from the Hunter Community Study. Vaccine. 2018 Nov 26;36(49):7520-7524. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.10.064. Epub 2018 Oct 24. Gao L, Li SC. Modelled economic evaluation of nivolumab for the treatment of second-line advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC in Australia using both partition survival and Markov models. Applied Health Economics and Health Policy. 2019 Jun;17(3):371-380. doi: 10.1007/s40258-018-0452-0. [Epub ahead of print] PMID:30535675
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/shuchuen-li
66 | Page
Cardio-Metabolic Vascular and Cardio-Oncology Research Group Laboratory and Research overview: Associate Professor Doan Ngo is an academic pharmacist and a successful basic and translational scientist with multiple important contributions in the cardiovascular and metabolic field. She is a co-director of Cardiometabolic, Vascular and Cardio-oncology Research Groups at the University of Newcastle and HMRI. Associate Professor Ngo's research encompasses a wide range of topics related to cardiovascular and metabolic health as well as a strong interest in cardiovascular complications of cancer therapies. She has a basic and translational lab at the Hunter Medical Research Institute and a presence on the Callaghan Campus. Her clinical research, in partnership with Associate Professor Sverdlov is at the John Hunter Hospital and Calvary Mater Newcastle. Associate Professor Doan Ngo Associate Professor Ngo's specific research interests directions are: ● Mechanisms underlying development of heart failure, especially heart failure due to obesity and diabetes Laboratory Manager ● Role of angiogenesis, mitochondria and redox stress in cardiometabolic disorders with focus on obesity and Amanda Croft diabetes ● Mechanisms of development of cancer therapy-mediated cardiotoxicity Research Fellows ● Role of novel biomarkers in early detection of various forms of heart disease Xiajie Zhang ● Basic and clinical factors responsible for development and progression of aortic valve disease Trent Williams ● Developing therapeutic options for cardio-protection in setting of cancer treatment
● Development and evaluation of cardio-oncology clinical and translational program RHD Students ● Evaluation of new treatment options for patients with obesity, heart failure and chemotherapy-induced Rossana Untaru Dongqing Chen cardiotoxicity Dawn McIvor Amanda Croft Competitive Grants: NSW Ministry of Health Fellowship: Implementation of strategies for early detection and prevention of Honours Students chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in cancer patients: a multidisciplinary approach. Ngo DTM. (2018-21) Conagh Kelly John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust: Novel discovery of Sirtuin-3 isoforms in human cardiomyocytes. Alexandra Nesbitt Sverdlov AL, Croft A, Ngo DTM. (2018-19) Glykeria Stavropoulos HMRI Cameron Family Grant: Strategies to reducre cardiovascular burden in cancer survivors. Ngo. DTM. Talia Quigg (2018-19) Sophie Horder Entrepreneur’s Programme/Biotronik Australia Pty Ltd, HMRI: To develop and test a new paradigm for Claire Park management of changing Heart Failure disease treatment. Sverdlov AL, Ngo DTM, Boyle A. (2018-19) Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation Grant: Metabolic heart disease: markers and mechanisms. Sverdlov AL, Ngo DTM. (2016-18) National Heart Foundation (Vanguard Grant): Sverdlov AL, Ngo DTM. (2016-18)
Recent Publications: Diaz A, Sverdlov AA, Kelly B, Ngo DTM, Bates N, Garvey G. The nexus of cancer and cardiovascular disease for Australia’s First Peoples. Journal of Global Oncology. 2019. Accepted for publication. Ezad S, Khan AA, Cheema H, Ashraf A, Ngo DTM, Sverdlov AL, Collins NJ. Ibrutinib Related Atrial Fibrillation – A Single Centre Australian Experience. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2019 accepted. doi.org/10.1111/ajco.13179 Ngo DTM, Sverdlov AL, Karki S, Macartney-Coxson D, Stubbs RS, Farb MG, Carmine B. Hess DT, Colucci WS, Gokce N. Oxidative Modifications of Mitochondrial Complex II are associated with insulin resistance of visceral fat in obesity. American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism. Epub 2018 Dec. Accepted for publication. (IF: 4.0) 2019 Feb 1;316(2):E68-E177. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00227.2018 Figtree GA, Ngo DTM, Bubb K. Testosterone to estradiol ratio and plaque inflammation- mechanistic insights and biomarker potential? Cardiovascular Research. Published 5 November 2018. 2019 Feb 1;115(2):255-257 (IF: 6.3). doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvy260 Murtha LA*, Morten M*, Schuliga MJ*, Mabotuwana NS, Hardy SA, Waters DW, Burgess JK, Ngo DTM, Sverdlov AL, Knight DA, Boyle AJ. The role of pathological aging in cardiac and pulmonary fibrosis. Aging and Disease. 2019 Apr; 10(2):419-428. doi: 10.14336/AD.2018.0601 (IF: 5.05)
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/doan-ngo
67 | Page
STUDENTS
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Biomedical Science (Honours) Enrolments 2012-2018:
Year Full time students Part time students 2012 10 2012-2013 1 2013 13 2013-2014 4 2014 14 2014-2015 5 1 2015 15 2015-2016 4 2016 12 2016-2017 4 2017 16 2017-2018 6 2018 10
Undergraduate research programs – 3rd year projects The second semester course HUBS3409 (Project in Biomedical Science – 20 Units) is a laboratory intensive experience. No lectures, no practicals and no formal examinations: the students are 100% in the laboratories, working on their research project in a professional environment with supervision. Performing and analysing experiments, writing a literature review and a report, and presenting the results in public are integral parts of the training. This 3rd year project is not only a training for research for students who want to pursue an Honours degree, but it is also a way to get laboratory work experience for those who want to find employment after the Bachelor.
Summer Research Scholarships We have a vibrant summer Research Scholarship program – where 10 paid Scholarships are offered by the School for outstanding and motivated students to strengthen their skills and interests, prior to embarking on honours levels projects. There a several criteria that must be met to receive funding.
Projects must: Involve active student participation in the proposed study, Be based on a clear and testable hypothesis, Have operating funds in place to cover all research expenses. The School only provides the stipend.
Evaluation will based on: Scientific and Educational Merit of the Project: The quality of research and learning environment A clear and testable hypothesis
Student’s Role The student’s role is clearly delineated The student has opportunities to learn new skills and learn from other researchers The student has opportunities to have input into the project
68 | Page
Academic Student Awards:
Student Program Award
Lilly Williams B. Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist September 2017 Graduation (2017 Academic Year-mid year intake) Jessica Bruce B. Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist (Hons) September 2017 Graduation (2017 Academic Year-mid year intake) Jessica Bruce B. Biomedical Sciences Dunkley Medallist (Hons) September 2017 Graduation (2017 Academic Year-mid year intake) Kimberly Barrass B. Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist April 2018 Graduation (2017 Academic Year) Kyne Hanlon B. Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist April 2018 Graduation (2017 Academic Year) William Reay B. Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist (Hons) April 2018 Graduation (2017 Academic Year) Batoul Al-Mudafer B. Pharmacy (Hons) Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist April 2018 Graduation (2017 Academic Year) William Reay B. Biomedical Sciences Dunkley Medallist (Hons) April 2018 Graduation (2017 Academic Year) Jessica Bruce B. Biomedical Sciences University Medallist (Hons) April 2018 Graduation (2017 Academic Year( Callum Rigby B. Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist (Hons) September 2018 Graduation (2018 Academic Year-mid year intake) Callum Rigby B. Biomedical Sciences Dunkley Medallist (Hons) September 2018 Graduation (2018 Academic Year-mid year intake) Ashleigh Longford B. Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist April 2019 Graduation (2018 Academic Year) Maddison Muller B. Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist April 2019 Graduation (2018 Academic Year) Alexandra Peters B. Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist (Hons) April 2019 Graduation (2018 Academic Year) Stephanie Hough B. Pharmacy (Hons) Faculty of Health and Medicine Medallist April 2019 Graduation (2018 Academic Year) Kateleen Hedley B. Biomedical Science (Hons) Dunkley Medallist April 2019 Graduation (2018 Academic Year) Callum Rigby B. Biomedical Sciences University Medallist (Hons) April 2019 Graduation (2018 Academic Year) William Myles B. Biomedical Sciences University Medallist (Hons) April 2019 Graduation (2018 Academic Year) Lauren Arms B. Pharmacy (Hns) University Medallist April 2019 Graduation (2018 Academic Year)
The Dunkley Medal is awarded for "Excellence in Biomedical Research" The naming of the medal is to honour the contributions made to the School by Emeritus Professor Peter Dunkley and Conjoint Professor Margaret Dunkley. This honour reflects the exceptional contributions made by the Dunkleys, over many years, in fostering excellence in research within the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy.
69 | Page
POST GRADUATE RESEARCH Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Research Higher Degree Completions 2018:
Student Program Thesis Title
Noraidatulakma PhD (Medical Genetic And Non-Genetic Studies of Type 2 Diabetes in Three Susceptible Asian Abdullah Genetics) Populations: Malay, Chinese And Indian. Supervisor: Rodney Scott Cameron PhD (Anatomy) Channelrhodopsin-Assisted Circuit Mapping of Medial Amygdaloid Connectivity to the Adams Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus.Supervisor: Chris Dayas Md Khadem PhD (Immunology Role of Iron in the Pathogenesis of Lung Disease Ali & Microbiology) Supervisor: Jay Horvat/Liz Milward Preety PhD (Medical Age-related mTOR in Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers Bajwa Biochemistry) Supervisor: Pradeep Tanwar Mohitosh PhD (Pharmacy) Assessment of Potential Drug and Gene Interactions for Cardiovascular and Biswas Antidepressant Drugs from High-Throughput Genotyping Data in a Community Cohort of Older Australians. Supervisor: Liz Milward Joshua PhD (Medical Characterisation of the Membrane Composition and Function of Extracellular Vesicles Brzozowski Biochemistry) from Prostate Cells Supervisor: Kathryn Skelding/Jude Weidenhofer Kamal PhD (Immunology Investigation of the Pathogenesis of Influenza Infection in Asthma and COPD; Dua & Microbiology) Potential Therapeutic Interventions. Supervisor: Phil Hansbro Ryan PhD Effects of Maternal Immune Activation on Adult Brain Neurobiology Duchatel (Experimental Supervisor: Phil Jobling/Paul Tooney Pharmacology) Sam PhD (Medical ProNGF, NGF and their Receptors in Tumour Innervation and Progression: a Study in Faulkner Biochemistry) Breast and Thyroid Cancers Supervisor: Professor Hubert Hondermarck Jyoti PhD (Medical Role of WNT Signalling in Endometrial Homeostasis and Cancer Goad Biochemistry) Supervisor: Pradeep Tanwar Sutang PhD (Medical The Role of Inositol Polyphosphate 4-Phosphatase II (INPP4B) in the Pathogenesis Guo Biochemistry) of Colon Cancer. Supervisor: Xu Dong Zhang Muriel PhD (Anatomy) Impaired Processes Dynamics of Activated Microglia in Areas of Secondary Kluge Neurodegeneration after Ischemic Stroke in Mice. Supervisor: Rohan Walker Nurul Ain PhD (Pharmacy) Quality Use of Medicine In Malaysia Public Health System: The Role of Pharmacist. Mohd Tahir Supervisor: Shu Chuen Li Yury PhD (Human Mechanosensitivity of the Trpc6 Ion Channel Nilolaev Physiology) Supervisor: Derek Laver Giovanni PhD (Anatomy) Involvement of Microglia Activation in the Development of CNS Diseases. Pietrogrande Supervisor: Rohan Walker James PhD (Immunology Elucidating the Mechanisms of Steroid-Resistant Asthma Pinkerton & Microbiology) Supervisor: Jay Horvat Lauren PhD (Anatomy) Synaptic Properties of the Mammalian Peripheral Efferent Vestibular System Poppi Supervisor: Rebecca Lim/Alan Brichta Sonia PhD (Human The Nerve-Cancer Connection in Ovarian Cancer Rodrigues Physiology) Supervisor: Phil Jobling Oliveira Subhransu PhD (Medical Role of Microenvironment in Endometrial Cancer Progression, Metastasis, and Drug Sahoo Biochmistry) Resistance. Supervisor: Pradeep Tanwar Julia PhD Effect of Pre and Postnatal Neurosteroid Therapy on Neurodevelopment and Shaw (Experimental Behaviour. Supervisor: Jon Hirst Pharmacology) Kelly PhD (Human The Role of Calretinin Positive Interneurons in Spinal Sensory Coding Smith Physiology) Supervisor: Brett Graham/Phil Jobling Lincoln PhD (immunology Investigation of Coxsackievirus A21 as a Potential Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer Smith & Microbiology) Supervisor: Gough Au Shafiq PhD (Medical Endometrial Stem/Progenitor Cells in Endometrial Regeneration, Carcinogenesis and Syed Biochemistry) Aging. Supervisor: Pradeep Tanwar Rohith Nagendra PhD (Pharmacy) Curcumin and Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Effects on Thota Glycaemic Control and Blood Lipids. Supervisor: Manohar Garg Jiayu PhD (Medical Targeting Human MutT Homolog 1 (MTH1) in Melanoma. Wang Biochemistry) Supervisor: Xu Dong Zhang Thomas PhD (Anatomy) Anatomical and Physiological Characterisation of Central Vestibular Neuronal Wellings Populations. Supervisor: Rebecca Lim/Alan Brichta
70 | Page
Student Program Thesis Title
Noraidatulakma PhD (Medical Genetic And Non-Genetic Studies of Type 2 Diabetes in Three Susceptible Asian Abdullah Genetics) Populations: Malay, Chinese And Indian. Supervisor: Rodney Scott Katarzyna PhD (Anatomy) Investigation of Corticosterone Impact on the Sub-Acute Stage of Recovery After Zalewska Photothrombotic Stroke Induction Supervisor: Rohan Walker
71 | Page
SCHOOL INITIATIVES RESEARCH PAPER OF THE MONTH
During 2014, the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy introduced the Research Paper of the Month award to promote and reward quality research from trainees within the School. The criteria for selection:
The first author must be a trainee (RHD Student/ECR Post-Doc) in the school. The paper must meet the criteria for a category C publication (published in a scholarly journal, peer reviewed) from work (largely) done in the school.
Monthly Prize: Contribution to publication charges. Trainee receives $250 (gift certificate).
Journal: Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (Trop Med Infect Dis) January Winner Title: Rickettsial Infections and Q Fever amongst febrile patients in Bhutan. Tshokey Authors: Tshokey, Stenos J, Durrheim DN, Eastwood K, Nguyen C, Vincent G, Graves SR.
Journal: Nutrients February Winner Title: The Relationship between Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy and Offspring Kidney Yu Qi Lee Structure and Function in Humans: A Systematic Review. Authors: Lee YQ, Collins CE, Gordon A, Rae KM, Pringle KG. Journal: Stroke March Winner Title: Growth Hormone Improves Cognitive Function after Experimental Stroke. Lin Kooi Ong Authors: Ong LK, Chow WZ, TeBay C, Kluge M, Pietrogrande G, Zalewska K, Crock P, Aberg ND, Bivard ND, Bivard A, Johnson SJ, Walker FR, Nilsson M, Isgaard J. Journal: Journal of Physiology & Behaviour (Physiol Behav.) April Winner Title: Cybersickness-related changes in brain hemodynamics: A pilot study comparing Alireza Mazloumi transcranial Doppler and near-infrared spectroscopy assessments during a virtual ride on a roller Gavgani coaster. Authors: Gavgani AM, Wong RHX, Howe PRC, Hodgson DM, Walker FR, Nalivaiko E. Journal: Endocrinology May Winner Title: Proteomic Characterization of the Extracellular Matrix of Human Uterine Fibroids. Muhammad Jamaluddin Authors: Jamaluddin MFB, Nahar P, Tanwar PS.
Journal: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr.) June Winner Title: Differential effects of medium and long-chain saturated fatty acids on blood lipid profile: a Nisha Panth systematic review and meta-analysis. Authors: Panth N, Abbott KA, Dias CB, Wynne K, Garg ML. Journal: Pharmacological Research (Pharmacol Res.) July Winner Title: Targeting neurotrophin signalling in cancer: The renaissance. Nathan Griffin Authors: Griffin N, Faulkner S, Jobling P, Hondermarck H.
Journal: Translational Stroke Research (Transl Stroke Res.) August Winner Title: Low Oxygen Post Conditioning as an efficient non-pharmacological strategy to promote Giovanni Pietrogrande motor function after stroke. Authors: Pietrogrande G, Zalewska K, Zhao Z, Johnson SJ, Nilsson M, Walker FR.
BEAUTIFUL SCIENCE COMPETITION - 2018
During 2014, the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy introduced the Beautiful Science Competition to encourage looking at science and research in new ways and reward quality research from trainees within the School. Noting that the applicant must be a trainee (RHD Student/ECR Post-Doc) in the school.
The criteria is for applicants to submit an image of their science that they consider to be “beautiful” - whether it be a photograph, hand-drawn image or representation of their findings or even equipment. The images are considered by the School’s Research Committee for their aesthetic appeal and portrayal of science. Images are displayed in the foyer of the Medical Sciences Building.
Annual Prize: $500 (gift certificate) OR contribution towards a domestic airfare/registration for a national meeting. Monthly Prize: Trainee receives $100 (gift certificate).
72 | Page
Monthly Winner January 2018: Emily Frost (PhD student)
Image Name: The proliferation of human granulosa cells
Image Description: This image depicts human granulosa cells from the human granulosa cell line KGN, showing STAT3 expression. STAT3 is a transcription factor, which is important for cellular proliferation. Granulosa cells are stained with a STAT3 antibody (red) and the nuclear stain DAPI (blue).
Supervisor: Dr Jessie Sutherland
Monthly Winner April 2018: Ngan Fung Winnie Li (PhD student)
Image Name: A glimpse at junctional dynamics
Image Description: A top down view of a differentiating airway epithelium from an asthmatic donor cultured in air- liquid interface. Structural proteins in tight junction region – zonula occluden and claudin-1 were stained in red and green respectively. Nuclei stained in blue.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Nathan Bartlett
Monthly Winner May 2018: Anya Arthurs (PhD student)
Image Name: Baby Love
Image Description: Staining of a miR-155 KO mouse placenta (H&E)
Supervisor: Associate Professor Kirsty Pringle
Monthly Winner June 2018: Rachel Neal (PhD student)
Image Name: Mucus of the Murine colon
Image Description: Represents a section of murine colon tissue that has been histologically stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and alcian-blue, in order to visualise the localisation of goblet cells (mucus secreting cells) and quantify intracellular mucus. The image clearly displays the structure of goblet cells and the blue stained mucus granules within, being excocytosed into the lumen.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Simon Keely 73 | Page
Monthly Winner July 2018: Julia Shaw (ECR)
Image Name: The Batman
Image Description: Intense myelin basic protein immunostaining has revealed the Batman in the guinea pig brain.
Supervisor: Professor Jonathan Hirst
Monthly Winner August 2018: Aminah Ali Abid Al-Juboori (PhD student)
Image Name: Engaged from 21 days: Stromal-epithelial communication in 3D
Image Description: Human uterine stromal (green) cells integrated in uterine epithelial (red) organoids to study the mechanisms of stromal-epithelial communications in uterine functions and diseases.
Supervisor: Professor Jonathan Hirst
Monthly Winner September 2018: Sonia Sanchez Bezanilla (PhD student)
Image Name: Taking out the trash
Image Description: The brain is a living organ, it needs nutrients and water to function everyday however it also generates waste and if there isn’t a structured cleaning system in place to clear th ejunk, things can get messy. To help the brain think clearly, the trash needs to be taken out regularly. This image represents the structure of the glymphatic system which is a clearance mechanism that helps remove waste from the brain. For this system to work and keep our brain healthy, a close and specific interaction between the astrocytes (brain cells represented in white), the blood vessels (red) and the aquaporin 4 water channels (green) needs to exist in harmony (represented in last figure).
Supervisor: Associate Professor Rohan Walker
74 | Page
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 2018
AWARDS RECEIVED BY STAFF/STUDENTS
Burns, Grace American Physiological Society poster of distinction (Experimental Biology) RHD Student: Associate Professor Simon Keely Chen, Dongging Finalist poster presentation – Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand RHD Student Associate Professor Doan Ngo Delforce, Sarah Best PechaKucha presentation at Australian Society for Medical Research Scientific Meeting RHD Student Associate Professor Kirsty Pringle & Emeritus Scientia Professor Eugenie Lumbers Feng, Yu Chen Third prize Oral Presentation at the 12th AACBS Annual Scientific Meeting RHD Student Professor Xu Dong Zhang Ferguson, Jessica 2018 Metabolism Award for Junior Investigator International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) New Investigator Award International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) Top Investigator Award Research Fellow Professor Manohar Garg Goggins, Bridie Experimental Biology John Forte Abstract Award RHD Student: Associate Professor Simon Keely Jin, Lei Rising Star Awards – Australian Association of Chinese Biomedical Scientists Research Excellence Awards – Australian Association of Chinese Biomedical Scientists University of Newcastle, Faculty of Health and Medicine School Medicine and Public Health Award for Research and Innovation Excellence Career Development Fellow Professor Xu Dong Zhang Kelly, Conagh Finalist poster presentation – Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Honours Student Associate Professor Doan Ngo Lee, Heather Metcalf Prize for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia Lee, Yu Qi University of Newcastle, School of Biomedical Sciences Publication of the Month, February RHD Student Associate Professor Kirsty Pringle & Emeritus Scientia Professor Eugenie Lumbers Lim, Rebecca Neuro-Otology Society of Australia Prize
Liu, Gang American Society for Investigative Pathology Travel Award Post Doctoral Researcher Associate Professor Simon Keely Murray, Heather Hunter Cancer Research Alliance Domestic Travel Grant (NDLR) Poster Prize: Sydney Cancer Conference 2018 – Bridging Research and Practice Best PhD student oral presentation: ASMR Satellite Scientific Meeting. Sydney RHD Student Associate Professor Nikki Verrills Nesbitt, Alexandra Winner Best Poster Presentation – Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Honours Student Associate Professor Doan Ngo Ngo, Doan John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust Royal Australasian College of Physicians/Foundation for High Blood Pressure Hunter Medical Research Institute Cameron Family Grant Entrepreneurs’ Program/Biotronik Australia Pty Ltd, Hunter Medical Research Institute Panicker, Nikita Poster Prize: Sydney Cancer Conference 2018 – Bridging Research and Practice Best poster presenttion in Biomarkers and Targeted Therapy – Hunter Cancer Research Alliance Symposium, Newcastle. RHD Student Associate Professor Nikki Verrills Pariyar, Mamta Special recognition Rapid Reflection Oral Presentation at the Hunter Cancer Research Alliance Annual Conference RHD Student Dr Kelly Avery-Kiejda Parsons, Marie HCRA Publication Award Post Doctoral Researcher Associate Professor Simon Keely Pringle, Kirsty Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB), Visiting Lecturer Award Rodrigues, Samantha Best Poster Presentation at Gordon Research Conference for Angiotensins RHD Student Associate Professor Kirsty Pringle & Emeritus Scientia Professor Eugenie Lumbers Scott, Hayley University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Collaboration University of Newcastle Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs Outstanding Scholar Award University of Newcastle Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs Travel Award Stoodley, Isobel Nutrition Society of Australia Travel Award RHD Student Professor Lisa Wood Tadros, Melissa UON Women in Research Fellowship Thompson, Cherry Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand NSW Branch Annual Scientific Meeting Poster Prize Nutrition Society of Australia Travel Award 75 | Page
RHD Student Professor Lisa Wood Verrills, Nikki University of Newcastle, Faculty of Health and Medicine Research Supervision Excellence Award Wong, Rachel Winner of the Faculty of Health and Medicine Early Career Research and Innovation Excellence Award Wood, Lisa Hunter Medical Research Institute Director’s Award for Mid-Career Research Zhang, Yuan Yuan Second Prize Oral Presentation at the 12th AACBS Annual Scientific Meeting
ACADEMIC HONOURS RECEIVED BY STAFF/STUDENTS
Arms, Lauren BPharm with First Class Honours University Medal Honours Student Associate Professor Susan Hua Biswas, Mohitosh PhD Awarded and Associate Professor Appointment, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh RHD student Professor Liz Milward Coupland, Kirsten Hunter Medical Research Institute Dalara Early Career Researcher Fellowship Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Neil Spratt Duchatel, Ryan PhD Awarded Co-Supervised RHD Student Dr Phil Jobling and Associate Professor Paul Tooney Ferguson, Jessica Hunter Medical Research Institute Greaves Family Postgraduate Top-Up Scholarship Hunter Medical Research Institute Future Medical Research Scholarship Research Fellow Professor Manohar Garg Hunt, Kooper First Class Honours Undergraduate Student Dr Heather Lee Khadem Ali, Dr Md. PhD Awarded and Post-Doctoral Appointment Stanford University, USA. Co-Supervised RHD Student Professor Liz Milward/Associate Professor Jay Horvat Kluge, Muriel PhD Awarded RHD Student Professor Rohan Walker Ngo, Doan NSW Ministry of Health Early Mid Career Fellowship Parsons, Marie HCRA Early Career Research Fellowship Post Doctoral Researcher Associate Professor Simon Keely Pietrogrande, PhD Awarded Giovanni RHD Student Professor Rohan Walker Reay, William University of Newcastle, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Dunkley Award 2018 University of Newcastle, Faculty of Health and Medicine Faculty Award 2019 RHD Student Professor Murray Cairns Scott, Hayley Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand/National Asthma Council Fellowship Zalewska, Kataryna PhD Awarded RHD Student Professor Rohan Walker
EDITORIAL SERVICE
Avery-Kiejda, Kelly Editorial Board Member: PLoSOne Bartlett, Nathan Associate Editor: American Journal of Physiology – Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology Bolton, Philip Editorial Board Member: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Brichta, Alan Associate Editor: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology Editorial Board Member: International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Cairns, Murray Associate Editor: Genetics Research Editorial Board Member: Epigenomics Editorial Board Member: Scientific Reports Editorial Board Member: American Journal of Medical Genetics Editorial Board Member: Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformaatics Editorial Board Member: MicroRNA Editorial Board Member: Frontiers in Genetics Editorial Board Member: Journal of RNAi and Gene Silencing Editorial Board Member: Open Journal of Genomics Editorial Board Member: Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Garg, Manohar Editor in Chief: Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism Associate Editor: Progress in Lipid Research, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture Hansbro, Phil Associate Editor: Infection, Ecology and Epidemiology Associate Editor: Respirology Associate Editor: Mucosal Immunology Hondermarck, Hubert Editorial Board Member: Molecular and Cellular Proteomics Editorial Board Member: Proteomics
76 | Page
Editorial Board Member: Proteomics Clinical Applications Editorial Board Member: Frontiers in Endocrinology Editor: International Journal of Molecular Sciences Howe, Peter Emeritus Editor in Chief: Nutrients Kairuz, Therèse Peer Review: Australasian Journal on Ageing Peer Review: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Peer Review: Journal of Infectious Diseases in Developing Countries Peer Review: Pharmacy – Open access online journal. Editorial Board Member (Regional Editor): Current Drug Safety Keely, Simon Editorial Board Member: Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology Knight, Darryl Associate Editor: International Journal Biochemistry and Cell Biology Associate Editor: Experimental Lung Research; Associate Editor: Respirology Editorial Board Member: American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology Editorial Board Member Journal of Epithelial Biology and Pharmacology Journal Reviewer: Aging Cell; Science Translational Medicine; Journal of Cell Science; Mucosal Immunology; Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics; Immunology and Cell Biology; American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology; Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences; American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine; British Journal of Pharmacology; European Respiratory Journal, Thorax; Clinical and Experimental Allergy; Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Li, Shu Chuen Editorial Board Member: Journal of Medical Economics Editorial Board Member: Journal of Asian Association of Pharmacy Schools Co-Editor: Value in Health Regional Issue Laver, Derek Editorial Board Member: PlosOne Nalivaiko, Eugene Editor: Frontiers Physiology Ngo, Doan Editorial Board Member: PLoSOne Editorial Board Member: Heart Lung and Circulation Editorial Board Member – Cardio-oncology Section: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine Pringle, Kirsty Associate Editor: Journal of Pregnancy. Associate Editor: Frontiers in Physiology: Embryonic and Developmental Physiology Sontag, Estelle Associate Editor: Journal of Alzheimer Disease Editorial Board Member: Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology Editorial Board Member: The Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology (the official Journal of the American Association of Neuropathologists). Spratt, Neil Editorial Board Member: Scientific Reports van Helden, Dirk Editorial Board Member: F1000 Research Verrills, Nikki Reviewer: Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Reviewer: Proteomics Reviewer: Oncotarget Wood, Lisa Deputy Editor: Respirology Editorial Board Member: Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics Editorial Board Member: Nutrients Zhang, Xu Dong Editorial Board Member: The Journal of Immunotherapy Applications Editorial Board Member: Cellular & Molecular Oncology Editorial Board Member: Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology
EXPERT REVIEWS FOR INSTITUTIONS OR ORGANISATIONS
Avery-Kiejda, Kelly PhD Confirmation Committee Member: University of Newcastle (2 students) PhD Thesis Examiner: University of Technology Sydney Bartlett, Nathan PhD Thesis Examiner: University of Queensland Grant Review: Food and Health Bureau, Health and Medical Research Fund, Hong Kong Bolton, Philip PhD Thesis Examiner: University of Sydney PhD Thesis Examiner: Macquarie University Cairns, Murray PhD Thesis Examiner: University of Melbourne Garg, Manohar PhD Thesis Examiner: Griffith University PhD Thesis Examiner: University of Wollongong Howe, Peter Member, Medical & Health Sciences Research Evaluation Committee: Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) Kairuz, Therése Expert Review: National Research Foundation South Africa Keely, Simon Consultant: Aerpio Therapeutics Scientific Advisor/Consultant: Gossamer Bio Scientific Advisory Board: Anatara Life Sciences
77 | Page
Knight, Darryl Member: Cancer Research UK; Medical Research Council of the UK, British Lung Foundation; Canadian Institutes of health Research; Wellcome Trust UK. Scientific Advisory Board Member: Pacific Therapeutics Ltd External Review Panel Member: School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, QLD External Review Panel Member: School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia. Consultant: Cardiome: K+ channels in airway disease; Centocor: Progression of Asthma. Reviewer: Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR, France) Laver, Derek PhD Thesis Examiner: University of Otago Liang, Roger PhD Thesis Examiner: University of Queensland Li, Shu Chuen PhD Thesis Examiner: Monash University Ngo, Doan Master Thesis Examiner: University of Sydney Pringle, Kirsty PhD Thesis Examiner: University of Sydney Rostas, John Chair External Strategic Scientific Review of the Sydney Brain Bank: Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) Sontag, Estelle PhD Thesis Examiner: University of New South Wales Reviewer: National Health and Medical Research Council Tadros, Melissa PhD Thesis Examiner: Western Sydney University Verrills, Nikki PhD Thesis Examiner: University of South Australia PhD Thesis Examiner: University of Queensland Weidenhofer, Jude PhD Thesis Examiner: Monash University Wood, Lisa PhD Thesis Examiner: Monash University Registration Review Committee Chair: Nutrition Society of Australia Zhang, Xu Dong PhD Thesis Examiner: The University of Sydney PhD Thesis Examiner: The University of Melbourne
HONORARY OR CONJOINT PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Bartlett, Nathan Honorary Senior Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine and Infection: Imperial College London Brichta, Alan Senior Conjoint: Neuroscience Research Australia (NEURA) Foster, Paul Visiting Professor: National University of Singapore (NUS) Garg, Manohar Honorary Professor: Riidet Institute, Massey University, New Zealand Hansbro, Phil Director: Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Board: Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Chair, Research Committee: Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Associate Director: Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Disease Advisory Group: National Avian Influenza in Wild Birds Howe, Peter Professor of Clinical Nutrition: University of Southern Queensland Adjunct Professor in Nutritional Physiology: University of South Australia Adjunct Professor in Physiology: University of Adelaide Chair, Advisory Committee for Complimentary Medicines: Therapeutic Goods Administration Kairuz, Therèse Conjoint/Adjunct Associate Professor: International Medical University, Malaysia Conjoint/Adjunct Associate Professor: University of Cape Town – Graduate School of Business Conjoint/Adjunct Senior Fellow: University of Queensland – School of Pharmacy Knight, Darryl Visiting Professor: Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Honorary Research & Innovation Conjoint: Hunter New England Local Health District Research Committee Member: Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Advisory Board Member: International Scientific Advisory Board – National Heart Lung Institute, Imperial College London. Member: Faculty of 1000 Lee, Heather Visiting Scientist: Garvan Institute Liang, Roger Visiting Professor at Faculty of Pharmacy: Airlangga University, Indonesia Li, Shu Chuen President: Asian Association of Schools of Pharmacy (AASP) Board of Directors: Asian Asociation of Schools of Pharmacy (AASP) Chair, Education Committee: ISPOR Asia Consortium Visiting Professor: Faculty of Pharmacy, Taylor University, Malaysia Lim, Rebecca Conjoint: Neuroscience Research Australia (NEURA) Lumbers, Eugenie Emeritus Professor: University of New South Wales Ngo, Doan Adjunct Associate Professor: University of Adelaide Rostas, John Deputy Chair, Board of Directors: Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) Member, International Scientific Advisory Board: Brain Research New Zealand. Member, Management Advisory Committee: Autoimmune Resource and Research Centre (ARRC)
78 | Page
Scott, Hayley Nutrition Special Interest Group Convenor: Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Sontag, Estelle Member, College of Experts: Australian Research Council Verrills, Nikki Executive: Hunter Cancer Research Alliance Deputy Chair: Hunter Cancer Research Alliance Biomarkers and Targeted Therapies Flagship Member: PRC Cancer Research Innovation and Translation Wong, Rachel Adjunct Research Fellow: University of Southern Queensland Wood, Lisa Honorary Affiliate and Member: Woolcock Research Institute President: Nutrition Society of Australia Treasurer & Director: Australian Nutrition Trust National Committee for Nutrition Ex-officio Member: Australia Academy of Science
INVITED OR PLENARY SPEAKER (NATIONAL AND/OR INTERNATIONAL)
Avery-Kiejda, Kelly Invited Speaker: “Defining the key mediators of breast cancer progression and treatment resistance in the triple negative subtype.” Hunter Cancer Research Symposium. Newcastle, NSW. November Invited Speaker: “Delta40p53 is associated with stem cell markers in breast cancer.” Sydney Cancer Conference 2018 – Bridging Research and Practice. Sydney, NSW. October Bartlett, Nathan Invited Speaker: “Multiple mechanisms subvert epithelial anti-viral immunity in asthma and COPD.” Seminar Series, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth. October Invited Speaker: “Using Airway Epithelial Targeting Nanoparticles to translate mechanism into therapy.” 2nd International Symposium on Respiratory Research, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore. March Invited Speaker: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Respiratory Series. Sydney. Brichta, Alan Invited Speaker: University of Sydney Cairns, Murray Invited Speaker: “Exploring the molecular determinants and behavioural consequences of posttranscriptional dysregulation in schizophrenia.” Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS) 2018, 38th Annual Scientific Meeting. Brisbane, Queensland. December Invited Speaker: “Targeting synaptic microRNA dysregulation associated with Schizophrenia.” International Conference on Emerging Advanced Nanomaterials (ICEAN) 2018. Newcastle, NSW. October-November Invited Speaker: Translation Research Institute, University of Queensland. Cooper, Joyce Speaker: “Duloxetine overdose.” 38th Congress of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists, Bucharest, Romania. May Croft, Hayley Oral Presentation: International Pharmaceutical Federation Conference, Glasgow, Scotland. August Foster, Paul Invited Speaker: University of New York City Invited Speaker: “My Journey in Science.” National University of Singapore (NUS) Garg, Manohar Speaker: 19th World Congress of Food Science and Technology, Mumbai, India October Keynote speaker: “Vitamin D: Sunshine, foods and supplements”. F.F.S.H. Conference (Merck) Dubai, UAE. October Speaker: C.S.F.S.T. Conference, Hangzhou, China. November Hirst, Jon Speaker: Annual Scientific Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, Auckland. March Hondermarck, Seminar Speaker: A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) Institute, Singapore. Hubert December Invited Speaker: “The role of nerves in cancer initiation and progression.” EUSARC 2018-The Biology of Sarcoma, A Residential Workshop. Bertinoro, Italy. June Speaker: 10th National Symposium on Advances in Gastrointestinal & Urogenital Research. Glenelg, Adelaide. November Howe, Peter Oral Presentation: “Gender dependent effects of fish oil supplementation on cerebrovascular responsiveness.” International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids. Las Vegas, US. May. Round Table Chair: APAC Healthy Ageing Summit, Singapore. June Co-organiser, Chair and Presenter: “Nutrients for a healthy circulation.” 3rd Annual Functional Foods and Supplements Symposium, University Southern Queensland, Toowoomba. Australia. October Invited Plenary Speaker: “Natural Products for Preventive Health in Aging Populations.” 7th International Conference on Natural Products. Gyeongju, Korea. October Oral Presentation: “Preliminary data from the longest resveratrol clinical trial undertaken in postmenopausal women” 5th International Conference on Resveratrol and Health, Xi’an, China. October Keely, Simon Invited Speaker: “Immune signalling in Functional GI Disorders.” United European Gastroenterology Week (EUGW), Vienna, Austria. October Invited Speaker: “Nanotechnology-based opportunities in chronic GI disease.” International Conference on Emerging Advanced Nanomaterials (ICEAN) 2018. Newcastle, NSW. October/November
79 | Page
Knight, Darryl Conference Organiser: 2nd International Symposium on Respiratory Research, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. March 2018. Official launch of The Academic Respiratory Initiative for Pulmonary Health (TARIPH) – International collaboration for respiratory research. Conference Organiser: “What does CREATE mean for IPF training? Introduction and symposium opening, introduction to CREATE – Centre Research Excellence Advanced Training Environment to train future leaders of pulmonary fibrosis treatment and research. TSANZ Scientific Conference. Adelaide. March Plenary Speaker: “What does CREATE mean for IPF training?” TSANZ Annual Scientific Conference. Adelaide. March Plenary Speaker: “Location, location, location: A series of cautionary tales to understand the impact of heterogeneity in chronic lung diseases.” Grand Rounds, Central Clinical School, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne. June Visiting Academic: “Failure to communicate: How the epithelium of patients with asthma responds inappropriately to environmental challenge.” Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. July Laver, Derek Plenary Key Note Speaker: Gage Conference Muscle 2018. Canberra, April Lee, Heather Keynote Speaker: “Single-cell analysis to advance epigenetic therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia.” University of Otago Epigenetics User Group Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand. July Invited Speaker: “Single-cell epigenomics for analysis of heterogeneous and rare cell populations.” ComBio 2018, Sydney, Australia. September Invited Speaker: “Single-cell epigenomics in actute myeloid leukaemia.” Oz Single Cells 2018, Sydney, Australia. July Invited Speaker: “Dynamic and heterogeneous DNA methylation in pluripotent cells.” Hunter Cell Biology Meeting. Lovedale, NSW, Australia. March Liang, Roger Invited Speaker: “Engineering Albumin Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy.” International Conference on Emerging Advanced Nanomaterials (ICEAN) 2018. Newcastle, NSW. October/November
Li, Shu Chuen Invited Keynote Speaker: “Experience and thoughs of assessing value for pharmaceuticals in Australia.” Huaxia Health Technology Assessment Forum, Tianjin, China. June-July. Invited Speaker: “Is it necessary to include pharmacoeconomics/pharmacoepidemiology in the Pharmacy curriculum.” 5th AASP Deans Forum, Macau SAR. July Invited Speaker: “Introduction to Modeling: Modeling Methods.” ISPOR Asia Pacific Conference, Tokyo, Japan. September Keynote Speaker: “Clinical and scientific requiement for Patient Report Data System.” China National Pharmaceutical and Health Technology Assessment Cengtre Launching Conference and China patient Reported Outcome Research Project Launching Meeting, Beijing, China. October Keynote Speaker: “What will be impacting Health Technology Assessment?” 6th Southern China Pharmacoeconomics Forum, Fuzhou, China. October Loo, Su-Ling Speaker: TSANZ Conference, Adelaide, March Mate, Karen Speaker: “Anticholinergic burden is associated with negative health outcomes in elderly Aboriginal people.” 3rd Annual NNIDR Australian Dementia Forum. Sydney. June Milward, Liz Speaker: “Potential clinically significant drug and gene interactions involving cytochrome P450 Family 2 Subfamily D Member 6 (CYP2D6) relevant to opioids used for chronic pain in community-dwelling older Australians.” International Conference on Drug Discovery and Translational Medicine 2018 (ICDDTM 2018), Putrajaya, Malaysia. December (Dias T, Biswas M, Daneshi N, Holliday E, Hancock S, Kerr KP, Munro I, Attia J, Scott R, Milward L) Invited Speaker: “Neuropsychiatric implications of increased brain iron in a mouse model of the human iron loading disease haemochromatosis and in Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA).” Melbourne BioMetals Symposium. Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. Melbourne, VIC. November Invited Speaker: “Iron in High Places.” Haemochromatosis Australia 3rd Biennial Conference – Detection and prevention: a future withour iron overload? Newcastle, NSW. August Nalivaiko, Eugene Invited Plenary Speaker: Defence Resilience Forum. Canberra. June (with personal thanks from David Morton, Director General, Centre for Mental Health, Joint Health Command). Ngo, Doan Invited Speaker: “Cardio-oncology.” Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, CSANZ 2018 Conference, Brisbane. August Pringle, Kirsty Invited Speaker: “The Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia: 50 years of discovery but have we missed?” The Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) Annual Scientific Meeting. Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide. August Invited Speaker: “Cleavage of the Soluble Prorenin Receptor and the Implications for Preeclamptic Pregnancies.” Angiotensin Gordon Research Conference. Ventura, CA, USA. February Sutherland, Jessie Invited Speaker: Hunter Medical Research Institute Executive Team Meeting: Research Insights. Newcastle Tadros, Melissa Organiser: “Kioloa at Newcastle” Neuroscience Colloquium 2018. Point Wolstoncroft, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle. May (75 attendees) Chair Oral Session: “Intergrative Physiology.” Australasian Neuroscience Society 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting. Brisbane, QLD. December 80 | Page
Talseth-Palmer, Invited Speaker: “A genetic variant in telomerase gene modifies cancer risk in Lynch syndrome patients Bente harbouring MSH2 mutations.” Sydney Cancer Conference 2018 – Bridging Research and Practice. Sydney, NSW. October Verrills, Nikki Invited Speaker: “Pharmacological targeting of a tumour suppressor phosphatase as a novel approach for breast cancer therapy.” International Conference on Emerging Advanced Nanomaterials (ICEAN) 2018. Newcastle, NSW. October-November Invited Speaker: “Proteogenomics reveals novel drug targets in acute myeloid leukaemia.” 7th New Directions in Leukaemia Research (NDLR) Meeting. Brisbane, QLD. March Invited Speaker: “Pharmacological targeting of a tumour suppressor phosphatase as a novel approach for breast cancer therapy.” International Conference on Emerging Advanced Nanomaterials (ICEAN) 2018. Newcastle, NSW. October/November Invited Speaker: “Flicking the switch on oncogenic signalling – new strategies for leukaemia and breast cancer.” Garvan Institute for Medical Research, Seminar Series. NSW. Invited Speaker: “Translating fundamental biology into a new treatment for therapy-resistant breast cancer: bench to bedsie and (almost) back again.” 2018 Hunter Cancer Research Alliance Symposium. Newcastle. NSW. November Session Chair: Sydney Cancer Conference 2018 – Bridging Research and Practice. Sydney, NSW. October Session Chair: ComBio 2018. Sydney, NSW. September Weidenhofer, Jude Speaker: “Extracellular vesicles from non-tumourigenic and tumourigenic prostate cells affect thrombin clot formation in vitro.” Australasian Extracellular Vesicles Conference, University of Technology Sydney. November Wood, Lisa Poster Presentation: American Thoracic Society Conference, San Diego, USA. May Workshop Presentation: National Annual Scientific Meeting, Nutrition Society of Australia. Canberra, ACT. November Workshop Presentation: Nutrition Society of Australia. October Invited Plenary Speaker: “Nutritional Interventions to Improve Muscle Strength and Function in the Elderly.” Nutraceuticals and Medicine Conference 2018, Florida, USA. October
OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY AND/OR MEDIA
Avery-Kiejda, Kelly Media: Newcastle Herald Editorial: “Support scientific medical research – support Australian Innovation” (7 June 2018) Bartlett, Nathan Media: University of Newcastle News Release: “Research highlights need for a new approach to COPD management” (14 June 2018) Media: Sensitive Choice Website – Promoting the use of accredited products that are low allergenic Brichta, Alan Media: ABC Radio Interview: “Questions of balance” Cairns, Murray Media: ABC Radio Interview: “Vitamin A could help some people who have schizophrenia” (19 December 2018) Hondermarck, Hubert Media: Newcastle Herald article: https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5953301/newcastle-scientists- unique-approaches-to-cancer-rewarded/ Howe, Peter Media: Regular interviews and media releases/promotions of human dietary intervention trials
Kairuz, Therèse Community Event: Expert panel member in Delphi study
Keely, Simon Community Event & Media: Hunter Medical Research Institute Open Day Poo Palace – an interactive event that received dedicated media coverage for it’s popularity. Lee, Heather Community Event: Hunter Medical Research Institute Open Day laboratory tours (October 2018) Media: Newcastle Morning Herald featured article following award of the Metcalf Prize for Stem Cell Research (November 2018) Media: 2NUR FM Radio interview: “Stem cells in cancer research” Knight, Darryl Media: MJA Insight Issue 45 / 20 November 2017 “Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: promise on the horizon. https://www.doctorportal.com.au/mjainsight/2017/45/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis-promise- on-the-horizon/ Media: National Geographic Traveller – Smart Cities, Newcastle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1iiLra2wOM&sns=em Nalivaiko, Eugene Media Release (UON): “the sickening truth about virtual reality” (24.10.2018) https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured/the-sickening-truth-about-virtual-reality Ngo, Doan Media: Newcastle Morning Herald featured article “Matters of the Heart” Community: Speaker at Closeburn Retirement Village Media: ABC Radio interview “Nitrate in beetroot juice improves the body’s capacity to exercise” (12 February 2018) Media: Health Matters feature (Calvary Mater Hospital news)
81 | Page
Pringle, Kirsty Community: Australian Society for Medical Research Science Trivia Night – “The importance of research into pregnancy complications.” Newcastle Community: NAIDOC Week 2018 – public lecture “Improving Pregnancy Outcomes for Indigenous Women.” Live streamed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HMRIAustralia/videos/10155451908127343/ Rostas, John Community: Maitland Philosophy Group – lecture on Neuroplasticity Scott, Hayley Media Release: Asthma Australia: “Exercise interventions for asthma.” Spratt, Neil Community Event: Hunter Medical Research Institute Stroke Information Day Sutherland, Jessie Community Event: CSIRO STEMM Professionals in Schools Community Event: Hunter Medical Research Institute Open Day Volunteer Tooney, Paul Community Event: Presentation at Heaton Public School “CSIRO’s STEM Professionals in Schools Program.” (October 2018) Community Event: Speaker/presentation: “Meet the STEM Professional – Presentation at Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Science (ASSETS) Program.” Verrills, Nikki Community Event: Panellist – Hunter Cancer Research Alliance Open Day Panel Discussion: “Does Dr know Best? The role of the patients in their care.” Community Event: Judge – Cancer Council NSW Stars of Newcastle Fundraiser Event. Community Event: Guest speaker and interview host: Cancer Council NSW Stars of Newcastle Launch Event Community Event: Inaugural Chair for Hunter Cancer Research Alliance Community Engagement Committee Weidenhofer, Jude Media: ABC Radio ‘Cancer Research Community Showcase’ (July 2018) Media: New2uw.com radio interview discussing HCRA Community event panel discussion on ‘Does Dr Know Best’ (October 2018) Wong, Rachel Community Event: The group hosted a booth at the Hunter Medical Research Institute Open Day (October 2018) Wood, Lisa Community Event: Speaker ASMR community trivia night. University of Sydney. May Media Release: Newcastle Morning Herald: “Soluble fibre for asthma.”
REVIEW NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL GRANTS
Avery-Kiejda, Kelly Panel Member: National Breast Cancer Foundation
Bartlett, Nathan Academy Member: European Respiratory Society College of Experts Brichta, Alan GRP Panel Member: National Health and Medical Research Council Cairns, Murray Project Grant GRP Panel Member: National Health and Medical Research Council Hua, Susan GRP Panel Member: National Health and Medical Research Council (Respiratory & Pharmacology) Keely, Simon Assigners Academy: National Health and Medical Research Council Ngo, Doan GRP Panel Member: National Health and Medical Research Council Grant Reviewer: Australian Research Council Panel Member: National Heart Foundation Pringle, Kirsty Career Development Fellowship Panel Member: National Health and Medical Research Council Sontag, Estelle Member, College of Experts: Australian Research Council Spratt, Neil Panel Member: John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust Panel Member: United Kingdom Stroke Association Tooney, Paul Member Scientific Advisory Committee (Grant Review): The Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation Verrills, Nikki Panel Member:
VOLUNTEERING – WORK RELATED OR NON-WORK RELATED - update
Anslow, Linda Volunteer Obedience Instructor: Newcastle All Breeds Dog Training Club Bartlett, Nathan Volunteer: National Asthma Council – Sensitive Choice Evans, Suzanne Volunteer Rural Fire Service Booral Brigade Hansbro, Phil Rare Bird Appraisals Committee: Hunter Bird Observers Club Mate, Karen Volunteer NSW State Emergency Service (SES)
82 | Page
Milward, Liz Voluntary Draft Reviewing Contributions for the Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP): Pacific Hazardous Waste Management (PacWaste) 2013-2018 (5-year report) to the European Union, including sections on Medical Waste and e-Waste. This led to a 2019 16.5 million Euro EU grant to the SPREP Pacific–European Union Waste Management Programme https://www.sprep.org/news/the-pacific-and-the-eu-sign-programmes-worth-almost-eur-32-million-for- waste-management-and-climate-change-adaptation Rostas, John President: Newcastle Music Festival Committee Spratt, Neil Committee Member: NSW Health Agency for Clinical Innovation Stroke Executive Sutherland, Jessie Volunteer: HMRI Open Day Tadros, Melissa Early Career Representative: Faculty of Health and Medicine Gender Equity Committee Panel Member: Junior Medical Program Interviews, November Thompson, Cherry Advanced First Responder for Events: St John Ambulance NSW Tooney, Paul Member: CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools Program Run Director: The Terrace Parkrun Verrills, Nikki Dancer: Run DIPG Cancer Fundraiser Wong, Rachel Co-chair: Nutrition Society of Australia, Newcastle Group
83 | Page
PUBLICATIONS List of Publications by School members for 2018 during inpatient rehabilitation: a scoping Book Chapter – Research (HERDC) Refereed Article in a Scholarly review', Disability and Rehabilitation,
Journal (HERDC) 40 2713-2722 (2018) [C1] Lee HJ, Smallwood SA, 'Genome-wide Cox AJ, Zhang P, Evans TJ, Scott RJ, analysis of DNA methylation in single Gelfand AA, Johnson H, Lenaerts MEP, Cripps AW, West NP, 'Gene expression cells using a post-bisulfite adapter Litwin JR, De Mesa C, Bogduk N, profiles in whole blood and associations tagging approach', Next Generation Goadsby PJ, 'Neck-Tongue syndrome: A with metabolic dysregulation in obesity', Sequencing, Humana Press, New York systematic review', Cephalalgia, 38 Obesity Research and Clinical Practice, 87-95 (2018) [B1] 374-382 (2018) [C1] 12 204-213 (2018) [C1]
Hu H, Luan L, Yang K, Li SC, 'Burden of Degryse S, De Bock CE, Demeyer S, Ilicic M, Paul JW, 'Methods and model rheumatoid arthritis from a societal Govaerts I, Bornschein S, Verbeke D, systems used to study pregnant human perspective: A prevalence-based study et al., 'Mutant JAK3 phosphoproteomic uterine smooth muscle', Muscle Cell and on cost of illness for patients with profiling predicts synergism between Tissue, InTechOpen, London, UK rheumatoid arthritis in China', JAK3 inhibitors and MEK/BCL2 inhibitors 309-335 (2018) [B1] International Journal of Rheumatic for the treatment of T-cell acute lympho-
Diseases, 21 1572-1580 (2018) [C1] blastic leukemia', Leukemia, 32 788-800 Hollins SL, Bruce J, Keely S, Hodgson Zhang F, Yang Y, Huang T, Zhang Y, (2018) [C1] D, 'The gut-brain axis in neuropsycho- Zhao L, Li S, 'Is there a difference Sutherland JM, Sobinoff AP, Fraser BA, pathology', Advances in Psychobiology, between EQ-5D and SF-6D in the clinical Redgrove KA, Siddall NA, Koopman P, Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, setting? A comparative study on the et al., 'RNA binding protein Musashi-2 NY 11788-3619 USA 89-218 (2018) [B1] quality of life measured by AIMS2-SF, regulates PIWIL1 and TBX1 in mouse
EQ-5D and SF-6D scales for osteo- spermatogenesis', Journal of Cellular Palmer WM, Flynn JR, Martin AP, Reed arthritis patients', International Journal of Physiology, 233 3262-3273 (2018) [C1] SL, Grof CPL, White RG, Furbank RT, Rheumatic Diseases, 21 1185-1192 Jones KA, Maltby S, Plank MW, Kluge M, '3D clearing and molecular labeling in (2018) [C1] Nilsson M, Foster PS, Walker FR, plant tissues', Methods in Molecular Sriram KB, Cox AJ, Clancy RL, Slack 'Peripheral immune cells infiltrate into Biology, Humana Press, New York, MPE, Cripps AW, 'Nontypeable sites of secondary neurodegeneration NY 285-304 (2018) [B1] haemophilus influenzae and chronic after ischemic stroke', Brain, Behavior
obstructive pulmonary disease: a review and Immunity, 67 299-307 (2018) [C1] Awasthi R, Singh AK, Mishra G, Maurya for clinicians', Critical Reviews in Martin JH, Schneider J, Lucas CJ, A, Chellappan DK, Gupta G, et al., 'An Microbiology, 44 125-142 (2018) [C1] Galettis P, 'Exogenous cannabinoid overview of circular RNAs', Circular Quinn RK, James MH, Hawkins GE, efficacy: merely a pharmacokinetic RNAs: Biogenesis and Functions, Brown AL, Heathcote A, Smith DW, et al., interaction?', Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Springer, Singapore 3-14 (2018) [B1] 'Temporally specific miRNA expression 57 539-545 (2018) [C1]
patterns in the dorsal and ventral Chairakaki A-D, Saridaki M-I, Pyrillou K, Dunkley PR, Robinson PJ, 'Synapto- striatum of addiction-prone rats', Mouratis M-A, Koltsida O, Walton RP, some preparations: which procedure Addiction Biology, 23 631-642 (2018) et al., 'Plasmacytoid dendritic cells drive should I use?', Neuromethods, Humana [C1] acute exacerbations of asthma', Journal Press, New York, NY 27-53 (2018) [B1] Baker AL, Richmond R, Kay-Lambkin FJ, of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 142
Filia SL, Castle D, Williams JM, et al., 542-556 (2018) [C1] Nalivaiko E, 'Thermoregulation and 'Randomised controlled trial of a healthy Gartlan KH, Bommiasamy H, Paz K, nausea', Handbook of Clinical Neurology, lifestyle intervention among smokers Wilkinson AN, Owen M, Reichenbach Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands with psychotic disorders: Outcomes to DK, et al., 'A critical role for donor-derived 445-456 (2018) [B1] 36 months', Australian and New Zealand IL-22 in cutaneous chronic GVHD',
Journal of Psychiatry, 52 239-252 (2018) American Journal of Transplantation, 18 Full Conference Paper – Refereed [C1] 810-820 (2018) [C1] (HERDC) Shaw JC, Palliser HK, Palazzi K, Hirst JJ, Hall SE, Upton RMO, McLaughlin EA,
'Administration of progesterone through- Sutherland JM, 'Phosphoinositide 3- Clancy R, Tonkinson A, ‘Colonial Sydney: out pregnancy increases maternal kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and A cartographic record of change’, Lecture steroids without adverse effect on mature Janus kinase/signal transducer and Notes in Geoinformation & Cartography, oligodendrocyte immunostaining in the activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) Dubrovnik, Croatia (2018) [E1] guinea pig', Reproductive Sciences, follicular signalling is conserved in the
25 395-405 (2018) [C1] mare ovary', Reproduction, Fertility and Schmidt B, Cardim D, Weinhold M, Streif Goozee K, Chatterjee P, James I, Shen Development, 30 624-633 (2018) [C1] S, McLeod DD, Czosnyka M, Klingelhöfer K, Sohrabi HR, Asih PR, et al., ’Elevated Donovan LC, Douglas CD, van Helden J, 'Comparison of different calibration plasma ferritin in elderly individuals with D, 'Wound tension and 'closability' with methods in a non-invasive ICP assess- high neocortical amyloid-ß load.', keystone flaps, V-Y flaps and primary ment model', Intracranial Pressure and Molecular Psychiatry, 23 1807-1812 closure: a study in fresh-frozen cadavers.' Neuromonitoring XVI, Cambridge, (2018) [C1] ANZ Journal of Surgery. 88 486-490 Massachusetts, (2018) [E1] Harries SK, Lubans DR, Buxton A, (2018) [C1]
MacDougall THJ, Callister R, 'Effects of Kelly S, Jahanshad N, Zalesky A, et al., Afkhami RG, Low K, Walker F, Johnson 12-week resistance training on sprint Widespread white matter microstructural S, 'A dynamic model of synthetic and jump performances in competitive differences in schizophrenia across 4322 resting-state brain hemodynamics', adolescent rugby union players.' Journal individuals: results from the ENIGMA 2018 26th European Signal Processing of Strength and Conditioning Research, Schizophrenia DTI Working Group., Conference (EUSIPCO), Rome, Italy 32 2762-2769 (2018) [C1] Molecular Psychiatry. 23 1261-1269 (2018) [E1] Kenah K, Bernhardt J, Cumming T, Spratt (2018) [C1]
N, Luker J, Janssen H, 'Boredom in Nair PM, Starkey MR, Haw TJ, Ruscher
patients with acquired brain injuries R, Liu G, Maradana MR, et al., ‘RelB- 84 | Page
deficient dendritic cells promote the Rheumatic Diseases, 21 647-655 (2018) are rapidly ablated by virus-induced development of spontaneous allergic [C1] systemic inflammation following airway inflammation.', American Taleski G, Sontag E, 'Protein Phosph- lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus or Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular atase 2A and tau: an orchestrated Pas de pneumonia virus of mice infection in Biology, (2018) [C1] Deux ', FEBS Letters, 592 1079-1095 mice', Journal of Immunology, 200 Poppi LA, Tabatabaee H, Drury HR, (2018) [C1] 632-642 (2018) [C1] Jobling P, Callister RJ, Migliaccio AA, Bivard A, Spratt N, Miteff F, Levi C, Mohd-Tahir NA, Li SC, 'Meta-analyses et al., 'ACh-induced hyperpolarization Parsons MW, 'Tissue is more important of newer antiepileptic drugs as adjunct and decreased resistance in mammalian than time in stroke patients being for treatment of focal epilepsy in children', type II vestibular hair cells', Journal of assessed for thrombolysis', Frontiers in Epilepsy Research, 139 113-122 (2018) Neurophysiology, 119 312-325 (2018) Neurology, 9 1-7 (2018) [C1] [C1] [C1] Sahoo SS, Lombard JM, Ius Y, O'Sullivan Jamaluddin MFB, Ko YA, Kumar M, Haw TJ, Starkey MR, Pavlidis S, Fricker R, Wood LG, Nahar P, et al., 'Adipose- Brown Y, Bajwa P, Nagendra PB, et al., M, Arthurs AL, Nair PM, et al., 'Toll-like derived VEGF mTOR signaling promotes 'Proteomic profiling of human uterine receptor 2 and 4 have opposing roles in endometrial hyperplasia and cancer: fibroids reveals upregulation of the the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke- Implications for obese women’, Molecular extracellular matrix protein periostin', induced chronic obstructive pulmonary Cancer Research, 16 309-321(2018) [C1] Endocrinology, 159 1106-1118 (2018) disease.', American Journal of Physiology. Rank MM, Galea MP, Callister R, [C1] Lung cellular and molecular physiology, Callister RJ, 'Is more always better? How Fradgley EA, Chong SE, Cox ME, Paul 314 L298-L317 (2018) [C1] different doses of exercise after CL, Gedye C, 'Enlisting the willing: A Shaw JC, Palliser HK, Dyson RM, Berry incomplete spinal cord injury affects the study of healthcare professional initiated MJ, Hirst JJ, 'Disruptions to the cerebellar membrane properties of deep dorsal and opt-in biobanking consent reveals GABAergic system in juvenile guinea pigs horn interneurons', Experimental improvement opportunities throughout following preterm birth', International Neurology, 300 201-211 (2018) [C1] the registration process', European Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, Nguyen TH, Maltby S, Tay HL, Eyers F, Journal of Cancer, 89 36-41 (2018) [C1] 6 5 1-10 (2018) [C1] Foster PS, Yang M, 'Identification of IFN- Quidé Y, Matosin N, Atkins JR, Faulkner S, Jobling P, Rowe CW, and IL-27 as critical regulators of Fitzsimmons C, Cairns MJ, Carr VJ, Rodrigues Oliveira SM, Roselli S, Thorne respiratory syncytial virus-induced Green MJ, 'Common variation in RF, et al., 'Neurotrophin receptors TrkA, exacerbation of allergic airways disease ZNF804A (rs1344706) is not p75 pharmacists' clinical reasoning in Xiang S, Gu H, Jin L, Thorne RF, Zhang Valkenborghs SR, Visser MM, Nilsson M, medication supply using the think-aloud XD, Wu M, 'LncRNA IDH1-AS1 links the Callister R, van Vliet P, 'Aerobic exercise method.', Pharmacy, 6 (2018) [C1] functions of c-Myc and HIF1a via IDH1 prior to task-specific training to improve Bond DR, Naudin C, Carroll AP, Goldie to regulate the Warburg effect', poststroke motor function: A case series.', BJ, Brzozowski JS, Jankowski HM, et al., Proceedings of the National Academy Physiotherapy Research International: 'miR-518f-5p decreases tetraspanin CD9 of Sciences of the United States the Journal for Researchers and Clinicians protein levels and differentially affects of America, 115 E1465-E1474 (2018) in Physical Therapy, 23 e1707 (2018) [C1] non-tumourigenic prostate and prostate [C1] Pathinayake PS, Hsu AC-Y, Waters DW, cancer cell migration and adhesion', Rutting S, Xenaki D, Lau E, Horvat J, Hansbro PM, Wood LG, Wark PAB, Oncotarget, 9 1980-1991 (2018) [C1] Wood LG, Hansbro PM, Oliver BG, 'Understanding the unfolded protein Saeidi S, Shapouri F, de Iongh RU, 'Dietary omega-6, but not omega-3, poly- response in the pathogenesis of asthma', Casagranda F, Sutherland JM, Western unsaturated or saturated fatty acids Frontiers in Immunology, 9 (2018) [C1] PS, et al., 'Esrp1 is a marker of mouse increase inflammation in primary lung Brereton CJ, Lennon D, Browning S, fetal germ cells and differentially mesenchymal cells', American Journal of Dunn E, Ferguson JK, Davis JS, 'Is expressed during spermatogenesis', Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular gentamicin safe and effective for severe PlosOne, 13 (2018) [C1] Physiology, 314 L922-L935 (2018) [C1] community-acquired pneumonia? An Diehm CJ, Lumbers ER, Weatherall L, Budden T, van der Westhuizen A, 8-year retrospective cohort study', Keogh L, Eades S, Brown A, et al., Bowden NA, 'Sequential decitabine and International Journal of Antimicrobial 'Assessment of fetal kidney growth and carboplatin treatment increases the DNA Agents, 51 862-866 (2018) [C1] birth weight in an Indigenous Australian repair protein XPC, increases apoptosis Robson AL, Dastoor PC, Flynn J, Palmer cohort', Frontiers in Physiology, 8 (2018) and decreases proliferation in melanoma', W, Martin A, Smith DW, et al., 'Advantages [C1] BMC Cancer, 18 1-14 (2018) [C1] and limitations of current imaging Vincze L, Rollo ME, Hutchesson MJ, Burrows T, Kay-Lambkin F, Pursey K, techniques for characterizing liposome Callister R, Thompson DI, Collins CE, Skinner J, Dayas C, 'Food addiction and morphology', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 'Postpartum women's perspectives of associations with mental health 9 (2018) [C1] engaging with a dietitian and exercise symptoms: a systematic review with Luptak I, Sverdlov AL, Panagia M, Qin F, physiologist via video consultations for meta-analysis', Journal of Human Pimentel DR, Croteau D, et al.,'Decreased weight management: A qualitative Nutrition and Dietetics, 31 544-572 ATP production and myocardial contractile evaluation.', Healthcare, 6 1-17 (2018) (2018) [C1] reserve in metabolic heart disease.', [C1] Bolton PS, Hammam E, Macefield VG, Journal of Molecular and Cellular Barrilero R, Gil M, Amigó N, Dias CB, 'Neck movement but not neck position Cardiology, 116 106-114 (2018) [C1] Wood LG, Garg ML, et al., 'LipSpin: A modulates skin sympathetic nerve activity Wark PAB, Ramsahai JM, Pathinayake new bio-informatics tool for quantitative supplying the lower limbs of humans', P, Malik B, Bartlett NW, 'Respiratory D, Wong-Brown MW, Chan EC, et al., dietary intake of Indigenous Australian Morrison JL, Botting KJ, Darby JRT, 'Methyl-donor and cofactor nutrient intakes women during pregnancy and the David AL, Dyson RM, Gatford KL, et al., in the first 2 3 years and global DNA Australian dietary guidelines: the 'Guinea pig models for translation of the methylation at age 4: A prospective cohort Gomeroi gaaynggal study', Journal of developmental origins of health and study', Nutrients, 10 (2018) [C1] Human Nutrition and Dietetics, disease hypothesis into the clinic', Lin L, Bivard A, Kleinig T, Spratt NJ, Levi 31 473-485 (2018) [C1] Journal of Physiology, 596 5535-5569 CR, Yang Q, Parsons MW, 'Correction for Bendinelli C, Ku D, Nebauer S, King KL, (2018) [C1] delay and dispersion results in more Howard T, Gruen R, et al., 'A tale of two Ong LK, Chow WZ, Tebay C, Kluge M, accurate cerebral blood flow ischemic cities: prehospital intubation with or Pietrogrande G, Zalewska K, et al., core measurement in acute stroke', without paralysing agents for traumatic 'Growth hormone improves cognitive Stroke, 49 924-+ (2018) [C1] brain injury.', ANZ journal of surgery, 88 function after experimental stroke', Schuliga M, Grainge C, Westall G, Knight 455-459 (2018) [C1] Stroke, 49 1257-+ (2018) [C1] DA, 'The fibrogenic actions of the Mahony AA, Buultjens AH, Ballard SA, Gavgani AM, Wong RHX, Howe PRC, coagulant and plasminogen activation Grabsch EA, Xie S, Seemann T, et al., Hodgson DM, Walker FR, Nalivaiko E, systems in pulmonary fibrosis', 'Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus 'Cybersickness-related changes in International Journal of Biochemistry faecium sequence type 796 – rapid brain hemodynamics: A pilot study and Cell Biology, 97 108-117 (2018) [C1] international dissemination of a new comparing transcranial Doppler and Groen K, Lea RA, Maltby VE, Scott RJ, epidemic clone', Antimicrobial Resistance near-infrared spectroscopy assessments Lechner-Scott J, 'Letter to the editor: and Infection Control, 7 1-9 (2018) [C1] during a virtual ride on a roller coaster.', blood processing and sample storage Hu WL, Jin L, Xu A, Wang YF, Thorne Physiology & Behavior, 191 56-64 (2018) have negligible effects on methylation', RF, Zhang XD, Wu M, 'GUARDIN is a [C1] Clinical Epigenetics,10 (2018) [C1] p53-responsive long non-coding RNA McIlroy DJ, Minahan K, Keely S, Lott N, Looi K, Buckley AG, Rigby PJ, Garratt that is essential for genomic stability.', Hansbro P, Smith DW, Balogh ZJ, LW, Iosifidis T, Zosky GR, et al., 'Effects Nature Cell Biology, 20 492-502 (2018) 'Reduced deoxyribonuclease enzyme of human rhinovirus on epithelial barrier [C1] activity in response to high postinjury integrity and function in children with van Hal SJ, Beukers AG, Timms VJ, mitochondrial DNA concentration provides asthma', Clinical and Experimental Ellem JA, Taylor P, Maley MW, et al., a therapeutic target for Systemic Inflamm- Allergy, 48 513-524 (2018) [C1] 'Relentless spread and adaptation of non- atory Response Syndrome', Journal of Zhou W, De Iuliis GN, Dun MD, Nixon B, typeable vanA vancomycinresistant Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 'Characteristics of the epididymal luminal enterococcus faecium: A genome-wide 85 354-358 (2018) [C1] environment responsible for sperm investigation', Journal of Antimicrobial Korol SV, Jin Z, Jin Y, Bhandage AK, maturation and storage', Frontiers in Chemotherapy, 73 1487-1491 (2018) Tengholm A, Gandasi NR, et al., Endocrinology, 9 (2018) [C1] [C1] 'Functional characterization of native, Vincze L, Rollo ME, Hutchesson MJ, Painter JN, O'Mara TA, Morris AP, Cheng high-affinity GABA Maltby S, Fricker M, et al., 'IL-6 drives medication profiles held by general 104 738-741 (2018) [C1] neutrophil-mediated pulmonary practitioners and those documented Duchatel RJ, Meehan CL, Harms LR, inflammation associated with bacteremia during home medication reviews', Journal Michie PT, Bigland MJ, Smith DW, et al., in murine models of colitis', American of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 48 'Late gestation immune activation Journal of Pathology, 188 1625-1639 340-347 (2018) [C1] increases IBA1-positive immunoreactivity (2018) [C1] Sunkara KP, Gupta G, Hansbro PM, Dua levels in the corpus callosum of adult rat Arm J, Al-Iedani O, Quadrelli S, Ribbons K, Bebawy M, 'Functional relevance of offspring', Psychiatry Research, 266 K, Lea R, Lechner-Scott J, Ramadan S, SATB1 in immune regulation and 175-185 (2018) [C1] 'Reliability of neurometabolite detection tumorigenesis', Biomedicine and Williams J, Jones D, Walker R, with two-dimensional localized correlation Pharmacotherapy, 104 87-93 (2018) [C1] 'Consideration of using virtual reality for spectroscopy at 3T', Journal of Magnetic Madan JR, Patil S, Mathure D, Bahirat teaching neonatal resuscitation to mid- Resonance Imaging, 48 1559-1569 SP, Awasthi R, Dua K, 'Improving wifery students', Nurse Education in (2018) [C1] dissolution profile of poorly water-soluble Practice, 31 126-129 (2018) [C1] Waters DW, Blokland KEC, Pathinayake drug using non-ordered mesoporous Hutchesson M, Callister R, Morgan P, PS, Burgess JK, Mutsaers SE, Prele CM, silica', Marmara Pharmaceutical Journal, Pranata I, Clarke E, Skinner G, et al., et al., 'Fibroblast senescence in the 22 249-258 (2018) [C1] 'A targeted and tailored eHealth weight pathology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis', Iglesias AI, Mishra A, Vitart V, loss program for young women: the Be American Journal of Physiology - Lung Bykhovskaya Y, Höhn R, Springelkamp Positive Be Healthe Randomized Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 315 H, et al., 'Cross-ancestry genome-wide Controlled Trial', Healthcare, 6 1-19 L162-L172 (2018) [C1] association analysis of corneal thickness (2018) [C1] Alkhatatbeh MJ, Enjeti AK, Baqar S, strengthens link between complex and Bhuyan DJ, Vuong QV, Bond DR, Ekinci EI, Liu D, Thorne RF, Lincz LF, Mendelian eye diseases', Nature Chalmers AC, Bowyer MC, Scarlett CJ, 'Strategies for enumeration of circulating Communications, 9 (2018) [C1] 'Eucalyptus microcorys leaf extract microvesicles on a conventional flow Groen K, Maltby VE, Lea RA, Sanders derived HPLC-fraction reduces the cytometer: Counting beads and scatter KA, Fink JL, Scott RJ, et al., 'Erythrocyte viability of MIA PaCa-2 cells by inducing parameters.', Journal of Circulating microRNA sequencing reveals differential apoptosis and arresting cell cycle', Biomarkers, 7 1-10 (2018) [C1] expression in relapsing-remitting multiple Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, Hughes C, Ashhurst-Smith C, Ferguson sclerosis.', BMC medical genomics, 105 449-460 (2018) [C1] JK, 'Gram negative anaerobe 11 (2018) [C1] Singanayagam A, Glanville N, Girkin susceptibility testing in clinical isolates Jamaluddin MFB, Nahar P, Tanwar PS, JL, Ching YM, Marcellini A, Porter JD, using Sensititre and Etest methods', 'Proteomic characterization of the et al., 'Corticosteroid suppression of Pathology, 50 437-441 (2018) [C1] extracellular matrix of human uterine antiviral immunity increases bacterial Hasan SS, Kow CS, Curley LE, Baines fibroids', Endocrinology, 159 2656-2669 loads and mucus production in COPD DL, Babar ZUD, 'Economic evaluation (2018) [C1] exacerbations', Nature Communications, of prescribing conventional and newer Iseme RA, McEvoy M, Kelly B, Agnew L, 9 (2018) [C1] oral anticoagulants in older adults', Walker FR, Boyle M, Attia J, 'A cross- Gao L, Li SC, 'Cost-effectiveness Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics sectional study of the association analysis of lipegfilgrastim as primary and Outcomes Research,18 371-377 between autoantibodies and qualitative prophylaxis in women with breast cancer (2018) [C1] ultrasound index of bone in an elderly in Australia: A modelled economic Zhang YY, Tabataba H, Liu XY, Wang JY, sample without clinical autoimmune evaluation', Breast Cancer, 25 671-680 Yan XG, Farrelly M, et al., 'ACTN4 disease', Journal of Immunology (2018) [C1] regulates the stability of RIPK1 in Research, 2018 (2018) [C1] Lei FX, Jin L, Liu XY, Lai F, Yan XG, melanoma', Oncogene, 37 4033-4045 Davies G, Lam M, Harris SE, Trampush Farrelly M, et al., 'RIP1 protects (2018) [C1] JW, Luciano M, Hill WD, et al., 'Study of melanoma cells from apoptosis induced Tait L, Lee K, Rasiah R, Cooper JM, Ling 300,486 individuals identifies 148 by BRAF/MEK inhibitors article', Cell T, Geelan B, Bindoff I, 'Simulation and independent genetic loci influencing Death and Disease, 9 (2018) [C1] feedback in health education: a mixed general cognitive function', Nature Blekkenhorst LC, Lewis JR, Prince RL, methods study comparing three Communications, 9 (2018) [C1] Devine A, Bondonno NP, Bondonno CP, simulation modalities.' Pharmacy Gao F, Griffin N, Faulkner S, Rowe CW, et al., 'Nitrate-rich vegetables do not (Basel, Switzerland), 6 (2018) [C1] Williams L, Roselli S, et al., 'The lower blood pressure in individuals with Ni G, Moser G, Ripke S, Neale BM, Neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor mildly elevated blood pressure: A 4-wk Corvin A, Walters JTR, et al., 'Estimation TrkA and its ligand NGF are increased in randomized controlled crossover trial', of genetic correlation via linkage squamous cell carcinomas of the lung', American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, disequilibrium score regression and Scientific Reports, 8 (2018) [C1] 107 894-908 (2018) [C1] genomic restricted maximum likelihood', Hoffman A, Taleski G, Qian H, Wasek B, Efird JT, Jindal C, Kiser AC, Akhter SA, American Journal of Human Genetics, Arning E, Bottiglieri T, et al., 'Methyl- Crane PB, Kypson AP, et al., 'Increased 102 1185-1194 (2018) [C1] enetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency Risk of atrial fibrillation among patients Li X, Dun MD, Faulkner S, Hondermarck deregulates regional brain amyloid-ß undergoing coronary artery bypass graft H, 'Neuroproteins in cancer: assumed protein precursor expression and phosh- surgery while receiving nitrates and anti- bystanders become culprits', Proteomics, orylation levels', Journal of Alzheimer's platelet agents', Journal of International 18 (2018) [C1] Disease, 64 223-237 (2018) [C1] Medical Research, 46 3183-3194 (2018) Lucock M, Jones P, Martin C, Yates Z, Wang TE, Li SH, Minabe S, Andreson [C1] Veysey M, Furst J, Beckett E, 'Photo- AL, Dun MD, Maeda KI, et al., 'Mouse Revelas M, Thalamuthu A, Oldmeadow biology of vitamins', Nutrition Reviews, quiescin sulfhydryl oxidases exhibit C, Evans TJ, Armstrong NJ, Kwok JB, 76 512-525 (2018) [C1] distinct epididymal luminal distribution et al., 'Review and meta-analysis of Fellas A, Singh-Grewal D, Santos D, with segment-specific sperm surface genetic polymorphisms associated with Coda A, 'Physical examination tools associations', Biology of Reproduction, exceptional human longevity', Mechanisms used to identify swollen and tender 99 1022-1033 (2018) [C1] of Ageing and Development, 175 24-34 lower limb joints in juvenile idiopathic Singhvi G, Girdhar V, Patil S, Gupta G, (2018) [C1] arthritis: a scoping review' Arthritis, Hansbro PM, Dua K, 'Microbiome as Ruderfer DM, Ripke S, McQuillin A, 2018 (2018) [C1] therapeutics in vesicular delivery', Boocock J, Stahl EA, Pavlides JMW, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, Kairuz TE, Carson S, 'A comparison of et al., 'Genomic dissection of bipolar 88 | Page disorder and schizophrenia, including in Physiology, 9 (2018) [C1] disease is associated with osteoporosis 28 subphenotypes', Cell, 173 1705-1715. in older Australian adults.', Nutrients, Hosseini B, Berthon BS, Saedisomeolia e16 (2018) [C1] 10 (2018) [C1] A, Starkey MR, Collison A, Wark PAB, Tian H, Parsons MW, Levi CR, Cheng X, Wang CS, Wang J, Zhang X, Zhang L, Wood LG, 'Effects of fruit and vegetable Aviv R, Spratt NJ, et al., 'Intravenous Zhang HP, Wang L, et al., 'Is the consumption on inflammatory biomarkers thrombolysis may not improve clinical consumption of fast foods associated and immune cell populations: a outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients with asthma or other allergic diseases?', systematic literature review and meta- without a baseline vessel occlusion’, Respirology, 23 901-913 (2018) [C1] analysis.', The American Journal of Frontiers in Neurology, 9 (2018) [C1] Rapalli VK, Singhvi G, Dubey SK, Gupta Clinical Nutrition, 108 136-155 Brzozowski JS, Bond DR, Jankowski H, G, Chellappan DK, Dua K, 'Emerging (2018) [C1] Goldie BJ, Burchell R, Naudin C, et al., landscape in psoriasis management: Goad J, Ko Y-A, Kumar M, Jamaluddin 'Extracellular vesicles with altered tetra- From topical application to targeting MFB, Tanwar PS, 'Oestrogen fuels the spanin CD9 and CD151 levels confer biomolecules', Biomedicine and Pharma- growth of endometrial hyperplastic increased prostate cell motility and cotherapy, 106 707-713 (2018) [C1] lesions initiated by overactive Wnt/ß- invasion', Scientific Reports, 8 1-13 Rowe C, Dill T, King S, Gedye C, Paul catenin signalling.', Carcinogenesis, (2018) [C1] J, Tolosa JM, Smith R, 'Thyroid cancers 39 1105-1116 (2018) [C1] Thota RN, Ferguson JJA, Abbott KA, resected in patients with concurrent TSH- Drovandi A, Robertson K, Tucker M, Dias CB, Garg ML, 'Science behind the receptor stimulation have higher levels of Robinson N, Perks S, Kairuz T, 'A cardio-metabolic benefits of omega-3 sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) expression', systematic review of clinical pharmacist polyunsaturated fatty acids: biochemical Clinical Endocrinology, Perth (2018) interventions in paediatric hospital effects vs. clinical outcomes', Food and Thi HN, Liu X, Su ZZ, Hsu AC-Y, Foster patients', European Journal of Function, 9 3576-3596 (2018) [C1] PS, Yang M, 'Potential role of MicroRNAs Pediatrics, 177 1139-1148 (2018) [C1] Watson NA, Dyer KA, Buckley JD, in the regulation of antiviral responses to Eiby YA, Shrimpton NY, Wright IMR, Brinkworth GD, Coates AM, Parfitt G, influenza infection', Frontiers in Lumbers ER, Colditz PB, Duncombe GJ, et al., 'Comparison of two low-fat diets, Immunology, 9 (2018) [C1] Lingwood BE, 'Reduced blood volume differing in protein and carbohydrate, on Watson NA, Dyer KA, Buckley JD, decreases cerebral blood flow in preterm psychological wellbeing in adults with Brinkworth GD, Coates AM, Parfitt G, piglets', Journal of Physiology, 596 obesity and type 2 diabetes: A et al., 'Reductions in food cravings are 6033-6041 (2018) [C1] randomised clinical trial', Nutrition Journal similar with low-fat weight loss diets Goldsmith CD, Bond D, Jankowski H, 17 (2018) [C1] differing in protein and carbohydrate in Weidenhofer JC, Stathopoulos C, Roach Wu L, Shi W, Long J, Guo X, Michailidou overweight and obese adults with type 2 PD, Scarlett CJ, 'The Olive Biophenols K, Beesley J, et al., 'A transcriptome-wide diabetes: A randomized clinical trial', Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol association study of 229,000 women Nutrition Research, 57 56-66 (2018) [C1] selectively reduce proliferation, influence identifies new candidate susceptibility Lucas CJ, Galettis P, Schneider J, the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis in genes for breast cancer', Nature Genetics, 'The pharmacokinetics and the pharma- pancreatic cancer cells', International 50 968-978 (2018) [C1] codynamics of cannabinoids.', British Journal of Molecular Sciences,19 Ellery SJ, Kelleher M, Grigsby P, Burd I, Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, (2018) [C1] Derks JB, Hirst J, et al., 'Antenatal 84 2477-2482 (2018) [C1] van Erp TGM, Walton E, Hibar DP, prevention of cerebral palsy and child- Griffin N, Faulkner S, Jobling P, Schmaal L, Jiang W, Glahn DC, et al., hood disability: is the impossible Hondermarck H, 'Targeting neurotrophin 'Cortical brain abnormalities in 4474 possible?', Journal of Physiology, signaling in cancer: The renaissance', individuals with schizophrenia and 5098 596 5593-5609 (2018) [C1] Pharmacological Research, 135 12-17 control subjects via the Enhancing Neuro Potter MDE, Walker MM, Jones MP, (2018) [C1] Imaging Genetics through Meta Analysis Koloski NA, Keely S, Talley NJ, 'Wheat Rulands S, Lee HJ, Clark SJ, (ENIGMA) Consortium', Biological intolerance and chronic gastrointestinal Angermueller C, Smallwood SA, Krueger Psychiatry, 84 644-654 (2018) [C1] symptoms in an Australian population- F, et al., 'Genome-scale oscillations in Dryburgh LM, Bolan NS, Grof CPL, based study: association between wheat DNA methylation during exit from Galettis P, Schneider J, Lucas CJ, Martin sensitivity, Celiac Disease and functional pluripotency', Cell Systems, 7 63-+ JH, 'Cannabis contaminants: sources, gastrointestinal disorders', American (2018) [C1] distribution, human toxicity and pharma- Journal of Gastroenterology, 113 Maltby VE, Lea RA, Ribbons KA, cologic effects.', British Journal of Clinical 1036-1044 (2018) [C1] Sanders KA, Kennedy D, Min M, et al., Pharmacology, 84 2468-2476 (2018) [C1] Nguyen TS, Nguyen TLH, Van Pham TT, 'DNA methylation changes in CD4+ T Mayhew J, Graham BA, Biber K, Nilsson Hua S, Ngo QC, Li SC, 'Pharmacists cells isolated from multiple sclerosis M, Walker FR, 'Purinergic modulation of training to improve inhaler technique of patients on dimethyl fumarate.', glutamate transmission: An expanding patients with COPD in Vietnam', Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, role in stress-linked neuropathology.', International Journal of COPD, 13 Translational and Clinical, 4 (2018) [C1] Neuroscience and Biobehavioral 1863-1872 (2018) [C1] Singh Y, Gupta G, Sharma R, Matta Y, Reviews, 93 26-37 (2018) [C1] Anttila V, Bulik-Sullivan B, Finucane HK, Mishra A, Pinto TDJA, Dua K, 'Embarking Mehta SY, Morten BC, Antony J, Walters RK, Bras J, Duncan L, et al., effect of ACE2-angiotensin 1-7/mas Henderson L, Lasham A, Campbell H, 'Analysis of shared heritability in common receptor axis in benign prostate et al., 'Regulation of the interferon- disorders of the brain', Science, 360 hyperplasia', Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic gamma (IFN-) pathway by p63 and (2018) [C1] Gene Expression, 28 115-124 (2018) [C1] 133p53 isoform in different breast cancer Laver DR, 'Regulation of the RyR channel Mittal P, Chan OY, Kanneppady SK, subtypes', Oncotarget, 9 29146-29161 gating by Ca educational attainment in 1.1 million Molecular Sciences, 19 (2018) [C1] folate: A reciprocal environmental individuals', Nature Genetics, 50 association based on seasonality and Obeidat M, Dvorkin-Gheva A, Li X, Bosse 1112-1121 (2018) [C1] genetic disposition', American Journal of Y, Brandsma C-A, Nickle DC, et al.,‘The Moheimani F, Koops J, Williams T, Reid Human Biology, 30 (2018) [C1] overlap of lung tissue transcriptome of AT, Hansbro PM, Wark PA, Knight DA, Hong NTP, Sakoff JA, Bond DR, Quan smoke exposed mice with human 'Influenza A virus infection dysregulates VV, Bowyer MC, Scarlett CJ, 'In vitro smoking and COPD', Scientific Reports, the expression of microRNA-22 and its antibacterial and anticancer properties 8 (2018) [C1] targets; CD147 and HDAC4, in epithelium of Helicteres hirsuta Lour. leaf and stem Pond D, Mate K, Stocks N, Gunn J, of asthmatics', Respiratory Research,19 extracts and their fractions', Molecular Disler P, Magin P, et al., 'Effectiveness (2018) [C1] Biology Reports, 45 2125-2133 (2018) of a peer-mediated educational Holmes M, Connor T, Oldmeadow C, [C1] intervention in improving general Pockney PG, Scott RJ, Talseth-Palmer BA, Thota RN, Dias CB, Abbott KA, Acharya practitioner diagnostic assessment and 'CD36-a plausible modifier of disease SH, Garg ML, 'Curcumin alleviates post- management of dementia: A cluster phenotype in familial adenomatous prandial glycaemic response in healthy randomised controlled trial.', BMJ Open, polyposis', Hereditary Cancer in Clinical subjects: A cross-over, randomized 8 1-12 (2018) [C1] Practice. 16 (2018) [C1] controlled study.', Scientific Reports, Wong RHX, 'Resveratrol counteracts Wyss AB, Sofer T, Lee MK, Terzikhan N, 8 (2018) [C1] Insulin resistance potential role of the Nguyen JN, Lahousse L, et al., 'Multi- Lillicrap T, Garcia-Esperon C, Walker FR, circulation', Nutrients,10 1-10 (2018)[C1] ethnic meta-analysis identifies ancestry- Ong LK, Nilsson M, Spratt N, et al., Zhou W, Sipilä P, De Iuliis G, Dun MD, specific and cross-ancestry loci for 'Growth hormone deficiency is frequent Nixon B, 'Analysis of epididymal protein pulmonary function', Nature after recent stroke', Frontiers In synthesis and secretion', Jove-Journal Communications, 9 (2018) [C1] Neurology. 9 (2018) [C1] of Visualized Experiments,138 (2018) Hua S, de Matos MBC, Metselaar JM, English C, Janssen H, Crowfoot G, [C1] Storm G, 'Current trends and challenges Bourne J, Callister R, Dunn A, et al., Ng ZY, Wong JY, Panneerselvam J, in the clinical translation of nano- 'Frequent, short bouts of light-intensity Madheswaran T, Kumar P, Pillay V, et al., particulate nanomedicines: Pathways for exercises while standing decreases 'Assessing the potential of liposomes translational development and systolic blood pressure: Breaking up loaded with curcumin as a therapeutic commercialization', Frontiers in sitting time after stroke (BUST-Stroke) intervention in asthma', Colloids and Pharmacology, 9 (2018) [C1] trial', International Journal of Stroke, Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 172 51-59 Wang Y, Lumbers ER, Arthurs AL, 13 932-940 (2018) [C1] (2018) [C1] de Meaultsart CC, Mathe A, Avery-Kiejda English C, Janssen H, Crowfoot G, Hasan SS, Liew ASC, Chong DWK, KA, et al., 'Regulation of the human Callister R, Dunn A, Mackie P, et al., Thiruchelvam K, Babar ZUD, placental (pro)renin receptor-prorenin- 'Breaking up sitting time after stroke 'Associations between Drug Burden angiotensin system by microRNAs.', (BUST-stroke)', International Journal of Index, medication appropriateness and Molecular Human Reproduction, 24 Stroke, 13 921-931 (2018) [C1] patient-reported outcomes in the 453-464 (2018) [C1] Turner A, Veysey M, Keely S, Scarlett community pharmacy setting in Malaysia', Potter MDE, Walker MM, Keely S, Talley C, Lucock M, Beckett EL, 'Interactions Drugs and Therapy Perspectives, 34 NJ, 'What's in a name? 'Non-coeliac between bitter taste, diet and dysbiosis: 437-443 (2018) [C1] gluten or wheat sensitivity': controversies consequences for appetite and obesity.', Arms L, Smith DW, Flynn J, Palmer W, and mechanisms related to wheat and Nutrients, 10 (2018) [C1] Martin A, Woldu A, Hua S, 'Advantages gluten causing gastrointestinal symptoms Evangelou E, Warren HR, Mosen- and limitations of current techniques for or disease.', Gut, 67 2073-2077 Ansorena D, Mifsud B, Pazoki R, Gao analyzing the biodistribution of (2018) [C1] H, et al., 'Genetic analysis of over 1 nanoparticles', Frontiers in Pharmacology Tan KN, Hood R, Warren K, Pepperall D, million people identifies 535 new loci 9 1-17 (2018) [C1] Carrasco-Pozo C, Manzanero S, et al., associated with blood pressure traits', Ten Broeke SW, van der Klift HM, Tops 'Heptanoate is neuroprotective in vitro but Nature Genetics, 50 1412-1425 (2018) CMJ, Aretz S, Bernstein I, Buchanan DD, triheptanoin post-treatment did not [C1] et al., 'Cancer risks for PMS2-associated protect against middle cerebral artery Sutherland JM, Frost ER, Ford EA, Lynch Syndrome.', Journal of Clinical occlusion in rats', Neuroscience Letters, Peters AE, Reed NL, Seldon AN, et al., Oncology: Official Journal of the 683 207-214 (2018) [C1] 'Janus Kinase JAK1 maintains the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Bialkowska K, Marciniak W, Muszynska ovarian reserve of primordial follicles in 36 2961-2968 (2018) [C1] M, Baszuk P, Gupta S, Jaworska-Bieniek the mouse ovary.', Molecular Human Dua K, Rapalli VK, Shukla SD, Singhvi K, et al., ‘Association of zinc level and Reproduction, 24 533-542 (2018) [C1] G, Shastri MD, Chellappan DK, et al., polymorphism in MMP-7 gene with Panth N, Abbott KA, Dias CB, Wynne K, 'Multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium prostate cancer in Polish population’, Garg ML, 'Differential effects of medium- Tuberculosis and oxidative stress PlosOne 13 (2018) [C1] and long-chain saturated fatty acids on complexity: Emerging need for novel drug Kluge MG, Jones K, Kooi Ong L, Gowing blood lipid profile: A systematic review delivery approaches', Biomedicine and EK, Nilsson M, Clarkson AN, Walker FR, and meta-analysis', American Journal of Pharmacotherapy, 107 1218-1229 (2018) ‘Age-dependent disturbances of Neuronal Clinical Nutrition, 108 675-687 (2018) [C1] and Glial protein expression profiles in [C1] Brzozowski JS, Jankowski H, Bond DR, areas of secondary neurodegeneration Tshokey T, Stenos J, Durrheim DN, McCague SB, Munro BR, Predebon MJ, Post-stroke’, Neuroscience, 393 185-195 Eastwood K, Nguyen C, Vincent G, et al., 'Lipidomic profiling of extracellular (2018) [C1] Graves SR, 'Rickettsial infections and vesicles derived from prostate and O'Mara TA, Glubb DM, Amant F, Annibali Q Fever amongst febrile patients in prostate cancer cell lines.', Lipids in D, Ashton K, Attia J, et al., 'Identification Bhutan.', Tropical medicine and Health and Disease, 17 211 (2018) [C1] of nine new susceptibility loci for endo- infectious disease, 3 (2018) [C1] Tadros MA, Zouikr I, Hodgson DM, metrial cancer', Nature Communications, Chellappan DK, Sivam NS, Teoh KX, Callister RJ, 'Excitability of rat superficial 9 (2018) [C1] Leong WP, Fui TZ, Chooi K, et al., 'Gene dorsal horn neurons following a neonatal Feron K, Lim R, Sherwood C, Keynes A, therapy and type 1 diabetes mellitus', immune challenge', Frontiers in Brichta A, Dastoor PC, 'Organic Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, 108 Neurology, 9 (2018) [C1] Bioelectronics: materials and bio- 1188-1200 (2018) [C1] Lucock M, Thota R, Garg M, Martin C, compatibility.', International Journal of Jones P, Furst J, et al., 'Vitamin D and Singhvi G, Manchanda P, Krishna 90 | Page Rapalli V, Kumar Dubey S, Gupta G, Longevity, 2018 (2018) [C1] Cheng Q, Liu GZ, et al., 'Dual functions Dua K, 'MicroRNAs as biological for OVAAL in initiation of RAF/MEK/ERK Sahoo SS, Zhang XD, Hondermarck H, regulators in skin disorders', Biomedicine prosurvival signals and evasion of Tanwar PS, 'The emerging role of the and Pharmacotherapy, 108 996-1004 p27-mediated cellular senescence', microenvironment in endometrial cancer', (2018) [C1] Proceedings of the National Academy of Cancers, 10 (2018) [C1] Mihalas BP, Bromfield EG, Sutherland Sciences of the United States of America, Read B, Brorson IS, Berge T, Adams C, JM, De Iuliis GN, McLaughlin EA, Aitken 115 E11661-E11670 (2018) [C1] Quach H, Moen SM, et al.,'Increased RJ, Nixon B, 'Oxidative damage in Rajendra KC, Shukla SD, Gautam SS, DNA methylation of SLFN12 in CD4(+) naturally aged mouse oocytes is Hansbro PM, O'Toole RF, 'The role of and CD8(+) T cells from multiple sclerosis exacerbated by dysregulation of environmental exposure to non-cigarette patients', PlosOne, 13 (2018) [C1] proteasomal activity', Journal of Biological smoke in lung disease', Clinical and Ren S, Holliday E, Hure A, Peel R, Chemistry, 293 18944-18964 (2018) [C1] Translational Medicine, 7 (2018) [C1] Hancock S, Leigh L, et al., 'Pneumococcal Howe PRC, Evans HM, Kuszewski JC, Abdullah N, Murad NAA, Attia J, polysaccharide vaccine associated with Wong RHX, 'Effects of long chain Oldmeadow C, Kamaruddin MA, Jalal reduced lengths of stay for cardio- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids NA, et al., 'Differing contributions of vascular events hospital admissions: on brain function in mildly hypertensive classical risk factors to type 2 diabetes Experience from the Hunter Community older adults', Nutrients, 10 (2018) [C1] in multi-ethnic Malaysian populations', Study', Vaccine, 36 7520-7524 La T, Liu GZ, Farrelly M, Cole N, Feng International Journal of Environmental (2018) [C1] YC, Zhang YY, et al., 'A p53-responsive Research and Public Health, 15 (2018) Eapen MS, Hansbro PM, Larsson- miRNA network promotes cancer cell [C1] Callerfelt A-K, Jolly MK, Myers S, Sharma quiescence', Cancer Research, 78 Ibn Sina AA, Carrascosa LG, Liang Z, P, et al., 'Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary 6666-6679 (2018) [C1] Grewal YS, Wardiana A, Shiddiky MJA, Disease and lung cancer: underlying Gavgani AM, Walker FR, Hodgson DM, et al., 'Epigenetically reprogrammed pathophysiology and new therapeutic Nalivaiko E, 'A comparative study of methylation landscape drives the DNA modalities.', Drugs, 78 1717-1740 cybersickness during exposure to virtual self-assembly and serves as a universal (2018) [C1] reality and classic motion sickness: Are cancer biomarker', Nature Communications, Hollins SL, Brock L, Barreto R, Harms L, they different?', Journal of Applied 9 (2018) [C1] Dunn A, Garcia-Sobrinho P, et al., ‘A Physiology, 125 1670-1680 (2018) [C1] Schofield ZV, Croker D, Robertson AAB, rodent model of anxiety: The effect of Liu Y, Zheng J, Zhang HP, Zhang X, Massey NL, Donovan C, Tee E, et al., perinatal immune challenges on gastro- Wang L, Wood L, Wang G, 'Obesity- 'Characterisation of small molecule intestinal inflammation and integrity', associated metabolic signatures correlate ligands 4CMTB and 2CTAP as modulators NeuroImmunoModulation, 25 163-175 to clinical and inflammatory profiles of of human FFA2 receptor signalling', (2018) [C1] asthma: A Pilot Study.', Allergy, Asthma Scientific Reports, 8 (2018) [C1] Baines KJ, Wright TK, Gibson PG, Powell and Immunology Research, 10 628-647 Bennett JM, Reeves G, Billman GE, H, Hansbro PM, Simpson JL, (2018) [C1] Sturmberg JP, 'Inflammation-nature's 'Azithromycin treatment modifies airway Debniak T, Scott RJ, Górski B, Masojc way to efficiently respond to all types and blood gene expression networks in B, Kram A, Maleszka R, et al., 'BRCA1/2 of challenges: implications for under- neutrophilic COPD.', ERJ Open Research mutations are not a common cause of standing and managing "the epidemic" 4 (2018) [C1] malignant melanoma in the Polish of chronic diseases', Frontiers in Medicine, Rutting S, Papanicolaou M, Xenaki D, population', PloSOne, 13 (2018) [C1] 5 (2018) [C1] Wood LG, Mullin AM, Hansbro PM, Staudt D, Murray HC, McLachlan T, Hirst JJ, Palliser HK, Shaw JC, Crombie Oliver BG, 'Dietary -6 polyunsaturated Alvaro F, Enjeti AK, Verrills NM, Dun MD, G, Walker DW, Zakar T, 'Birth and neo- fatty acid arachidonic acid increases 'Targeting oncogenic signaling in mutant natal transition in the guinea pig: inflammation, but inhibits ECM protein FLT3 Acute Myeloid Leukemia: the path Experimental approaches to prevent expression in COPD.', Respiratory to least resistance', International Journal preterm birth and protect the premature Research, 19 (2018) [C1] of Molecular Sciences. 19 (2018) [C1] fetus', Frontiers in Physiology, 9 (2018) Lam CS, Ramanathan S, Carbery M, Jay Jay Thaung Zaw, Howe P, Wong [C1] Gray K, Vanka KS, Maurin C, et al., 'A RHX, 'Postmenopausal health Kennedy DW, White NM, Benton MC, comprehensive analysis of plastics and interventions: Time to move on from the Fox A, Scott RJ, Griffiths LR, et al., microplastic legislation worldwide', Water, Women’s Health Initiative?', Ageing 'Critical evaluation of linear regression Air, and Soil Pollution, 229 (2018) [C1] Research Reviews, 48 79-86 (2018) [C1] models for cell-subtype specific Chatterjee G, Pai T, Hardiman T, Avery- Nguyen TS, Nguyen TLH, Pham TTV, methylation signal from mixed blood cell Kiejda K, Scott RJ, Spencer J, et al., Cao TBT, Nguyen VK, Hua S, Li SC, DNA', PlosOne, 13 (2018) [C1] 'Molecular patterns of cancer 'Effectiveness of a short training program Bigland MJ, Brichta AM, Smith DW, colonisation in lymph nodes of breast for community pharmacists to improve 'Effects of ageing on the mitochondrial cancer patients', Breast Cancer Research knowledge and practice of asthma genome in rat vestibular organs', Current BCR, 20 (2018) [C1] counselling: A simulated patient study', Aging Science, 11 108-117 (2018) [C1] Maltby VE, Lea RA, Graves MC, Sanders Respiratory Medicine, 144 50-60 (2018) Gopaul U, Carey L, Callister R, Nilsson KA, Benton MC, Tajouri L, et al., [C1] M, van Vliet P, ‘Combined somato- 'Genome-wide DNA methylation changes Shastri MD, Shukla SD, Chong WC, Dua sensory and motor training to improve in CD19+ B cells from relapsing-remitting K, Peterson GM, Patel RP, et al., 'Role upper limb function following stroke: a multiple sclerosis patients.', Scientific of oxidative stress in the pathology and systematic scoping review', Physical Reports, 8 (2018) [C1] management of human tuberculosis', Therapy Reviews, 23 355-375 (2018) [C1 Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Sang B, Zhang YY, Guo ST, Kong LF, 91 | Page