About me
The principal focus of my research is to understand the mechanisms of cytokine receptor assembly and activation that underpin the pleiotropic functional properties of the beta common (βc) family of cytokines, GM-CSF, IL-3 and IL-5, on populations of human blood cells. These cells and the cytokines that regulate their survival and activity, are vital for a range of immune functions. Disruption of normal cytokine function is associated with inflammatory disease as well as cancer, particularly leukaemia. An important translational aspect of this work is to develop and characterise novel agents such as monoclonal antibodies, that can block or modulate the activities of these cytokines, thereby identifying molecules with potential therapeutic utility.
My recent research has been directed towards discovering how the cytokines GM-CSF and IL-3 interact with their receptors and how this interaction leads to receptor activation and gives rise to complex (pleiotropic) signalling outcomes. Detailed understanding of this process is essential for the development of targeted agents that can block or modulate receptor activation. I initially worked as a Research Assistant/PhD student with Dr Frances Shannon and Dr Angel Lopez (IMVS, Adelaide), 1988-1994, studying the structure/function properties of GM-CSF. The potent GM-CSF antagonist (GM E21R) was a key discovery arising from this work and from 1994-1998, I continued to characterise this molecule in post-doctoral studies with Dr Lopez. From 1998-2002 I was employed by BresGen Ltd as a Senior Research Officer working on the clinical development of GM E21R for therapeutic applications. This work involved pharmacokinetic studies, analysis of anti-GM E21R antibodies, GM E21R functional studies and quality control protocols to support pre-clinical and clinical trials. Since 2003, I have worked as a Senior Research Officer and Team Leader in the Cytokine Receptor Laboratory (CRL) located at the Centre for Cancer Biology (CCB) with Prof Angel Lopez. In collaboration with Prof Michael Parker (Bio21 Institute, Melbourne), we have studied the structure of the GM-CSF and IL-3 receptor complexes. During this time, we determined structures for 9 distinct ligand/receptor complexes, including those containing inhibitory antibodies, published 18 manuscripts and made seminal discoveries about the unique receptor activation mechanism used by the bc cytokines.
Prior to undertaking my PhD studies, I worked as a Research Assistant with Prof RH Symons (Biochemistry Department, Adelaide University), 1986-1987. During this time, I sequenced fragments of the Soybean Dwarf Virus genome and identified, sequenced and characterised a self-cleaving satellite RNA associated with Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. During the period 1987 – 1988, I worked as a Research Assistant with Dr J Walker (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1997, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge England), studying an ovine model for ceroid lipofuscinoses and sequencing the human T2 translocase gene.
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Structure-based design of novel IL-3 variants with selective function in cancer therapy, Cancer Council SA - Beat Cancer, 01/01/2018 - 30/06/2019
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
Year | Output |
---|---|
2024 |
Open access
5
3
67
|
2023 |
Open access
8
7
19
|
2018 |
Open access
33
33
|
2016 |
Open access
44
43
|
2012 |
203
185
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2023 |
2
|
2015 |
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2025 |
Open access
1
1
|
2024 |
Open access
|
2024 |
Open access
5
3
67
|
2023 |
Open access
8
7
19
|
2023 |
Open access
11
6
1
|
2022 |
Open access
21
17
6
|
2022 |
Open access
5
3
1
|
2021 |
Open access
4
4
3
|
2018 |
Open access
33
33
|
2018 |
Open access
10
10
11
|
2018 |
Open access
36
28
14
|
2018 |
Open access
41
40
3
|
2016 |
Open access
44
43
|
2016 |
Open access
37
30
|
2016 |
Open access
40
31
|
2015 |
68
60
3
|
2014 |
Open access
52
45
|
2013 |
Open access
83
76
|
2012 |
203
185
|
2012 |
Open access
62
57
|
2010 |
Open access
57
49
|
External engagement & recognition
Organisation | Country |
---|---|
Austin Health | AUSTRALIA |
Australian Cancer Research Foundation | AUSTRALIA |
CSL Limited | AUSTRALIA |
Deakin University | AUSTRALIA |
Hudson Institute of Medical Research | AUSTRALIA |
IBM Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research | AUSTRALIA |
Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | AUSTRALIA |
RMIT University | AUSTRALIA |
Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
SA Pathology | AUSTRALIA |
South Australian Health and Medical and Research Institute (SAHMRI) | AUSTRALIA |
St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research | AUSTRALIA |
Stanford University | UNITED STATES |
Texas A and M University | UNITED STATES |
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
University Health Network | CANADA |
University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
University of British Columbia | CANADA |
University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
University of Newcastle | AUSTRALIA |
University of Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Toronto | CANADA |
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research | AUSTRALIA |
Women's and Children's Health Network | AUSTRALIA |