Professor Michael Fenech

Adjunct Professor UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences

email Michael.Fenech@unisa.edu.au

Research Degree Supervisor

About me

Professor Michael Fenech is recognised internationally for his research in nutritional genomics and genetic toxicology and for developing the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay which is now a standard method used internationally to measure DNA damage in human and mammalian cells. The lymphocyte CBMN assay has been endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the OECD for in vivo radiation bio-dosimetry and in vitro testing of chemical genotoxicity, respectively. From 1990 to 2018 he worked as a principal research scientist in Australia at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in the field of human nutrition. In 1999-2009 his laboratory further developed the lymphocyte CBMN assay into a... Read more

UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences

UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences is addressing society’s most critical and emerging health needs through quality teaching, learning and research excellence.

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Orcid

Research

Research focus

Clinical Sciences
Genetics
Medical and Health Sciences
Nutrition and Dietetics
Biological Sciences

Research

Outputs

Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. To see earlier years visit ORCID

Open access indicates that an output is open access.

Chapters

Year	Output
2022	Fenech, M, Deo, P & Dhillon, SV 2022, 'Fatty acids and telomeres in humans', in Duo Li (ed.), Advances in Dietary Lipids and Human Health, Academic Press, UK, ch. 2, pp. 13-25.
2019	Fenech, M, Nersesyan, A & Knasmueller, S 2019, 'Effect of in vivo formaldehyde exposure on DNA damage measured by the micronucleus assay in lymphocytes, buccal, and nasal cells', in M Fenech & S Knasmuller (eds), The micronucleus assay in toxicology, The Royal Society of Chemistry, US, ch. 29, pp. 471-493.

Journal Articles

Year	Output
2023	Dhillon, VS, Deo, P & Fenech, M 2023, 'Plasma micronutrient profile of prostate cancer cases is altered relative to healthy controls - results of a pilot study in South Australia', Cancers, vol. 15, no. 1, article no. 77. Open access
2023	Dhillon, VS, Deo, P, Thomas, P & Fenech, M 2023, 'Low magnesium in conjunction with high homocysteine and less sleep accelerates telomere attrition in healthy elderly Australian', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 2, article no. 982, pp. 1-14. Open access
2022	Deo, P, Dhillon, VS, Thomas, P & Fenech, M 2022, 'The association of Nε-carboxymethyllysine with polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids in healthy individuals', Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, vol. 77, no. 3, pp. 462-470. 1 1
2022	Dhillon, VS, Deo, P, Chau, A, Thomas, P & Fenech, M 2022, 'Sleep duration, Health Promotion Index (HPI), sRAGE and ApoE-ε4 genotype are associated with telomere length (TL) in healthy elderly Australians', Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 243-249. Open access 3 4 2
2022	Donnellan, L, Simpson, BS, Dhillon, V S, Costabile, M, Fenech, M & Deo, P 2022, 'Folic acid deficiency increases sensitivity to DNA damage by glucose and methylglyoxal', Mutagenesis, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 24-33. Open access 2 1 1
2022	Donnellan, L, Young, C, Simpson, BS, Dhillon, VS, Costabile, M, Hoffmann, P, Fenech, M & Deo, P 2022, 'Methylglyoxal impairs sister chromatid separation in lymphocytes', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 23, no. 8, article no. 4139, pp. 1-11. Open access 1 1
2022	Kirsch-Volders, M & Fenech, M 2022, 'Aneuploidy, inflammation and diseases', Mutation Research: Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, vol. 824, article no. 111777, pp. 1-12.
2022	M'kacher, R, Jaillet, M, Colicchio, B, Vasarmidi, E, Mailleux, A, Dieterlen, A, Kannengiesser, C, Borie, C, Oudrhiri, N, Junker, S, Voisin, P, Jeandidier, E, Carde, P, Fenech, M, Bennaceur-Griscelli, A, Crestani, B & Borie, R 2022, 'Lung fibroblasts from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients harbor short and unstable telomeres leading to chromosomal instability', Biomedicines, vol. 10, no. 2, article no. 310, pp. 1-13. Open access 4 4 1
2022	Nersesyan, A, Kundi, M, Fenech, M, Stopper, H, da Silva, J, Bolognesi, C, Misik, M & Knasmueller, S 2022, 'Recommendations and quality criteria for micronucleus studies with humans', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 789, article no. 108410, pp. 1-11. 5 3 1
2022	Zulkifli, MN, Kadar, M, Fenech, M & Hamzaid, NH 2022, 'Interrelation of food selectivity, oral sensory sensitivity, and nutrient intake in children with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review', Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, vol. 93, article no. 101928. Open access 4 3
2021	Deo, P, Fenech, M & Dhillon, VS 2021, 'Association between glycation biomarkers, hyperglycemia, and micronucleus frequency: a meta -analysis', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 787, article no. 108369. Open access 7 7
2021	Dhillon, VS, Deo, P, Bonassi, S & Fenech, M 2021, 'Lymphocyte micronuclei frequencies in skin, haematological, prostate, colorectal and esophageal cancer cases: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 787, article no. 108372, pp. 1-10. 6 4 1
2021	Dhillon, VS, Deo, P, Chua, A, Thomas, P & Fenech, M 2021, 'Telomere length in healthy adults is positively associated with polyunsaturated fatty acids, including arachidonic acid, and negatively with saturated fatty acids', Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 3-6. Open access 4 3 4
2021	Donnellan, L, Simpson, B, Dhillon, VS, Costabile, M, Fenech, M & Deo, P 2021, 'Methylglyoxal induces chromosomal instability and mitotic dysfunction in lymphocytes', Mutagenesis, vol. 36, pp. 339-348. Open access 6 5
2021	Ernst, B, Setayesh, T, Nersesyan, A, Kundi, M, Fenech, M, Bolognesi, C, Mišík, M, Ghane, M, Mousavi, SF & Knasmüller, S 2021, 'Investigations concerning the impact of consumption of hot beverages on acute cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in oral mucosa cells', Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, article no. 23014, pp. 1-10. Open access 1 1 2
2021	Fenech, M, Knasmueller, S, Knudsen, LE, Kirsch-Volders, M, Deo, P, Franzke, B, Stopper, H, Andreassi, M-G, Bolognesi, C, Dhillon, VS, Laffon, B, Wagnerm, K-H & Bonassi, S 2021, ''Micronuclei and Disease' special issue: aims, scope, and synthesis of outcomes', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 788, article no. 108384, pp. 1-8. Open access 4 3 1
2021	Guo, X, Li, J, Xue, J, Fenech, M & Wang, X 2021, 'Loss of Y chromosome: an emerging next-generation biomarker for disease prediction and early detection?', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 788, article no. 108389, pp. 1-13. 3 1 2
2021	Jaunay, EL, Dhillon, VS, Semple, SJ, Simpson, BS, Ghetia, M, Deo, P & Fenech, M 2021, 'Genotoxicity of advanced glycation end products in vitro is influenced by their preparation temperature, purification, and cell exposure time', Mutagenesis, vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 445-455.
2021	Khatiwada, S, Lecomte, V, Fenech, MF, Morris, MJ & Maloney, CA 2021, 'Effects of micronutrient supplementation on glucose and hepatic lipid metabolism in a rat model of diet induced obesity', Cells, vol. 10, no. 7, article no. 1751, pp. 1-17. Open access 4 4 1
2021	Kirsch-Volders, M & Fenech, M 2021, 'Inflammatory cytokine storms severity may be fueled by interactions of micronuclei and RNA viruses such as COVID-19 virus SARS-CoV-2. A hypothesis', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol 788, article no. 108395, pp. 1-16. 5 5 1
2021	M'kacher, R, Colicchio, B, Marquet, V, Borie, C, Fenech, M & Yardin, C and 16 other authors 2021, 'Telomere aberrations, including telomere loss, doublets, and extreme shortening, are increased in patients with infertility', Fertility and Sterility, vol. 115, no. 1, pp. 164-173. 8 8
2021	Nair-Shalliker, V, Smith, DP, Gebski, V, Patel, M I, Frydenberg, M, Yaxley, JW, Gardiner, R, Espinoza, D, Kimlin, MG, Fenech, M, Gillatt, D, Woo, H, Armstrong, BK, Rasiah, K, Awad, N, Symons, J & Gurney, H 2021, 'High-dose vitamin D supplementation to prevent prostate cancer progression in localised cases with low-to-intermediate risk of progression on active surveillance (ProsD): protocol of a phase II randomised controlled trial', BMJ Open, vol. 11, no. 3, article no. e044055, pp. 1-9. Open access 3
2021	Setayesh, T, Nersesyan, A, Kundi, M, Misik, M, Fenech, M, Bolognesi, C, Stopper, H, Parsadanyan, G, Ernst, B & Knasmueller, S 2021, 'Impact of infections, preneoplasia and cancer on micronucleus formation in urothelial and cervical cells: a systematic review', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 787, article no. 108361, pp. 1-13. 6 5
2021	Shahril, MR, Zakarai, NS, Appannah, G, Nurnazahiah, A, Mohamed, HJJ, Ahmad, A, Lua, PL & Fenech, M 2021, ''Energy-dense, high-SFA and low-fiber' dietary pattern lowered adiponectin but not leptin concentration of breast cancer survivors', Nutrients, vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 1-12. Open access 1 2 1
2021	Soumboundou, M, Dossou, J, Kalaga, Y, Nkengurutse, I, Fenech, M & M'Kacher, R 2021, 'Is response to genotoxic stress similar in populations of African and European ancestry? A study of dose-response after in vitro irradiation', Frontiers in Genetics, vol.12, article no. 657999. Open access 1
2021	Wultsch, G, Setayesh, T, Kundi, M, Kment, M, Nersesyan, A, Fenech, M & Knasmuller, S 2021, 'Induction of DNA damage as a consequence of occupational exposure to crystalline silica: a review and meta-analysis', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 787, article no. 108349, pp. 1-11. 8 6
2020	Deo, P, Dhillon, VS, Chua, A, Thomas, P & Fenech, M 2020, 'APOE ε4 carriers have a greater propensity to glycation and sRAGE which is further influenced by RAGE G82S polymorphism', Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, vol. 75, no. 10, pp. 1899-1905. Open access 13 11 11
2020	Deo, P, Dhillon, VS, Lim, WM, Jaunay, EL, Donnellan, L, Peake, B, McCullough, C & Fenech, M 2020, 'Advanced glycation end-products accelerate telomere attrition and increase pro-inflammatory mediators in human WIL2-NS cells', Mutagenesis, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 291-297. Open access 5 4 23
2020	Deo, P, McCullough, CL, Almond, T, Jaunay, EL, Donnellan, L, Dhillon, VS & Fenech, M 2020, 'Dietary sugars and related endogenous advanced glycation end-products increase chromosomal DNA damage in WIL2-NS cells, measured using cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay', Mutagenesis, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 1-9. 11 11 1
2020	Dhillon, VS, Deo, P, Chua, A, Thomas, P & Fenech, M 2020, 'Shorter telomere length in carriers of APOE-ε4 and high plasma concentration of glucose, glyoxal and other advanced glycation end products (AGEs).', Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, vol. 75, no. 10, pp. 1894-1898. Open access 4 4 5
2020	Fenech, M 2020, 'Cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay evolution into a more comprehensive method to measure chromosomal instability', Genes, vol. 11, no. 10, pp. 1-13. Open access 35 33
2020	Fenech, M, Knasmueller, S, Bolognesi, C, Holland, N, Bonassi, S & Kirsch-Volders, M 2020, 'Micronuclei as biomarkers of DNA damage, aneuploidy, inducers of chromosomal hypermutation and as sources of pro-inflammatory DNA in humans', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 786, article no. 108342, pp. 1-13. 43 42
2020	Jaunay, EL, Dhillon, VS, Semple, SJ, Simpson, BS, Deo, P & Fenech, M 2020, 'Can a digital slide scanner and viewing technique assist the visual scoring for the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay?', Mutagenesis, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 311-317. 5 5 1
2020	Kirsch-Volders, M, Bolognesi, C, Ceppi, M, Bruzzone, M & Fenech, M 2020, 'Micronuclei, inflammation and auto-immune disease', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 786, article no. 108335, pp. 1-18. 21 23 1
2020	M'kacher, R, Colicchio, B, Borie, C, Junker, S, Fenech, M & Jeandidier, E and 20 other authors 2020, 'Telomere and centromere staining followed by m-fish improves diagnosis of chromosomal instability and its clinical utility', Genes, vol. 11, no. 5, article no. 475, pp. 1-17. Open access 12 11
2020	Setayesh, T, Kundi, M, Nersesyan, A, Stopper, H, Fenech, M, Krupitza, G & Knasmuller, S 2020, 'Use of micronucleus assays for the prediction and detection of cervical cancer: a meta-analysis', Carcinogenesis, vol. 41, no. 10, pp. 1318-1328. 11 9
2019	François, M, Bull, CF, Fenech, MF & Leifert, WR 2019, 'Current state of saliva biomarkers for aging and Alzheimer's disease', Current Alzheimer Research, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 56-66. 20 20 7
2019	Guo, X, Ni, J, Liang, Z, Xue, J, Fenech, MF & Wang, X 2019, 'The molecular origins and pathophysiological consequences of micronuclei: new insights into an age-old problem', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 779, pp. 1-35. Open access 30 59 5
2019	Lee, SE, Fenech, MF & West, KP 2019, 'Antenatal micronutrients and the mitochondrial genome: a glimpse of future nutritional investigation', Journal of Nutrition, vol. 149, no. 8, pp. 1303-1304. Open access 2
2018	Dhillon, VS, Yeoh, E, Salisbury, C, Butters, J, Di Matteo, A, Olver, I & Fenech, M 2018, 'Cytokinesis block micronucleus cytome (CBMN Cyt) assay biomarkers and their association with radiation sensitivity phenotype in prostate cancer cases and DNA repair gene hOGG1 (C1245G) polymorphism', Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, vol. 59, no. 9, pp. 813-821. Open access 6 6
2016	Yeoh, EK, Krol, R, Dhillon, V, Botten, R, Di Matteo, A, Butters, J, Brock, AR, Esterman, A, Salisbury, C & Fenech, M 2016, 'Predictors of radiation-induced gastrointestinal morbidity: a prospective, longitudinal study following radiotherapy for carcinoma of the prostate', Acta Oncologica, vol. 55, no. 5, pp. 604-610. Open access 14 10
2012	Main, PA, Angley, MT, O'Doherty, CE, Thomas, P & Fenech, M 2012, 'The potential role of the antioxidant and detoxification properties of glutathione in autism spectrum disorders : a systematic review and meta-analysis', Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 9, article no. 35, pp. 1-37. Open access 68 62 20
2011	Bonassi, S, Coskun, E, Ceppi, M, Lando, C & Fenech, M and 38 other authors 2011, 'The HUman MicroNucleus project on eXfoLiated buccal cells (HUMNXL): the role of life-style, host factors, occupational exposures, health status, and assay protocol', Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 728, no. 3, pp. 88-97. 260 240
2011	Dhillon, VS, Thomas, P, Iarmarcovai, G, Kirsh-Volders, M, Bonassi, S & Fenech, M 2011, 'Genetic polymorphisms of genes involved in DNA repair and metabolism influence micronucleus frequencies in human peripheral blood lymphocytes', Mutagenesis, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 33-42. Open access 41 41
2011	Fenech, M, El-Sohemy, A, Cahill, L, Ferguson, LR, French, T-A, Tai, ES, Milner, J, Koh, W-P, Xie, L, Zucker, M, Buckley, M, Cosgrove, L, Lockett, T, Fung, KY & Head, R 2011, 'Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics: viewpoints on the current status and applications in nutrition research and practice', Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 69-89. Open access 212 168
2010	Anglin, E, Davey, R, Herrid, M, Hope, S, Kurkuri, M, Pasic, P, Hor, M, Fenech, M, Thissen, H & Voelcker, N 2010, 'Cell microarrays for the screening of factors that allow the enrichment of bovine testicular cells', Cytometry. Part A : The Journal of the International Society for Analytical Cytology, vol. 77, no. 9, pp. 881-889. Open access 22 21
2010	Main, PAE, Angley, MT, Thomas, P, King, CE & Fenech, M 2010, 'Folate and methionine metabolism in autism: A systematic review', American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 91, no. 6, pp. 1598-1620. 66 59
2008	Beetstra, AJN, Suthers, GK, Dhillon, V, Salisbury, C, Turner, J, Altree, M, McKinnon, RA & Fenech, M 2008, 'Methionine-dependence phenotype in the de novo pathway in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers with and without breast cancer', Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, vol. 17, no. 10, pp. 2565-2571. Open access 19 16

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Organisation	Country
Aarhus University	DENMARK
Cancer Council NSW	AUSTRALIA
Cell Environment	FRANCE
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges	FRANCE
Centre Hospitalier Yalgado Radioprotection-Radiobiologie	BURKINA FASO
CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology	ITALY
CSIRO Australia (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation)	AUSTRALIA
Département du Génie d’Imagerie Médicale et Radiobiologie	BENIN
Flinders University	AUSTRALIA
Fudan University	CHINA
Gazi University	TURKEY
Genopole (France)	FRANCE
Government hospital in Genoa	ITALY
Groupe Hospitalier de la Région de Mulhouse et Sud Alsace Mulhouse (GHRMSA)	FRANCE
Groupe Hospitalier de la Rgion de Mulhouse et Sud Alsace	FRANCE
Gustave Roussy Cancer	FRANCE
IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana	ITALY
Islamic Azad University of Tonekabon	IRAN
Jilin University	CHINA
Johns Hopkins University	UNITED STATES
Laboratoire Biophysique UFR-Santé	SENEGAL
Laboratoire de Radiobiologie	BURUNDI
Lutheran University of Brazil	BRAZIL
Macquarie University	AUSTRALIA
Medical University of Vienna	AUSTRIA
Medical University Vienna	AUSTRIA
Monash Health	AUSTRALIA
National Cancer Institute	UNITED STATES
National Cancer Research Institute	UNITED KINGDOM
National University of Singapore	SINGAPORE
Ospedale Policlinico San Martino	ITALY
Paris-Saclay University	FRANCE
Pasteur Institute of Iran	IRAN
Queensland University of Technology	AUSTRALIA
Radboud University Nijmegen	NETHERLANDS
Royal Adelaide Hospital	AUSTRALIA
San Martino Hospital	ITALY
San Raffaele University	ITALY
San Raffaele University of Rome	ITALY
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)	AUSTRALIA
State Medical University	ARMENIA
UniversitÃ© Paris-Saclay	FRANCE
Universite de Haute Alsace	FRANCE
Universite De Haute Alsace	FRANCE
Universiti Putra	MALAYSIA
University in Brussels	BELGIUM
University Kebangsaan Malaysia	MALAYSIA
University Of A Coruna	SPAIN
University of Adelaide	AUSTRALIA
University of Auckland	NEW ZEALAND
University of California	UNITED STATES
University of Copenhagen	DENMARK
University of Liege	BELGIUM
University of New South Wales	AUSTRALIA
University of Paris	FRANCE
University of Queensland	AUSTRALIA
University of Sains Malaysia	MALAYSIA
University of South Australia	AUSTRALIA
University of Sydney	AUSTRALIA
University of the Mediterranean	FRANCE
University of Toronto	CANADA
University of Upper Alsace (UHA)	FRANCE
University of Vienna	AUSTRIA
University of Western Australia	AUSTRALIA
University of Wuerzburg	GERMANY
University of Wurzburg	GERMANY
University Sultan Zainal Abidin	MALAYSIA
Vrije University Brussel	BELGIUM
Women's and Children's Health Network	AUSTRALIA
Yunnan Normal University	CHINA

Teaching & student supervision

Research degree supervision

Supervisions from 2010 shown

Thesis title	Student status
A nutrigenomic study of folate/methionine status and oxidative stress in autistic disorder	Completed
Advanced glycation end product induced genotoxicity and receptor expression in human cells	Completed
Methylglyoxal induces chromosomal instability under normal and folic acid deficient conditions	Completed

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Professor Michael Fenech

About me

About me

UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences

About me

Professional Associations

Research

Research focus

Projects

Outputs

Chapters

Journal Articles

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Collaborations

Teaching & student supervision

Courses and programs

Research degree supervision

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