ECE-6612 Prof. John A. Copeland 404 894-5177 fax 404 894-0035 Office: Klaus 3362.
ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 - parliament.qld.gov.au · ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 300 Herston Road, Herston...
Transcript of ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 - parliament.qld.gov.au · ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 300 Herston Road, Herston...
ANNUAL REPORT
2008-09300 Herston Road, Herston QLD 4006, Australia
P: (+61) 7 3362 0222 F: (+61) 7 3362 0111 www.qimr.edu.au [email protected]
ANNUAL REPORT
2008-09
QIM
R A
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UA
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PO
RT 2008-09
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
AbOUT UsQIMR is one of Australia’s largest and most successful medical research institutes. Our researchers are investigating the genetic and environmental causes of more than 40 diseases as well as developing new diagnostics, better treatments and prevention strategies. The Institute’s diverse research program extends from tropical diseases to cancers to Indigenous health, mental health, obesity, HIV and asthma.
OUR VIsION better health through medical research.
OUR MIssION To prevent and cure disease through research.
OUR PHILOsOPHy QIMR supports scientists who perform world-class ethical medical research aimed at improving the health and well-being of all people.
OUR LOgO The QIMR logo is comprised of superimposed benzene rings which symbolise one of the fundamental molecular arrangements of the chemicals which make up living things.
Director – Professor Michael good AO
Deputy Director – Professor Adèle green AC
www.qimr.edu.au | [email protected]
1800 993 000
Cover Image: Close up of neuron network
Inside Cover Image: Rebekah Brennan, PhD student Cellular Immunology Laboratory - Immunology Division
300 Herston Road, Herston QLD 4006, AustraliaT: 1800 993 000 E: [email protected] www.qimr.edu.au
Project Manager sarah Tennant
Compilation Jann O’Keefe Editing sarah-Jane Matthews
Design Rowland
Graphic Support Mimi Kersting
Photography Heather Matthews Tony Phillips
Published October 2009
Copies can be obtained by phoning 1800 993 000 or [email protected]
Online version available at www.qimr.edu.au
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 1
World-class
ethical medical
research aimed
at improving
the health and
well-being of
all people
CONTENTS
Organisational structure 2
QIMR at a glance 4
Research highlights 6
Chairman’s report 9
Members of Council 10
Director’s report 12
Patron’s message 15
Research Divisions 16
Genetics and Population Health 18
Immunology 34
Cancer and Cell Biology 47
Infectious Diseases 59
Joint Research 74
Corporate Division 80
Trust report 90
Members of Trust 91
Postgraduate training 96
Completed students 98
Student awards 99
Awards 100
Grants and funding 103
Publications 106
Lectures 130
Staff 141
Research students 150
Acronyms 152
2 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • QIM nual Report 2008-20092 2008-202008-200MR - AnnMR nnM 0
Corporate Services External RelationsScientifi c Services
Administrative
Support
Science CommunicationStores Systems ImplementationAdministrative SupportBuilding Services
Regulatory AffairsSafety
HistotechnologyQ-Gen
Graphic SupportAnimal WelfarePurchasing
DNA & Peptide FacilityRecords & Information
FundraisingFlow CytometryBusiness Development
Culture & Media Services
Information Technology
Business ServicesGlassware ServicesHuman Resources
Animal FacilityFinance
Grants Operational Services
Transgenic Breeding
Experimental Holding
General Manager
ORGANISATIONAL
STRUCTURE
2 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 3 QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 3
Strategic Science
Committee (Advisory)
Clinical & Translational Research Committee
(Advisory)
Assistant
Director
Assistant
Director
Senior Executive
Team (Advisory)
Genetics & Population
Bacterial Vaccines Cellular Immunology Iron Metabolism Cancer Genetics
Molecular Vaccinology Leukaemia Foundation Indigenous HealthMalaria Drug Resistance
Immunology & Infection QCF Transgenics Cancer & Population
StudiesMalaria Biology
Clinical Immunohaematology Signal Transduction OncogenomicsProtein Discovery Centre
Molecular Immunology Molecular Pathology Molecular PsychiatryHIV Molecular Virology
Bone Marrow Transplantation
Radiation Biology & Oncology Genetic EpidemiologyParasite Cell Biology
Tumour ImmunologyRBWH Foundation
Conjoint GastroenterologyScabies
Dendritic Cells & Cancer Drug Discovery Group
Molecular Epidemiology
Neurogenetics
Gynaecological Cancer Group
Molecular Cancer Epidemiology
Familial Cancer
Qld Statistical Genetics
Cancer Control Group
Skin Cancer Carcinogenesis
Helminth Biology
EBV Biology Hepatic FibrosisClinical Tropical Medicine
Cancer Immunotherapy Membrane Transport
Immunovirology
Molecular Parasitology
Mosquito Control
Molecular Genetics
Bacterial Pathogenesis
EBV Molecular Biology
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 3
Infl ammatory Bowel Disease
DIRECTORDEPUTY
DIRECTOR
ImmunologyInfectious Diseases Cancer & Cell Biology Mental Health Research
Epigenetics
Mental Health Research
4 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
New treatment patents
Vaccine patents
Delivery platform patents
Diagnostic patents
Drug target patents
Research service agreements
Clinical trial agreements
Commercialisation agreements
Intellectual property agreements
License agreements
Others
PATENT PORTFOLIO BY CATEGORY RESEARCH AGREEMENTS
Other granting bodies
The Atlantic Philanthropies
Queensland Cancer Fund
National Institutes of Health
National Health and Medical
Research Council
QIMR COMPETITIVE GRANT REVENUE 2000-2009 – FUNDING RECEIVED/AWARDED
2001
10
20
30
40
50
60
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
QIMR AT A GLANCE
Supporting scientists who perform world-class medical
research aimed at improving the health and well-being
of all people.
$ Millions
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 5
Donations & Gifts Sponsorship
Event Revenue Bequests/Gifts in Kind
2007 2008 2009
Staff Students
STAFF NUMBERS
20062005
100
400
200
500
600
300
2007 2008 2009
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
50
200
100
250
300
350
400
450
150
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
$ Millions
Grants Fellowships and scholarships
NHMRC FUNDING
2
4
14
6
16
8
18
10
20
12
2005 2006
$ Millions
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09
1.0
6.0
3.0
2.0
7.0
8.0
4.0
5.0
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS• Clinical trials begin for a vaccine to combat one of
the world’s biggest disease killers – the Group A
Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria.
• Donor antigen presenting cells found to cause
graft versus host disease in bone marrow
transplantation patients.
• The genetic risk of schizophrenia found to be the
result of thousands of common genetic variations
common to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
• Identifi ed four new arboviruses from Antarctica.
• Mapped the major chromosomes of Giardia duodenali;
a common parasite that is often contracted from
untreated water sources causing diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Mapped the genome of Schistosoma japonicum;
the fi rst fl atworm to be mapped.
• Mitigated dengue risk in areas in southern Vietnam
through the use of community based, biological
control interventions to control the number of dengue
spreading mosquito larvae.
• Showed that the bacteria Wolbachia effectively
shortens the life cycle of the mosquito Aedes
aegypti, preventing it from spreading dengue fever.
• Identifi ed elevated serum hyaluronic acid levels as a
new diagnostic marker for the detection of cirrhosis in
patients with haemochromatosis, removing the need
for liver biopsy in 60% of patients.
6 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 7 Q IMIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 7
CANCER RELATED
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS• Contributed to the development of a topical
treatment for skin cancer by demonstrating the
anti cancer properties of PEP005, found in the
common radium weed.
• Identifi ed the reason women with BRCA1 gene
expression are at a higher genetic risk of developing
breast cancer.
• Identifi ed two gene variants that double the risk
of developing melanoma.
• Discovered women who eat a diet high in fats,
processed and red meats may be at an increased
risk of ovarian cancer.
• Demonstrated that year-round regular sunscreen use
for prevention of skin cancers produces cost savings
for health providers in Australia.
• Showed that a diet characterised by relatively
low intakes of meat, fried foods and full-fat dairy
products halved the risk of developing new cutaneous
squamous cell carcinomas (SCC).
• Found the combined effect of obesity, acid refl ux
and smoking increased the risk of developing
oesophageal cancers.
• Identifi ed additional breast cancer susceptibility
genes through genome wide studies.
AWARDS AND
ACHIEVEMENTS
• Professor Emma Whitelaw, Senior Principal Research
Fellow, received one of only 12 Australia Fellowships
which will provide a $4 million injection of funding to
further her research in the fi eld of epigenetics.
• Professor Dave Kemp, Head of QIMR’s Scabies
Laboratory, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal
in recognition of his service to medical research as a
molecular biologist, particularly in the area of tropical
health and infectious diseases, and for contributions
to Indigenous health.
• Professor Michael Good completed three years as
Chairman of the NHMRC Council.
• Former QIMR Director, Professor Lawrie Powell awarded
the 2008 Distinguished Achievement Award of the
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
He is the only Australian ever to receive the award and
only the third recipient outside the USA in 53 years.
• Dr Stuart Macgregor awarded the 2009 Premier’s
Award for Health and Medical Research.
• Professors Adèle Green, Peter Parsons, Nick Hayward
and Associate Professors Penny Webb and David
Whiteman’s NHMRC Program Grant selected by
the NHMRC for their 2008 list of “10 of the Best”.
• Marina Kvaskoff received the 2008 L’Oreal France-
UNESCO Women in Science Award.
• QIMR’s fi rst Indigenous cadet, Lisa Whop successfully
completed a Bachelor Applied Science (Medical
Science) at the Queensland University of Technology.
• Ms Lorna Lane, Corporate Division, awarded the
Bancroft Medal for an outstanding contribution over
25 years employment at QIMR.
Professor Emma Whitelaw
Division Chair Genetics and Population Health
Laboratory Head Epigenetics Laboratory
8 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 9
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
In many ways it has been a watershed year for the
Institute. We have seen the passing of our long-serving
and inspirational Chairman, Sir Bruce Watson AC, and
the successful culmination of extensive negotiations
for the development of the QIMR Smart State Medical
Research Centre.
Sir Bruce was Chair of the QIMR Council from
September 1998 and held that position until his
retirement, due to ill health, on 17 October 2008. Prior
to his appointment as Chair of Council he was a
member of the QIMR Trust for nine years. His passing
on 1 November 2008 was a tremendous loss to QIMR.
He was a great man who contributed much to the
Institute and will be greatly missed.
QIMR is moving into an exciting new era with the
confi rmation of the development proposal for a new
$179 million 13 fl oor research facility. The new building
is to be constructed on the site of the old Queensland
Radium Institute which is scheduled for demolition in
July 2009. It will serve as the integrating hub for the
two research facilities already on the Herston site and
provide an inviting street profi le and focal point for
QIMR. The capital expansion will increase the Institute’s
capacity by more than 60% to around 1,200 scientists
and support staff.
We received our largest-ever philanthropic gift,
$27.5 million from The Atlantic Philanthropies. The
donation was triggered by Federal Government
Education Infrastructure funding of $55 million
announced in the 2009 Federal Budget. Together
with $55 million previously received from the Federal
Government in 2007 and $35 million promised by the
Queensland State Government, this funding will allow
construction of the new building to begin in late 2009.
This fi nancial support refl ects the confi dence in QIMR
as a world-class research institute.
2009 saw the appointment of the Hon. Paul Lucas,
Deputy Premier, as the Minister for Health. We look
forward to working with the Deputy Premier and his
team to help further position Queensland and QIMR
as a leader in medical research – both nationally and
internationally.
Since being established by an Act of Parliament in
1945, QIMR has grown to become one of Australia’s
largest and most successful medical research institutes.
The Act is currently being reviewed and it is hoped the
outcome of this review will be in place early 2010.
In June 2009, Professor Peter Brooks announced his
resignation from QIMR Council. Professor Brooks was
initially appointed as a nominee of the National Health
and Medical Research Council in 1994 and then as
nominee of the Senate of The University of Queensland
from May 2000. Professor Brooks chaired the QIMR
Appointments and Promotions Committee from 2000
and was a member of the QIMR Medical Advisory
Board. His valuable support and wisdom over the past
13 years will be greatly missed and we wish him well in
his future endeavours.
For an institute that relies heavily on support from
philanthropic and commercial entities alike, it has been
a trying year due to the effects of the global fi nancial
crisis. Council is grateful for the continued support of
the QIMR Trust and long standing supporters Mr Chuck
Feeney, founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies, Mr Clive
Berghofer, and the many volunteers and supporters in
the community.
The dedication of our researchers has again produced
a number of outstanding research outcomes that
will help to improve the health and well-being of
future generations.
Mr Christopher Coyne
Acting Chair
10 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
Sir Bruce Watson AC BE (Elec)BCom
(Chairman to 17 October 2008)
Sir Bruce Watson was born in Queensland in 1928.
In 1956, he joined MIM Holdings Limited and became
General Manager of the Agnew Nickel Mining Joint
Venture in Western Australia in 1975. In 1977, he returned
to Brisbane as a Director and later as CEO and Chairman
of MIM Holdings Limited. Sir Bruce has been a Member
of the Supervisory Board of Metallgesellschaft AG, a
Director of Boral Limited, ASARCO Inc, National Australia
Bank Limited and Chairman of the Gas Corporation of
Queensland Limited. From 1992 to 1995 Sir Bruce served
as National President of the Australian Institute of Company
Directors and in 1992, as President of the Australasian
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. In June 1985, he was
knighted in recognition of his most distinguished service
to Queensland industry and in 2004 Sir Bruce was made
a Companion of the Order of Australia.
Sir Bruce Watson was appointed Chairman of the QIMR
Council on 3 September 1998 and held that position until
his retirement due to ill health on 17 October 2008. Sadly,
Sir Bruce Watson passed away on 1 November 2008.
Mr Christopher Coyne LLB
(Acting Chair from 21 October 2008)
Christopher Coyne is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of
Queensland having been admitted in 1979. He now
practises on his own account, but was formerly a partner
in the national law fi rm of Clayton Utz from 1984 to 2002.
He was appointed an Adjunct Professor at The University
of Queensland School of Law in 2002. He has been a
Sessional Member of the Queensland Commercial and
Consumer Tribunal since 2004. He has held a number
of appointments relating to medical research including:
Legal Member, Australian Health Ethics Committee from
2003 to 2009; Chair, Mater Health Services Human
Research Committee to 2008; Member of the NHMRC
Gene Related Therapy Research Advisory Panel 2003
to 2006. Chris is currently Chair of the Queensland Law
Society’s captive insurer, Lexon Insurance Pte Limited and
a director of the Incorporated Council for Law Reporting.
Professor Peter Brooks
MD FRACP FRCP Edin FAFRM FAFPHM MD Lund
(Hon Causa) (To 30 June 2009)
Professor Brooks was Foundation Professor of
Rheumatology at the University of Sydney prior to
becoming Professor of Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital,
Sydney in 1992. He was appointed Executive Dean
of Health Sciences at The University of Queensland in
1998, and has extensive research experience in basic
infl ammation and treatment of rheumatic diseases and
has been a member of the Fellowships Committee and
Partnerships Committee of the NHMRC. Professor
Brooks has been a member of the QIMR Council for over
10 years and has chaired the QIMR Appointments and
Promotions Committee since 2000.
Professor Emeritus Bryan Campbell
AM MD BS FRACP FRACMA
Professor Campbell was formerly Chief Health Offi cer
Queensland and Head of The University of Queensland
Medical School. He has been a Councillor of the Royal
Australasian College of Physicians, the Royal Australian
College of Medical Administrators and a member of the
NHMRC. He was Deputy Chair of the Australian Health
Ethics Committee and a member of the NHMRC
Embryo Research Licensing Committee. Professor
Campbell has been a member of the QIMR Council for
over 20 years. Professor Campbell is also a member of
the QIMR Finance and Audit Committee.
Professor Judith Clements BAppSc MAppSc PhD
Professor Clements has over 20 years experience as
a basic researcher in biomedical research, primarily in
the general fi eld of molecular endocrinology. Her current
research seeks understanding of the molecular basis
of hormone dependent and urogenital cancers such
as prostate, breast, ovarian and endometrial carcinoma.
She is currently Program Leader of the Hormone-
Dependent Cancer Program within the Institute of Health
and Biomedical Innovation at the Queensland University
of Technology and also an NHMRC Principal Research
Fellow. In 2007, Professor Clements was awarded the
prestigious international Frey-Werle Foundation Gold
Medal for her signifi cant contributions to the kallikrein
protease fi eld. Professor Clements is a member of the
QIMR Appointment and Promotions Committee.
Mr Paul Fennelly BA LLB
Paul Fennelly has wide experience in fi nancial
management, business and public administration He is
a Director with Hastings Funds Management which is
a member of the Westpac Group. His focus is on major
equity investments, primarily in social and economic
infrastructure, public private partnerships and major
property transactions. From 2002 to 2006, Mr Fennelly
was Director-General of the then Department of
COUNCIL MEMBERS
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 11
State Development; concurrently he served as the
Co-ordinator-General. Prior to joining the Queensland
Government he was Victorian Director of the Australian
Industry Group which is the nation’s largest industry
association. Mr Fennelly is the Chair of the QIMR Finance
and Audit Committee and Chair of the QIMR Personnel
Administration Committee.
Professor Lyn Griffi ths BSc (Hons) PhD
Professor Griffi ths is Director of the Griffi th Institute
for Health and Medical Research and the Genomics
Research Centre at Griffi th University. She has expertise
in human molecular genetics, undertaking research to
map and identify genes involved in common complex
human disorders, including studies on migraine, CVD risk,
MS and certain types of cancer. Her research has been
well funded by national competitive grants and industry
and she has authored approximately 160 peer-reviewed
publications to date in molecular genetics international
journals. She is a past ASMR Director, Current Member
and past Chair of the Scientifi c Program Committee for
the next International Congress of Human Genetics and
has been awarded the Centenary Medal for Distinguished
Service to Education and Medical Research.
Associate Professor Paula Marlton
MB BS (Hons I) FRACP FRCPA
Paula Marlton is the Head of Leukaemia and Lymphoma
Services at the Princess Alexandra Hospital where she
is also Deputy Director of Haematology. Her previous
appointments include three years at the MD Anderson
Cancer Centre in Houston Texas. She has extensive
experience in clinical research including the role of
principal investigator for national trials and supervisor of
molecular translational research associated with trials.
She was the founding Chair of the Australasian
Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group Laboratory Science
Committee and has established and continues to direct
the PwC Leukaemia and Lymphoma Tissue Bank. Her
other professional roles include Medical Advisor and
Board member of the Leukaemia Foundation, member
of several Drug Advisory Boards, Government and
College Advisory Committees as well as a wide range
of academic and clinical service roles.
Dr Jeannette Young
MB BS FRACMA MBA AFACHSE
Dr Young has been the Chief Health Offi cer for
Queensland since August 2005. In her previous position
she was the Executive Director of Medical Services
at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane for six
years where she was responsible for the provision of
Medical services across the hospital and a member of
the executive team. She came to the position following
four years as the Director of Medical Services at the
Rockhampton Base Hospital. Prior to that Dr Young
spent nine years at Westmead hospital in Sydney
working, initially, in the area of Emergency Medicine
followed by responsibility for medico- legal issues and
management of junior medical staff.
As the Chief Health Offi cer she is responsible for Mental
Health policy and legislation, Population Health services
policy and regulation, disaster planning and private
facility licensing. She is a member of the Queensland
Medical Board, the Radiation Advisory Council, co-
chairs the Queensland Emergency Medical System
Advisory Committee, chairs the Queensland Blood
Advisory Committee and is Queensland’s representative
on the NHMRC, the Australian Health Protection
Committee and the AHMAC Clinical, Technical and
Ethical Principal Committee.
Left to right: Professor Judith Clements,
Mr Paul Fennelly, Associate Professor Paula Marlton,
Mr Christopher Coyne (Acting Chair), Professor
Emeritus Bryan Campbell, Dr Jeannette Young
(Absent: Professor Lyn Griffi ths
and Professor Peter Brooks)
12 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
It is with great sadness
that we saw the passing of
our long-serving Chairman
Sir Bruce Watson AC in
November 2008. I had
the wonderful pleasure of
knowing Bruce over the
last 15 years as he was
Chairman of fi rst, the
Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology,
and then the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
During his Chairmanship, I served as his CEO of those
organisations. He was a gifted, caring and wonderful
gentleman and mentor. He was a wise Chairman and
a person of enormous integrity. His leadership and
genuine interest in all people will be greatly missed.
Bruce would have rejoiced in another great year for the
Institute. We continue to produce signifi cant research
fi ndings, obtain competitive grants and external funding,
and our world-class research team continues to expand
and achieve well deserved recognition.
RESEARCH
Our research makes a real difference to the health of all
people. Amongst the many science highlights, QIMR
researchers have:
• Identifi ed genes that double the risk of acquiring
melanoma.
• In association with Peplin, completed Phase III trials
for a natural product that can cure solar keratoses.
• Commenced a clinical trial for a Group A
Streptococcus vaccine to prevent rheumatic
heart disease.
• Discovered the genetic risk of schizophrenia is the
result of thousands of common genetic variations
and these are common for schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder.
We published 367 peer reviewed research papers;
49 of these being in the world’s most highly cited
international journals.
Five new laboratories were established during the year.
The Cancer and Population Studies Group have split
into three, with Associate Professors David Whiteman
and Penny Webb heading their own groups. Dr Dale
Nyholt now leads the Neurogenetics Laboratory with
an emphasis on the study of migraine and other
neurological disorders. Dr Graeme Walker heads
the new Skin Cancer Carcinogenesis Laboratory and
Dr Malcolm Jones leads the Parasite Cell Biology
Laboratory which focuses on exploiting host interactions
of particular parasites in developing control strategies
FUNDING
Our publication productivity was matched by success in
obtaining competitive grants. Funding from the National
Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) rose to
a record $24 million, up from $19.6 million in 2007/2008.
We were delighted with the allocation of $55 million
in the Federal Budget. This represents a signifi cant
investment by the Federal Government and further
demonstrates Queensland and QIMR’s position
nationally and internationally as a leader in innovation
and research.
Congratulations to Adèle Green and the Cancer and
Population Studies team who were awarded a program
grant of $5.9 million in conjunction with Associate
Professors David Whiteman and Penny Webb.
It is wonderful to receive such consistent support from
the community, especially in this time of economic
hardship. I would like to thank Suncorp for their ongoing
support for our skin cancer research having donated
$1.2 million since the partnership began in 2004.
A special thank you to Mrs Marno Parsons, a great
supporter and friend of the Institute. Mrs Parsons gave
a very generous donation enabling us to undertake
research in the development of a glioblastoma vaccine.
I would also like to thank long-time supporters Mr Clive
Berghofer and Mr Sean Ryan.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Sir Bruce Watson AC and Professor Michael Good AO
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 13
PEOPLE
We warmly welcome our new patron the Governor of
Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley AO. Her personal
interest in health issues, including HIV/AIDS, and in the
promotion of Australian science excellence, is an asset
to our Institute.
We continue to attract high quality researchers and
support staff. I want to take this opportunity to welcome
Associate Professor Michael Breakspear who joins us
as inaugural head of our new Mental Health Research
Division.
Congratulations to Professor Emma Whitelaw who
was awarded one of only 12 prestigious Australia
Fellowships to continue her exciting work into
epigenetics and the interaction between genes and the
environment.
Other achievements include the NHMRC selecting
Adèle Green, Peter Parsons, Nick Hayward, Penny
Webb, and David Whiteman’s application for their 2008
list of “10 of the Best” and Dr Stuart Macgregor being
awarded the 2009 Premier’s Award for Health and
Medical Research.
Our students are our future and this year we admitted
47 new higher degree students and 28 visiting
students. This brings QIMR’s student body to 105.
The education program continues to grow, with a
very successful interactive display in the Brainwaves
Pavilion at the Brisbane Exhibition; 1400 senior science
students taking part in our annual High School Lecture
Series; and over 200 students participating in hands-on
laboratory experiences.
The allocation of $55 million in the Federal
Budget represents a signifi cant investment and
further demonstrates this State’s and QIMR’s
position nationally and internationally as a leader
in innovation and research.
14 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
INFRASTRUCTURE
After years of planning, funding commitments from
The Atlantic Philanthropies and State and Federal
governments will allow construction of our new research
facility to begin in late 2009.
This investment will support construction of a new
building, which in the short term, will create 360 full-time
construction jobs. Upon completion the facility will
attract an additional 400 scientists and students, and
will increase our current research capacity in areas
such as tropical diseases, vaccine development,
cancer and genetics.
The new building will enable signifi cant expansion for
QIMR in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health with
room for an additional 20 scientists researching cancer,
asthma, rheumatic heart disease, dementia, maternal
and child health. We will also be expanding QIMR’s
successful Spotlighting Careers in Indigenous Health
and Science Program which brings Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander high school students to QIMR
for week long science placements and workshops.
Another exciting feature of the new building will be an
Education Centre to inspire the scientists of tomorrow.
This will build on QIMR’s successful education program
and feature a state-of-the-art research laboratory
dedicated to inspiring school students and their
teachers. The new building will also feature an IT
training centre and a 120 seat auditorium, allowing
extension of our current public lecture program.
HEALTH PRIORITIES
More than three million Australians are estimated to
experience a mental disorder. QIMR is responding to this
health priority with the development of a Mental Health
Research Division. This is an exciting new direction for
QIMR and is aimed at improving our understanding of
serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, mood
disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
We continue to enhance our translational research
capacity. This year saw the development of a
Queensland-US Vaccine Technology Alliance which aims
to combine our expertise and that of the Emory Vaccine
Centre to develop novel vaccines for infectious diseases,
such as malaria and HIV, as well as cancers including
brain cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and melanoma.
I was privileged to chair the Working Group of the Smart
State Council to prepare the report Queenslanders
tackling chronic disease: becoming Australia’s healthiest
State. The report made a number of recommendations
in an attempt to address the fact that one third of all
deaths in Queensland are the result of a chronic disease
that could have been prevented.
CORPORATE
I would like to extend my gratitude for the ongoing
support our researchers receive from the Corporate
Division under the guidance of our General Manager,
Dr Julie-Anne Tarr. Strengthened by the outcomes of the
corporate review, the corporate team is undertaking a
systems change project in order to streamline corporate
service delivery for the Institute. We are also seeing the
results of the newly formed External Relations team with
a range of great fundraising and education initiatives.
In closing, I would like to thank the Acting Chair of
Council, Mr Christopher Coyne, the Council and Trust
members and all others who have served on QIMR
committees. I would also like to acknowledge and thank
all members of staff for their continued dedication and
hard work in performing world-class research.
Invigorated by the upcoming expansion of the Institute
and the success of the past year, I look forward to the
year ahead.
Professor Michael Good AO
Director
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 15 QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 15
PATRON’S MESSAGE
RESEARCHGENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH
IMMUNOLOGY
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
16 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 17 QQQQIMRMRIMRM - AnAAnnuaual Rl epoepoeport rt 200200008-28-2200900900909099 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••• • 1171717171717171771717177717177171717717171771717111717171171717777171771717717771177177711717171171
Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench
with PhD student Julie Johnson
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 17
This is a very exciting time in the fi eld of cancer
genetics. We are starting to see the translation
of basic research to targeted treatments for
women with particular forms of breast cancer.
I hope the work Julie is doing now might lead
to new treatments in the future.
Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench
Laboratory Head Cancer Genetics Laboratory
Genetics and Population Health Division
18 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISIONDivision Chair: Professor Emma Whitelaw
The Genetics and Population Health Division has
expanded further this year with the addition of three
new laboratories: the Cancer Control Laboratory,
the Gynaecological Cancer Laboratory and the
Neurogenetics Laboratory. This has greatly increased the
division’s capacity in cancer genetics and the genetics of
neural function.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) continue
to identify new genes underlying many important
complex diseases and a number of scientists in the
division have been involved in these studies. A decade
or more of collecting large patient cohorts is reaping
rewards, although identifi cation of the genes involved
is not the end of the story. The challenge now is to
understand the mechanistic role that these genes are
playing in the initiation and progression of the diseases.
The combination of molecular and cellular expertise
within the division, and the Institute at large, will ensure
continued contributions to this emerging fi eld.
The Illumina Genome Analyzer II deep sequencing
platform is now operating and has increased QIMR’s
genome-wide research capabilities. Current projects
using this equipment include the study of genetic
changes in human tumours and the study of the
patterns of DNA-binding proteins across the genome.
The division is anticipating the arrival of a state-of-the-
art in vivo imaging machine which will enable scientists
to follow tumour growth in living animals. It is the fi rst
machine of its kind in Queensland. Funding for this was
made possible by a large equipment grant from the
Australian Cancer Research Foundation. The technology
will help unravel the role of the genes identifi ed by
GWAS studies in various complex diseases.
The Indigenous Health Research Program has expanded
its research areas to include the study of metabolic
syndrome amongst Torres Strait Islander youth, a group
with a particularly high risk of obesity. Another project
focusing on Indigenous people’s understanding of
dementia and their access to mental health services has
also been initiated.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 19
• Demonstrated that year-round regular sunscreen
use for prevention of skin cancers produces
cost-savings for health providers in Australia with
suggestions that the fair-skinned populations of the
US and Europe could also benefi t from cost-savings
if sunscreen was regularly used during summer.
• Showed that a diet with relatively low intakes
of meat, fried foods and full-fat dairy products
was associated with almost half the risk of new
cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas compared
with a diet high in meat and fat intake.
• Produced evidence that relatively high serum
selenium concentrations are associated with
approximately 60 percent decrease in subsequent
incidence of both basal and squamous cell tumours.
• Half the anticipated number of cases have been
recruited for the Queensland Pancreatic Cancer
Study and two new studies have begun – patterns
of care of patients with pancreatic cancer and quality
of life and supportive care needs of patients and
their carers.
The Cancer and Population Studies Group is currently
studying cancers of the pancreas and skin. The primary
aim is to identify the role of environmental factors in
causing these cancers and how genes may modify the
causal effect. The focus continues to be on causes
that can be modifi ed such as smoking, consumption
of certain foods and in certain patterns, body weight
at various ages and excessive sun exposure. Through
collaborations with laboratory colleagues, molecular
markers in biological samples obtained from project
participants are being analysed.
Close collaboration with the Gynaecological Cancer and
Cancer Control Groups is essential for the productivity
of all three laboratories, as indicated by the collective
success in obtaining a NHMRC Program Grant to study
gynaecological, oesophageal and skin cancer in
Australia and develop the evidence base for prevention
and control of these diseases. The Indigenous Health
Research Program is also a close partner in population
research of chronic disease.
The highly active QIMR-RBWH Statistics Unit is situated
within this research group and continues to provide a
valuable statistical consultancy service to QIMR and
RBWH. The biostatistician staff also collaborate with
scientists and clinicians on certain projects including
studies of infl ammatory bowel disease, various cancers
and infectious diseases, nursing and health services
research. Their ongoing statistics training seminars and
workshops have proven extremely popular.
The Cancer and Population Studies Group investigates
the causes and natural histories of cancers and seeks
to generate evidence for their prevention.
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
CANCER AND POPULATION STUDIESLaboratory Head: Professor Adèle Green
HIGHLIGHTS
20 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
• Established a tissue and data resource for the
study of oesophageal diseases which includes
a nationwide network of collection centres.
• Demonstrated that patients with Barrett’s
oesophagus have higher levels of the obesity-
related hormone leptin than controls matched by
age, sex and BMI (body mass index).
• Identifi ed the role of smoking in substantially
increasing the risk of oesophageal cancer and
pre-cancer and that the risk of cancer increased
with the duration of smoking, regardless of the
actual amount smoked.
• Quantifi ed the proportion of melanoma attributable
to phenotypic factors such as naevi pigmentation
and family history.
Newly established in late 2008, the Cancer Control
Group conducts research with a view to generating
knowledge necessary to reduce the burden from cancer.
Given that in Australia almost one in three deaths is
due to cancer and this proportion will rise inevitably
as the population ages, the need for such research is
apparent. The challenge is to identify the environmental
and genetic factors that cause various cancers and use
such knowledge for prevention. This group also seeks to
contribute to improvements in the diagnosis, treatment
and survival from cancer.
To date, research has focused primarily on melanoma
and cancers of the oesophagus. Current projects
for melanoma include a re-analysis of 12 datasets in
collaboration with researchers in the USA, Canada and
QIMR and a large epidemiological study which relies on
close collaboration with pathologists at major Brisbane
laboratories.
Another major focus is the epidemic of oesophageal
cancer that is occurring in all western populations.
With QIMR colleagues from the Cancer and Population
Studies and the Gynaecological Cancer Groups, this
group has recently completed recruitment for the
largest epidemiological studies of oesophageal cancers
and pre-cancers yet conducted. An analysis of the
comprehensive data and samples collected is underway.
The work of this group is heavily reliant on the goodwill
of all those people who take part in the studies without
any thought of personal gain, but simply in the hope that
through research will come better health for all.
The Cancer Control Group seeks to identify environmental
and genetic factors that cause cancer and researches
early diagnosis, treatment and survival with a view
to reducing the burden from cancer by successfully
translating research fi ndings into policy and practice.
HIGHLIGHTS
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
CANCER CONTROL GROUPLaboratory Head: Associate Professor David Whiteman
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 21
• Identifi ed additional validated breast cancer
susceptibility genes through genome-wide studies.
• Found that ERBB2 is a novel activator of ras
signalling in serous ovarian tumours of low malignant
potential and that all serous ovarian tumours of low
malignant potential share activation of this pathway.
In the last two years there has been an explosion in the
identifi cation of new genes for complex diseases and,
with several large international consortia, this laboratory
is making great headway in unraveling the genetic
architecture of both breast and ovarian cancer. In both
cases, it is apparent that genetic heterogeneity underlies
histopathological heterogeneity so that different genetic
polymorphisms infl uence the risk for different types of
breast or ovarian cancer.
Researchers in this laboratory have shown that most
of the polymorphisms that affect the risk of sporadic
oestrogen receptor-negative breast cancer also modify
the risk of BRCA1-related breast cancer which is
consistent with the fact that many of these familial breast
cancers are oestrogen receptor-negative.
Although the risks associated with each polymorphism
is small, their identifi cation provides fundamental
insights into the genes and pathways that determine
whether these cancers will develop. By contrast, this
group has also shown that all serous ovarian tumours
of low malignant potential seem to arise by activation
of the ERBB2 pathway, albeit by a variety of different
mechanisms.
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
CANCER GENETICSLaboratory Head: Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench
This laboratory investigates why some people get cancer and
how these cancers develop from a normal cell, particularly breast,
ovarian and stomach cancer which are often found together
in the same families and share many similar characteristics.
HIGHLIGHTS
22 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
HIGHLIGHTS
• Identifi ed a point mutation in the DNA
methyltransferase 3b that causes craniofacial
defects. The protein product plays a primary role
in setting up the epigenome in early development.
Humans with mutations in the same gene suffer
from immunodefi ciency centromere instability facial
anomaly syndrome.
• Used micro-computed tomography to detect mid-
face and palatal abnormalities in mice exposed to
alcohol while in utero.
This year the laboratory concentrated on developing
mouse models to investigate the role of epigenetics
in disease. In collaboration with two visiting scientists
from Finland, a mouse model of fetal alcohol syndrome
(FAS) has been developed. This group has shown that
maternal consumption of 10 percent ethanol throughout
the fi rst half of gestation results in subtle abnormalities
in the offspring. These include craniofacial defects and
growth retardation, both of which are features of FAS in
humans. They have further shown that these effects are
likely to involve disruption of epigenetic reprogramming
in the foetus.
The ENU mutagenesis screen for modifi ers of epigenetic
reprogramming continues to be fruitful and another
dozen novel mutant lines have been identifi ed. Their
phenotypes are currently being characterised. This year
the underlying mutation has been found in two more
cases – MommeD8 is Peptidylprolyl isomerase (PPie),
the protein product of which is known to associate
with Polycomb group proteins and MommeD14 is DNA
methyltransferase 3b (Dnmt3b). These will be valuable
resources for future studies.
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
EPIGENETICSLaboratory Head: Professor Emma Whitelaw
The Epigenetics Laboratory aims at understanding
the role of epigenetics in the determination of
phenotype in mammals, both mice and humans.
Craniofacial defects (on the right) following gestational exposure to ethanol.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 23
• Developed a classifi cation scheme for patients with
serrated neoplasia predispositions based on family
history and polyp numbers.
• Identifi ed a phenotypic association for carriers of
variant alleles at 8q24.
• Demonstrated an important cautionary consideration
when using BRAF testing to exclude families as
being at risk for colorectal cancer.
• Established the prevalence of common MYH
mutations in patients with hyperplastic polyposis.
• Identifi ed a genomic region on chromosome 2
overlapping in genome wide linkage and association
studies for susceptibility to serrated neoplasia.
The laboratory continues to study people with hyperplastic
polyposis syndrome (HPS), a severe form of serrated
neoplasia predisposition, as well as families with many
members affected by serrated polyps and colorectal cancer.
A classifi cation system has been developed for
people predisposed to develop serrated polyps using
polyp numbers, family history, histology and special
stains, further suggesting that serrated neoplasia
represents a spectrum of conditions. Latest fi ndings
have shown that people with serrated lesions are
more likely to carry a genetic variant at 8q24, and this
variant may predispose to the methylation of DNA.
The search for the genetic lesion on chromosome
2 which is linked to serrated neoplasia continues.
Research in this laboratory has highlighted an important
aspect of using BRAF testing to exclude familial risk for
colorectal cancer, and has demonstrated that persons
with BRAF mutation and their relatives may also have
increased risk for colorectal cancer. This work has the
potential to identify people at increased risk for colorectal
cancer who currently may be overlooked.
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
FAMILIAL CANCERLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Joanne Young
The Familial Cancer Laboratory researches the molecular
pathology of tumours and the genetic changes that make
some families more susceptible to colorectal and/or
endometrial cancer. It undertakes studies of patients and
their relatives, and translates fi ndings to cancer patients.
HIGHLIGHTS
24 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGYLaboratory Head: Professor Nick Martin
• Obtained genome-wide association scan (GWAS)
data on 14,000 twins and their relatives.
• Used GWAS to locate a new gene predisposing to
melanoma on chromosome 20.
• Provided replication of GWAS hit for male
pattern-baldness.
• Provided replication of GWAS hit for moliness at
MTAP on chromosome 9p.
• Showed that nine percent of melanoma risk
can be accounted for by polymorphisms at four
pigmentation loci.
• Found a new gene for iron metabolism.
• Showed that blood lead levels are moderately
heritable.
• Mapped a possible gene for depression.
The Genetic Epidemiology group received their fi rst
genome-wide association scans this year in which
half a million or more single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs) are typed on thousands of twins and their family
members who have previously been measured for
hundreds of diverse genotypes.
The group has made major breakthroughs in two of
the principal domains of their research. For melanoma,
the infl uence of a new gene on chromosome 20 in the
vicinity of the agouti signaling protein ASIP has been
shown and a major gene for moliness to the MATP
gene on chromosome 9, which is next to the well
known melanoma gene CDKN2A, has been mapped.
This group was part of a large international consortium that
has found strong, but not quite signifi cant, evidence for a
role for a presynaptic monoamine signaling protein, PCLO.
This group investigates the pattern of disease in families,
particularly identical and non-identical twins, to assess the
relative importance of genes and environment in a variety
of important health problems and to locate the genes
responsible using genetic linkage and association analysis.
HIGHLIGHTS
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 25 Q Q Q QQQQ QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQIMRIMRIMRIMRIMRIMRIMRIMRIMRIMRIMRIMRMRIMRIMRIMRIIMRI R ------------ An An An AnAnAnAn An An AnAnAn An An AnAAnAnAnA nuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuanuaanuaal Rl Rl Rl Rl Rl Rl Rl Rl Rl Rl Rl Rl Rl R Rl RRRRRRRRRepoepoepoepoepoepoepoepoepoepoepopoepoepoepoepoepoepoepoepoepoepopoepooe rt rt rt rt rt rrt rt rtrtt rt rtrt rt rt rtrt rt rrtr 200200200200200200200200200200200200200202002002020020020008-28-28-28-28-28-28-28-28-28-28-28-28-8 2-28-28-28-228-28 0000000000000000000909990090000009000900990 • • • • • • • •• •• • ••• • • • • •• 2525255555555552 QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 25
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCERLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Penny Webb
The Gynaecological Cancer Group investigates all aspects
of gynaecological cancer from aetiology to diagnosis,
patterns of care, quality of life and survival, particularly
environmental factors and their interaction with genetic
factors in the causation and prognosis of this cancer.
HIGHLIGHTS• Showed that women who eat a diet high in red and
processed meats and fats may be at increased risk
of ovarian cancer.
• Started the fi rst nationwide study of ovarian
cancer management to investigate levels of care,
identify gaps in care and determine whether
specifi c subgroups in the population are potentially
disadvantaged.
• Commenced follow-up of almost 1500 women
with endometrial cancer to evaluate their ongoing
care, health issues and quality of life.
Investigations continue into the causes of ovarian
cancer through the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study
(AOCS). It is well known that pregnancy reduces a
woman’s risk of ovarian cancer but the group has
investigated this further to show that the risk may
also vary depending on the duration of individual
pregnancies, the sex of the babies and whether or
not a woman breastfeeds and for how long. The
group has also started to investigate the role of diet
in determining ovarian cancer risk using data from
both AOCS and a similar study conducted 10 years
earlier. In addition, several collaborative studies
looking at genes involved in ovarian cancer have
been contributed to through the international Ovarian
Cancer Association Consortium.
Other ongoing investigations into risk factors for
endometriosis have identifi ed that childhood weight
and menstrual characteristics are associated with
risk. A major new study has also begun which aims
to follow up almost 1500 women with endometrial
cancer who previously took part in the Australian
National Endometrial Cancer Study to look at patient
outcomes and quality of life.
26 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
HIGHLIGHTS
• Indigenous graduate Lisa Whop completed a Bachelor
of Applied Science in Medical Research at QUT.
• 26 Indigenous, four non-Indigenous high school
students and fi ve teachers participated in the
Spotlighting Careers in Science Program.
• 20 Year 11 and 12 Indigenous students attended
an Indigenous Engineering and Science Camp –
a collaboration between QIMR and UQ Faculty of
Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture.
Cancer survivorship issues, including supportive care
needs and survival prospects of Indigenous cancer
patients, has been the main research focus over
the last year with two complimentary studies being
conducted. A supportive care needs assessment tool
is being validated, and the fi rst comprehensive study of
supportive care needs of Indigenous cancer patients
undertaken. An Indigenous Patient Navigator to assist
Indigenous cancer patients address these needs will
then be piloted. A expert in working with Indigenous
cancer survivors has been recruited to co-ordinate
these projects.
Research into the high prevalence of metabolic
syndrome amongst Torres Strait Islander youth
continues. A cross-sectional study of Indigenous
children residing in the Torres Strait has shown a
strikingly high proportion of overweight or obese
youth, some of whom also manifested components
of metabolic syndrome. Prevention and treatment of
obesity ultimately involves healthy diet and increasing
physical activity. To ensure that interventions are relevant
and effective, it is important that data be obtained at
the local level. Nutritional data is now being analysed to
describe the food intake patterns of the young people
included in this study. The adequacy of the number of
servings of fruit and vegetables and dairy based on the
Australian Guide for Healthy Eating will also be assessed.
Chronic suppurative lung disease and bronchiectasis
contribute to the high burden of respiratory disease
in Indigenous children worldwide. In the multicentre
Bronchiectasis Study, 109 children have been enrolled in
the observational study: 37 in Alaska and 72 in Australia,
with new enrolments and follow-ups continuing.
Enrolment of children in the interventional study has
also begun: 20 in New Zealand and 15 in Australia.
This is the fi rst study to prospectively document the
clinical course and therapy of chronic moist cough
and bronchiectasis in Indigenous children.
A project concentrating on Indigenous people’s
understanding of dementia and the provision of
services for Indigenous people with dementia has
also begun with a cross-sectional survey of 211
Indigenous Queenslanders already conducted and
211 aged care facilities surveyed.
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
INDIGENOUS HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRAMLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Gail Garvey
The program seeks to increase the number of research
projects developed in partnership with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities and to increase the
number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander postgraduate
students and researchers working on these projects.
Jessie Murray, a student from the August 2008 Spotlighting
Careers in Science and Indigenous Health Program
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 27
28 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
MOLECULAR CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGYLaboratory Head: Dr Amanda Spurdle
HIGHLIGHTS
• Initiated multifactorial model development for the
clinical classifi cation of sequence variants in the
colorectal-endometrial cancer mismatch repair genes.
• Provided evidence that some coding sequence variants
may alter both RNA splicing and protein function.
• Showed that splicing aberrations may be caused by
intronic variants that are currently often considered
unimportant in the clinical setting.
Pilot work on unclassifi ed variants in mismatch repair
genes showed that classifi cation of mismatch repair gene
variants is assisted by a comprehensive approach which
includes in vitro, tumour pathology, clinical, and evolutionary
conservation data. By combining data from a number of
different sources, 84 percent of the variants under study
were classifi ed. The laboratory also demonstrated that
bioinformatic tools commonly use for predicting splicing
aberrations need improvement before they can be used
without the support of experimental studies to assess
whether a variant causes cancer or not. This study
has paved the way for development of a multifactorial
classifi cation model.
Work on classifying variants in breast cancer genes
BRCA1 and BRCA2 has continued with the emphasis
on assessing possible splicing aberrations. The
laboratory has shown that two different variants alter
splicing patterns and protein function. This important
fi nding emphasises that:
− apparently benign coding region variants may have
clinically relevant effects via disruption of messenger
RNA splicing, and
− probabilities of pathogenicity based on bioinformatic
analysis of missense alterations need to incorporate
possible splicing defects caused by underlying
nucleotide changes.
This group also found clinically relevant splicing
aberrations associated with non-coding sequence variants
that lie outside the conserved splicing recognition sites,
including those as deep 12bp into the intron. These
results reinforce the utility of splicing assays as a method
for identifying clinically signifi cant variants in high-
risk cancer genes, including variants outside regions
routinely tested for function in clinical laboratories.
This laboratory studies breast, ovarian, endometrial, colon
and prostate cancer with a focus on identifying molecular
signatures of normal and tumour tissue that can point to
the genetic and environmental causes of these cancers.
Sequence from wild-type splice product, and aberrant splice product with
10bp insertion associated with variant BRCA1 IVS 19-12 G>A.
RT-PCR products for BRCA2 IVS 4-12_IVS 4-8 del5. Lanes 11-12
represent BRCA2 IVS 4-12_IVS 4-8 del5. Odd numbered lanes are cyclohexamide
treated and even numbered lanes are untreated samples. Lanes 1-10
are samples not carrying the variant. Lane M is a 100bp DNA marker.
The schematic shows the splice products represented in the gel photograph.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 29
HIGHLIGHTS
• Discovered novel genetic variants contributing to
risk of melanoma.
• Completed the fi rst large genome-wide scan for
risk of endometriosis.
• Discovered novel variants affecting lipid
concentrations, iron metabolism, and male pattern
baldness.
• Prepared samples for genome-wide association
analysis on 17,000 individuals for gene discovery
in several major projects.
Genetic variation contributes substantially to risk for
many common diseases. All chromosomes can now be
rapidly screened in several thousand disease cases and
controls. These genome-wide scanning methods have
been applied by this laboratory to fi nd genes associated
with common diseases affecting many Australians
including endometriosis, melanoma, infl ammatory bowel
disease, and nicotine dependence.
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disease that
affects up to 10 percent of women in their reproductive
years causing pelvic pain, severe dysmenorrhea and
sub-fertility. A region on chromosome 10q26 likely
to contain genes contributing to endometriosis risk
has been previously identifi ed by this group and this
year, a comprehensive search across the region found
possible association with variants just upstream of
a strong candidate gene. This group is a member of
the International Endogene Consortium which has
recently completed the fi rst genome-wide screen for
endometriosis and results are currently being analysed.
Studies of melanoma are more advanced and novel
genetic variants contributing to risk of melanoma have
been identifi ed. These variants are associated with
genes in pigmentation pathways and also the fi rst genes
found to increase melanoma risk by increasing the risk
of developing moles.
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGYLaboratory Head: Professor Grant Montgomery
The Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory investigates
complex diseases using high throughput genomics
platforms to identify genes and pathways contributing
to disease risk.
Illumina BeadScan data analysis used in genome-wide association studies
30 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
• Completed a pilot genetic study for early onset
recurrent depression.
• Expanded a collection of Indian SZ cases.
• Genome-wide association study (GWAS)
collaboration with US yielded association
on chromosomes 6p22.1 and 3q.26.33.
• Developed an accurate and sensitive assay for
quantitative allelic discrimination in heterozygotes
and completed measurement in 100 elderly persons
heterozygous for genetic risk to dementia.
• Completed DNA collection and fi rst phase
genotyping from Longitudinal Ageing Womens
(LAW) cohort.
• Completed a transcriptomic study which identifi ed
IL-33 gene in dementia.
The Schizophrenia Genetics Group within this laboratory
is headed by Professor Bryan Mowry with researchers
and collaborators at QIMR including Cheryl Filippich,
Heather Smith, Suzanne Manning and Dr Dale Nyholt.
A pilot genetic study of early onset recurrent
depression to assess the feasibility of recruiting a
large case-control sample has commenced using
a comprehensive clinical interviewing protocol and
taking blood samples from each participant.
A collaboration with Indian colleagues continues to
recruit cases and controls from the south-eastern
Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a (GWAS) of the fi rst
phase Indian cohort consisting of affected sibling pair
and trio families has commenced.
Blood samples from cases and controls recruited
as part of the Australian Schizophrenia Research
Bank continue to be processed in this laboratory. In
collaboration with colleagues in the US an association
on chromosomes 6p22.1 and 3q.26.33 with
schizophrenia is being reported in Nature.
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRYLaboratory Head: Dr Corinne Lendon
HIGHLIGHTS
This laboratory seeks to identify and understand the
actions of the genes and environmental factors involved in
mental health disorders including dementia and cognitive
ability, schizophrenia and depression. The laboratory
currently consists of two research groups: Dementia
Research Group and the Schizophrenia Research Group.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 31
• Led and published the largest to date molecular
genetic study of migraine.
• Confi rmed the previously reported comorbidity
between migraine and endometriosis and showed
common genetic infl uences completely explain their
co-occurrence within individuals.
• Found strong evidence for a novel schizophrenia risk
gene on 1p31.1 and 1q23-25.
• Provided replication of a GWAS for male
pattern-baldness.
Although only recently established, the Neurogenetics
Laboratory has already published a study of common
variation in 155 ion transport genes using 5,257 single
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) utilising a total of
3676 unrelated migraine cases and 3624 unrelated
controls from Finland, the Netherlands, Germany and
Australia. This important study, the largest of such to
date, concluded that common variants of moderate
effect size in ion transport genes do not play a major
role in susceptibility to common migraine, a fi nding that
runs contrary to the previously leading hypothesis.
The group also made important fi ndings concerning
the localisation of novel schizophrenia risk genes on
chromosomes 1p31.1 and 1q23-25 and is currently
performing more detailed gene mapping studies on
both of these core traits.
The laboratory also recently confi rmed the previously
reported comorbidity between migraine and
endometriosis and showed common genetic infl uences
completely explain their co-occurrence within
individuals. Therefore, taking into account the status of
both migraine and endometriosis may provide a novel
opportunity to identify the genes underlying them.
Finally, collation of GWAS data from approximately
15,500 unrelated individuals has been completed
which will now be utilised in numerous, ongoing gene
mapping projects.
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
NEUROGENETICSLaboratory Head: Dr Dale Nyholt
HIGHLIGHTS
The Neurogenetics Laboratory studies the role of genetics
in the development and mechanism of the nervous system to
identify genes that cause neurological disorders. A particular
focus is on migraine, a frequent, debilitating and painful
headache disorder that normally affects people during their
most productive years.
32 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
HIGHLIGHTS
• Identifi ed new tumour suppressor genes mutated in
melanoma.
• Identifi ed new tumour suppressor genes inactivated
by methylation in melanoma.
• Identifi ed a new gene associated with melanoma
predisposition.
• Identifi ed genes associated with tumour
development in testes and ovaries.
Work has continued in understanding the molecular role
of the tumour suppressor menin, and the mechanisms
of tumour development in the syndrome multiple
endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), using gene
expression profi ling and other approaches. New tumour
suppressor genes and oncogenes involved in gonadal
tumours have been identifi ed.
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma expression data from
several research groups has been worked with to
develop a classifi er consisting of genes that distinguish
cancer, pre-cancer and normal tissue types.
In collaboration with researchers from Flinders
University, it has been demonstrated that the pattern
of aberrant DNA methylation at selected cancer genes
in Barrett’s tissue is very similar to that of oesophageal
adenocarcinoma, suggesting that Barrett’s oesophagus
may be more than a pre-curser to cancer.
Eight well known cancer related factors are currently
being screened in a large cohort, block from 350 patients,
of archival tumour sections. The latest digital slide
technologies and highly detailed patient data are being
applied to identify relationships between these proteins
and oesophageal adenocarcinoma patient survival.
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
ONCOGENOMICSLaboratory Head: Professor Nicholas Hayward
This laboratory identifi es novel cancer genes and studies
the way in which defects in these genes are associated
with cancer predisposition or development.
Single nucleotide polymorphism arrays used to accurately defi ne regions of DNA copy number alteration in cancer.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 33
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
QUEENSLAND STATISTICAL GENETICSLaboratory Head: Professor Peter Visscher
Queensland Statistical Genetics (QSTAG) specialises in
quantitative and statistical genetics, population genetics,
human genetics and bioinformatics to investigate the
genetic basis of differences in risk to disease and other
phenotypes between individuals.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Further elucidation of the genetic basis of
susceptibility to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
• Quantifi cation of the genetic structure of North-West
European populations.
• Understanding and explaining genetic variation for
iron metabolism phenotypes in the population.
In collaboration with the International Schizophrenia
Consortium, this laboratory has shown that common
polygenic variation contributes to risk of schizophrenia
and that there is a substantial overlap between the risk
to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
In collaboration with the Genetic Epidemiology
Laboratory and the GenomEUtwin Consortium, the
fi ne-scale genetic structure of North-Western European
populations has been quantifi ed, and a part of the
genome that has been under recent selection has
been identifi ed.
A GWAS on iron metabolism phenotypes measured
in blood has been performed in collaboration with the
Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Epidemiology
Laboratories. A number of genetic variants were
identifi ed that, in total, explain nearly half of all genetic
variation for serum transferrin levels.
34 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISIONDivision Chair: Professor Geoff Hill
This is the fi rst year of the Immunology Division as
a stand-alone group of over 100 scientists. The
laboratories have a signifi cant focus on tumour and
infectious disease based immunology. In particular,
a central theme of the division is that of preclinical
modelling as a prelude to prospective clinical trials
of vaccine and cellular therapies. By expanding this
knowledge base, the ultimate aim is to provide improved
diagnostics and treatments for infectious diseases and
malignancies. The last 12 months has seen a number of
successes at a personal and laboratory level, refl ected
by ongoing national funding support and landmark
studies published in high impact journals including
Nature Medicine, Immunity, The Journal of Experimental
Medicine and Blood.
The progressive developmental testing of novel
vaccines for infectious agents such as Human
Cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),
malaria and streptococcus continues. A protein
microarray core facility has been established within the
division as a discovery tool for identifying new antigenic
malaria proteins. New mouse lines that allow the
dissection of pathways of antigen presentation during
infection, cancer and graft-versus-host disease have
also been established.
Manipulation of cellular responses during infection,
cancer and allograft rejection allows researchers
to identify desirable therapeutic and deleterious
immunological responses. Early stage preclinical
and clinical studies of cellular therapy are underway
for a number of malignancies including leukaemia,
lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, breast cancer
and melanoma. New studies linking the pathophysiology
of EBV infection to autoimmunity (multiple sclerosis) and
cancer (lymphoma) have begun.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 35
Our research takes time, and the advances we
make are for the most part incremental. However,
ultimately, we will contribute to the development
of vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases
that affect some of the poorest countries.
Dr Christian Engwerda
Laboratory Head Immunology and Infection Laboratory
Immunology Division
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 35
36 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATIONLaboratory Head: Professor Geoff Hill
HIGHLIGHTS
• Demonstrated the mechanism of effect by which
growth factors impair transplant outcome and
developed a logical paradigm for their administration.
• Demonstrated that donor conventional dendritic cells
are the major cell type presenting alloantigen after
bone marrow transplantation.
• Delineated the effect of plasmacytoid dendritic cells
on transplant outcome.
• Demonstrated the effects of a novel highly potent
form of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
on stem cell mobilisation and graft-versus-leukaemia
(GVL) effects.
• Demonstrated the effects of various forms of natural
killer T-cell activation on transplant outcome.
This laboratory continues to investigate the mechanisms
of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and (GVL) effects
after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the last
year, a large body of work on
cytokine dependent activation of the adaptive immune
system and the mechanistic effects therein has been
fi nalised. Subsequent work on the effect of natural killer
T-cell activation by G-CSF or glycolipid administration
after bone marrow transplantation has been published
in major international journals and received widespread
media attention.
New studies on donor antigen presenting cells and
their role in antigen presentation have also progressed.
These studies have allowed, for the fi rst time,
determination of alloantigen specifi c donor T-cell
responses in the presence or absence of specifi c
antigen presenting cell subsets. This recently published
work confi rms that conventional dendritic cells are the
important donor cell population presenting alloantigen.
This opens the way for logical therapeutic strategies to
modulate this population. Newly generated transgenic
lines are now being used that allow the researchers to
image effector T-cell responses in vivo and in real time
to quantify the important sites of antigen presentation
after bone marrow transplantation.
The Bone Marrow Transplantation Laboratory
works towards understanding the mechanisms by
which transplant recipients eradicate leukaemia but
also develop life-threatening complications, particularly
graft-versus-host disease.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 37
HIGHLIGHTS
• Characterised the dendritic cells used to vaccinate
patients in two clinical studies.
• Demonstrated that a high proportion of T-cells
specifi c for cancer antigens are functional in patients
with a complete clinical response to immunotherapy.
• Showed that objective clinical responses in
immunotherapy trials correlate very signifi cantly with
the kind of antigens used.
Growing cancers can both stimulate and suppress
immune responses against tumour antigens. This
laboratory previously found that dendritic cell-
based immunotherapy led to the complete or partial
regression of advanced metastatic melanoma in about
20 percent of patients.
It is generally assumed that the dominant determinant
of clinical outcome in such trials is the nature of the
dendritic cells, and in particular, that immature dendritic
cells will not be effective at inducing immune response.
The dendritic cell vaccines from 42 patients were
therefore examined for characteristics associated with
the ability to stimulate immunity. Nine patients with
an objective clinical response were compared to 33
who had progressive disease following treatment. No
signifi cant differences were found in surface markers,
nor in the dendritic cells’ ability to secrete immunogenic
factors or generate functional immune responses in a
mixed lymphocyte reaction. This led to the conclusion
that other factors play a dominant role in determining
the clinical outcome of patients.
Publications of immunotherapy for advanced cancer
were analysed to fi nd that trials employing cancer cell-
derived antigens rather than synthetic antigens were
much more clinically effective. Therefore, the breadth of
the antigens presented by cancer vaccines may be an
important determinant of patient outcome.
A patient with a complete clinical response harbours CD8+ T cells directed
at a cancer antigen (NY-ESO-1; labelled by tetramer and indicated by red
dots), which have a highly differentiated CD27-CD127- effector phenotype
(compared to all other cells, in grey). Flow cytometry by Ronald Schilderink
and Michelle Neller, tetramer supplied by Dr Didier Colau and Prof Pierre van
der Bruggen, epitope discovery by Drs Volker Lennerz and Thomas Wölfel.
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPYLaboratory Head: Dr Chris Schmidt
The focus of research in this laboratory is on
understanding how the immune system succeeds in
its fi ght against malignancies, which is central to the
future development of cancer immunotherapies.
38 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGYLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Scott Burrows
HIGHLIGHTS
• Demonstrated decreased T-cell reactivity to Epstein-
Barr virus-infected cells in multiple sclerosis patients.
• Demonstrated that peptides of up to 25 amino acids
in length can bind to class I molecules.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is responsible for glandular fever
and in the Western world, approximately 95 percent of
adults are infected with the virus. EBV has the unique
ability to infect, activate and persist without detection in
important cells of the immune system.
Evidence indicates that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is due
to an attack on the brain by antibodies and white blood
cells, cells of the immune system which defend the body
against infectious diseases. It is not known why this
immune attack on a person’s own tissue is not switched
off in people with MS but EBV is now being seen as a
likely cause. This year, in collaboration with Professor
Michael Pender from The University of Queensland and
the RBWH, this group has shown a signifi cant defect
affecting the immune system of patients with MS, with
recognition of EBV-infected cells shown to be signifi cantly
weaker in MS patients than in healthy people. This study
suggests that in future it might be possible to treat MS
by boosting the EBV-specifi c immune response, or
prevent MS by vaccinating against EBV infection.
The main focus of the Cellular Immunology Laboratory is
the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and factors controlling its
primary function in recognising and killing virus-infected cells.
Associate Prof Scott Burrows (right) with Prof Michael Pender,
collaborators investigating the role of Epstein-Barr virus in
Multiple Sclerosis.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 39
HIGHLIGHTS
• Commenced a Phase Clinical Trial of adoptive
immunotherapy in EBV-positive lymphomas.
• Profi led in-depth a newly developed model of virally
driven B-cell differentiation.
• Commenced a multi-centre Phase 2 lymphoma trial,
in which this laboratory is to perform a correlative
laboratory study in collaboration with Professor Lyn
Griffi ths from Griffi th University.
• Identifi ed a previously uncharacterised immune
defect that leads to fulminant infectious
mononucleosis.
• Established that herpes-virus specifi c effector
T-cells selectively accumulate within the peripheral
blood stem cell compartment.
The laboratory supports a range of translational studies
that will heighten understanding of the biology of
lymphoma. The laboratory performs highly detailed
functional immunoassays and genetic biomarkers on
healthy individuals as well as clinical samples obtained
from lymphoma sufferers. This work has led to disease
insights and therapeutic advances.
The transforming abilities of the EBV have been used to
establish a model system for investigating key events in
the pathogenesis of lymphoma.
Lymphomagenesis is a complex process, which in part
refl ects the nature of the transforming event, as well as the
stage of differentiation of the B-cell. B-cell differentiation
represents a continuum that is initiated when naïve
B-cells encounter antigen, undergo a germinal centre
(GC) reaction and ends with terminal differentiation
into a memory B-cell. Interruption of this process by a
transforming event may result in a clonal proliferation
which blocks differentiation of the cell at this stage.
Physiologically relevant human models that imitate the
various stages of B-cell differentiation are lacking. Using
high effi ciency EBV infection of isolated naïve B-cells, this
group has recently demonstrated that the use of EBV
infection of isolated human naïve B-cells provides a highly
relevant in-vitro model that mimics the GC reaction.
From a therapeutic perspective, a novel Phase
Clinical Trial of autologous EBV-specifi c T-cell therapy
in patients with relapsed and refractory EBV-positive
lymphomas has begun in collaboration with the Tumour
Immunology Laboratory and investigators at the Peter
MacCallum Cancer Centre. To date, three patients have
been enrolled.
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
CLINICAL IMMUNOHAEMATOLOGYLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Maher Gandhi
The major research area in this laboratory is the
immunobiology of lymphoma including biomarkers,
immuno-evasion, microRNA expression and cellular
immunotherapies for virus associated lymphomas.
40 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
DENDRITIC CELLS AND CANCERLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Alejandro López
HIGHLIGHTS
• Described critical characteristics of breast cancer
stem cells that were identifi ed in established breast
cancer cell lines.
• Identifi ed antigens expressed in breast cancer
stem cells.
The importance of cancer stem cells in the development
of cancer has been further highlighted in the scientifi c
literature, however the identifi cation of their defi ning
qualities is still incomplete. In order to be able to harness
the potential of those cells for immunotherapy, a clear
understanding of the origin and functionality of cancer
stem cells is vital.
This laboratory has progressed the defi nition of the
qualities that make breast cancer cells – research
which yielded the characterisation of a large number
of established cell lines which contain stem cell-
like populations. With those cells, properties that
could be targeted for immunotherapy are now being
characterised.
The main outcome of this work is a new understanding
of the surface tags (phenotype) identifying stem cell-like
cells where it has now been established that the origin
of breast cancer cells (basal or luminal) is very likely to
determine the phenotype of potential stem cells.
This laboratory explores the function of dendritic cells (DC)
in patients with breast cancer and investigates the role of
breast cancer stem cells in the generation of tumours.
Resulting fi ndings will yield novel DC-based immunotherapies.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 41
HIGHLIGHTS
• Began a clinical trial in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
(NPC) patients in collaboration with Princess
Alexandra Hospital.
• Defi ned the immune response in healthy individuals
and NPC patients using the SAVINE vaccine
encoded within adenovirus.
A new formulation has been designed that includes
all of the possible immunogenic determinants of
proteins expressed within NPC biopsies. Referred to
as SAVINE, this formulation is undergoing preclinical
testing. Results indicate that this formulation, when
delivered in a replication-defi cient adenovirus, is capable
of activating immune responses from both healthy
individuals and NPC patients. These results provide
a platform for future clinical trials.
A clinical trial has begun using NPC patients recruited
from the Head and Neck Clinic at Princess Alexandra
Hospital in collaboration with Professor Bill Coman and
colleagues. This trial involves adoptive transfer of in vitro
activated T-cells from NPC patients. Activation of T-cells
involves the use of a peptide encoded within a protein
associated with NPC. This procedure is conducted
within the Q-Gen facility of QIMR, and to date, two
patients have been treated.
A library of bioactive compounds derived from natural
sources is currently being screened for immunological
activity. This project is a collaborative project with QIMR’s
Drug Discovery Group. The overall aim is to identify
compounds that might have clinical applications,
particularly those with immunosuppressive or anti-
herpes virus activity.
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
EBV BIOLOGYLaboratory Head: Professor Denis Moss
This laboratory is committed to understanding the biology
and immunology of two clinically important human pathogens,
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and vaccinia virus, and capturing
laboratory fi ndings and using them in human clinical trials.
42 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTIONLaboratory Head: Dr Christian Engwerda
HIGHLIGHTS
• Identifi ed host molecules that mediate parasite
accumulation in tissue sites during experimental
cerebral malaria.
• Discovered a method to alter malaria-specifi c T-cell
responses generated in response to vaccination so
they do not cause disease.
• Developed a way to enhance T-cell activation during
visceral leishmaniasis to improve disease outcome
by activating a molecule called GITR.
• Discovered a way to modulate T-cell responses
to prevent experimental cerebral malaria using
interleukin-2 (IL-2).
• Discovered a novel way to treat autoimmune disease
in a pre-clinical model of lupus.
The Immunology and Infection Group has taken
advantage of state-of-the-art imaging technology
at QIMR to investigate the accumulation of malaria
parasites in various tissue sites throughout the course
of infection. The group’s research has identifi ed
components of the host immune response that
promote accumulation of parasites in tissues to
cause severe malaria disease. Collaborations with
the Molecular Immunology Laboratory have resulted
in the development of a strategy to generate potent
anti-malaria T-cell responses following vaccination
without causing disease. Other research on malaria
has identifi ed key roles for granzymes in both disease
induction and the development of anti-parasitic
immunity. The groups will continue to defi ne the exact
functions of this family of molecules during malaria.
Work on visceral leishmaniasis has identifi ed a way to
enhance T-cell responses during infection by activating
a molecule called GITR. It has been shown that this
strategy can be used as an adjunct therapy with
conventional drug treatment to greatly enhance disease
control. Other research has led to the discovery of a
novel way to enhance anti-parasitic immune responses
by altering signals via the lymphotoxin beta receptor.
Currently, this laboratory is determining how T-cells are
activated during visceral leishmaniasis, and in particular,
identifying the specifi c antigen presenting cells involved
and the tissue sites where this occurs.
This laboratory studies the host immune response during
malaria and leishmaniasis, and aims to distinguish host
immune responses that control parasite growth from those
that contribute to disease.
Dr Ashraful Haque getting ready to sort cells for an experiment in the QIMR
Flow Cytometry and Imaging Laboratory
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 43 QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 43
HIGHLIGHTS
• Identifi ed four new arboviruses from Antarctica.
• Found that a drug that inhibits the infl ammatory
chemokine MCP-1 was able to ameliorate the
symptoms of Ross River virus disease in mice.
• Showed that intratumoral treatment with Kunjin
replicon virus-like particles encoding granulocyte-
macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), were
able to cure established aggressive tumours in mice.
• Found that curing tumours with the new locally
applied anti-cancer compound PEP005 induces
anti-cancer immunity, which can regress distant
metastases.
To assess the potential risk to Antarctic tourists of
Antarctic arboviruses, ticks were collected from penguin
colonies on Macquarie Island. Four new viruses were
identifi ed and found to be distantly related to viruses that
cause illness in humans. The nearest relatives of these
viruses reside in the northern hemisphere, suggesting
ticks and their viruses are regularly transported around
the world on migrating seabirds.
In collaboration with Professor Mahalingham from the
University of Canberrra, the laboratory has been working
to fi nd better treatments for the arthritis caused by Ross
River virus. Bindarit, a drug that inhibits synthesis of MCP-1,
was found to be able to signifi cantly reduce symptoms
of the disease in mice. This opens new avenues for
treatment of this, and perhaps other, viral arthritides.
Kunjin replicon, a new arbovirus vector system
developed by Dr Khromykh from The University of
Queensland was genetically engineered to express GM-
CSF. Intratumoural injection of GM-CSF Kunjin replicon
was able to cure a number of established aggressive
tumours and to regress distant metastases in mice.
The new anti-cancer compound PEP005 being
developed by Peplin showed that it not only cures the
treated tumour but also adjuvants the dead tumour
resulting in CD8 T-cell anti-cancer immunity, which can
regress distant metastases in mice.
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
IMMUNOVIROLOGYLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Andreas Suhrbier
The Immunovirology Laboratory is exploiting new knowledge
about interactions between viruses and the immune system
to develop novel anti-viral and anti-cancer strategies.
44 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGYLaboratory Head: Professor Michael Good
HIGHLIGHTS
• Plans to initiate a Phase I Clinical Trial on
human volunteers using low doses of whole
malaria parasites.
• Produced GMP grade Group A Streptococcus
(GAS) vaccine for a Phase I Clinical Trial.
• Found that in vivo administration or in vitro
stimulation of dendritic cells (DC) with lipopeptide
GAS vaccines did not induce phenotypic
maturation of DC.
Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality
worldwide. A new strategy has been developed combining
low-doses of whole parasite extract adjuvanted in CpG-
oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) to elicit robust T-cell
responses directed against multiple parasite antigens.
This vaccine engenders long-term protection as well
as vigorous long-lived immune responses against
homologous and heterologous parasites, including
different strains and species of lethal malaria.
The nature of long-term protection is rather novel.
Historically, successful vaccines have worked by eliciting
long-lived antibody responses. In these studies however,
broad and prolonged protection against malaria is
achieved through the generation of vigorous T-cell
responses. Such an approach would facilitate poly-
specifi c immunity and assure antigen procurement
for economical manufacture. In collaboration with the
Clinical Tropical Medicine Laboratory, a Phase Clinical
Trial for the vaccine is being initiated.
Group A Streptococcus research is focused on a
novel, dual antigen, synthetic peptide subunit vaccine
approach to prevent streptococcal- associated
cardiovascular disease, and on strategies designed
to enhance peptide vaccine effi cacy.
The use of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands as vaccine
adjuvants and the cell signalling mechanisms involved
in TLR signalling in dendritic cells are being investigated.
In collaboration with the Bacterial Vaccines and Clinical
Tropical Medicine Laboratories, the GMP manufacture
of the vaccine candidate J8-diphtheria toxoid to be
used in a Phase I Clinical Trial for the vaccine is almost
complete.
The Molecular Immunology Laboratory studies the
immune response to pathogens, principally Plasmodium
and Group A Streptococcus (GAS), with the goals of
understanding pathogenesis and developing vaccines.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 45
HIGHLIGHTS
• Established a protein microarray core at QIMR.
• Identifi ed the profi le of Plasmodium falciparum
proteome-wide antibody reactivity in Papua
New Guinea.
• Identifi ed regional differences in P. falciparum
proteome-wide antibody reactivity between
populations in Papua New Guinea and Africa.
• Established in vitro and in vivo models to investigate
cell mediated responses to pre-erythrocytic stage
malaria.
• Developed a mouse model to investigate the effects
of adjuvants on vaccine-induced T-cell responses.
To facilitate development of a vaccine against malaria,
this group is undertaking a process of rational vaccine
design on a proteome-wide scale. A protein microarray
core has been established to identify, via antibody
responses, novel Plasmodium parasite proteins that
are associated with naturally acquired or experimentally
induced protective immunity. Comparative studies of
geographically distinct human populations and of cross-
species immunity are being undertaken.
A complementary approach to identifying novel
Plasmodium antigens recognised by cell mediated
immunity has been established. A subset of novel
P. falciparum antigens identifi ed from protein microarray
data as promising vaccine candidates are being
assessed in vitro and in vivo for immunogenicity,
protective effi cacy and biological function. Laboratory
models to evaluate candidate vaccines and to identify
and prioritise potential human use compatible adjuvants,
capable of augmenting cell mediated immunity, have
also been established. To understand how an effective
cell-mediated response can be generated by vaccination,
the factors that may modulate the function and phenotype
of effector T-cells and in particular the acquisition of
effector function by CD8 T-cells is being investigated.
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
MOLECULAR VACCINOLOGYLaboratory Head: Dr Denise Doolan
Research in this laboratory investigates the molecular basis of
immunity to disease, with a focus on malaria and model systems
that can inform the basic immunology, mechanisms and antigenic
targets of immunity, and evaluation of candidate vaccines.
46 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
TUMOUR IMMUNOLOGYLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Rajiv Khanna
HIGHLIGHTS
• Initiated a Phase 1 Clinical Trial on nasopharyngeal
carcinoma in collaboration with University of
Hong Kong.
• Developed novel T-cell-based therapy for the
treatment of cytomegalovirus treatment in stem
cell recipients.
• Completed preclinical studies on a prophylactic
vaccine for human cytomegalovirus.
• Determined the infl uence of mRNA structure on
the antigen presentation to cytotoxic T-cells.
This laboratory is involved in developing immune-based
therapies and novel diagnostic tools for human herpes
virus associated diseases. These studies are primarily
focused on two viruses, namely Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),
which causes glandular fever and Hodgkin’s lymphoma
(HL), and the cytomegalovirus. EBV is also associated
with a number of cancers including nasopharyngeal
carcinoma (NPC).
A large clinical study has been initiated in collaboration
with colleagues at the University of Hong Kong to test a
killer T-cell-based therapy for advanced NPC patients.
This therapy is based on a propriety technology (referred
to as E1-LMPpolyTM) developed by this laboratory. The
possibility of expanding this therapy for other EBV-
associated cancers such as HL and non-Hodgkin’s
lymphomas is also being explored. In addition, this
group has signed a collaborative agreement with a UK-
based biotech company to jointly develop a therapeutic
vaccine for both NPC and HL.
Another aspect of research is focused on developing
novel immune-based diagnostic tools for human
cytomegalovirus which are a major cause of morbidity
and mortality in transplant patients. In collaboration with
an Australian biotechnology company, a new whole
blood diagnostic kit has been developed which will allow
identifi cation and prediction of which transplant patients
are at the highest risk of developing cytomegalovirus
disease after organ transplantation. This diagnostic kit
has recently been registered in the European Union as
a clinical immune monitoring kit. It is anticipated this kit
will also be available at most pathology centres in US
and Australia within the next 12-18 months.
This laboratory seeks a deeper understanding of the
mechanisms by which an immune response to tumours
may be generated, augmented and applied to the
inhibition of tumour growth.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 47 QIMR - Annual Report 220020000222 8-28-28-220090090090 • • • •• • 47474
The Cancer and Cell Biology Division consists of
10 laboratories located in the Bancroft Centre, the
Clive Berghofer Cancer Research Centre and The
University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research.
Research carried out in the division covers a variety
of topics from specifi c investigations of the molecular
and genetic aberrations of tumour cells, to clinical
and pathological studies of cancers and metabolic
disorders. Scientists in the division are particularly
devoted to translating research fi ndings into
clinical outcomes.
Tumours studied include melanoma, leukaemia,
breast, prostate, liver and colorectal cancer. Research
themes cover the normal mechanisms that control
cell growth, cell division and inheritance; the DNA
damage response and DNA repair; mechanisms of
iron homeostasis; development of mouse models to
study in vitro functions of cancer genes; developing
screening tools for early detection of cancers; devising
strategies for cancer treatment; and investigation
of liver disease in both the adult and paediatric
populations. The division has strong collaborative links
with other QIMR divisions, the Royal Brisbane and
Women’s Hospital and The University of Queensland.
CANCER AND CELL
BIOLOGY DIVISIONDivision Chair: Professor Greg Anderson
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 47
On discovery of a key repair protein in humans (hSSB1),
I decided to relocate my work. I found that QIMR offered
the best environment in the world, the core cancer experts,
resources, clinical links and an enthusiastic research
environment. Since then, this research has shown that
hSSB1 is the central protein required to protect humans
from cancer causing DNA damage.
Dr Derek Richard
Signal Transduction Laboratory
Cancer and Cell Biology Division
48 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 49
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
DRUG DISCOVERY GROUPLaboratory Head: Professor Peter Parsons
HIGHLIGHTS
• Achieved expression of the MIC-1 cytokine in cell
lines by lentivirus constructs.
• Identifi ed a signaling partner for MIC-1.
• Discovered a small molecule that has signifi cant
anticancer activity in animal models.
The Drug Discovery Group identifi es and studies the
function of genes that are important in the development
and treatment of certain cancers. The longer term aim
is to discover agents that may be effective against
specifi c targets. Several such genes have been identifi ed
in melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the
head and neck and these are being followed up at the
functional level.
Elucidation of the role of a novel cytokine MIC-1, found
by this group to be closely associated with melanoma
progression, has been stepped up following successful
expression of the molecule via lentivirus technology. This
has allowed probing of the function of MIC-1 in a wider
range of cell types, and provided an important clue
about how MIC-1 is regulated within the cell.
In collaboration with Dr Ben Panizza of the Princess
Alexandra Hospital, MIC-1 was also found to be
expressed in some squamous cell carcinomas (SSC)
of the skin, including invasive SCC of the face and
associated with nerves (perineural). These results are
being followed up in SCC of the head and neck, by ear
nose and throat trainee fellows.
The drug discovery program has expanded from anti-
cancer screening to a range of other assays including
a search for small molecule regulators of pigmentation.
The chemical library was sourced from a variety of
natural products including a collaborative arrangement
with an Australian biotech company. A novel compound
with a complex structure has been found to have anti-
tumour activity in mice, and this is being followed up
with studies of mechanism.
In collaboration with Griffi th University, a library of
organometallic compounds was screened against cultured
tumour cells. A high degree of selectivity was found for
some structures and this property, together with overall
potency, has provided a structural paradigm for the
design and synthesis of a new series of compounds.
This laboratory combines expertise in cancer biology
with genomics and drug discovery. Research into cell
communication networks in sun-induced cancers,
cancers of the head and neck, and ovarian cancer,
reveal responses that may lead to potential prevention
and treatment options.
50 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
HEPATIC FIBROSISLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Grant Ramm
HIGHLIGHTS
• Demonstrated, for the fi rst time, physical
interaction between the fi brogenic and regenerative
compartments of the liver through lymphotoxin-β and
its receptor. In addition, identifi ed the lymphotoxin-β
receptor as playing a key role in mediating the wound
healing response of the liver.
• Showed that the iron storage protein ferritin, displays
cytokine-like activity on the hepatic stellate cell that is
independent of iron, activating a signalling cascade that
activates NFkB and enhances the expression of key
proinfl ammatory genes involved with hepatic fi brosis.
• Identifi ed elevated serum hyaluronic acid levels as a
new diagnostic marker for the detection of cirrhosis
in patients with haemochromatosis, obviating the
need for liver biopsy in 60 percent of patients with
this disease suspected of having cirrhosis.
• Demonstrated a role for the chemokine monocyte
chemotaxis protein-1 (MCP-1), derived from peri-scar
hepatocytes in the recruitment of scar-forming hepatic
stellate cells in cholestatic liver diseases of children
including cystic fi brosis and biliary atresia, and a
mechanism for its induction via the hydrophobic bile
acid, taurocholic acid.
• Identifi ed a panel of serum makers that can be
used in conjunction with either liver biopsy or
ultrasound scans to predict development of serious
liver complications, including portal hypertension,
in children with cystic fi brosis.
The hepatic stellate cell produces scar tissue in
liver disease, thus understanding the processes that
regulate this cell is crucial to developing future therapies.
This laboratory has now identifi ed three such regulatory
mechanisms: the signalling mechanisms/genes regulated
by Lymphotoxin-β in hepatic regeneration, tissue ferritin
in infl ammation and a hepatic stellate cell chemokine,
MCP-1, in cholestatic liver disease. Knowledge from
studying these mechanisms will greatly assist in targeting
research towards therapeutics to support liver function,
aid regeneration and treat liver disease.
Signifi cant advances have been made in developing
diagnostic tests to assess liver fi brosis in
haemochromatosis and cystic fi brosis (CF) patients.
This group has demonstrated that elevated serum
hyaluronic acid levels accurately identify haemochromatosis
patients with cirrhosis, and when serum ferritin is used
as an initial screen of risk, 60 percent of patients no
longer require an invasive liver biopsy. More recently
a panel of serum markers have been identifi ed that
are better than current clinical tests predicting whether
a child with CF will develop serious complications
associated with their liver disease.
Indirect immunofl uorescence and confocal microscopy showing close spatial
association between αSMA positive (fi brogenic) hepatic stellate cells (red) and
LT-β positive oval cells and small hepatocytes (green) in a mouse model of
chronic liver injury and fi brosis.
The Hepatic Fibrosis Group investigates the cellular and
molecular mechanisms of scar tissue formation in the liver,
such as the iron overload disease haemochromatosis, that
leads to fi brosis and cirrhosis in adults, and cystic fi brosis
and biliary atresia in children.
The Iron Metabolism Laboratory focuses on understanding
the homeostasis of the essential trace element iron in the
body and the natural history of disorders of iron metabolism
such as the iron loading disease haemochromatosis.
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
IRON METABOLISMLaboratory Head: Professor Greg Anderson
HIGHLIGHTS
• Defi ned disease progression and penetrance in
hereditary haemochromatosis.
• Examined iron homeostasis in chronic haemolytic
anaemia.
• Identifi ed key factors involved in the modulating
expression of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin.
• Demonstrated a role for iron in duodenal
ulcerogenesis.
Iron is essential for a large number of critical cellular
processes but its concentration in the body must be
kept within defi ned limits. Too little iron can result in
anaemia while too much can cause damage to vital
organs such as the liver and heart. A central goal of
the Iron Metabolism Laboratory is to understand the
mechanisms of cellular iron transport and the way in
which these processes are regulated. A particular theme
is to describe the pathways of intestinal iron absorption
and to understand how absorption is altered in disorders
of iron metabolism such as haemochromatosis and
thalassaemia.
Recent efforts have been directed towards
understanding physiological variations in iron absorption
at the molecular level and this work has helped defi ne
the mechanism by which the liver-derived regulatory
peptide hepcidin acts to regulate iron absorption. Key
recent studies have examined how hepcidin is regulated
in chronic haemolytic anaemia, defi ned interactions
between different stimuli that alter hepcidin expression,
and examined iron homeostasis during pregnancy and
in neonates.
This group also maintains a strong interest in the
pathogenesis, penetrance and genetics of the iron
loading disorder haemochromatosis and has recently
contributed to a series of important studies to defi ne the
penetrance of haemochromatosis and the natural history
of the disease in caucasians.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 51
52 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
The Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland Laboratory
is seeking to understand the role of critical cellular
proteins in the causation and evolution of leukaemia
and other cancers.
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION
(WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND)
Laboratory Head: Professor Andrew Boyd
HIGHLIGHTS
• Developed and undertook pre-clinical studies of
antibodies for treatment of leukaemia and other
cancers.
• Analysed the effects of epigenetic silencing of Eph
genes in human cancer.
• Developed a Glioblastoma Research Unit at QIMR
following a charitable donation by Mrs Marno
Parsons.
• Continued pre-clinical development of novel
Eph-based therapeutics for nerve injury.
This laboratory has continued pre-clinical studies on
antibodies to Eph proteins. In particular an antibody to
EphA3, raised initially against a childhood leukaemia,
has been tested in leukaemia and other cancer models.
Antibodies to other EphA proteins have been investigated
in a variety of human tumours, complementing studies
of expression in clinical samples. A clear dichotomy
between oncogenic roles in some cancers, including
glioma, with tumour suppressor roles in other cancers,
especially those of epithelial origin, is being investigated.
In the latter, downregulation of Eph expression, mediated
by epigenetic mechanisms, predicts poor survival in
colorectal cancers.
Investigation of EphA4 function has led to the intriguing
observation that inhibitors of this gene can treat spinal
cord injury in mice. This is being pursued in collaboration
with the Queensland Brain Institute as a potential
human therapy.
Differentiating Glioblastoma cells following EphA3 knockdown.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 53
This laboratory studies how iron metabolism is regulated
by the liver. Identifi cation of the molecules involved in iron
metabolism, and defi ning the way they work has major
implications for the treatment of iron-related disorders
such as hereditary haemochromatosis and anaemia.
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
MEMBRANE TRANSPORTLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Nathan Subramaniam
HIGHLIGHTS
• Established that serum ferritin and hyaluronic
acid levels can be used to accurately predict liver
cirrhosis.
• Demonstrated that Kupffer cells modulate iron
homeostasis by regulation of the liver specifi c iron
regulatory peptide hepcidin.
• Demonstrated that juvenile haemochromatosis may
be due to other causes than iron regulation.
Research in this laboratory is aimed at defi ning how
iron metabolism is regulated and how genes which
are mutated in iron disorders regulate this process.
The group has been instrumental in defi ning a number
of new mutations in genes which are associated with
atypical or non-HFE haemochromatosis in Australia and
internationally.
In a collaborative study with Professor Crawford of
the Greenslopes Hospital and the Hepatic Fibrosis
Laboratory, it was shown that liver cirrhosis, which
can be caused by increased iron in the liver, can be
accurately predicted through the analysis of serum levels
of ferritin and hyaluronic acid. These studies are an
advance in the generation of non-invasive markers for
the diagnosis of liver disease. It was also shown that the
macrophage cells of the liver, the Kupffer cells, have a
negative effect on the expression of the iron regulatory
hormone hepcidin.
A recent study is aimed at identifying how matriptase-2
works to regulate hepcidin. Preliminary studies show
that hemojuvelin, a positive regulator of hepcidin, is
a substrate for matriptase-2. These studies will be
important in defi ning the molecules and mechanisms
involved in the regulation of iron disorders such as
anaemia and haemochromatosis.
The role of iron in liver disease
54 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
CANCER COUNCIL QUEENSLAND (CCQ) TRANSGENICSLaboratory Head: Dr Graham Kay
HIGHLIGHTS
• Used microarray gene expression analysis to identify
autosomal genes where expression is controlled by
the action of SmcHD1.
• Used gene targeting to generate a mouse which
has the endogenous SmcHD1 gene engineered
to produce a fusion protein with green fl uorescent
protein (GFP) attached to SmcHD1 protein opening
up a myriad of potential studies which can examine
the function of SmcHD1.
• Found that compound deletion of Rb1 and p53
in the adrenal medulla results in spontaneous
pheochromocytoma with 100 percent penetrance.
Epigenetic control of gene expression is mediated by
mechanisms that modulate access of the transcription
machinery to the genome. This is ultimately how
patterns of gene expression are established and is one
of the most important areas of research in molecular
biology at the moment – unravelling the mechanism by
which the information encoded in the genome translates
into phenotypic outcomes.
Recently this group has shown that SmcHD1 is an
important new player in the epigenetic mechanism that
silences one of the two X chromosomes in females
during early development. Subsequent studies using
microarray gene expression analysis have shown that
SmcHD1 is not uniquely involved in X inactivation but
is also involved in silencing the expression of numerous
autosomal genes during development in both males and
females. The mechanism by which SmcHD1 modulates
gene expression at these numerous genomic locations is
now being investigated.
Other studies are concentrating on the role of the
pocket protein family of tumour suppressors Rb1, Rbl1
and Rbl2, in the cascade of events leading to cancer.
Development and cellular homeostasis necessitates
the orchestrated interplay of oncogene and tumour
suppressor gene function. Disruption of this delicate
interaction can lead to transformation or apoptosis
depending on the cell type. An integral event in cellular
transformation is the escape of the cell cycle from
normal regulatory constraints. The pocket proteins
constitute an important family of tumour suppressors
that regulate cell cycle progression. The group has
shown that the compound knockout of Rb1 and
Trp53 in adrenal chromaffi n cells is suffi cient to induce
adrenal medulla tumours at 100 percent penetrance.
The tumours are commonly bilateral and bear all the
hallmarks of typical pheochromocytoma.
The CCQ Transgenics (previously QCF) Laboratory
studies the epigenetic mechanisms that act
during embryonic development to modulate gene
expression and the role of tumour suppressor genes
in preventing cancer.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 55
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
RADIATION BIOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY(WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND)
Laboratory Head: Professor Martin Lavin
HIGHLIGHTS
• Produced fi rst description of a patient with defi ciency
in Rad50 – a member of the complex that senses
DNA double strand breaks.
• Described a role for senataxin, defi cient in AOA2
(Ataxia-oculomotor apraxia, Type 2), in RNA
processing for the fi rst time.
• Discovered a role for aprataxin, defective in AOA1
(Ataxia-oculomotor apraxia, Type1), in single strand
break repair.
• Determined the importance of the Pseudonaja textilis
protease inhibitor as an anti-bleeding agent.
• Described the Pseudonaja textilis Factor V-like
protein as a constitutively active procoagulant.
• Demonstrated that the prostate cancer specifi c
gene (PCA3) is embedded in a second gene
(BMCC1) and revealed its potential role as a
biomarker for prostate cancer.
Previously, this laboratory has focused on the human
genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) as a
model system to investigate cancer development and
neurogeneration. More recently, the work has extended
to include several other disorders that overlap with A-T
in their clinical phenotype including AOA1 and AOA2.
Progress has been made in describing additional
autophosphorylation sites important in the activation of
the ATM gene. In collaboration with Thilo Dork from
Hannover, the fi rst Rad50 defi cient patient has been
identifi ed. Rad50 represents a member of the Mre11
complex (Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1) that acts as a sensor of
DNA double strand breaks, and is a new substrate for
ATM. Studies are underway to investigate the functional
signifi cance of Rad50 phosphorylation in response to
DNA damage.
This laboratory has reported the fi rst comprehensive
description of the characteristics of senataxin, the protein
defective in AOA2. This protein has a role in protecting
cells against this form of stress and is also involved in
transcriptional control and mRNA splicing. Progress
was also made on the function of aprataxin, defective in
AOA1, with data demonstrating that it binds to proteins
involved in DNA single strand and DNA double strand
break repair. A role in the process is being investigated.
In collaboration with Professor Gardiner of The University
of Queensland, important progress in developing
biomarkers for prostate cancer has been made. Greater
complexity in the prostate cancer gene (PCA3) has been
demonstrated and also that it is embedded in a second
gene BMCC1. Work is underway to identify additional
biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.
As part of a collaborative program with QrxPharm,
the venomics group in this laboratory has successfully
described the proteome of 20 Australian snake
venoms and further progressed two anti-bleeding
agents, Textilinin and Haempatch that have potential
as therapeutics with application in haemostasis.
DNA damage response and its role in maintaining
the integrity of DNA to minimise the risk of cancer
and neurodegeneration is the major focus of
research activities in this laboratory.
56 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
RBWH GASTROENTEROLOGYLaboratory Head: Professor Barbara Leggett
HIGHLIGHTS
• Found that distinct methylation signatures in
histologically normal colorectal tissue can predict the
subtype of colorectal polyp that may develop.
• Identifi ed a subset of colorectal polyps more likely to
exhibit aggressive clinical behavior.
• Found that cancers with the combination of both
BRAF mutation and p53 mutation are more likely to
present at an advanced stage.
• Demonstrated that methylation of the ID4 gene
correlates with BRAF mutation, microsatellite
instability and can modify in vivo tumour growth.
• Found a signifi cant association between PIK3CA
mutation and mutation of the K-ras oncogene.
• Completed a multicentre study to evaluate different
methodologies for clinical mutation testing of the
K-ras oncogene.
Molecular changes underlie the initiation of bowel polyps,
and progression of these polyps to cancer. Bowel polyps
and cancers can be divided into clinically relevant
subgroups based on molecular changes. A better
understanding of these lesions will improve management
of patients with polyps and will ultimately lead to
improved therapy for patients with advanced disease.
By conducting a large, prospective study of patients
undergoing colonoscopic screening, this group has
identifi ed methylation signatures in normal colorectal
tissue that associate with either conventional or serrated
type polyps. These fi ndings may impact future surveillance
strategies. Another recent fi nding – that a proportion of
conventional polyps showing mild villous morphology share
molecular features characteristic of advanced polyps -
suggests that patients presenting with these lesions may
require more frequent colonoscopic surveillance.
This laboratory has also demonstrated that the p53 tumour
suppressor gene is frequently mutated in the subset of
BRAF mutant cancers that are more likely to present at an
advanced stage, and are further characterising this group
of cancers with the aim of improving understanding of
why they exhibit this aggressive behavior.
This laboratory identifi es genetic changes which defi ne
distinct subtypes of colon cancers and premalignant
polyps with the aim of predicting the clinical behaviour
of these tumours.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 57
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTIONLaboratory Head: Dr Kum Kum Khanna
HIGHLIGHTS
• Characterised the function of hSSB1 and hSSB2
as a critical regulator of genome integrity.
• Characterised the role of repair nuclease EXO-1
in regulation of DNA damage-induced apoptosis.
• Identifi ed a novel role of PTEN tumour suppressor
in the regulation of mitotic spindle checkpoint.
• Characterised a new centrosomal protein, centrobin,
as a crucial regulator of mitotic spindles.
Progress on the functional analysis of two single
stranded DNA binding proteins, reported last year,
showed that hSSB2 plays a similar role as hSSB1 in
DNA damage response pathways. Both hSSBs are
recruited immediately to sites of DNA damage induced
by laser microirradiation or soft x-ray. This raises
interesting questions concerning potential roles of these
proteins in DNA damage detection as well as in repair.
A role for the mammalian DNA repair enzyme
Exonuclease 1 (Exo1) in DNA damage-induced
apoptosis, where EXO-1 was shown to act upstream
of caspase-3, has been described. In addition, induction
of apoptosis with DNA-damaging agents led to cleavage
of Exo1. These fi nding led to the conclusion that Exo1
has a role in the timely induction of apoptosis and that it
is subsequently cleaved and degraded during apoptosis.
A novel role for PTEN tumour suppressor, a key
regulator of PI-3 kinase pathway, frequently affected in
breast cancer, in the regulation of mitotic checkpoint has
been identifi ed. Evidence has also been provided that
the chromosome segregation defects, due to defect in
mitotic checkpoint, are the primary cause of the observed
chromosomal aberrations in PTEN-defi cient tumours.
Centrobin is a recently identifi ed centrosomal protein
that plays a role in stabilising the microtubule structure.
Evidence that Centrobin-depleted cells display a range
of spindle abnormalities including unfocused poles
that are not associated with centrosomes has been
provided. These results indicate that Centrobin promotes
anchoring of mitotic spindle to the centrosomes, which
is required for the stability of microtubule-kinetochore
attachments and biogenesis of properly functioning
mitotic spindle.
GFP-tagged hSSB2 accumulates at laser-induced DNA damage sites.
Time-lapse imaging
This laboratory researches signal transduction pathways
involved in the detection, signalling or repair of DNA
damage and seeks other genes in these pathways which
might have similar involvement in cancer susceptibility by
preventing the generation of mutations in DNA.
58 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-200958 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
SKIN CARCINOGENESISLaboratory Head: Dr Graeme Walker
HIGHLIGHTS
• Found that melanocyte stem cells are only activated
by signals from surrounding Kit-responsive transit
amplifying melanoblasts.
Lentigo melanomas that are associated with chronic
sun exposure seem to emanate from the follicle. It is not
known whether the most undifferentiated melanocytes,
melanocyte stem cells, are activated to UVR. The only
confi rmed location of such cells is the bulge region of
the hair follicle in both humans and mice.
Recently established at QIMR, this laboratory has used
normal mice as a model to assess whether these cells
are activated by UVR exposure. In isolation they do not.
However the results suggest that it is the surrounding
transit amplifying cells that proliferate in response to
UVR, after which the stem cells respond. Thus the stem
cells are very sensitive to the presence of surrounding
melanocytes.
These studies will improve understanding of how activation
of follicular melanocytes may play a role in the initiation
of some melanomas.
This laboratory is interested in the interaction of
genetic and environmental factors in melanoma
development and in particular how ultraviolet
radiation (UVR) initiates melanoma.
Arrows denote melanocytes (red) stained an anti-Trp1 antibody. UVR-activated melanocytes
(arrowed) can be seen at the base of the epidermis and in the upper portion of a hair follicle.
B - Atypical melanocytes in a melanoma.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 59 • t 22 8-28-2009009MRMR -- An Annuanual l MM 2002008-28-2
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISIONDivision Chair: Professor James McCarthy
The 13 laboratories that comprise the Infectious
Diseases Division study how a range of important
pathogenic organisms cause illness, and search for
better ways to diagnose and treat, as well as developing
vaccines to prevent disease. A major emphasis of
work undertaken in the division is on pathogens that
disproportionately affect people living in the developing
world and tropics.
Pathogens studied include parasites such as malaria,
worms, scabies, and intestinal protozoa, bacteria
such as streptococci, and viruses including HIV and
mosquito-borne viruses. One laboratory in the group
focuses on the application of proteomic technology to
biomedical science.
In the last 12 months, members of the division have
successfully secured funding for their work from
prestigious bodies including the National Institute of
Health (NIH), National Health and Medical Research
Council (NHMRC) program and project grant system,
as well as the Gates Foundation. A new laboratory
headed by Dr Malcolm Jones has been established in
the division focusing on the cell biology of parasites.
• • 595999 AnAnAnAnnnQQIMIMQQIMIM RRepoeportrtl Rl R rtrtt 2002008-28-2MM rt rt QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 59
60 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
BACTERIAL PATHOGENESISLaboratory Head: Professor Kadaba Sriprakash
HIGHLIGHTS
• Found that Group G Streptococci (GGS) and not
Group A Streptococci (GAS) are the major beta-
haemolytic bacterial species found in the throats
of Indian children.
• Demonstrated that Streptococcus gordonii is a
viable model for the live delivery of peptide antigen
for GAS vaccines.
• Demonstrated that recombinant expression of a
GAS peptide vaccine candidate induces functional
antibody response.
• Established the evolutionary relationships of clinically
relevant GGS through multi-locus sequence profi ling
of 250 isolates.
• Demonstrated that DNA can be exchanged between
GGS and other bacterial species when grown in
biofi lms.
• Identifi ed SpeB, a major GAS virulence factor,
in some GGS isolates.
• Showed that catheters diagnosed as sterile by
traditional microbiology methods, are colonised
by numerous bacterial species.
This laboratory investigates the causes and
consequences of genetic diversity that occurs in
streptococcal populations around the world.
Last year, MLST (multi locus sequencing typing)
genetic profi ling of 250 skin and throat streptococcal
isolates from India were completed and this data
is currently being assessed to determine whether
streptococci from the skin are genetically different to
streptococci from the throat. MLST profi les generated
in this laboratory from Australian GGS isolates, and by
collaborators from the USA and Portugal, are being used
to construct a map of evolutionary relationships between
different GGS isolates. Such a map may help identify
related bacteria that are more likely to cause specifi c
streptococcal disease.
Work on a recombinant Group A Streptococcal vaccine
is also showing great promise with the demonstration
that this vaccine (JJo) induces signifi cant antibody
production in mice and that these antibodies can also
kill GAS and GGS in in vitro assays. This is a part of a
collaborative study with researchers in India.
In collaboration with colleagues at Griffi th University,
bacterial populations on the surface of catheters are
being investigated with experiments showing that
many different species can be found on the surface of
catheters taken from hospital patients. The implications
of these fi ndings to clinical practice are currently being
evaluated.
This laboratory undertakes research into Streptococci,
Staphylococci, and other medically important bacteria.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 61
The focus of this laboratory is the identifi cation,
characterisation and evaluation of potential vaccine
candidates for Group A Streptococcus (GAS) specifi cally
Streptococcus pyogenes, and other bacterial pathogens.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
BACTERIAL VACCINESLaboratory Head: Dr Michael Batzloff
HIGHLIGHTS
• Demonstrated that J8-DT mediated protection
against Group A Streptococcus is antibody mediated
(in collaboration with the Molecular Immunology
Laboratory).
• Commenced pre-GMP (good manufacturing)
pilot runs of the J8-DT/alum vaccine formulation
(in collaboration with the Molecular Immunology
Laboratory).
• Demonstrated a novel pathway for Burkholderia
pseudomallei infection of the nasal cavity leading to
direct infection of the brain.
Signifi cant progress has been made towards a vaccine
for Group A Streptococcus and associated diseases.
Using a variety of techniques including passive transfer
and T-cell depletion this group has demonstrated that
J8-DT/alum induced protection is antibody mediated.
This observation has a large impact on vaccine design
and adjuvant selection. Coinciding with this, two pilot
production runs of the J8-DT/alum vaccine have been
commenced in preparation for the GMP production run.
Burkholderia pseudomallei is another bacterial
pathogen that is a serious problem in tropical areas
including northern Australia. In collaboration with Griffi th
University through the Griffi th Medical Research College,
this laboratory was able to demonstrate a possible
new route of infection - intranasal exposure in mice
resulting in direct infection of the brain. Traditionally, this
bacterium was thought to colonise the lung, progress
into the blood and then cross the blood brain barrier.
This observation could impact on currently proposed
vaccine strategies.
62 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
CLINICAL TROPICAL MEDICINELaboratory Head: Professor James McCarthy
HIGHLIGHTS
• Documented evidence of increasing in vitro tolerance
of scabies mites to ivermectin in scabies endemic
communities.
• Validated the role of metabolic degradation as a
mechanism that the scabies mite uses to resist
permethrin treatment.
• Established a pig model of human scabies infection
that will serve as an invaluable source of material for
studying scabies.
• Completed a Phase 1 trial of a new formulation of
the blood stage malaria vaccine candidate MSP2.
• Discovered that hookworms develop resistance
to the anthelmintic pyrantel by changing their
expression of acetylcholine receptors.
This laboratory continues to explore the molecular
mechanisms of acaricide resistance in the scabies
mite which has led to developing of tests for improved
resistance management and treatment strategies.
This year, in vitro molecular and biochemical techniques
have been employed, promoting substantial progress,
particularly concerning the contribution of metabolic
pathways to acaricide resistance.
In August 2008, the group participated in the fi rst
ever national scabies meeting in Darwin. The meeting
brought together scabies experts from fi ve different
institutions across Australia and highlighted the need
for a multidisciplinary approach to battle scabies.
Topics addressed included public health, clinical,
molecular, genetic, immunological and veterinary
aspects of the disease.
The group is also participating in several international
collaborative research projects including work on
anthelmintic resistance, the effect of various antiretroviral
regimens on the incidence of malaria, and on malaria
control in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Collaborations with QIMR’s Molecular Immunology and
Bacterial Vaccines Laboratories are bringing a Group
A Streptococcus vaccine to Phase 1 clinical trial and
developing a live malaria parasite stock for human
challenge studies and vaccine development.
This laboratory investigates how parasites such as the
malaria parasite, hookworm, threadworm and scabies
cause disease and how they become resistant to drugs
used to treat them. The group also identifi es new drugs
and drug targets, and develops novel diagnostic techniques.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 63
The Helminth Biology Laboratory explores the
molecular basis of host-parasite interactions, with
a particular emphasis on the proteins secreted by
parasitic helminths and their effi cacy as vaccines
and novel therapeutics for autoimmune disorders.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
HELMINTH BIOLOGYLaboratory Head: Dr Alex Loukas
HIGHLIGHTS
• Showed that human hookworm infection can
suppress pathology of celiac disease in a clinical trial.
• Identifi ed granulin as a growth factor secreted by
parasitic liver fl ukes that causes host cells to multiply
and establish a carcinogenic environment.
• Generated neutralising antibodies against the Na-
APR-1 human hookworm vaccine antigen and used
these antigens to make soluble chimeras for clinical
development.
• Characterised the secretomes of hookworms and
liver fl ukes using proteomics.
This group has identifi ed effi cacious recombinant
vaccines for the two major blood-feeding helminth
parasites of humans (schistosomes and hookworms)
and both are under clinical development. Funding
has been secured from the Sabin Vaccine Institute
to develop the Sm-TSP-2 schistosomiasis vaccine
and take it into clinical trials. Proteomics are being
used to characterise the secretomes of hookworms,
schistosomes and liver fl ukes for antigen discovery and
the search for novel therapeutics.
A clinical trial with gastroenterologist colleagues to
assess the ability of hookworms to suppress infl ammation
in celiac disease was recently completed. Mouse models
of celiac disease and infl ammatory bowel diseases are
also being developed to assess the therapeutic
potential of hookworm secreted proteins. The group
is actively searching for proteins secreted by liver
fl ukes that cause biliary cells to proliferate and establish
a pro-tumourigenic environment.
This year, Dr Alex Loukas became Editor-in-Chief of
the International Journal for Parasitology, the highest
ranked journal devoted to publishing research articles
exclusively dealing with parasitology.
Histological section showing the human liver fl uke, Opisthorchis viverrini,
in the bile duct of an experimentally infected hamster. Orange staining
highlights Ov-GRN-1, a growth factor secreted by the parasite into the host
bile ducts where it causes proliferation of cholangiocytes.
64 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
HIV MOLECULAR VIROLOGYLaboratory Head: Associate Professor David Harrich
• Found that phosphorylated reverse transcriptase
isoforms are prominent during the infection process.
• Showed that cell factors stimulate HIV-1 Late DNA
synthesis in vitro.
• Showed that the repressor of reverse transcription,
a novel RNA element, is critical for optimal HIV-1
replication.
• Determined that the protein arginine
methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) regulates the steady
state level of Tat in cells.
• Showed that a mutant form of Tat (an important HIV
protein) is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 replication.
HIV is the cause of acquired immunodefi ciency
syndrome (AIDS) for which there is no cure or effective
protective vaccine. There are currently 25 million
infected people worldwide and approximately two million
new infections yearly. People living with HIV/AIDS have
access to antiretroviral drugs that can stop HIV growth
and which have decreased the fatal consequence of
infection. Many infected people have lived with HIV for
more than 20 years. Unfortunately, HIV is able to rapidly
mutate so that antiretroviral drugs are no longer effective.
This laboratory studies the HIV life cycle at the molecular
level and seeks to fi nd new means to stop virus growth
through a detailed analysis of virus interaction with
the host cell and is particularly interested in how cellular
proteins facilitate synthesis of viral DNA. To this end,
the group has devised a novel test that can be used
to identify cellular factors required for HIV growth.
Their experiments show that an important HIV protein
called Tat is stabilised in cells by a cellular protein
called PRMT6.
The group also investigated how viral factors facilitate
the infection process and made two new discoveries.
Firstly, they devised a way to dramatically slow HIV
growth using a mutated viral protein, and secondly,
disrupted virus replication by targeting a novel repressor
of HIV DNA synthesis. These projects will potentially
result in novel means to stop virus growth in people
living with HIV/AIDS.
HIGHLIGHTS
The principal focus in this laboratory is detailed
analysis of HIV replication. This includes the processes
by which HIV is able to convert its genetic material,
composed of RNA, into a form compatible with human
DNA. Elucidating the role of viral and cellular factors in
regulating HIV replication is a primary goal.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 65
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
MALARIA BIOLOGYLaboratory Head: Dr Donald Gardiner
HIGHLIGHTS
• Determined the crystal structure of the M1
aminopeptidase from Plasmodium falciparum.
• Identifi ed REX1 as a vital component of
P. falciparum maurers clefts.
• Developed a FACS-based assay system to
measure the effect of antimalarial drugs on
P. falciparum gametocytes.
Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and
mortality worldwide with between one and two million
deaths per annum directly attributable to this disease.
The Malaria Biology Laboratory has several ongoing
projects which focus on rational drug targeting and novel
intervention strategies.
Production of sexual stages or gametocytes is essential
for transmission of the malaria parasite through the mosquito
vector but little is known about this life cycle stage.
This group is examining the effect of antimalarial drugs
on gametocytes and looking at basic gametocyte
biology with a particular focus on potential intervention
strategies.
In collaboration with colleagues at University of
Technology Sydney, aminopeptidases have been shown
as promising drug targets. Currently these enzymes
are being characterised and the activity of specifi cally
designed inhibitors investigated in vitro and in vivo.
The antimalarial activity of the APIs continue to be
investigated, both alone and in combination with
other drugs. Recent evidence suggests that these
drugs target an uncharacterised P. falciparum aspartic
protease. The group plans to determine the function and
structure of this enzyme so that new inhibitors, that are
both potent and specifi c, can be developed.
This laboratory uses transgenic approaches to
investigate antimalarial drug targets, mechanisms
of antimalarial drug action and antimalarial drug
resistance. These studies are essential in the current
era of multi-drug resistant (MDR) malaria parasites.
66 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
HIGHLIGHTS
• Characterised parasites used to test the performance
of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and analysed
the results of product testing for the WHO-FIND Malaria
Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) Evaluation Program.
• Identifi ed and characterised Plasmodium falciparum
parasites that lack genes that encode antigens
targeted by malaria RDTs, a fi nding which has
profound implications in the selection of malaria
RDTs for malaria control and elimination.
• Simulated multiple P. falciparum control and
elimination strategies using a mathematical model to
help identify the likely impact of these strategies in
different regions.
• Investigated the phenomenon of parasite dormancy
following exposure to artemisinin drugs and defi ned
the duration and recovery rates in parasites with
different genetic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated that chromosomal rearrangements
occur frequently around the pfmdr1 locus following
the development of parasite resistance to artelinic
acid in vitro.
• Worked with the Pacifi c Malaria Initiative Support
Centre (PACMISC) at The University of Queensland
(UQ) to conduct molecular epidemiological surveys in
Tanna Island, Vanuatu and Santa Cruz Islands in the
Solomon Islands.
As part of the WHO-FIND Malaria RDT Evaluation
Program, parasites used for product testing have been
characterised and data obtained from round one of the
product testing analysed. Test results provided a direct
comparison of the performance of malaria RDTs under
laboratory conditions - a valuable tool for countries
and agencies to make informed choices. Filed parasites
from South America lacking genes encoding antigens
that are often targeted by malaria RDTs have also been
identifi ed. This also has important implications in the
selection of effective malaria RDTs.
This laboratory is investigating the possible causes of
treatment failure when artemisinin derivatives are used
alone for the treatment of malaria. One hypothesis is that
the parasite arrests its growth following exposure to the
artemisinin drugs and the group has demonstrated that
this is plausible. Frequent chromosomal rearrangements
have also been observed around the pfmdr1 locus
in parasites resistant to artelinic acid. This may be an
important mechanism used by the parasite to develop
resistance to this class of drugs.
A stochastic simulation model of malaria transmission
has been used to investigate the long-term outcomes
of different intervention strategies. The fi ndings will have
signifi cant impact on the global malaria control and
elimination.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
MALARIA DRUG RESISTANCE
AND CHEMOTHERAPYLaboratory Head: Dr Qin Cheng
This laboratory studies the mechanisms and factors
infl uencing the development and spread of drug
resistance in malaria parasites, and investigates ways to
improve the diagnosis and treatment of malaria.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 67
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
MOLECULAR GENETICSLaboratory Head: Associate Professor Peter Upcroft
This laboratory works on the three most medically
important anaerobic protozoan parasites, the sexually
transmitted Trichomonas vaginalis, the intestinal parasite
Giardia duodenalis and invasive Entamoeba histolytica.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Developed new lead compounds from previous
research on novel nitroimidazoles to bypass drug
resistance in anaerobic protozoa.
• Used click chemistry to generate fourth and fi fth
generation novel nitroimidazoles that are over 300
times more potent than previous nitroimidazoles and
are nontoxic and nonmutagenic. Over 1000 new
compounds have been generated and are at various
stages of evaluation.
• Mapped major chromosomes of Giardia duodenalis
chromosomes using DNA probes specifi c for
individual NotI –cleaved chromosome segments,
and corrected assembly errors generated by solely
computer-utilised whole genome sequencing
approaches, thereby resolving anomalies between
published putative chromosome sizes.
The protozoan parasites Giardia and Trichomonas are
susceptible to the 5-nitroimidazole drug, metronidazole.
This laboratory has developed resistance against a
highly effective new 5-nitroimidazole, C17, in several
Giardia isolates. The C17-resistant parasites proved
to be far more resistant to metronidazole than any line
previously developed. This mechanism of super cross-
resistance is being rigorously pursued.
The key proteins involved in activation of the prodrug
metronidazole to its toxic state are pyruvate ferredoxin
oxidoreductase (PFOR) and ferredoxin (Fd). There are
2 PFOR genes in the Giardia genome database. This
group has determined that only pure PFOR (PFOR1)
is responsible for metronidazole activation. The group
therefore concluded that PFOR1 is a member of a
membrane complex and that the characteristics of the
PFOR1 enzyme varies according to the state of the
complex, such that different substrates can be used
by the enzyme in the complex. The signifi cance of this
fi nding to mechanisms of drug resistance and enzyme
substrate specifi city in Giardia is being pursued.
There are fi ve major chromosomes in the Giardia duodenalis
genome, ranging in size from 1.5-3.8 Mb, and until now no
sequence map has been compiled. Prior to the release
of the Giardia genome sequence, this laboratory compiled
maps of chromosome-specifi c NotI segments. They are
now able to confi rm these maps by correlating sequences
of chromosome specifi c probes identifying the NotI
segments with scaffold sequences in GiardiaDB, the Giardia
genome sequence database. Scaffolds have been
assigned to all chromosomes, errors in scaffold construction
identifi ed and solutions proposed to some of the issues,
exemplifying the value of multiple approaches to
understanding genome organisation.
68 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
MOLECULAR PARASITOLOGYLaboratory Head: Professor Don McManus
• Completed a draft genomic sequence for
Schistosoma japonicum, which is the fi rst reported
for any fl atworm, indeed for any member of the
superphylum Lophotrochozoa which includes the
platyhelmith worms, annelids and molluscs.
• Showed that buffaloes are the major reservoir
hosts of human schistosomiasis in southern China,
reinforcing the rationale for the development and
deployment of a transmission blocking anti-S.
japonicum vaccine targeting bovines.
• Continued the development of a transmission
blocking vaccine in dogs against hydatid disease.
Schistosomiasis
This laboratory monitored the preventive effects of the
anti-malarial drug artemether against S. japonicum
infection in humans, including the effectiveness
of combined artemether and praziquantel treatment.
The group developed and tested several schistosome
vaccine candidate molecules for blocking transmission
in buffaloes. A mathematical model of S. japonicum
transmission was validated and used to predict the
impact of interventions, particularly vaccination. The group
continued to work on the environmental and genetic
factors involved in predisposed schistosome infection,
and also analysis of the molecular and cellular mechanisms
leading to chronic disease in schistosomiasis.
The laboratory completed a draft genomic DNA
sequence for S. japonicum. This landmark research will
have major implications for understanding the biology
and evolution of schistosomes and for identifying new
targets for vaccination and diagnosis.
Echinococcosis
Work on echinococcosis included the continuation of
major fi eld and epidemiological studies in China, and as
well as further successful vaccination trials in China against
echinococcosis in dog defi nitive hosts. This is important,
because it provides further proof that vaccination of the
dog host against Echinococcus granulosus is feasible
using recombinantly-derived proteins and that this
approach can be developed as an important intervention
for the control of hydatid disease.
This laboratory researches the biology, pathogenesis and
epidemiology of parasitic worms that infect humans with
the aim of developing new public health interventions,
including vaccines, and diagnostic procedures that will
lead to their elimination through integrated control.
HIGHLIGHTS
A mated pair of
Schistosoma
mansoni blood fl ukes
at approximately
x265 magnifi cation
(photomicrograph
by David Scharf).
Reprinted by
permission from
Macmillan Publishers
Ltd: Nature 460,
7253 (16 July 2009)
Cover.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 69
• Determined the impact of householder behaviours
in use of rainwater tanks and other water storage
containers in south east Queensland and the
potential for increased habitat for mosquito larvae.
• Mitigated dengue risk in areas in southern
Vietnam through the use of community-based
biological control interventions to control immature
Aedes aegypti.
• Showed that a Wolbachia endosymbiont blocks
susceptibility of Ae. aegypti to the dengue virus.
• Characterised important age-related changes in
protein abundance in Ae. aegypti.
Research has focused on defi ning and improving
current and future arboviral disease threats in Australia
and Asia. Aedes aegypti, the global mosquito vector
of dengue viruses, is widespread in Queensland but
not in Brisbane. Recently, drought and subsequent
water restrictions have led to signifi cant changes in
householder behaviours regarding water conservation.
In south-east Queensland this group found that 45 to 57
percent of households had one or more rainwater tanks,
and 25 to 32 percent of households stored water
in other containers, which in some areas accounted
for 30 percent of the larval mosquito population. This
increase in household water storages is a potential
public health threat as it provides a habitat for Ae.
aegypti in urban areas.
In rural areas in Vietnam, signifi cant progress has been
made in mitigating dengue risk through the use of
community-based biological control interventions to
control immature Ae. aegypti. Important age-related
changes in protein abundance in Ae. Aegypti have
also been defi ned. This work will form the basis of
future fi eld-deployable assays to measure insect age
and thereby provide better estimates of pathogen
transmission risk and also to evaluate interventions that
aim to reduce adult mosquito longevity.
HIGHLIGHTS
Dr Tim Hurst from the Mosquito Control Laboratory samples for mosquito
larvae in a suburban Brisbane backyard as part of a large scale survey to
evaluate the impact of changes in water storage patterns on local mosquito
populations and future receptivity to exotic dengue mosquitoes.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
MOSQUITO CONTROLLaboratory Head: Dr Peter Ryan
Research in the Mosquito Control Laboratory focuses on
the biology and control of mosquito-borne viruses such
as dengue, Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.
70 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
PARASITE CELL BIOLOGYLaboratory Head: Dr Malcolm Jones
• Completed the fi rst comprehensive description of
mechanisms controlling the hatching biology of
schistosome eggs.
• Characterised the functions of a novel ferric
reductase of schistosomes demonstrating its location
in the parasite tegument.
• Provided the basis of a tissue-specifi c gene atlas for
Schistosoma japonicum.
Disease in schistosomiasis arises from host responses
to parasite eggs that have been entrapped in tissues.
Research in this newly formed laboratory has focused on
the biology of the egg, investigating how it provokes the
immune response that leads to chronic disease and how
it is equipped for survival both within and outside of the
human host.
A comprehensive structural and dynamic imaging
analysis of the eggs was completed, resulting in a model
of the molecular interactions that lead to emergence
of the parasite from the egg. A major focus of this
laboratory and others in recent years has been to
provide a transcriptional profi le of specifi c tissues of
schistosomes so the roles of many uncharacterised
proteins in parasite biology and host interactions can
be understood.
By use of the methods of laser microdissection
microscopy and microarray analysis, this group has
completed a major investigation of the tissue-specifi c
expression patterns of female schistosomes, uncovering
novel parasite molecules that are currently being
investigated as vaccine targets.
The Parasite Cell Biology Laboratory researches three
specifi c parasites: schistosomes, the hydatid tapeworm
Echinococcus granulosus and the malaria parasite
Plasmodium, particularly their host interactions which can
be exploited in control strategies.
HIGHLIGHTS
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 71
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
PROTEIN DISCOVERY CENTRELaboratory Head: Professor Jeff Gorman
• Demonstrated that the latent Dioxin receptor is
highly post-translationally modifi ed and that these
modifi cations are substantially shed upon activation
of this transcription factor by xenobiotics and
developmental stimuli.
• Characterised the interaction between the ankyrin
subdomain of the transcription factor Notch and
the enzyme (FIH) that also hydroxylates the hypoxia
regulating transcription factor, hypoxia inducible
factor (HIF).
• Identifi ed cellular antiviral response proteins, including
interferon induced proteins, that are suppressed by
the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) non-structural
protein NS1 and the viral attachment protein (G) in
order for the virus to evade cellular defense mechanisms.
• Identifi ed dramatic differences in breast cancer cell
phenotypes.
• Detected suppression of the host cell TNF-alpha
pathway by RSV using a proteomic profi ling/
arraying protocol.
The QIMR Protein Discovery Centre (PDC) is a specialty
node of the national proteomics consortium, Proteomics
Australia. Its role is to provide Australian researchers
collaborative access to specialist proteomics capabilities
in the fi elds of analysis of post-translational modifi cation
and infectious disease agents.
This year, the Centre became involved in major activities
involving the serious paediatric respiratory pathogen,
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in collaboration with
Dr Kirsten Spann of the Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus
Research Centre and Dr Peter Collins from the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the US
National Institutes of Health. Another major focus has
been on regulation of signal activated transcription
factors by post-translational modifi cation pathways in
collaboration with Drs Murray Whitelaw and Daniel Peet
from The University of Adelaide. Strong collaborations
have been forged with Professor John Bateman of The
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute involving the
proteomic analysis of cartilage development and disease.
At QIMR, a series of in-house collaborations have
commenced involving identifi cation of biomarkers
of mosquito age, identifi cation of serum biomarkers
for the classifi cation of chronic bowel diseases and
characterisation of the phenotype of breast cancer cells.
The Centre has invested in the latest mass spectrometry
hardware and recently commissioned the fi rst Thermo
MALDI-Orbitrap mass spectrometer in Australia and
the fi rst Bruker ultra high-performance ESI-Qq-TOF
instrument in the Asia-Pacifi c region. The latest advance
in gas-phase fragmentation technologies has also been
installed on the existing ESI-Orbitrap instrument. These
innovations have already contributed to achievements
refl ected in this year’s research highlights.
The Protein Discovery Centre aims to discover
the identities of proteins involved in or affected
by physiological and disease processes and the
infl uence of post-translational modifi cations on
the ways proteins function and interact.
HIGHLIGHTS
72 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
SCABIESLaboratory Head: Professor Dave Kemp
• Found that scabies mite inactivated serine protease
paralogs (SMIPP-Ss) inhibit all three complement
pathways independently and that they inhibit at the
start of each cascade by binding to C1q, MBL and
properdin.
• Determined that scabies mite serpins and cysteine
proteases also inhibit human complement.
• Showed that these scabies mite molecules enhance
GAS growth in bactericidal assays and thus directly
demonstrating a major causal link between the
biology of scabies and associated streptococcal
infections.
In collaboration with researchers from Monash University,
this laboratory determined high resolution structures for
two SMIPPs and studied their binding properties. All
SMIPPs that were tested have been shown to inhibit
complement, and because the gut of the mite contains
plasma, complement may be the central target of
SMIPPs. With the group’s Swedish collaborators, it was
confi rmed that SMIPP-Ss inhibit all three complement
pathways independently. It was shown that they inhibit
at the start of each cascade and that they bind to C1q
and MBL and possibly to C3b and properdin. This work
will be followed up in a PhD thesis.
This year, the importance of complement inhibition has
been signifi cantly reinforced by the discovery that the
products of two other scabies mite multigene families
that are found in the mite gut and faeces also inhibit
complement. This group has found that scabies mite
cysteine proteases and scabies mite serpins also inhibit
the complement cascade, both acting on different steps
to that of the SMIPPs.
In collaboration with the Bacterial Pathogenesis
Laboratory, it was demonstrated that all of these inhibitors
of complement result in enhanced growth of Group A
Streptococci in the presence of antibody and complement.
Hence, a molecular basis for the long-observed link
between scabies infestation and streptococcal infection
appears to have fi nally been found.
Work in this laboratory concentrates on the control of
diseases caused by the scabies mite, Sarcoptes scabiei.
HIGHLIGHTS
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 73nunuanuuauauauaaaual l RRl Rl RRRRRl eeee rtrt 222QQQQQIMIMMRIMRMRIMM - AAAAAAAnAnnnAnAnA AAAAAAAAAAAnAAAAAAAAA nnnnnnn 200200200000 8-2-2222228 2222000000000 •••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••• 33333333333333333333333333
Scabies remains a truly neglected
infectious disease despite its
prevalence in Australian Indigenous
populations. I love that our research
may possibly provide the way forward
to new approaches to control scabies
and associated infections. Research
is driven by curiosity and creativity;
hence it is very rarely boring.
Dr Katja Fischer
Scabies Laboratory
Infectious Diseases Division
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA nnnn • •••• • 0009009090009 ••••••••• 7777777373777377737333737373737737377737737373737737377373737333RRReeepoepoe ort rt 2RRRRReeepoepee rtrt 2222 QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 73
JOINT RESEARCH
74 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 75
JOINT RESEARCH
AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL
TROPICAL HEALTH (ACITH)
The Australian Centre for International and Tropical
Health (ACITH) is an Australian Government funded
teaching and research collaboration. Established in
1995 as joint venture with The University of
Queensland’s Faculty of Health Sciences and QIMR,
the ACITH aims to improve the health of populations
in Australia and internationally through excellence in
education, research and service.
Public health education and research capacity has
improved nationally with the instigation of the Public
Health Education and Research Program (PHERP) in
1987. However, amidst the current economic times,
it was not surprising that this program will not be
renewed for a fi fth fi ve year phase from 1 January 2011.
Nevertheless, the new Director of ACITH, Professor
Maxine Whittaker, has indicated that the strong
collaborative relationship between The University of
Queensland’s Faculty of Health Sciences and QIMR
should continue, albeit under a new model.
The intent of PHERP was to build the national capacity
to address public health emergencies; provide evidence
based research to inform policy; promote networking
and collaboration in priority areas of chronic, emerging
infectious diseases and Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander health; and ensure a strong output of graduates
in public health.
In 2008, ACITH produced 65 graduates through The
University of Queensland’s School of Population Health
(SPH), and 15 PhD graduates. It provided professional
development courses to government and industry
through SPH short courses on biostatistics, and
partnerships involving mosquito control and arbovirus
surveillance in Queensland and China.
One highlight was the growth of the Pacifi c Malaria
Initiative Support Centre, a collaborative arrangement
between SPH, QIMR and the Army Medical Institute,
funded by AusAID. The program focuses on three
priority areas of program management: teaching and
training; technical assistance and operational research
in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Using $1.8 million from PHERP as leverage, ACITH
reported $5.1 million of government audited and
$90 million of additional grant holdings in 2008. These
funds fuel research and facilitate the development of
Australian networks such as the Queensland Tropical
Health Alliance and the Griffi th Medical Research
College, both of which continue to be important to
both Australia and its regional partners.
In 2009, QIMR’s Professor Brian Kay chaired an
Expert Working Group under the banner of the Prime
Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council.
The report Epidemics in a Changing World listed
capacity building, interpretative skills, forward regional
engagement and cross-portfolio networking as
essential elements.
In August, Professor Kay was invested with the “Memorabilia of Peoples’ Health” medal by the
Ministry of Health, Vietnam for his outstanding and sustained contribution to dengue control.
76 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
JOINT RESEARCH
AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR VACCINE
DEVELOPMENT (ACVD)
The Australian Centre for Vaccine Development (ACVD)
is dedicated to providing advanced training; developing
novel technology platforms to enhance the effi cacy of
existing vaccines; and to formulating the next generation
of vaccines aimed primarily towards infectious diseases
and human malignancies. This is achieved through
collaborative links between research and manufacturing
laboratories at QIMR and international institutions.
During 2008-2009, a new Queensland-US Vaccine
Technology Alliance Program was established.
This will combine expertise from ACVD and the Emory
Vaccine Centre (EVC) at Emory University in Atlanta. The
alliance was recently awarded a three-year grant of $1.8
million from the Smart Futures Fund of the Queensland
National and International Research Alliances Program.
Additional funding has been provided by QIMR and
the Emory University, with total project funding from all
sources equalling $8.5 million over three years.
By expanding existing academic and research links,
the ACVD and EVC plan to establish an internationally
recognised vaccine research program and develop
intellectual capital in the area of vaccine technologies.
The aim is to develop novel vaccines for infectious
diseases such as glandular fever, malaria, HIV and
cytomegalovirus as well as cancers such as brain
cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and melanoma. It will also
focus on developing immune-based cellular therapies
for human cancers and infectious complications in
transplant patients.
Scientists working at the ACVD made a number
of seminal contributions towards vaccine and
immunotherapy development including:
• Development of a peptide-based vaccine to prevent
EBV-associated glandular fever.
• Major progress on the development of a Group A
Streptococcus (GAS) vaccine.
• Development of Phase I clinical studies aimed at
testing novel immune-based therapies for human
cancers (e.g. nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin’s
lymphoma, post-transplant lymphomas, glioblastoma,
and prostate cancer).
• Completion of Phase III testing of novel anti-cancer
drug PEP005.
• Development of novel diagnostic tools to
predict viral diseases in transplant patients and
immunocompromised individuals (e.g. HIV patients).
• Signing of collaborative agreements with international
biotechnology companies to co-develop vaccines for
infectious diseases and virus-associated cancers.
• Description of critical characteristics of breast cancer
stem cells identifi ed in established breast cancer
cell lines.
• Identifi cation of antigens expressed in breast
cancer stem cells.
• Demonstrated decreased T-cell reactivity to Epstein-
Barr virus-infected cells in multiple sclerosis patients.
• Demonstrated that peptides of up to 25 amino acids
in length can bind to class I molecules.
• Established a protein microarray core at QIMR.
• Identifi ed regional differences in P. falciparum
proteome-wide antibody reactivity between
populations in Papua New Guinea and Africa.
• Identifi ed host molecules that mediate parasite
accumulation in tissue sites during experimental
cerebral malaria.
• Discovered a method to alter malaria-specifi c T-cell
responses generated in response to vaccination so
that they do not cause disease.
• Developed a way to enhance T-cell activation during
visceral leishmaniasis to improve disease outcome by
activating a molecule called GITR.
• Discovered a way to modulate T-cell responses
to prevent experimental cerebral malaria using
interleukin-2.
• Complete genome sequencing of Schistosoma
japonicum as part of an international consortium.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 77
78 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
JOINT RESEARCH
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE
FOR ABORIGINAL HEALTH (CRCAH)
The Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health
(CRCAH) is Australia’s only national Aboriginal-led health
research organisation and brings together the Aboriginal
health sector, government health agencies and research
institutions. Established in 2003, it is governed by an
Aboriginal-majority board with representation from 12
core partners of which QIMR is one. Its vision is one of
sustained improvements in Aboriginal health through
strategic research and development.
QIMR is an active partner through in-kind contributions
to research, research transfer activities, student
research, education and training activities, capacity
development activities, administration and meetings.
Projects which involve QIMR include:
• Research towards vaccines in scabies and Group
A Streptococcus and its associated diseases –
rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
• Investigations into chronic suppurative lung disease
(CSLD) and bronchiectasis.
• Cancer research.
The CRCAH continues to support Aboriginal students
studying at QIMR through scholarships and the
Institute is an important part of the Centre’s educational
and training program. The Board and Executive of the
CRCAH are currently seeking a fi ve year extension
of funding under the Australian Government’s CRC
Program to continue the valuable work when current
funding ends in 2010. Concurrent with this application,
the CRCAH is seeking government and private sector
support to establish a more permanent independent
National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Health Research to ensure a legacy post
CRC Program funding.
The Griffi th Medical Research College (GMRC) is a
joint initiative of Griffi th University (GU) and QIMR. It
aims to promote collaboration between researchers of
both organisations. The GMRC is headed by Professor
Michael Good with committee members Professor
Gillian Bushell and Professor Lyn Griffi ths from GU and
Dr Greg Anderson and Dr Alex Loukas from QIMR.
GMRC Committee member Professor Lesley Johnson
retired in 2009 and will be sadly missed. Her vision and
commitment have been integral to the success of the
college since its establishment in 2004. In April, the
GMRC welcomed the new Griffi th University Deputy
Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Ned Pankhurst,
as her replacement.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The award of over $100,000 in collaborative seed
funding grants to QIMR and GU researchers to study
cancer and other human diseases.
• Dr Scott Burrows from QIMR was awarded an ARC
Discovery Project entitled Noncanonical epitope
recognition by CD8+ T lymphocytes?
• Dr Charlene Willis was awarded a three year NHMRC
Biomedical Australian Fellowship to research haemolysins
and haemoglobinases as anti-hookworm vaccines.
• GMRC members participated in the GU Gold Coast
Health and Medical Research Congress in December,
2008 which included a GMRC Colloquium session.
• 65 faculty and students from the QIMR and various GU
Schools and Centres attended a GMRC Retreat in April
2009 at The Ship Inn on the GU South Bank campus.
GRIFFITH MEDICAL RESEARCH
COLLEGE (GMRC)
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 79
JOINT RESEARCH
Q-PHARM
Q-Pharm conducts early phase clinical trials of
pharmaceutical and biotechnology products across
the areas of therapeutic, diagnostic and disease
prevention agents. It offers the best appointed early
phase clinical trials facilities in Australasia which include
recruitment and outpatient clinics, a specialised 18-bed
clinic for the conduct of the most medically demanding
trials and an open plan 24 bed facility for larger healthy
volunteer trials.
Q-Pharm concluded its seventh year of trading as a
private company on 30 June 2009. The 2008/2009
fi nancial year saw the company consolidate its
fi nancial position during a period of turbulence for the
pharmaceutical industry. Gross revenue from operations
grew from the previous year in line with the budget
forecast and the company traded profi tably following
a modest trading loss in the previous year. The domestic
and international bioequivalence markets provided better
than forecast revenues and a strategic alliance with
TetraQ continued to position the alliance partners at
the forefront of these markets.
Steady growth and service diversifi cation have continued
in early phase trials which now account for 75% of
revenue. The continued growth in clients from the United
States, particularly the bay area of California, is the
result of concerted business development activities in
this region.
Q-Pharm continues to play a leading role as a member
of the Queensland Clinical Trials Network and has been
actively involved in promoting both the company’s
and Queensland’s capabilities at various national and
international conferences.
The refurbishment of Level 6 of Block 8 at the RBWH
was completed in February 2009. Q-Pharm has secured
tenancy in Block 8 until 2013 and this will provide the
company with excellent clinical facilities through the
period of the SSMRC building project. Q-Pharm is
extremely appreciative of the signifi cant support of QIMR
for occupancy of this facility.
80 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
CORPORATE
Left to right: Sarah-Jane
Matthews, Doug Evans,
Margaret Stromberg,
Andrew van der Beek,
Margie O’Hara, Lynn Lin,
Glen Cunningham, Joan
Whybird and Keith Dry
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 81
It has been another busy and productive year for the
Corporate Division. The focus has been on improving
the level of service provided to our research staff
through examining current systems and processes.
Funding has been secured for the new Smart State
Medical Research Centre. Members of the Corporate
Division have been heavily involved in the design and
development of the new facility. This new suite of
laboratory spaces will meet the needs of researchers
particularly in the areas of cellular analysis and imaging,
genetic and protein analysis and preparation of
histological specimens.
The capital expansion marks a new era for QIMR and
all staff look forward to completion late 2011.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
This year the Safety Committee held 11 meetings and
reviewed 607 applications.
An online induction and training system was introduced,
including four units of competency in laboratory safety,
non-laboratory safety, radiation safety awareness and
fi re and emergency evacuation.
Changes to waste management procedures were
implemented to reduce hazards associated with the
handling of biological and chemical waste and to ensure
a safe transition of services during onsite building works.
BUILDING SERVICES
The building management system continues to be
upgraded using additional funds secured from the
Health Department’s Asset Management Unit. Relocation
of restructured departments and modifi cations within
the Bancroft Centre, including the insectary, have been
completed.
REGULATORY AFFAIRS
Approximately 17% of the QIMR Human Research
Ethics Committee (HREC) workload has been associated
with commercially sponsored clinical trials.
The QIMR Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) and QIMR
staff were commended by the Queensland Department
of Primary Industries and Fisheries audit team for
compliance with the Australian Code of Practice for
the Care and Use of Animals for Scientifi c Purposes.
QIMR procedures and practices in animal welfare were
considered to be at the forefront of systems available
in Queensland.
SCIENTIFIC SERVICES
The Scientifi c Services group is responsible for the
provision of research support in key operational areas
and specialist facilities, including high-quality reagents
and consumable, sterile glassware, the care of animals
used as research models and core research facilities.
The QIMR Equipment Committee facilitated the purchase
of a range of equipment with funding from both QIMR
core funds and the NHMRC Standard Equipment Grant.
These included a FujiFilm STARION Imager and
Molecular Devices Axon GenPix Scanner, both of which
will be used in protein analysis; an upgrade to the
Aperio ScanScope Pathology Slide Imager and a Roche
xCELLigence Cell Analysis System for use in analysing
cell morphologies; and a MassArray Liquid Handling
Robot and an upgrade to the Agilent Microarray
Scanner to cope with demand for high throughput
genetic analysis.
A dedicated group of corporate staff provide the
support services required by QIMR scientists, enabling
them to perform world class research. General Manager Dr Julie-Anne Tarr
82 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
CORPORATE SERVICES The Corporate Services team continues to support
researchers in their scientifi c endeavours by delivering
the necessary corporate requirements to meet
statutory obligations and providing stewardship and
management of major services to the Institute. These
include Finance, Grants Administration, Information
Technology, Purchasing, Human Resources, Records
and Information Services including library services and
Business Development including the commercialisation
of intellectual property.
It has been a busy year for Corporate Services, with a
major focus on improving core business systems.
• A new web-based Web Reporting Suite has been
developed in-house. It is rich in functionality and
provides scientists and managers with more timely
and detailed fi nancial information to help manage
their research projects.
• A major project to evaluate, select and implement
a new human resources system and replacement
of the Institute’s payroll and fundraising software
systems is underway. This will continue into the
2009-10 year.
• Signifi cant upgrades to computer software and
hardware have taken place across the Institute,
including the latest version of Microsoft Offi ce,
upgrade of the PABX system, implementation of a
new ITIL compliant I.T. help desk system, data and
printer migrations to new platforms and deployment
of a new I.T. antivirus solution.
• A new online library system to improve access by
staff to research materials has been developed and
implemented.
• Restructuring of the purchasing and logistics
functions will provide a more effi cient service
to researchers and staff. This has provided a
commercially enhanced procurement function in
preparation for the expansion of the Institute.
• The Finance and Grants departments have been
separated. This has facilitated the subsequent
building of the Grants Administration team into a
specialised function with capacity to proactively
support individual scientists across their portfolio of
grants. In addition, the Payroll department has been
merged with the Human Resources department.
• A new Human Resources Manager and Human
Resources Adviser have been recruited in order
to build professional human resource skills in
the Institute and to prepare for expansion and
recruitment of an additional 400 scientists and
support staff over the next few years.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 83
QIMR PATENTS
PATENT INVENTOR NUMBER
Patent Families Managed By QIMR
Novel molecules Toni Antalis PCT/AU1995/00085
Immunogenic agent and pharmaceutical composition for use against
homologous and heterologous pathogens
Michael Good PCT/AU2004/00080
G-CSF derivative for inducing immunological tolerance Geoff Hill PCT/AU2004/00116
Polytope vaccines Andreas Suhrbier PCT/AU1995/00461
Synthetic peptides and vaccines comprising the same Michael Good PCT/AU1995/00681
Cytotoxic T-cell epitopes Denis Moss PCT/AU1995/00140
EBV CTL epitopes Rajiv Khanna PCT/AU1997/00328
CTL epitopes from EBV Scott Burrows PCT/AU1998/00531
EBV peptide epitopes, polyepitopes and delivery system therefore Rajiv Khanna PCT/AU2003/01451
Novel hCMV cytotoxic T cell epitopes, polyepitopes, composition comprising
same and diagnostic and prophylactic and therapeutics uses therefore
Rajiv Khanna PCT/AU/2002/0089
Human cytomegalovirus immunotherapy Rajiv Khanna PCT/AU2005/00178
Anchored MAP Istvan Toth PCT/AU199347154
Novel human ssDNA binding proteins and methods of cancer diagnosis Kum Kum Khanna PCT/AU2008/000181
Therapeutic antibodies, antibody fragments and antibody conjugates Michael Good US 11/950217
Synthetic chimeric peptides Michael Good US12/333222
Cancer drug targets and methods of diagnosis Andrew Boyd PCT/AU2009/000672
Methods of diagnosis of Infl ammatory bowel disease Graham Radford-Smith PCT/AU2009/000562
QIMR Patent Families Managed outside QIMR
Detection of genes Catherine Hyland PCT/AU1994/00506
Receptor ligand system and assay Andrew Boyd USA 7,037,662
Modulation of cell adhesion and tumour cell metastasis Andrew Boyd PCT/AU2004/000142
Flavivirus vaccine delivery system Andreas Suhrbier PCT/AU02/01598
Flavivirus replicon packaging system Andreas Suhrbier PCT/AU2004/000752
Flavivirus replicon delivery system Alex Khromykh PCT/AU98/00993
Flaviviral replicon constructs for tumour therapy Andreas Suhrbier PCT/AU2006/000198
A method for Treatment Andrew Boyd PCT/AU1999/00931
Differentiation modulating agents and uses therefore Johannes Prins PCT/AU2005/000008
A method of treatment and agents useful for same Geoff Hill PCT/AU02/01512
Treatment for EBV associated disease Denis Moss PCT/AU2006/001854
84 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
PATENT INVENTOR NUMBER
QIMR Patent Families Managed outside QIMR (continued)
Vaccine Michael Batzloff US 10/706,275
Melanoma-associated MHC Class 1 associated oligopeptide and its use Chris Schmidt PCT/EP2006/008533
Method for screening for anticancer agents Kum Kum Khanna PCT/GB2008/00330
A novel receptor-type tyrosine kinase and use therefore Andrew Boyd PCT/AU2006/55299B2
Patent Families Resulting from Contract Research Performed at QIMR
Use of angeloyl-substituted ingenones in combination with other agents to treat
cancer
Andreas Suhrbier PCT/AU2006/001700
Treatment of solid tumours Andreas Suhrbier PCT/AU2005/001827
Chaperonin 10 modulators of toll-like receptors inducible cytokine and cytokine
secretion
Andreas Suhrbier PCT/AU2005/000041
Therapeutic agents I Peter Parsons PCT/AU2001/00679
Therapeutic agents II Peter Parsons PCT/AU2001/00680
Therapeutic agents III Peter Parsons PCT/AU2001/00678
Patents Families Administered by QIMR as Trustee for the CRC-Vaccine Technology
T helper epitopes David Jackson PCT/AU00/00070
Expression of hydrophobic proteins Elizabeth Webb PCT/AU03/00910
Novel immunogenic lipopeptides comprising T-helper and cytotoxic T
lymphocyte (CTL) epitope
David Jackson PCT/AU03/01019
Novel immunogenic lipopeptides comprising T-helper and B-cell epitopes David Jackson PCT/AU03/0101
Truncated LHRH formulations David Jackson PCT/AU05/001383
Immunogenic molecules David Jackson PCT/AU06/000162
QIMR PATENTS (CONTINUED)
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 85
Q-GEN
It has been a year of critical changes at Q-Gen. After
extensive examination of the company’s operational
record, QIMR Council moved to return Q-Gen to its
original state as a research facility, rather than continue
into the more commercially orientated production
schedule embraced several years ago. The decision
also marked the conclusion of bioprocessing projects at
Q-Gen to focus only on cellular therapies, an area where
QIMR is building a solid track record.
Michael Gerometta joined Q-Gen as Chief Operating
Offi cer in April 2008 to preside over the transition period,
and Joanna Youngson took over a year later as Acting
Operations Manager to coordinate Q-Gen’s activities
as a fully integrated QIMR facility. Both staffi ng and
activity levels have decreased signifi cantly, however,
a new operating model will be implemented that will
accommodate an increasing number of research
projects from around Queensland and Australia under
the more focused banner of cell therapies. It is expected
that new projects will originate from QIMR research
laboratories as well as external institutions.
Currently, manufacturing of cellular vaccines for
two Phase I clinical trials is taking place. The trials
are based on research on adoptive immunotherapies
led by Drs Rajiv Khanna and Maher Gandhi.
A fi nancial commitment for both the research activities
and facility maintenance at Q-Gen has been received
from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure
Strategy (NCRIS) program via Research Infrastructure
Support Service (RISS Ltd). The Australian Red Cross
Blood Service has also provided advisory services under
the RISS subsidy scheme.
Q-Gen staff are working with various stakeholders to
develop a new strategy for the expansion of QIMR’s
cellular therapy activities and are working closely with
Regulatory Affairs, Safety and Building Services to
seamlessly integrate Q-Gen once again into the Institute.
86 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
The past year saw the creation of a new department
called External Relations which comprises the former
Development and Marketing Department, Science
Communication and Graphic Support Units.
The purpose of External Relations is to contribute to the
realisation of QIMR’s strategic goals by developing and
implementing communication, fundraising and marketing
strategies with the aim of protecting and strengthening
QIMR’s reputation and profi le; building relationships with
external stakeholders; and generating fundraising revenue.
Staff enthusiastically rose to the many challenges re-
structuring presents. This puts the department in good
stead for realising its 2009-2010 revenue targets and
communication objectives.
HIGHLIGHTS
• A comprehensive market research project
undertaken to better understand community
perceptions of QIMR and inform the communication
and fundraising effort.
• The initiation of a major project to re-develop the
QIMR website.
• A review and introduction of a new visual identity.
• An interactive display at Queensland’s annual show (Ekka).
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
The Science Communication Unit raised the awareness
of QIMR and its research through a range of community
and education programs. The ever-popular annual High
School Lecture Series attracted over 1400 senior
science students and their teachers from across South-
east Queensland. Speakers included the Queensland
Chief Scientist Professor Peter Andrew AO, QIMR
researchers, the Young Scientists of Australia (YSA
Brisbane) and the Griffi th Honours College.
Students from remote areas were able to participate
via a videoconference hook-up - 21 students, three
teachers from Mareeba, Atherton and Ravenshoe
schools in Far North Queensland, and later 20 students
from The Southport School.
Over 200 students from metropolitan and regional
schools toured our facilities and participated in hands
on research experiences. The QIMR High School Work
Experience Program saw over 60 Year 11-12 students
spend a week immersed in a lab working alongside our
world-class researchers.
Professor Emma Whitelaw participated in the Science-
in-Schools program, partnering with Clontarf Beach
State High School. Professor Whitelaw visited the school
twice through the year as well as hosting a class of
Year 11 students in her lab to participate in hands on
research activities.
Hoping to inspire the scientists of tomorrow, QIMR went
on display at the 2008 Ekka (Queensland’s annual show)
engaging with over 46,000 children and their parents
with an array of interactive science activities. Thank you
to the many researchers who volunteered their time to
participate in the display.
QIMR was given another signifi cant opportunity to
engage with the public when our patron the Queensland
Governor, Penelope Wensley, invited us to participate in
the annual Open Day at Government House in Brisbane.
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Our research facilities at Herston in Brisbane continue
to be a drawcard for community groups and service
organisations with more than 700 people touring our
laboratories over the past 12 months. A further 1,700
people learnt about QIMR from an address by our
Community Relations Offi cer to their group or club.
A free public lecture was held with a panel of QIMR
scientists speaking on research into mosquito borne
diseases. This was the fi rst of what we hope will be
regular series with plans for a skin cancer forum in
late 2009.
2008-2009 also saw the introduction of a quarterly
e-newsletter QIMR Link, showcasing QIMR’s many
research achievements and profi ling our outstanding
scientists.
Our efforts to inform the community about what we
do were boosted with national media coverage of a
number of research papers published in prestigious
scientifi c journals. Dr Louisa Gordon’s work on the
dangers of sunbeds, Dr Michael Batzloff’s trial vaccine
for Group A Streptococcus and Dr Naomi Wray’s study
on the genetics of schizophrenia were among the
papers that generated both Australian and international
media interest.
In April, the Corporate Division welcomed Ms Sarah
Tennant as its Science Communication Manager. Sarah
has an honours degree in Biotechnology, a Masters of
Environmental Science and Law as well as an extensive
background in science communication and education.
FUNDRAISING
A sincere thank you to everyone who has made a donation
to QIMR and helped support the important work of the
Institute. As a not-for-profi t organisation, QIMR relies on
community fundraising to maintain its position as a leading
medical research institute and to pioneer new research.
Like many charities, QIMR’s fundraising effort in the
2008-2009 fi nancial year was impacted by the global
fi nancial crisis. Thankfully supporting research remained
a priority for many loyal supporters including regular
donors; corporate partners such as Suncorp and
Xstrata; philanthropists Mr Clive Berghofer AM, and
Mrs Marno Parsons AM; and the planned givers who
kindly made provision for QIMR in their wills.
Medical research is an investment with long term
potential. The new treatments being developed can save
lives and potentially improve the health of all. Each year
QIMR acknowledges some extraordinary people whose
support of medical research has been outstanding and
who share QIMR’s vision and values. The recipients of
2008-2009 Ambassador Awards were: Muriel Comino,
Jean Conroy, Sunny Drescher, Betty Harrison, Pat King,
Beth McLary and Anne Stanton. Mrs Marno Parsons AM
was announced the winner of the QIMR Humanitarian
Award at the 2008 Derrick-Mackerras Memorial Lecture.
Mr Clive Berghofer AM continues to be a
major supporter of cancer research at QIMR
Medical research is an investment with long term
potential. The new treatments being developed can
save lives and potentially improve the health of all.
88 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
Another important source of funding is generated by
individuals and businesses who organise events for
which QIMR is the benefi ciary. QIMR is very appreciative
of their support and acknowledges their dedicated
efforts. They include: Sean Ryan (Knights of the Round
Table), Anne Stanton (Walking on Sunshine), Sunny
Drescher (Happy Face Cent Auctions), the staff of
Cellnet (Corporate Golf Day), the tenants of the Riverside
Centre (Corporate Golf Day), the Institutes friends at
Tattersall’s Club, the comedians from The Sit Down
Comedy Club who donate their services for the annual
Depression is not a laughing matter gala comedy night;
the staff at MBF who organise and attend the annual
Champer’s Ball; employees of Witchery Fashions
who sell pink ribbons throughout their Queensland
stores in support of the Institute; the organisers of the
RACQ Batteries All British Day and Del and Ron Fitton,
organisers of the Fitton Charity Race Day and Darling
Downs Equine Extravaganza in Toowoomba.
While many supporters live in Queensland, QIMR’s
donor community includes a number of people in Hong
Kong supporting the QIMR Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
clinical trial. In November 2008 Director Professor
Michael Good travelled to Hong Kong to update them
on progress of the research project.
Special thanks are extended to Suncorp who continue to be a major
corporate partner through their support of skin cancer research at QIMR
Professor Michael Good AO (left) with Mr Graeme Ewin Grand Master of the
United Grand Lodge of Queensland who presented a substantial cheque from
the Freemasons in 2007 to purchase a Delta Vision microscope for our cancer
research program. This state of the art microscope, only the second of its
kind in Australia, arrived to great excitement in early 2008.
Professor Michael Good AO with Mrs Marno Parsons AM, recipient of the
QIMR Humanitarian of the Year Award.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 89
QIMR thanks and acknowledges the support of the
following valued friends and platinum donors:
Mr Clive Berghofer AM
Mrs Marno Parsons AM
Freemasons Queensland
Estate of Violet Maud Lingard
Suncorp Metway
Estate of Jonathan Bown
Miss Grace Dunn in memory of J Morrison
Estate of Nancy Agnes Pinner
Xstrata
Estate of Alice Dorothy Norma Wright
Cellnet Corporate Golf Day
Estate of Geoffrey John Shepherd
BT Investments Pty Ltd
Champers Ball Committee (Karen Low and MBF team)
Witchery Fashions Pty Ltd
Estate of June Marie Breuer
Riverside Golf Day (organised by Jones Lang LaSalle)
Merrett Foundation
Mr Barry and Mrs Maureen Stevenson
Walking on Sunshine (Anne Stanton - Ambassador)
Estate of Thelma Margaret Fletcher
Darling Downs Equine Extravaganza (Del and Ron Fitton)
Elsie Squires Perpetual Trust
Queensland Community Foundation
Henry and Stella Robjohns Trust
Barbara Dalton Perpetual Charitable Trust
Tattersall’s Club
The Selwyn Thomas Fassifern Ozanne and Doreen
Elaine Ozanne Trust
Happy Face Cent Auction (Sunny Drescher - Ambassador)
Mr Don Mason
Dr Glenn and Mrs Itngrid Francis
Ms Helen Gow
Mr Ivan Mitchell
QIMR relies on community fundraising to maintain its
position as a leading medical research institute and to
pioneer new research.
90 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
TRUST REPORT
Every time I visit QIMR, I am awestruck by the
knowledge, expertise and dedication of the 600
scientists who produce the life-changing work that
is outlined throughout this report. A number of those
scientists received public recognition through grants,
fellowships and awards, and represent a growing body
of world class researchers who strive every day to
improve public health, in Australia and elsewhere.
The past 12 months has been a period of change,
challenges and triumphs for the Institute.
The announcements of funding for QIMR’s Smart State
Medical Research Centre by the Federal Government,
State Government and, most recently, by Atlantic
Philanthropies, will ensure that QIMR continues
to play a vital role in Australia and throughout the
medical research world. This funding will support the
construction of a new 13 storey building, which will
house an additional 400 scientists, ensuring that QIMR
continues to attract world-class scientists both within
Australia and internationally.
The global fi nancial crisis has affected QIMR, as it has
all charities and not-for-profi t organisations, through
a decrease in the value of Trust capital reserves and
investment earnings, and increased competition for
corporate sponsorship and fundraising dollars. In
this very diffi cult environment our External Relations
team, which undertakes the marketing and fundraising
functions of QIMR, has performed very well. I would
like to thank them for their hard work, expertise and
dedication. They are supported by a wonderful band of
volunteer fundraisers, holding a great many balls, golf
days, boardroom lunches and other functions, of which
QIMR is a benefi ciary. I would also like to thank our
individual and corporate partners and donors for their
support of QIMR over the last year. In particular, I would
like to pay tribute to the continuing generosity of Mr Clive
Berghofer. Clive’s support over many years has enabled
vital clinical trials to treat many forms of cancer, and to
develop new treatment methodologies which will benefi t
all of us and future generations.
The work of Trust is done by an increasingly small
number of dedicated members, supported by
an experienced and able staff. During the year, a
longstanding member of Trust, Mr Ian Manly, stood
down due to work commitments. Ian has been a
valuable and hardworking member of Trust for fi ve years,
and his business experience and contribution will be
greatly missed.
The remaining members of Trust, Rod Wylie, Patricia
McCormack and David Stirling, have continued to play
a vital role, and their expertise and guidance is highly
valued. However, a smaller number means that the work
of all Trust members is exponentially increased. We
are hopeful that a forthcoming review and changes to
the Queensland Medical Research Act will result in new
Ministerial appointments to Trust and Council, to enable
us to further support and guide the excellent work of
all of QIMR’s staff, volunteers, partners and donors to
continue QIMR’s vital research in the future.
Jane Seawright
Acting Chair
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 91
TRUST
Jane Seawright BA LLB (Hons) MBus (Marketing)
Acting Chair
Jane Seawright is a lawyer with extensive experience
in marketing and strategy. She established a freelance
marketing consultancy, Seawright Consulting, in 2000,
and held the position of Independent Chair of the
Queensland Furnishing Industry Superannuation
Trust for 13 years. She practices in corporate and
commercial law, and is also a Law Society-accredited
mediator and registered adjudicator, pursuant to the
Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004.
She has been the Convenor and Acting Chair of The
Queensland Institute of Medical Research Trust since
February 2008, and is a member of the QIMR
Marketing Committee.
Rodney Wylie OBE B Comm BA FCA FAICD
Rod Wylie is a Brisbane-based Chartered Accountant
with substantial experience in investment, company
management and corporate governance issues
across a wide range of organisations, in many cases
with nationwide and international activities. He has
been involved through Board/Council membership
in the administration of a number of professional and
community non-profi t groups. Mr Wylie chairs the
QIMR Investment Committee and is a member of
the QIMR Finance and Audit Committee and QIMR
Personnel Administration Committee.
Ian Manly MBA FAIM (TO 23 DECEMBER 2008)
Ian Manly has extensive experience in business
management and corporate development. He is the
Managing Director of First 5 Minutes Group Pty Ltd,
a company providing fi re safety, consulting services,
compliance management and emergency procedures
and training to the property industry throughout Australia.
Mr Manly chaired the QIMR Marketing Committee.
Patricia McCormack BA (Psych and IR) FAHRI, MAICD
Patricia McCormack is a highly regarded people
management professional with extensive experience in all
facets of human resource management. She established
People Focus in 2002 with the aim of providing HR
services specialising in organisation development
and human resources management. Ms McCormack
is a member of the QIMR Personnel Administration
Committee and the QIMR Marketing Committee.
David Stirling
David Stirling has had extensive commercial experience
over the past 40 years in the areas of Banking, Merchant
Banking and Investments. Before joining the QIMR Trust,
David was Managing Director of a fi nancial services fi rm
and partner of an international Chartered Accounting
fi rm. He has been a member of a considerable number
of professional organisations including the Institute of
Engineers, Commercial Law Association, Institute of
Chartered Accounts affi liate, FPA, Securities Institute
of Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of
Company Directors. David is a member of the QIMR
Investment Committee.
Left to right: Patricia McCormack, Rodney Wylie, Jane Seawright
(Acting Chair), David Stirling.
92 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
OFFICIAL COMMITTEES 2008-2009
QIMR COUNCIL
Sir Bruce Watson (Chair) (To 17/10/08)
Mr Christopher Coyne (Acting Chair) (From 21/10/08)
Prof Emeritus Bryan Campbell
Prof Peter Brooks (To 30/06/09)
Prof Judith Clements
Mr Paul Fennelly
Prof Lyn Griffi ths
Assoc Prof Paula Marlton
Dr Jeannette Young
COMMITTEES REPORTING TO COUNCIL
Finance and Audit Committee
Sir Bruce Watson (Chair) (To 17/10/08)
Mr Paul Fennelly (Chair) (From 21/10/08)
Prof Emeritus Bryan Campbell
Mr Rod Wylie
Appointments and Promotions Committee
Prof Peter Brooks (Chair) (To 30/06/09)
Prof Graham Brown
Prof Julie Campbell
Prof Judith Clements
Prof Lyn Griffi ths
Prof James McCluskey
Dr Jurgen Michaelis
Prof Joe Trapani
Prof Michael Good (ex offi cio)
Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)
Dr Ian Wilkey (Chair)
Dr Roger Allison
Ms Madeline Brennan
Sr Regis Dunne (To 05/12/08)
Mrs Gwen Eardley (From 15/07/08)
Mr Angus Edmonds
Ms Clare Endicott
Mrs Mary Mackenzie (From 21/10/08)
Mr David Russell
Dr Christopher Schmidt
Dr Katharine Trenholme
Dr Tom Sculley
Dr Julie-Anne Tarr (ex offi cio)
Dr Agnieszka Mitchell (ex offi cio)
Ms Rebecca Lacey – Secretary
Scientifi c Sub-Committee (SSC)
Dr Katharine Trenholme (Chair) (From 10/07/08)
Dr Ian Wilkey (Deputy Chair)
Dr James Doecke (To 09/08)
Mr Paul Fahey (From 10/08)
Assoc Prof Gail Garvey (From 01/09)
Dr Helen Leonard
Dr Alex Loukas (To 10/08)
Dr Agnieszka Mitchell
Dr Andrew Redmond (From 07/08)
Dr Christopher Schmidt
Dr Tom Sculley
Dr Kadaba Sriprakash
Ms Dixie Statham (To 01/09)
Dr Brett Stringer
Dr Marion Woods
Mrs Rebecca Lacey – Secretary
Clinical Trial Protocol Committee (CTPC)
Dr Peter Roeser (Chair)
Dr Graham Radford-Smith (Deputy Chair)
Dr Geoff Beadle
Prof Andrew Boyd
Dr Wendy Chung (To 04/09)
Dr James Doecke (To 09/08)
Dr Suzanne Elliott
Mr Paul Fahey (From 10/08)
Assoc Prof James McCarthy
Dr Agnieszka Mitchell
Dr Michael Moore
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 93
Prof Denis Moss
Ms Brenda Rosser (From 10/08 to 04/09)
Dr Lesley Ross-Lee
Dr Christopher Schmidt
Dr Joanna Youngson (From 04/09)
Mrs Rebecca Lacey – Secretary
Council Personnel Administration Committee
Sir Bruce Watson (Chair) (To 17/10/08)
Mr Paul Fennelly (Chair) (From 21/10/08)
Mr Christopher Coyne (From 21/10/08)
Ms Patricia McCormack
Mr Rod Wylie
COMMITTEES REPORTING TO THE DIRECTOR
Senior Executive Team (SET)
Prof Michael Good (Chair)
Prof Adèle Green
Prof Andrew Boyd
Ms Donna Hancock (From 12/08/08)
Ms Natalie Karger (To 16/12/08)
Prof Brian Kay (From 19/08/08)
Prof Martin Lavin
Prof Emma Whitelaw (From 19/08/08)
Dr Julie-Anne Tarr
Ms Nerida Fox – Secretary
Safety Committee
Dr Helen Leonard (Chair)
Dr Glen Boyle (Deputy Chair)
Dr Michael Batzloff
Mr Brendan Butcher (To 01/09)
Mr Ron Buttenshaw
Mr Paul Collins
Dr Juan Cooper
Ms Gwen Cuthbert
Dr Geoff Gobert
Mr Andrew King
Dr Agnieszka Mitchell
Prof Denis Moss
Ms Michelle Richards
Dr Christine Rzepczyk
Mr Alan Stockman
Dr Joanna Youngson from April 2009
Dr Julie-Anne Tarr
Assoc Prof Peter Upcroft
Ms Jo Chow – Secretary
Equipment Committee
Dr Juan Cooper (Chair)
Dr Greg Anderson
Prof Andrew Boyd
Dr Geoff Hill
Assoc Prof James McCarthy
Ms Allison McLean (To 04/08/08)
Mr Christopher Ward
Dr Emma Whitelaw
Mrs Joanna Youngson (From 16/03/09)
Higher Degrees Committee (HDC)
Assoc Prof Nathan Subramaniam (Chair)
Ms Simone Cross
Prof Joy Cumming
Prof Michael Good
Dr Judith Greer
Dr Sergei Kozlov
Assoc Prof Alan Lawson
Dr Kelli MacDonald
Dr Grant Montgomery
Ms Michelle Neller
Mr Chris Peatey
Dr Peter Ryan
Dr Kevin Spring
Dr Katherine Trenholme
94 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
Dr Malcolm Jones (To 12/08)
Dr Patricia Valery
Dr Margie Wright
Ms Nicci Wayte
Dr Terry Walsh
Prof Gail Williams
Joint Consultative Committee (JCC)
Ms Nicole Green (Chair) (To 08/08)
Mr Trevor Greenaway (Chair) (From 10/08)
Ms Pauline Buratowski
Mr Paul Collins
Prof Michael Good
Dr David McMillan
Dr Penny Webb
Prof Emma Whitelaw
Dr Julie-Anne Tarr
QPSU Representative
QNU Representative
Medical Advisory Board
Prof Peter Brooks (Chair) (To 30/06/09)
Prof Andrew Boyd (Deputy Chair)
Dr Paul Bartley
Dr Geoff Beadle
Dr Ian Bunce
Dr Don Cameron
Prof Adèle Green
Prof Michael Good
Dr Barbara Leggett
Dr Joseph McCormack
Dr Paul Sandstrom
Dr Mark Smithers
Dr John Varghese
Dr Michael O’Rourke
Mentoring Committee
Dr Grant Ramm (Chair) (To 12/08)
Dr David Whiteman (Chair) (From 12/08)
Dr Georgia Chenevix-Trench
Dr Nick Hayward
Dr Rajiv Khanna
Professor Emma Whitelaw
Scientifi c Advisory Board
Prof Graham Brown (Chair)
Prof Dallas English
Prof Douglas Hilton
Prof Joe Trapani
Seminars Committee
Prof Martin Lavin (Chair)
Prof Michael Good
Dr Geoff Hill
Dr Grant Montgomery
Ms Jann O’Keefe
Prof Emma Whitelaw
Consumer and Community Participation Committee
Prof Adèle Green (Chair)
Dr Geoff Beadle
Mr Felipe Beltran (To 07/08)
Ms Simone Cross
Mr Ken Dutton-Regester (From 04/09)
Assoc Prof Gail Garvey
Ms Melina Georgousakis
Mr Jeremy Gill (From 07/08)
Ms Imogen Gillions (From 04/09)
Ms Vivienne Johnson (From 07/08)
Prof Denis Moss
Dr Arne Mould
Ms Jann O’Keefe
Mr Andrew van der Beek (To 07/08)
Mr Sri Shekar (To 12/08)
Dr Amanda Spurdle
Dr Vicki Whitehall
OFFICIAL COMMITTEES 2008-2009 (CONTINUED)
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 95
COMMITTEES REPORTING TO SET
Strategic Science Committee
Prof Martin Lavin (Chair)
Dr Greg Anderson
Assoc Prof Gail Garvey
Prof Michael Good
Prof Adèle Green
Dr Geoff Hill
Assoc Prof James McCarthy
Prof Emma Whitelaw
Ms Mandie Quince – Secretary
Clinical and Translational Committee
Prof Andrew Boyd (Chair)
Assoc Prof Gail Garvey
Prof Michael Good
Prof Adele Green
Dr Geoff Hill
Dr Corinne Lendon
Dr Alex Loukas
Ms Allison McLean (To 04/08/08)
Dr Agnieszka Mitchell
Prof Denis Moss
Dr Grant Ramm
Dr Chris Schmidt
Dr Nathan Subramaniam
Dr Joanna Youngson (From 04/09)
Ms Mandie Quince – Secretary
IT Committee
Dr Dale Nyholt (Chair)
Dr Glen Boyle
Assoc Prof Scott Burrows
Dr Juan Cooper
Mr Mark Feodoroff
Ms Michelle Gatton
Ms Heather Matthews
Dr Agnieszka Mitchell
Mr Mark Spanevello
Dr Nathan Subramaniam
Assoc Prof Peter Upcroft
Mr Christopher Ward
Ms Jann O’Keefe
Records and Information Committee (From 16/12/08)
Prof Martin Lavin (Chair)
Dr Suyinn Chong
Dr Deepak Darshan
Dr Katja Fischer
Mr Owen Griffi ths
Mr Simon Jaremczuk
Dr Jason Jeffery
Ms Nelly Kremko
Dr Rachel Neale
Dr Wayne Schoder
Dr Daniel Wallace
Dr Michelle Wykes
QIMR TRUST
Ms Jane Seawright (Acting Chair)
Mr Ian Manly (To 23/12/08)
Ms Patricia McCormack
Mr David Stirling
Mr Rod Wylie
COMMITTEES REPORTING TO TRUST/COUNCIL
Investment Committee
Mr Rod Wylie (Chair)
Mr Bruce Phillips
Mr David Stirling
Marketing Committee
Mr Ian Manly (Convenor) (To 23/12/08)
Ms Patricia McCormack
Ms Jane Seawright
96 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
Postgraduate students are an important part of
the health and medical research effort at QIMR.
The excellent research facilities, support services,
extensive network of international and national research
collaborations and the internationally-ranked quality of
QIMR scientists provides an outstanding environment for
advanced training in health and biomedical research.
The Institute admitted 47 new higher degree students
and 28 visiting students. The student body at QIMR
currently comprises 70 PhD students, 3 Research
Masters, 8 Coursework Masters and 24 Honours
students. The QIMR Summer Vacation Scholarship
program which was run between December 2008
and February 2009 attracted a signifi cant number of
applications and 14 were awarded. These scholarships
give undergraduate students an opportunity to work
with QIMR scientists on a focused and well supervised
research project. While the majority of students at QIMR
are enrolled through The University of Queensland, a
signifi cant number are also enrolled at the Queensland
University of Technology and Griffi th University.
QIMR’s postgraduate students have continued to make
an impressive impact on the wider scientifi c community
this year and have received numerous notable awards.
Magda Ellis was a standout, winning the JFA Sprent
prize for the best PhD in Parasitology (2006-2008), a UQ
Deans’ Commendation for an outstanding thesis and a
NHMRC CJ Martin Fellowship.
Our students also did very well in receiving travel awards
to attend international conferences including Gabriella
Blokland, Melissa Burke, Nico Martin, Karin Verweij and
Brendan Zietsch.
The Higher Degrees Committee (HDC) evaluates
students prior to their acceptance as candidates at
the Institute, monitors student progress, provides
education programs for students, establishes policy
on student-related issues, and assesses applicants for
travel awards, Honours and PhD top-up scholarships.
The monitoring of student progress is one of our most
important activities and members of the HDC devote
considerable time to the rigorous review of students
during their study program. This year the HDC has
undertaken over 33 reviews of students.
QIMR’s postgraduate students have continued to make an
impressive impact on the wider scientifi c community this year
POSTGRADUATE TRAINING
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 97QQQQQIIMIMIMRMRMRMRMRMRIMMRMRI RMRM ------- A AAAnAnAAnnAnAnnAn A A AA A l Rl Rl RepepepoepoepepopoopeppQQQQQQ 977979797997 AnAnnnnnnAnnnAnnnunununununuuauauaaaaanuannuuaaaanuun all R R rttrt rt rt rrt rt 202022220020000002 0008888-8-2-2-2-200090009 • orAnnAnAAnnnAAnnn all Rl Rl Rl RQQQQIMIIMM QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 97
My research required me to go to rural
China to collect samples and data on human
schistosomiasis infections. I saw fi rsthand the
people and communities we were trying to
assist, helping me truly appreciate the impact
of the disease. This was incredibly inspiring
and really motivated me with my research.
Magda Ellis
Molecular Parasitology Laboratory
Infectious Diseases Division
98 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
STUDENT UNIVERSITYQIMR SUPERVISOR
THESIS
PHD
Julie BalenSPH, UQ D McManus
Determinants of Schistosoma japonicum and soil-transmitted helminth infections, and associated morbidity in Hunan province, China: an epidemiological assessment
Will CoventrySBCSS, University of New England N Martin
Perceived social support: its genetic and environmental etiology an association with depression
Bryan DaySchool of Medicine, UQ A Boyd
Potential novel targets for treatment of malignant glioma
Matthew DixonSPH, UQ K Trenholme and D Gardiner
Gametocytogenesis in Plasmodium falciparum
Melina GeorgousakisSPH, UQ K Sriprakash, D McMillan, M Batzloff
Towards a mucosal vaccine against group A streptococcus based on a live bacterial delivery system
Fabriba Kolahdooz UQ, P Webb Ovarian cancer and diet: from nutrients to lifestyle
Steven KoppSchool of Veterinary Sciences, UQ J McCarthy
Pyrantel resistance in the canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum
Kim LohSchool of Medicine, UQ B Leggett
The role of BMP3 in colorectal carcinogenesis
Rita MiddlebergSchool of Medicine, UQN Martin
Genetics of lipid cadiovascular risk factors in Australian families
Louise RandallSPH, UQ C Engwerda
Characterisation of the immunopathology associated with cerebral malaria
Najju Ranjit QUT, A Loukas Haemoglobin digestion cascade in the human hookworm Necator americanus
Paweena Rattanasena UQ, A Suhrbier Characterisation of Kunjin replicon vaccines
Simone ReynoldsSchool of Veterinary Science, UQK Fischer
Analysis of the binding properties and functions of scabies mite serine proteases
Sri ShekarSchool of Medicine, UQ N Marti, D Duffy
Genetics of melanoma susceptibility and development
Haran Sivakumaran SPH, UQ, D Harrich The regulation of HIV-1 transactivator of transcription
Katherine WynnSchool of Medicine, UQ R Khanna
T-cell responses to cytomegalovirus
STUDENT UNIVERSITYQIMR SUPERVISOR
THESIS
BSC HONOURS
Nick Barker Life Science, QUTCharacterisation of mammalian Mon1a: a putative traffi cking protein and modifi er of the Haemochromatosis phenotype.
Jessica CornockLife Science, QUT G Anderson
Effects of alcohol on the expression of the iron regulatory protein hepcidin
Ken Dutton-Regester (Hons)
QUT, V Whitehall Investigation of ID4 in colorectal cancer development
Winnie FernandoSMMB, UQ K Spring
Characterisation of SLC5A8 methylation in serrated polyps of the colon
Peter Giacomantonio UQ, A Loukas Tetraspanins as vaccines against Schistosoma mansoni
Joanne LimSMMB, UQD Gardiner
Investigation of M18 aspartyl aminopeptidase and S33 prolyl aminopeptidase of Plasmodium falciparum as potential antimalarial drug targets.
Alex Mulherin (Hons)SBMS, UQ C Engwerda
The role of conventional dendritic cells in the activation of T-cells in response to Leishmania donovani infection
Sam Nayler (Hons)Life Science, QUTM Lavin
Characterisation of the DNA damage response in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 4
Klara Unosson MSc University of Linköping, SwedenA regulatory role for parasite-specifi c CD8+ T cells during the pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria
Elizabeth Watt (MBBS Hons)
School of Medicine, UQ G Anderson, L Powell
Clinical expression of HFE-associated haemochromatosis in subjects under 40 years of age
Philip WhileyUQ, A Spurdle
Functional analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 sequence variants of unknown clinical signifi cance
QUT = Queensland University of Technology, SBCSS = School of Behavioural and Cognitive Social Sciences,
SMMB = School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, SBMS = School of Biomedical Sciences, SPH = School of Population Health,
UQ = The University of Queensland
COMPLETED STUDENTS 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 99
RECIPIENT BESTOWER AWARD, REASON, CITATION
Gabriella Blokland
Australian Twin RegistryTravel Award – 15th Annual Meeting Organisation for Human Brain
Mapping, Dec 2008
Organisation for Human Brain
Mapping
Trainee Abstract Award – 15th Annual Meeting Organisation for
Human Brain Mapping, Apr 2009
CMR UQTravel Award – 15th Annual Meeting Organisation for Human Brain
Mapping, Apr 2009
Melissa Burke Keystone Symposia Travel Award – Keystone Meeting on Immunopathogenesis, 2009
Enda Byrne QIMR Dr Diana Cavaye Scholarship
Ken Dutton-Regester Qld Gastroenterology SocietyYoung Investigator Award Finalist - oral presentation at annual
meeting, June 2009
Magda K Ellis
Australian Society of ParasitologyJFA Sprent Prize for best PhD in Australia in parasitology for 2006-
2008, Jul 2008
UQDean’s commendation, Top 10% of PhD theses awarded annually by
UQ, Jul 2008
NHMRC CJ Martin Fellowship, Dec 2008
Kimberley Jones Leukaemia Foundation PhD Scholarship, Dec 2009
Susan Jordan UQ Selection to Dean’s Commendation list for PhD, Jul 2008
Fariba Kolahdooz
SPH, UQAward for Research Achievement: outstanding record of research
performance and publication within SPH, Jun 2009
QIMR PhD Student Top-up Award, Jul 2008
Elizabeth LeddyGastroenterological Society of
Queensland
Young Investigator Award – best abstract and presentation at annual
meeting, Jun 2009
Kate Markey
Transplantation Society of Australia
and NZ
Young Investigator – highly ranked abstract from young investigator,
Jun 2009 and best presentation in laboratory research, Aug 2008
Australian Society for Medical
Research
Runner up – Premier’s Postgraduate Student Award for Medical
Research and Runner up best presentation in category, May 2009
Nico Martin
ANZ Banking Corporation ANZ PhD Scholarship, Jun 2009
ENGAGE - Institute of Molecular
Medicine, Finland
Travel Award – Basic introduction course on GWA analysis,
Rotterdam, Netherlands, Aug 2008
Brian Morrison Eskitis InstituteSecond Year Student Oral Presentation Prize,
Mar 2009
Miriam Mosing ANZ Banking Corporation ANZ PhD Scholarship, Jan 2009
Michelle Neller UQ3 Minute Thesis Competition – Winner, School of Medicine UQ and
Runner-up Faculty of Health Sciences UQ, Sep 2008
Najju Ranjit QUTDean’s award for outstanding PhD thesis,
Jan 2009
Renee RobbTransplantation Society of Australia
and NZ
Young Investigator – highly ranked abstract from young investigator,
Jun 2009
Sri Shekar NHMRC NHMRC Overseas Based Public Health Training Fellowship, Jan 2009
Karin Verweij Australian Twin RegistryTravel Award – 22nd International Workshop on Methodology of Twin
and Family Studies, Boulder USA, Dec 2008
Philip WhileySchool of Chemistry and Molecular
Biosciences, UQ
Biochemistry Award for outstanding achievement in undergraduate
studies 2008, Dec 2008
Nadia WhitelawLorne Genome Promega Student Award, Feb 2009
Keystone Symposia Keystone Symposia Scholarship, Jan 2009
Brendan Zietsch UQ School of Psychology
Travel Award – 20th Annual Meeting of Human Behavior and Evolution
Society, Kyoto, Japan,
Jun 2008
STUDENT AWARDS 2008-2009
QIMR AWARDS 2008-2009
The Derrick-Mackerras Memorial Lecture
Each year, an eminent person is invited to deliver the
Derrick-Mackerras Memorial Lecture, named after the
founding Director and Deputy Director of QIMR. This year
Professor Chris Goodnow, Chief Scientifi c Offi cer of the
Australian Phenomics Facility at The Australian Catholic
National University gave the lecture entitled Connecting
genome with phenome through multiplex libraries of
nucleotide variants in the mouse genome sequence:
examples from the immune system plus cancer.
Bancroft Medal
The Bancroft Medal is awarded annually to those who
have made an outstanding contribution to the Institute.
This year’s recipient was Lorna Lane who joined QIMR in
1983 and since 1989 has been a vital and highly valued
member of the Human Resources team.
Fellows of the Institute
Outstanding individuals are named as Fellows of the
Institute each year, and this year three such individuals
became QIMR Fellows: Professor Graham Brown,
the Chair of QIMR’s Advisory Board who attends the
Institute’s retreats and provides strategic advice on
grant submissions; Professor Bob MacLennan, a former
QIMR scientist who founded the Epidemiology unit at
the Institute during the 1980s, making QIMR the fi rst
medical research institute in Australia to recognise the
value of epidemiological studies; and John Garnsey,
long-serving member of the QIMR Trust, in recognition
of his infl uence in changing the Trust’s focus from
community campaigns to corporate acquisitions.
Ralph Doherty QIMR Science Prize
The prestigious Ralph Doherty Science Prize for
outstanding achievement and leadership in medical
research was given to Professor Emma Whitelaw who
was lead author in a successful $3 million grant for
Cancer Epigenetics and has been recipient of a number
of special external awards and accolades during the year.
Postdoctoral Prize
The Postdoctoral Prize went to Dr Stuart MacGregor
of the Queensland Statistical Genetics Laboratory who
was a fi nalist in both the 2006 and 2007 Queensland
Premier’s Awards and has recently published in both
Nature and Nature Genetics.
Humanitarian Award
The QIMR Humanitarian Award recognises people
within the community who tangibly and actively raise
awareness or revenue for the Institute. Mrs Marno
Parsons AM received this Award for her signifi cant
contribution towards QIMR’s vision to improve cancer
outcomes. Mrs Parsons’ generous donations for the
past two years have enabled the establishment of the
Glioblastoma Research Centre at QIMR.
Left to right: Dr Stuart MacGregor, Professor Emma Whitelaw and Ms Lorna Lane.
100 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
HIGH ACHIEVEMENTS 2008-2009
Professor Emma Whitelaw – Australia Fellow
Professor Emma Whitelaw, head of the QIMR
Epigenetics Laboratory, was awarded one of only 12
Australia Fellowships in January 2009. Her most notable
research achievements are in the area of epigenetics, in
particular, her studies on the transgenerational inheritance
of epigenetic marks have stimulated a great deal of
interest from the wider scientifi c community. The
Fellowship injected a further AUD$4 million into this work.
Professor Dave Kemp – Order of Australia
Professor Dave Kemp leads the Scabies Laboratory at
QIMR and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal by
the Australian Government in January 2009. The Order
was awarded in recognition of his service to medical
research as a molecular biologist, particularly in the
areas of tropical health and infectious diseases, and for
his contributions to Indigenous health.
Professor Geoff Hill – Ian McKenzie Prize
Professor Geoff Hill leads the Bone Marrow Transplantation
Laboratory at QIMR and this year received the Ian
McKenzie Prize from the Transplantation Society of
Australia and New Zealand in June 2009. The prize was
awarded for his outstanding contribution to the fi eld of
bone marrow transplantation over the past decade.
Professor Lawrie Powell – Distinguished
Achievement Award
Professor Lawrie Powell, previously a Director of QIMR
and now working within the Iron Metabolism Laboratory
was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award by
the American Society for the Study of Liver Diseases.
The award is bestowed upon an eminent hepatologist
who has made a major contribution to the discipline and
has very rarely been awarded outside of the USA.
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 101
OTHER AWARDS 2008-2009
RECIPIENT BESTOWER OF AWARD AWARD
Dr Kathy Andrews Australian Society for Medical Research Appointed as a National Director, Nov 2008
Dr Alyson Ashe University of Cambridge Herchel Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship, Feb 2009
Dr Beben Benyamin NHMRC Postdoctoral Fellowship, Jan 2009
Dr Glen Boyle Australian Academy of Science Invited Participant – Theo Murphy High Flyers Think
Tank on Preventative health: Nov 2008
Australian Society for Medical Research Queensland Premier’s Awards for Medical Research –
Runner-up Senior Researcher, May 2009
Mr Darren Gray School of Population Health, University of
Queensland
Certifi cate of Research Achievement – excellence in
population health research studies in China, 2008
Dr Motoko Koyama Transplantation Society of Australia and NZ Young Investigator – highly ranked abstract from
young investigator, Jun 2009
Dr Penelope Lind XVIth World Congress on Psychiatric
Genetics in Osaka, Japan
Best Oral Presentation Award, Oct 2008
XVIth World Congress on Psychiatric
Genetics in Osaka, Japan
Congress Award for Best Oral Presentation, Best Oral
Presentation, Oct 2008
RECIPIENT BESTOWER OF AWARD AWARD
Assoc Prof
Alejandro López
Australian Academy of Science High Flyers Think Tank on Preventative Health,
Nov 2008
Dr Stuart Macgregor Australian Society for Medical Research Queensland Premier’s Awards for Medical Research –
Senior Researcher, May 2009
Prof Don McManus World Health Organisation Member of WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Parasitic
Diseases (Schistosomiasis), 2009
Liver Disease Review Letters (LDRL) Elected to membership of Editorial Board, 2009
Ms Sarah Medland Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and
Behavioural Genetics (VIPBG)
The Lindon J. Eaves Award for excellence in Postdoctoral
research USA academic year 2008, Aug 2008
Ms Celestine Rickman Queensland Gastroenterology Society Young Investigator Award – fi nalist selected for oral
presentation at annual meeting, Jun 2009
Dr Danielle Smyth Churchill Fellowship 3 months at University of Pennsylvania, US, Jul 2008
Dr Patricia Valery Australian Society for Medical Research Queensland Premier’s Awards for Medical Research –
Finalist Senior Researcher, May 2009
Dr Daniel Worthley Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Foundation
Basic Sciences Prize and QIMR Laboratory
Attachment Prize, Oct 2008
Gastroenterological Society of Australia Young Investigator – fi nalist selected for oral
presentation at annual meeting, Oct 2008
Royal Australasian College of Physicians Cottrell Fellowship, Feb 2009
TRAVEL AWARDS
RECIPIENT BESTOWER OF AWARD AWARD
Dr Kathy Andrews ARC/NHMRC Research Network for
Parasitology
Travel Award, 2 week research visit to lab of A/Prof.
Zbyneck Bozdech, Nanyang Technological University,
Singapore, Jan 2009
Dr Richard Ruddell 14th International Symposium on Cells of the
Hepatic Sinusoid
Young Investigator Travel Award – 14th International
Symposium on Cells of the Hepatic Sinusoid,
Sep 2008
Dr Logan Walker Australasian Microarray and Associated
Technologies Association (AMATA)
AMATA Early Career Researcher Travel Bursary, based
on submitted abstract
Dr Naomi Wray QIMR QIMR Travel Award – World Congress of Psychiatric
Genetics, Tokyo Japan, Oct 2008
OTHER AWARDS 2008-2009
CONTINUED
102 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 103
GRANTS AND FUNDING
Major New Grants Awarded 2008-2009 (over $100,000)
SOURCE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR & PROJECT TITLE TERM PERIOD
TOTAL FUNDS OR
QIMR COMPONENT
OF FUNDS
ACH2SUHRBIER A Use of Chaperonin 10 to ameliorate endtoxin induced immune
activation and HIV replication2 yrs 2008 - 2009 $165,000
ACH2 HARRICH D – Null Basis: A Novel HIV 1 Inhibitor 2 yrs 2008 - 2009 $ 147,125
ACH2 WARRILOW D – DNA oligomers to block HIV 1 nucleic acid replication 2 yrs 2008 - 2009 $137,625
ARC BURROWS S – Noncanonical epitope recognition by CD8+I lymphocytes 3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $481,214
ARC
GREEN A C et al – Evaluation of an instrument to Assess needs of Indigenous
Patients with Cancer (Administered by University of Southern Queensland; QIMR
Investigator Assoc Prof Gail Garvey)
2 Yrs 2009 - 2010 $185,000
ARC
LAVIN M et al – A novel role for SMG 1 protein kinase in stress granule and the
stress response (Administered by University of Queensland; QIMR Investigator
Prof M Lavin)
1 yr 2009 $ 110,000
FLU
WADE T et al – Identifying endophenotypes for eating disorders and their
relationship to specifi c genotypes and environments (Administered by Flinders
University; QIMR Investigator Dr G Montgomery)
3 Yrs 2009 - 2011 $131,209
LFQJONES K – New Strategies for the treatment and prevention of Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma3 Yrs 2009 - 2011 $120,000
MACQ
COOKE, B et al – Bioinformatics aspect of NCRIS Programme via Murdoch
BPA Agreement (Administered by Macquarie University; QIMR Investigator
Prof J Gorman)
2 yrs 2009 - 2011 $400,000
MRAHAYWARD N et al – A Genome Wide Association Study to Identify Melanoma
Predisposition Genes3 yrs 2008 - 2011 US$1,000,000
NBCF
NEWMAN B – Pathologic & molecular investigations of the ABC breast cancer
‘cluster’; (Administered by Qld University of Technology; QIMR Investigator Dr. G.
Chenevix-Trench)
1 yr 2008 - 2009 $100,221
NHF GOOD M et al – Design and analysis of an improved vaccine candidate against
rheumatic heart disease2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $129,000
NHMRCGREEN et al – Gynaecological, oesophageal and skin cancer in Australia.
Developing the evidence-base for prevention and control5 yrs 2009 - 2013 $5,902,320
NHMRCWHITELAW E et al – A saturation screen for modifi ers of epigenetic reprogramming
in the mouse; Phase II5 yrs 2009 - 2013 $1,298,750
NHMRC SPURDLE A et al – A genome wide association study of endometrial cancer 2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $1,035,200
NHMRCMARTIN N et al – Investigating the role of pigmentation pathway genes in moliness
& melanoma risk2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $906,900
NHMRCMARTIN N et al – Validation and replication of genes associated with common
human diseases using Australian Twin Families5 yrs 2009 - 2013 $901,880
NHMRCWHITFIELD J et al – A genome wide association study for alcohol & nicotine
addiction susceptibility genes3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $846,000
NHMRCKHANNA,K et al – Genome maintenance and hSSB1, a novel player in the DNA
damage response pathway3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $622,000
NHMRCGARDINER D et al – Plasmodium falciparum neutral aminopeptidases: structure-
function analysis for the discovery of anti-malarial drugs3 Yrs 2009 - 2011 $ 608,660
NHMRC TRENHOLME K et al – Analysis of the P. falciparum M18 aspartyl aminopeptidase 3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $ 590,250
NHMRCLAVIN M – ATM activation and its functional importance in DNA damage response
(Administered by University of Queensland)3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $ 533,750
SOURCE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR & PROJECT TITLE TERM PERIOD
TOTAL FUNDS OR
QIMR COMPONENT
OF FUNDS
NHMRCWALKER G et al – Interaction of Mc1r with pRb and p53 pathways in UVR-induced
melanoma development3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $531,750
NHMRC HILL et al – IL 17 as a regulator of treatment outcome 3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $521,250
NHMRC VALERY P et al – Closing the divide: Aboriginal and TSI people and cancer survivorship 3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $520,263
NHMRCANDERSON G et al – Mechanisms of intestinal iron absorption and consequences
of iron supplementation during the perinatal period3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $514,500
NHMRC HARRICH D et al– Regulation of HIV-1Tat traffi cking in cells 3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $475,200
NHMRC TRENCH G – Collaborative ovarian, prostate and breast gene-environment study, EU 4 yrs 2009 - 2012 $441,500
NHMRCDOOLAN D et al – Application of protein microarrays to develop a cross-species
malaria vaccine3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $434,250
NHMRCHAYWARD N – Identifi cation of novel low penetrance genes associated with
melanoma risk3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $389,500
NHMRC BOYD A et al – Targeting Eph receptors as anti-cancer therapy in malignant glioma 3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $387,750
NHMRCGANDHI M et al – EBV-specifi c T-cells as therapy for relapsed/refactory EBV-
positive lymphomas2 yrs 2009 - 2011 $312,000
NHMRCNYHOLT D et al – Genome-wide association study of migraine in women with
endometriosis2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $310,450
NHMRC WHITEHALL V et al – Tubulovillous adenomas in colorectal tumorigenesis 3 yrs 2009 - 2011 $284,250
NHMRCWALLACE D – Non-HFE haemochromatosis in Australia: natural history and
molecular character2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $174,500
PCFASPURDLE A et al – Role of Kallikrein gene variants in prostate cancer etiology,
Detection and Disease Progression2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $249,847
RISS KHANNA R – Funding for HCMV Trial 3 Yrs 2009 - 2011 $100,000
SANDLER JONES M et al – Profi ling gene expression of female germinal tissues of schistosomes 1 yr 2008 - 2009 $118,598
CAWEBB P et al – Improving Outcomes for women with endometrial cancer: Follow
up, Survival and Quality of Life4 yrs 2009 - 2012 $596,788
CA TRENCH G et al – Response to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer 4 yrs 2009 - 2012 $568,750
CA NANCARROW D et al – Towards new screening tests for oesophageal adenocarcinoma 4 yrs 2009 - 2012 $465,750
TCCQ BOYD A et al – Elk4 regulation of Mc1 1: a therapeutic target in malignant glioma 2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $164,000
TCCQ HAYWARD N – The role of miR 211 in melanoma 2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $164,000
GRANTS AND FUNDING CONTINUEDMajor New Grants Awarded 2008-2009 (over $100,000)
104 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 105
SOURCE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR & PROJECT TITLE TERM PERIOD
TOTAL FUNDS OR
QIMR COMPONENT
OF FUNDS
TCCQ LOPEZ A – Breast cancer stem cells as a model for therapy 2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $164,000
TCCQTONKS I – The role of pocket proteins in melanocyte homeostasis and
transformation to melanoma2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $164,000
TCCQGANDHI M et al – Biomolecular profi ling in PET/CT directed diffuse large B cell
lymphoma 2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $164,000
TCCQAURET M – Tissue specifi c microRNA and the endocrine bias of Men-1related
tumorgenesis 2 yrs 2009 - 2010 $164,000
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ARC Australian Research Council
CA Cancer Australia
FLU Flinders University
LFQ Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland
MACQ Macquarie University
MRA Melanoma Research Alliance
NBCF National Breast Cancer Foundation
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Barnes TS, Li J, Coleman GT and McManus DP.
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Bates TC, Luciano M, Lind PA, Wright MJ, Montgomery
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Battaglia M, Pesenti-Gritti P, Medland SE, Ogliari A, Tambs
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Archives of General Psychiatry 66(1): 64-71, 2009
Beadle G, Baade P and Fritschi L. Acute myeloid leukemia
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Beaumont KA, Shekar SN, Cook AL, Duffy DL and Sturm
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Beesley VL, Eakin EG, Janda M and Battistutta D.
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Beeson JG, Osier FH and Engwerda CR. Recent
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Bell MJ, Abbott RJ, Croft NP, Hislop AD and Burrows SR.
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Bell MJ, Burrows JM, Brennan R, Miles JJ, Tellam J,
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Molecular Immunology 46(8-9): 1911-1917, 2009
Benyamin B, McRae AF, Zhu G, Gordon S, Henders
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Benyamin B, Visscher PM and McRae AF. Family-based
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Bergquist R and McManus DP. Strategy for the development
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Bergström FC, Reynolds S, Johnstone M, Pike RN,
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Birley AJ, James MR, Dickson PA, Montgomery GW, Heath
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Bloethner S, Mould A, Stark M and Hayward NK.
Identifi cation of ARHGEF17, DENND2D, FGFR3, and RB1
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Blokland GA, McMahon KL, Hoffman J, Zhu G, Meredith
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Bolderson E, Richard DJ, Edelmann W and Khanna KK.
Involvement of Exo1b in DNA damage-induced apoptosis.
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Bonazzi VF, Irwin D and Hayward NK. Identifi cation of
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Boyle GM, Pedley J, Martyn AC, Banducci KJ, Strutton
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Brennan RM and Burrows SR. A mechanism for the HLA-
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Brooker S and Clements ACA. Spatial heterogeneity
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Brown KM, MacGregor S, Montgomery G, Craig DW, Zhao
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40(7): 838-840, 2008
Brun C, Leporé N, Pennec X, Chou YY, Lee AD, Barysheva
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Buchanan D and Young J. A Perspective on bi-allelic MUTYH
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Burke ML, Jones MK, Gobert G, Li YS, Ellis MK and McManus
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Buttini MJ, Jordan SJ and Webb PM. The effect of the
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Australian and NZ Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Byrne EM, McRae AF, Zhao ZZ, Martin NG, Montgomery
GW and Visscher PM. The use of common mitochondrial
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the Australian population: implications for genome-wide
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Campbell BE, Nisbet AJ, Mulvenna J, Loukas A and
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Cantacessi C, Campbell BE, Visser A, Geldhof P, Nolan
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108 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
Cantacessi C, Loukas A, Campbell BE, Mulvenna J, Ong
EK, Zhong W, Sternberg PW, Otranto D and Gasser RB.
Exploring transcriptional conservation between Ancylostoma
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microarray and bioinformatic analyses. Molecular and Cellular
Probes 23(1): 1-9, 2009
Carless MA, Kraska T, Lintell N, Neale R, Green AC and
Griffi ths LR. Polymorphisms of the VDR gene are associated
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Dermatology 159(4): 804-10, 2008
Chambers SK, Ferguson M, Gardiner RA, Nicol D, Gordon
L, Occhipinti S and Aitken JF. ProsCan for men: randomised
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Chambers SK, Schover L, Halford K, Clutton S, Ferguson
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ProsCan for couples: randomised controlled trial of a couples-
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Chang YM, Newton-Bishop JA, Bishop DT, Armstrong BK,
Bataille V, Bergman W, Berwick M, Bracci PM, Elwood
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A and Barrett JH. A pooled analysis of melanocytic nevus
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Chen CCM, Mengersen KL, Keith JM, Martin NG and
Nyholt DR. Linkage and heritability analysis of migraine symptom
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Chenoweth SF and Visscher PM. Association mapping in
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Chiang MC, Barysheva M, Lee AD, Madsen S, Klunder
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fi ber architecture, genetics, and intelligence: a high angular
resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) study. Medical Image
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Chiang MC, Barysheva M, Shattuck DW, Lee AD, Madsen
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Chircop M, Oakes V, Graham ME, Ma MP, Smith CM,
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8(5): 757-764, 2009. Report
Chou YY, Leporé N, Chiang MC, Avedissian C, Barysheva
M, McMahon KL, de Zubicaray GI, Meredith M, Wright
MJ, Toga AW and Thompson PM. Mapping genetic
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1312-1323, 2009
Clarke RA, Zhao Z, Guo A, Roper K, Teng L, Fang Z,
Samaratunga H, Lavin MF and Gardiner RA. New genomic
structure for prostate cancer specifi c gene PCA3 within
BMCC1: Implications for prostate cancer detection and
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Clements ACA, Bosque-Oliva E, Sacko M, Landoure A,
Dembele R, Traore M, Fenwick A and Brooker S.
A comparative study of the spatial distribution of
schistosomiasis in Mali in 1984–1989 and 2004–2006. PLoS
Neglected Tropical Diseases 3(5): e431, 2009
Colgrave ML, Kotze AC, Kopp S, McCarthy JS, Coleman
GT and Craik DJ. Anthelmintic activity of cyclotides: In vitro
studies with canine and human hookworms. Acta Tropica
109(2): 163-166, 2009
Collaborative Group on Epidemiological Studies of
Ovarian Cancer. Ovarian cancer and oral contraceptives:
collaborative reanalysis of data from 45 epidemiological studies
including 23 257 women with ovarian cancer and 87 303
controls. Lancet 371(9609): 303-314, 2008
Cook AL, Chen W, Thurber AE, Smit DJ, Smith AG,
Bladen TG, Brown DL, Duffy DL, Pastorino L, Bianchi-
Scarra G, Leonard JH, Stow JL and Sturm RA. Analysis of
Cultured Human Melanocytes Based on Polymorphisms within
the SLC45A2/MATP, SLC24A5/NCKX5, and OCA2/P Loci.
Journal of Investigative Dermatology 129(2): 392-405, 2009
Cornes BK, Lind PA, Medland SE, Montgomery GW, Nyholt
DR and Martin NG. Replication of the association of common
rs9939609 variant of FTO with increased BMI in an Australian
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Cornes BK, Medland SE, Lind PA, Nyholt DR, Montgomery
GW and Martin NG. Genetic variation in female BMI increases
with number of children born but failure to replicate association
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Twin Research and Human Genetics 12(3): 276-285, 2009
Cozen W and Ferreira MA. Understanding the asthma
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Crawford DH, Fletcher LM and Anderson GJ. Tissue
specifi c action of Hfe – It’s the ‘cyte that matters Hepatology.
48:336-338, 2009
Crawford DHG, Murphy TL, Ramm LE, Fletcher LM,
Clouston AD, Anderson GJ, Subramaniam VN, Powell LW
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biopsy in C282Y hemochromatosis. Hepatology 49(2): 418-
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Crawford DHG and Ramm GA. Utility of platelets and AST vs
serum ferritin and serum hyaluronic acid as markers of cirrhosis
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Crough T and Khanna R. Immunobiology of human
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Dale PER, Knight J, Kay BH, Chapman H, Ritchie SA and
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1-5, 2008
Darbro JM and Thomas MB. Spore persistence and
likelihood of aeroallergenicity of entomopathogenic fungi used
for mosquito control. American Journal of Tropical Medicine
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Darshan D and Anderson GJ. Interacting signals in the control
of hepcidin expression. Biometals 22(1): 77-87, 2009
Datu BJ, Loukas A, Cantacessi C, O’Donoghue P and
Gasser RB. Investigation of the regulation of transcriptional
changes in Ancylostoma caninum larvae following serum
activation, with a focus on the insulin-like signalling pathway.
Veterinary Parasitology 159(2): 139-148, 2008
Dave KA, Whelan F, Bindloss C, Furness SG, Chapman-
Smith A, Whitelaw ML and Gorman JJ. Sulfonation and
phosphorylation of regions of the dioxin receptor susceptible to
methionine modifi cations. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics 8:
706-719, 2009
Davies MR, Shera J, Van Domselaar GH, Sriprakash KS
and McMillan DJ. A novel integrative conjugative element
mediates genetic transfer from group G streptococcus to other
beta-haemolytic streptococci. Journal of Bacteriology 191(7):
2257-2265, 2009
Davis AJ, Carr JM, Bagley CJ, Powell J, Warrilow D,
Harrich D, Burrell CJ and Li P. Human immunodefi ciency
virus type-1 reverse transcriptase exists as post-translationally
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de Zubicaray, Chiang MC, McMahon KL, Shattuck DW,
Toga AW, Martin NG, Wright MJ and Thompson PM.
Meeting the Challenges of Neuroimaging Genetics. Brain
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Dirani M, Shekar SN and Baird PN. Adult-onset myopia:
the Genes in Myopia (GEM) twin study. Investigative
Ophthalmology and Visual Science 49(8): 3324-3327, 2008
Dirani M, Shekar SN and Baird PN. Evidence of shared
genes in refraction and axial length: the Genes in Myopia
(GEM) twin study. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual
Science 49(10): 4336-4339, 2008
Dirani M, Shekar SN and Baird PN. The role of educational
attainment in refraction: the Genes in Myopia (GEM) twin study.
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 49(2): 534-
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Distel MA, Rebollo-Mesa I, Willemsen G, Derom CA, Trull
TJ, Martin NG and Boomsma DI. Familial resemblance of
borderline personality disorder features: genetic or cultural
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Dixon MW, Peatey CL, Gardiner DL and Trenholme KR.
A green fl uorescent protein-based assay for determining
gametocyte production in Plasmodium falciparum. Molecular
and Biochemical Parasitology 163(2): 123-126, 2008
Dixon WMA, Spielmann T, Hawthorne PL, Anderson
KL, Trenholme KR and Gardiner DL. Targeting of the Ring
Exported Protein 1 to the Maurer’s clefts is mediated by a two
phase process. Traffi c 9(8): 1316-1326, 2008
Dobaño C, Sedegah M, Rogers WO, Kumar S, Zheng
H, Hoffman SL and Doolan DL. Plasmodium: mammalian
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Pinzon-Charry A and López J.A. Tumor-derived Factors
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Pritchard AL, Pritchard CW, Bentham P and Lendon
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Rabelo EM, Hall RS, Loukas A, Cooper L, Hu M,
Ranganathan S and Gasser RB. Improved insights into the
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Ramm GA, Shepherd RW, Hoskins AC, Greco SA, Ney
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QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 123
monocyte chemotaxis protein-1 in hepatic stellate cell
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Engwerda CR. Cutting edge: selective blockade of LIGHT-
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experimental cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium berghei
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Ranjit N, Zhan B, Hamilton B, Stenzel D, Lowther J,
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degradation of hemoglobin in the intestine of the human
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Ranjit N, Zhan B, Stenzel DJ, Mulvenna J, Fujiwara
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proteases expressed in the gut of the human hookworm,
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Rebbeck TR, Antoniou AC, Llopis TC, Nevanlinna H,
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Pereira LHM, Greene M, Andrulis IL, OCGN, Pasche B,
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EMBRACE, Peyrat J-P, Fournier J, Vennin P, Adenis C,
Muller D, Fricker J-P, Longy M, Sinilnikova OM, Stoppa-
Lyonnet D, GEMO, Schmutzler, RK, Versmold B, Engel
C, Meindl A, Kast K, Schaefer D, Froster UG, Chenevix-
Trench G, Easton DE. No association of TGFB1 genotypes
and breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation
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and Treatment 115(1): 185-92, 2009
Reid DW, Anderson GJ and Lamont IL. Cystic fi brosis:
ironing out the problem of infection? American Journal of
Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology 295(1):
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Reiersen AM, Constantino JN, Grimmer M, Martin NG
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Richard DJ, Bolderson E and Khanna KK. Multiple human
single-stranded DNA binding proteins function in genome
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Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 14:
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Richmond-Sinclair NM, Pandeya N, Ware RS, Neale RE,
Williams GM, van der Pols JC and Green AC. Incidence
of basal cell carcinoma multiplicity and detailed anatomic
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Journal of Investigative Dermatology 129(2): 323-328, 2009
Richmond-Sinclair NM, Lee E, Cummings MC, Williamson
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Histologic and epidemiologic correlates of P-MAPK, Brn-2,
pRb, p53, and p16 immunostaining in cutaneous melanomas.
Melanoma Research 18(5): 336-345, 2008
Rogers PA, D’Hooghe TM, Fazleabas A, Gargett CE,
Giudice LC, Montgomery GW, Rombauts L, Salamonsen
LA and Zondervan KT. Priorities for endometriosis research:
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Ruddell RG, Hoang-Le D, Barwood JM, Rutherford PS,
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Ruddell RG, Knight B, Tirnitz-Parker JEE, Akhurst B,
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stellate cell function and wound healing in a murine model of
chronic liver injury. Hepatology, 49(1): 227-239, 2009
Russell TL, Gatton ML, Ryan PA and Kay BH. Quality
assurance of aerial applications of larvicides for mosquito
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Russell TL and Kay BH. Biologically based insecticides for the
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Ruyssers NE, De Winter BY, De Man JG Loukas A, Herman
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Clinical and Developmental Immunology 567314, 2008
Ruyssers NE, De Winter BY, De Man JG, Loukas A,
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Schermer JA, Feather NT, Zhu G and Martin NG.
Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental properties of the
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Schildkraut JM, Goode EL, Clyde MA, Iversen ES,
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Chenevix-Trench G, Webb PM, Beesley J, Chen X, Phelan
C, Sutphen R, Sellers TA, Pearce L, Wu AH, Van Den Berg
D, Conti D, Elund CK, Anderson R, Goodman MT, Lurie
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Jacobs I, Krüger Kjaer S, Hogdall E, Blaakaer J, Hogdall C,
Easton DF, Song H, Pharoah PD, Whittemore AS, McGuire
V, Quaye L, Anton-Culver H, Ziogas A, Terry KL, Cramer
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Senter L, Clendenning M, Sotamaa K, Hampel H, Green
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The clinical phenotype of Lynch syndrome due to germ-line
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Shattuck DW, Chiang MC, Barysheva M, McMahon KL,
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Shekar SN, Duffy DL, Frudakis T, Sturm RA, Zhao ZZ,
Montgomery GW and Martin NG. Linkage and Association
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Journal of Investigative Dermatology 128(12): 2807-2814,
2008
Shi J, Misso NL, Kedda MA, Horn J, Welch MD, Duffy DL,
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Shin SJ, Simpson PT, Da Silva L, Jayanthan J, Reid
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Simerska P, Abdel-Aal A-BM, Fujita Y, Batzloff MR, Good
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Maksymowych W, Pointon JJ, Rahman P, Reveille, JD,
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Slutske WS, D’Onofrio BM, Turkheimer E, Emery RE,
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Slutske WS, Meier MH, Zhu G, Statham DJ, Blaszczynski
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Smith AG, Beaumont KA, Smit DJ, Thurber AE, Cook
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Smith S, Martinez M, Cooper L, Rist M, Zhong J and
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Smith C, Wakisaka N, Crough T, Peet J, Yoshizaki T,
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Smith E, De Young NJ, Pavey SJ, Hayward NK, Nancarrow
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Song H, Ramus SJ, Kjaer SK, DiCioccio RA, Chenevix-
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Stram DO, Menon U, Gentry-Maharaj A, Jacobs IJ,
Webb PM, Beesley J, Chen X, Rossing MA, Doherty JA,
Chang-Claude J, Wang-Gohrke S, Goodman MT, Lurie G,
Thompson PJ, Carney ME, Ness RB, Moysich K, Goode
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JM, Berchuck A, Iversen ES, Moorman PG, Garcia-Closas
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Ziogas A, Brewster WR, Ponder BA, Easton DF, Gayther
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Stanley AC, Dalton JE, Rossotti SH, Macdonald KP, Zhou
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Engwerda CR. VCAM-1 and VLA-4 modulate dendritic cell IL-
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Pathogens 4(9): e1000158, 2008
Steer AC, Jenney AW, Kado J, Batzloff MR, La Vincente
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burden of impetigo and scabies in a tropical country. PLoS
Neglected Tropical Diseases 3(6): e467, 2009
Steer AC, Jenney AW, Kado J, Good MF, Batzloff M, Magor
G, Ritika R, Mulholland KE and Carapetis JR. Prospective
surveillance of streptococcal sore throat in a tropical country.
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal 28(6): 477-482, 2009
Steer AC, Jenney A, Kado J, Good MF, Batzloff M,
Waqatakirewa L, Mullholland EK and Carapetis JR.
Prospective surveillance of invasive Group A streptococcal
disease, Fiji, 2005-2007. Emerging Infectious Diseases 15(2):
216-222, 2009.
Steer AC, Kado J, Jenney AW, Batzloff M, Waqatakirewa L,
Mulholland EK and Carapetis JR. Acute rheumatic fever and
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Steer AC, Kado J, Wilson N, Tuiketei T, Batzloff M,
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Steer AC, Vidmar S, Ritika R, Kado J, Batzloff M,
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Stone JL, O’Donovan MC, Gurling H, Kirov GK, Blackwood
DH, Corvin A, Craddock NJ, Gill M, Hultman CM,
Lichtenstein P, McQuillin A, Pato CN, Ruderfer DM, Owen
MJ, St Clair D, Sullivan PF, Sklar P, Purcell Leader SM;
Data analysis; Stone JL, Ruderfer DM, Korn J, Kirov GK,
Macgregor S, McQuillin A, Morris DW, O’Dushlaine CT,
Daly MJ, Visscher PM, Holmans PA, O’Donovan MC,
Sullivan PF, Sklar P, Purcell Leader SM, Gurling H, Corvin
A, Blackwood DH, Craddock NJ, Gill M, Hultman CM,
Kirov GK, Lichtenstein P, McQuillin A, O’Donovan MC,
Owen MJ, Pato CN, Purcell SM, Scolnick EM, St Clair
D, Stone JL, Sullivan PF, Sklar Leader P, O’Donovan
MC, Kirov GK, Craddock NJ, Holmans PA, Williams NM,
Georgieva L, Nikolov I, Norton N, Williams H, Toncheva
D, Milanova V, Owen MJ, Hultman CM, Lichtenstein P,
Thelander EF, Sullivan P, Morris DW, O’Dushlaine CT,
Kenny E, Waddington JL, Gill M, Corvin A,McQuillin A,
Choudhury K, Datta S, Pimm J, Thirumalai S, Puri V,
Krasucki R, Lawrence J, Quested D, Bass N, Curtis D,
Gurling H, Crombie C, Fraser G, Leh Kwan S, Walker N, St
Clair D, Blackwood DH, Muir WJ, McGhee KA,
Pickard B, Malloy P, Maclean AW, Van Beck M, Visscher
PM, Macgregor S, Pato MT, Medeiros H, Middleton F,
Carvalho C, Morley C, Fanous A, Conti D, Knowles JA,
Paz Ferreira C, Macedo A, Helena Azevedo M, Pato CN,
Stone JL, Ruderfer DM, Korn J, McCarroll SA, Daly M,
Purcell SM, Sklar P, Purcell SM, Stone JL, Chambert K,
Ruderfer DM, Korn J, McCarroll SA, Gates C, Gabriel SB,
Mahon S, Ardlie K, Daly MJ, Scolnick EM and Sklar P.
Rare chromosomal deletions and duplications increase risk of
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St Pierre L, Earl S, Filippovich I, Sorokina S, Masci P,
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Sukor N, Mulatero P, Gordon RD, So A, Duffy D, Bertello
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Sullivan PF, de Geus EJ, Willemsen G, James MR, Smit
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Coventry WL, Domschke K, Farmer A, Fava M, Gordon SD,
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Tabrizi JS, Wilson AJ and O’Rourke P. Customer quality in
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Teixeira-Carvalho A, Fujiwara RT, Stemmy E, Olive D,
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Tothill RW, Tinker AV, George J, Brown R, Fox SB, Lade S,
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QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 127
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van der Pols JC, Heinen MM, Hughes MC, Ibiebele TI,
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Vaughan K, Blythe M, Greenbaum J, Zhang Q, Peters
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Westendorp RGJ, Slagboom PE, Tiemeier H, Hofman
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Penninx BW and Boomsma DI. Genome-wide association
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Journal of Human Genetics 84(3): 367-379, 2009
Visscher PM. Whole genome approaches to quantitative
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Waddell N. Microarray-based DNA profi ling to study genomic
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Wade TD, Treloar SA and Martin NG. Shared and unique risk
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Waldron M, Heath AC, Bucholz KK, Madden PAF and
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Walker G. Cutaneous melanoma: how does ultraviolet light
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Walker G and Box N. Ribosomal stress, p53 activation
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Walker NA, Crawford DH, Subramaniam VN and Wallace
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Walker GJ, Kimlin MG, Hacker E, Ravishankar S, Muller
HK, Beermann F and Hayward NK. Murine Neonatal
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Journal of Investigative Dermatology 129(1): 184-193, 2008
Walker LC, Waddell N, Ten Haaf A, kConFab Investigators,
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Wallace DF and Subramaniam VN. Co-factors in liver
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Walsh MD, Young J, Spurdle A and Obermair A. Lynch
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Walsh MD, Dent OF, Young JP, Wright CM, Barker
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Waltes R, Kalb R, Gatei M, Kijas A, Stumm M, Sobeck A,
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Wang X, Gobert GN, Feng X, Fu Z, Yuan C, Jin Y, Han H
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Watkins WS, Thara R, Mowry BJ, Zhang Y, Witherspoon
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Webb N, Connolly G, Tellam J, Yap AS and Khanna R.
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Webbink HD, Posthuma D, Boomsma DI, Eco J.C. de
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Webster J, Courtney M, O’Rouke P, Marsh N, Gale C,
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Age and Ageing 37(6): 702-706, 2008
Weiss LA, Shen Y, Korn JM, Arking DE, Miller DT, Fossdal
R, Saemundsen E, Stefansson H, Ferreira MA, Green T,
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A, Tanzi RE, Stefansson K, Santangelo SL, Gusella
JF, Sklar P, Wu BL and Daly MJ. Association between
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New England Journal of Medicine 358(7): 667-675, 2008
Whisstock JC, McGowan S, Trenholme KR, Gardiner DL,
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Whitelaw NC and Whitelaw E. Transgenerational epigenetic
inheritance in health and disease. Current Opinion on Genetics
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Whiteman DC. Hot tea and increased risk of oesophageal
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2009
Whitfi eld JB, Dy V, Madden PA, Heath AC, Martin NG
and Montgomery GW. Measuring carbohydrate-defi cient
transferrin by direct immunoassay: factors affecting diagnostic
sensitivity for excessive alcohol intake. Clinical Chemistry 54(7):
1158-1165, 2008
Wilkins SE, Hyvärinen J, Chicher J, Gorman JJ, Daniel
J, Peet DJ, Bilton RL and Koivunen P. Differences
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(FIH-1) International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
41(7): 1563-1571, 2009
Winning A, Braslins P and McCarthy JS. Case report:
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American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 80(2):176-
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Wipasa J, Xu H, Liu X, Hirunpetcharat C, Stowers A
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vaccination with the 19-kilodalton carboxyl terminus of
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for the application of a human malaria vaccine. Infection and
Immunity 77(2): 817-824, 2009
Woo J, Tone S, Campbell MJ, Wallace L, Meagher S,
Montgomery GW, Chao F, Chan W and Vollenhoven B.
Two corpora lutea seen at 6–13 weeks’ gestation infers
dizygosity among spontaneous same-sexed dichorionic twins.
Twin Research and Human Genetics 12(2): 180-182, 2009
Woodberry T, Pinzon-Charry A, Piera KA, Panpisutchai
Y, Engwerda CR, Doolan DL, Salwati E, Kenangalem
E, Tjitra E, Price RN, Good MF and Anstey NM. Human
T cell recognition of the blood stage antigen Plasmodium
hypoxanthine guanine xanthine phosphoribosyl transferase
(HGXPRT) in acute malaria. Malaria Journal 8: 122, 2009
Worthley DL, Johnson DF, Eisen DP, Dean MM, Heatley
SL, Tung JP, Scott J, Padbury RT, Harley HA, Bardy PG,
Angus PW and Mullighan CG. Donor mannose-binding
lectin defi ciency increases the likelihood of clinically signifi cant
infection after liver transplantation. Clinical Infectious Diseases
48(4): 410-417, 2009
Worthley DL, Ruszkiewicz A, Davies R, Moore S, Nivison-
Smith I, Bik To L, Browett P, Western R, Durrant S, So
J, Young GP, Mullighan CG, Bardy PG, and Michael MZ.
Human gastrointestinal neoplasia-associated myofi broblasts
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Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. Stem Cells 27(6):
1463-1468, 2009
Worthley DL, Suthers G and Lipton L. Management of
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Medical Journal 38(8): 644-650, 2008
Wray NR, James MR, Handoko HY, Dumenil T, Lind PA,
Montgomery GW and Martin NG. Association study of
candidate variants from brain-derived neurotrophic factor
and dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 with neuroticism, anxiety,
and depression. Psychiatric Genetics 18(5): 219-225 2008
Wray NR, James MR, Dumenil T, Handoko HY, Lind
PA, Montgomery GW and Martin NG. Association study
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QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 129
of candidate variants of COMT with neuroticism, anxiety,
and depression. American Journal of Medical Genetics -
Neuropsychiatric Genetics 147B(7): 1314-1318, 2008
Wray NR, Goddard ME and Visscher PM. Prediction of
individual genetic risk of complex disease. Current Opinion in
Genetics and Development 18(3): 257-263, 2008
Wright MJ, Gillespie NA, Luciano M, Zhu G and Martin
NG. Genetics of personality and cognition in adolescents. In:
Development Psychopathology and Wellness : Genetic and
Environmental Infl uences (J Hudziak Ed) American Psychiatric
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Wykes MN and Good MF. What really happens to dendritic
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870, 2008. Review
Yang YR, Craig PS, Vuitton DA, Williams GM, Sun T, Liu
TX, Boufana B, Giraudoux P, Teng J, Li Y, Huang L, Zhang
W, Jones MK and McManus DP. Serological prevalence of
echinococcosis and risk factors for infection amongst children
in rural communities of southern Ningxia, China. Tropical
Medicine and International Health 13(8): 1086-1094, 2008
Yang YR, McManus DP, Huang Y and Heath DD.
Echinococcus granulosus infection and options for control
of cystic echinococcosis in Tibetan communities of Western
Sichuan Province, China. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
3(4): e426, 2009
Yin M, Hu W, Mo X, Wang S, Brindley PF, McManus
DP, Davis GM, Feng Z and Blair D. Multiple near-identical
genotypes of Schistosoma japonicum can occur in snails and
have implications for population-genetic analyses. International
Journal for Parasitology 38(14): 1681-1691, 2008
Yong M, Mitchell D, Caudron A, Toth I and Olive C.
Expression of maturation markers on murine dendritic cells
in response to group A streptococcal lipopeptide vaccines.
Vaccine 27(25-26): 3313-3318, 2009
Youl PH, Coxeter PD, Whiteman DC and Aitken J.
Screening for skin cancer in Queensland: who attends, and
why and where do they attend? Medical Journal of Australia
190(1): 45-45, 2009. Letter
Youngson NA and Whitelaw E. Transgenerational epigenetic
effects. Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics 9:
233-257, 2008. Review
Zhang W and McManus DP. Advances in the immunology
and diagnosis of echinococcosis. In: Advances in Hydatid
Disease Diagnosis and Treatment. Filppou DK (Ed). Pashalidis
Medical Publishing, Athens, Greece. Chapter 8 pp 125-146, 2009
Zhang W and McManus DP. Vaccination of dogs against
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Zhang W, Ross AG and McManus DP. Mechanisms
of immunity in hydatid disease: implications for vaccine
development. Journal of Immunology 181(10):6679-85, 2008.
Review
Zhao ZZ, Duffy DL, Thomas SA, Martin NG, Hayward NK
and Montgomery GW. Polymorphisms in the syntaxin 17
gene are not associated with human cutaneous malignant
melanoma. Melanoma Research 19(2): 80-86, 2009
Zhao ZZ, Painter JN, Palmer JS, Webb PM, Hayward NK,
Whiteman DC, Boomsma DI, Martin NG, Duffy DL and
Montgomery GW. Variation in bone morphogenetic protein 15
is not associated with spontaneous human dizygotic twinning.
Human Reproduction 23(10): 2372-2379, 2008
Zhao ZZ, Nyholt DR, Thomas S, Treloar SA and
Montgomery GW. Polymorphisms in the vascular endothelial
growth factor gene and the risk of familial endometriosis.
Molecular Human Reproduction 14(9): 531-538, 2008
Zhao ZZ, Nyholt DR, Le L, Treloar SA and Montgomery
GW. Common variation in the CYP17A1 and IFIT1 genes
on Chromosome 10 does not contribute to the risk of
Endometriosis. The Open Reproductive Science Journal 1:
35-40, 2008
Zhong J, Rist M, Cooper L, Smith C and Khanna R.
Induction of pluripotent protective immunity following
immunisation with a chimeric vaccine against human
cytomegalovirus. PLoS ONE 3(9): e3256, 2008
Zhong W, Skwarczynski M, Simerska P, Good MF and Toth
I. Development of highly pure α-helical lipoglycopeptides as
self-adjuvanting vaccines. Tetrahedron 65(17): 3459-3464,
2009
B. P. Zietsch, K. I. Morley, S. N. Shekar, K. J. H. Verweij,
M. C. Keller, S. Macgregor, M. J. Wright, J. M. Bailey and
N. G. Martin. Genetic factors predisposing to homosexuality
may increase mating success in heterosexuals. Evolution and
Human Behavior 29(6): 424-433, 2008
DR FIONA AMANTE
A Role for plasmacytoid dendritic cells in controlling parasite
burden and cerebral pathology during malaria infection
Brisbane Immunology Group, Sunshine Coast, Aug 2008
PROF GREG ANDERSON
Interacting signals in the control of hepcidin expression Biometals 2008 Symposium, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Jul 2008
Hepatic iron metabolism in health and disease: Iron metabolism
for clinicians
Roche Hepatology Masterclass, Sydney, Jul 2008
Regulation of mammalian iron transport Curtin Conference on Ion Channels and Transporters, Canberra, Apr 2009
1. Regulating mammalian iron homeostasis
2. Metabolism and diseases
Second Australia-China Biomedical Research Conference, Tianjin, China,
Apr 2009
Opportunities for novel therapeutics for disorders of iron
homeostasis
Symposium on Biomedicine and Drug Development, Guangzhou, China,
Apr 2009
PROF ANDREW BOYD
EphA4 in spinal cord injury Queensland Brain Institute Conference, Noosa Heads, Aug 2008
Eph receptors as targets for therapy in cancer and spinal cord injury Hanson Institute, IMVS, Adelaide, Oct 08
Novel targets for therapy in malignant glioma AHMRC, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Eph kinases as tumour markers and potential targets for therapy HSANZ conference, Brisbane, Mar 2009
Cell membrane protein targets for therapy in leukaemia and
other cancers
Haematology Oncology Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital,
Brisbane, Jun 2009
DR GLEN BOYLE
1. Induction of senescence by diterpene esters in melanoma
2. A novel therapeutic target for metastatic melanoma
The Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, Nov 2008.
ASSOC PROF SCOTT BURROWS
Mapping of an immunodominant viral CD8+ T cell epitope with a
minimal length of 16 residues illustrates the broad peptide length
specifi city of some MHC class I molecules
Frontiers in Immunology Research International Conference, Florence,
Italy, Jul 2008
New Insights into allorecognition 22nd International Congress of the Transplantation Society, Sydney, Aug 2008
Epitope selection in the CD8+ T cell response to Epstein-Barr virus:
The infl uence of a new immune evasion protein and a fussy HLA allele
Brisbane Immunology Group Annual Retreat, Sunshine Coast, Aug 2008
The impact of polymorphism in HLA and TCR Vbeta genes on the
T cell response to herpesviruses
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne,
Dec 2008
PROF GEORGIA CHENEVIX-TRENCH
Genetic susceptibility to breast cancer NZ Society of Oncology, Christchurch, New Zealand, Nov 2008
Finding breast and ovarian cancer SNPs and the implications for
public health
Australian Health and Medical Research Council, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Current trends in ovarian cancer research International Ovarian Cancer Forum, Montreal, Canada, Sep 2008
Towards an understanding of the genetic architecture of
breast cancer
University of Queensland Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology
and Metabolic Medicine, Brisbane, Nov 2008 and Murdoch Children’s
Research Institute, Melbourne, Nov 2008
Predictors of outcome in the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study University of Chicago, Chicago, USA, Jun, 2009
INVITED LECTURES AND
PRESENTATIONS 2008-2009
130 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
DR QIN CHENG
Dissecting drug resistance in Plasmodium vivax Plasmodium vivax and Beyond, Panama city, Panama, May 2009
DR SUYINN CHONG
Modifi ers of epigenetic reprogramming display paternal effects ComBio, Canberra, Sept 2008
A mouse model of fetal alcohol syndrome Griffi th Medical Research College Retreat, Brisbane, May 2009
DR ARCHIE CLEMENTS
Mapping to support malaria elimination in the Asia-Pacifi c region. Asia-Pacifi c Malaria Elimination Network Inaugural Meeting, Brisbane, Feb 2009
Application of spatial epidemiological tools in the era of renewed
neglected tropical disease control: the example of schistosomiasis.
2nd International Symposium on Geospatial Health, New Orleans, USA,
Dec 2008
Geostatistical risk maps as tools for enhanced planning of large-
scale schistosomiasis control in Africa
17th International Congress on Tropical Medicine and Malaria, Jeju, South
Korea, Oct 2008
Spatial heterogeneity of parasite co-infection: determinants and
geostatistical prediction at regional scales
Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Spatial epidemiological research: An analytical framework for using
GIS tools – examples from infectious disease modelling in Africa
NSW Health, Epidemiology Special Interest Group meeting, Sydney,
Apr 2009
Malaria mapping Oxford University Malaria Atlas Project Workshop, Oxford, UK, Jul 2008
Bayesian methods in spatial epidemiology London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK, Mar 2009
Mapping tropical parasitic diseases, relevance to malaria in the Pacifi c Pacifi c Malaria Initiative Meeting, Honiara, Solomon Islands, Aug 2008
DR MARK CLENDENNING
Using MLPA in a research setting HGSA workshop on MLPA and arrayCGH, Brisbane, Apr 2009
DR BRYAN DAY
EphA3 regulates cancer progenitor cell self-renewal and
proliferation in glioma neurosphere cultures
World Federation of Neuro-oncologists, Yokohama, Japan, May 2009
DR DENISE DOOLAN
The role of of immunomics in vaccine development – what and why? Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Genome credentialing and vaccine development Griffi th Medical Research College 2009 Retreat, Brisbane, 28 Apr 2009
DR DAVID DUFFY
Faculty Teaching - Computational biology workshop Faculty Teaching - Computational Biology Workshop, Muscat, Oman, Jan 2009
DR CHRISTIAN ENGWERDA
The pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria during
Schistosoma mansoni infection
Keystone Symposium, Malaria: Immunology, Pathogenesis and Vaccine
Perspectives, Alpbach, Austria, Jun 2008
Sites of T cell activation in experimental visceral leishmaniasis Comparative Genomics Centre, JCU, Townsville, Nov 2008
The pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria Centenary Institute, Sydney, Apr 2009
DR MANUEL FERREIRA
Large-scale genetic approaches to dissect asthma aetiology MEGA Epidemiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Feb 2009
Genetic principles for linkage and association studies Invited Faculty: 22nd International Workshop on Methodology of Twin and
Family Studies, Boulder, Colorado, Mar 2009
Copy number variations: detection and analysis Invited Faculty: 22nd International Workshop on Methodology of Twin and
Family Studies, Boulder, Colorado, Mar 2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 131
DR KATJA FISCHER
Scabies mite inactivated protease paralogues inhibit human
complement
3rd Annual Conference of the Australian Society for Parasitology and
the ARC/NHMRC Research Network for Parasitology, Glenelg, South
Australia, Jul 2008
Towards a scabies mite genome project Inaugural Scabies Workshop, Darwin, Aug 2008
Scabies mite inactivated protease paralogues inhibit human
complement
22nd International Complement Conference, Basel, Switzerland, Nov
2008
ASSOC PROF MAHER GANDHI
Lymphoma (Chair) Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand National Conference,
Perth, Oct 2008
Lymphoma biomarkers Haematology / Oncology Targeted Therapies, Melbourne, Sydney, May 2009
DR DON GARDINER
HIV and malaria Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Conference, Melbourne, Jul 2008
The aspartyl aminopeptidase of Plasmodium falciparum Griffi th Medical Research College - 2009 Retreat, Brisbane, Apr 2009
ASSOC PROF GAIL GARVEY
The AMC’s Standards for Indigenous Health: an assessor’s
perspective
Australian Medical Council, Melbourne, Sept 2008
DR MICHELLE GATTON
A biological approach to modeling malaria transmission Swiss Tropical Institute seminar, Basel, Switzerland, 25 Jun 2009
DR MELINA GEORGOUSAKIS
Commensal bacteria as a mucosal delivery system for vaccines
against group A streptococcus
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, Sept 2008
The science of vaccine development, from bench top to bedside QUT, Pharmacy Undergraduate Students, Brisbane, Aug 2008
The development of a live vaccine against group A streptococcus Australian Heart Foundation, Brisbane, 16 May 2009
A live delivery system for a minimal epitope vaccine against GAS XVII Lancefi eld International Symposium on streptococci and
streptococcal diseases, Porto Heli, Greece, Jul 2008
DR GEOFF GOBERT
Gene expressional changes during the Schistosoma japonicum
lifecycle
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, Shanghai, China, Oct 2008 and
China Human Genome Centre, Shanghai, China, Oct 2008
PROF MICHAEL GOOD
Translating Research into Policy: the role of the National Health and
Medical Research Council
Clinical Research Excellence Conference (CRX08), Brisbane, 7 Aug, 2008
Malaria parasite escape mechanisms and strategies to induce
immunity
ASI IgV-Mitenyi Winter Seminar fo the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre,
WEHI, Melbourne, Aug 2008
The challenges to control malaria: progress towards a vaccine Australasian Medical Writers Association 25th Anniversary Conference,
Brisbane, Oct, 2008
Translation of public health knowledge into policy: the low cost
option to reduce chronic illness’
APHA 28th National Congress 2008, Adelaide, Oct, 2008
Challenges beyond the subunit paradigm for blood stage malaria
vaccination
NIH, Bethesda, USA, Nov 2008
INVITED LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
2008-2009 CONTINUED
132 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
Challenges beyond the subunit paradigm for blood stage malaria
vaccination
University of Hawaii, Hawaii, USA, Nov 2008
2020 Australia: priorities for health research and policy Sax Institute Health Policy and Research Exchange, Sydney, Nov 2008
Malaria parasite escape mechanisms and strategies to induce immunity ASI 2008, Canberra, 7-10 Dec 2008
Contributions of women to the research efforts and support of
research at QIMR
International Women’s Day Luncheon hosted by the Queensland Police
Service, Brisbane, Mar 2009
Progress with malaria vaccines – are we learning from history? NIAID Workshop: Immunology of Malaria, Washington, USA, Mar 2009
Early development of a GMP grade whole blood challenge facility Malaria Blood-Stage Challenge Workshop, Bethesda, Washington, USA,
Mar 2009
Welcome and overview Public Forum - Mosquito and Man: an unhealthy relationship, Brisbane,
Apr 2009
Promises and challenges in developing new vaccines, with a focus
on diseases of the developing world
Public Lecture, World Day of Immunology 2009, ANU, Canberra, Apr 2009
Rationale and strategy for a whole organism vaccine for the blood
stages of malaria
MALVAC 2009 Meeting – WHO Scientifi c Forum on Malaria Vaccines:
Progress and Challenges in Development of Whole Organism Malaria
Vaccines for Endemic Countries, Dakar, Senegal, Jun 2009
Manufacture and testing of a whole blood stage vaccine MALVAC 2009 Meeting – WHO Scientifi c Forum on Malaria Vaccines:
Progress and Challenges in Development of Whole Organism Malaria
Vaccines for Endemic Countries, Dakar, Senegal, Jun 2009
PROF JEFF GORMAN
Analysis of post-translational modifi cations on signal-activated
transcription factors
St Vincent’s Institute, Melbourne, May 2009
Post-Translational Surprises on Mammalian Signal Activated
Transcription Factors
CSIRO Health and Molecular Technologies, Melbourne, May 2009 and
American Society for biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Special Symposium
on Post-Translational Modifi cations, Granlibakken, USA, Oct 2008
PROF ADÈLE GREEN
1. Ganesapillai Memorial Lecture, Diet and photoprotection
2. Skin Cancer and other protection measures
3. Melanoma – causes and prevention
33rd Dermatological Society of Malaysia Dermatology Congress, Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia, Aug 2008
Assessing sun exposure as a cause of skin cancer Dermatology Dept , Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The
Netherlands, Apr 2009
1. Sunscreens- do they have a role in photoprotection?
2. Overview of skin cancer incidence and association with sun exposure
World Congress of Cancers of the Skin, Tel Aviv, Israel, May 2009
1. 20 year Australian study of skin cancer and the role of
sunscreen and foods
2. 20 year Australian study of skin cancer and Photoageing
L’Oreal Research, Paris, France, May 2009
Obesity and Cancer and Illustration: Oesophageal cancer University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, May 2009
Photoprotection and actinic skin tumours L’Oreal Research, Paris, France, May 2009
DR ELKE HACKER
The adventures of science High School Awards Night, Cooroy, Nov 2008
My journey so far Orientation Welcome, Sunshine Coast, Feb 2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 133
PROF DAVID HARRICH
The repressor of reverse transcription is critical for HIV-1 infectivity
and replication
HIV and Hepatitis Meeting, Terrigal, NSW, Jun 2009
PROF NICK HAYWARD
Finding new low penetrance melanoma predisposition genes: is it
all about pigmentation?
Hunter Medical Research Institute Conference on Translational Cancer
Research: Pathways to Tailored Therapies, Newcastle, Sept 2008
Identifying new low penetrance melanoma predisposition genes: is
it all about skin phenotypes?
Lorne Cancer Conference, Lorne, Australia, Feb 2009
Molecular genetics of melanoma: are all low penetrance
susceptibility genes related to skin phenotypes?
12th World Congress on Cancers of the Skin, Tel Aviv, Israel, May 2009
PROF GEOFF HILL
Infl ammation in transplantation American Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Tampa Bay, USA,
Feb 2009
NKT cell activation in transplantation Invited Lecture, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City,
USA, May 2009
Cytokine dependent manipulation of GVHD and GVL responses World Transplant Congress, Plenary speaker. Sydney, Aug 2008
DR MALCOLM JONES
Tissue specifi c profi ling of the human pathogen Schistosoma
japonicum by integrated laser microdissection microscopy and
microarray analysis
International Congress of Tropical Medicine and Malaria, Jeju, Korea, Oct
2008
PROF BRIAN KAY
Astounding success in controlling Aedes aegypti using community-
based biological control in Vietnam
XXIII International Congress of Entomology, Durban, South Africa, Aug 2008
Chair, PMSEIC Expert Working Group on Epidemics in a
changing world
Prime Minister’s Scientifi c, Engineering and Innovation Council, Canberra,
Jun 2009
Grand Challenges for Global Health Third Annual meeting- Grand Challenges for Global Health, Bangkok,
Thailand, Oct 2008
Astounding success in controlling Aedes aegypti using community-
based biological control in Vietnam- an update on progress
Second international Conference on Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic
Fever, Phuket, Thailand, Oct 2008
PROF DAVE KEMP
Molecular work on scabies Inaugural Scabies Workshop, Darwin, Aug 2008
DR KUM KUM KHANNA
Evolutionary conserved single stranded DNA binding proteins
critical for genomic stability
Tolmac Symposium: early steps in DNA damage detection, St Louis, USA,
Oct 2008
hSSB1 and genome maintenance International Conference in Radiation Biology & Translational Research in
Radiation Oncology, India, Jaipur, Nov 2008
Signalling and repair of DNA damage Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Defective DNA damage Response and cancer susceptibility Seminars at Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Nov 2008 and
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Apr 2009
Coping with DNA damage to maintain genomic stability Second Australia-China Biomedical Research Conference, Tianjin, China,
24-27 Apr 2009
ASSOC PROF RAJIV KHANNA
Host cellular defence against EBV NIH/NCI, Bethesda, USA, Sep 8-9 2008
INVITED LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
2008-2009 CONTINUED
134 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
Vaccines and diagnostics International CMV consensus meeting for Solid Organ Transplant patients,
Paris, France, Dec 2008
Collaborative research in medical biotechnology Queensland Government Delegation for Queensland-India Dialogue, New
Delhi, India, April 6-9, 2009
Translation of herepesvirus immunology from bench to bedside John Curtin School of Medical Research, Canberra, Apr 2009
PROF MARTIN LAVIN
A central role for ATM in the DNA damage response St Vincents Medical Research Institute Conference, Melbourne, Jun 2008
ATM/Rad50/SMC-1: A novel signalling pathway for DNA repair and
cell cycle checkpoint control”
International Conference on Genome Stability in Health and Disease,
Jerusalem, Israel, Sept 2008
Mitochondrial defects in autosomal recessive ataxias AussieMit Workshop, Melbourne, Nov 2008
Rad50 mediates the DNA damage response Friedrich Ataxia Research Association, Melbourne, Nov 2008
Role of ATM in the DNA damage response to minimise the risk of
cancer and neurodegenerative disease
Australian Chinese Association for Biomedical Sciences 2009, Tianjin,
China, Apr 2009
Rad50 mediates the DNA damage response 11th International Wolfsberg Meeting on Molecular Radiation Biology/
Oncology, Wolfsberg, Switzerland, Jun 2009
PROF BARBARA LEGGETT
Prophylactic vaccine for human cytomegalovirus MedImmune, San Jose, California, USA, May 2009
Colorectal Cancer: understanding the pathways of tumourigenesis
to improve prevention and treatment
Inaugural Queensland Institutes of Health Forum, Caloundra, Aug 2008
Genetics of colorectal cancer Asia Pacifi c Digestive Week, New Delhi, India, Sep 2008
Molecular pathogenesis of serrated polyps Digestive Diseases Week, Chicago, USA, Jun 2009
Assoc Prof Alejandro López
Células Madres Cancerígenas en Inmunoterapia contra el Cáncer
del Seno
Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia, Dec 2008
Breast cancer stem cells as targets for immunotherapy Griffi th Medical Research College Retreat, Brisbane, Apr 2009
DR KELLI MACDONALD
Bone marrow transplantation, where are we in 2009? Capricornia Medical Conference, Rockhampton, Jun 2009
SOCS3 regulates GVHD Tolerance and Autoimmunity, Antigua, West Indies, May 2009
DR STUART MACGREGOR
Effect and admixture on Norfolk Island Gold Coast Health and Medical Research Congress, Gold Coast, Nov 2008
Prof James McCarthy
Anthelmintic resistance in soil transmitted helminths American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, New Orleans, USA,
Dec 2008
Helminth infections: What’s new in treatment Interscience Conference of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy,
Washington DC, USA, Oct 2008
Operational research priorities for malaria elimination Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, Nov 2008
PROF DON MCMANUS
Current status of Schistosomiasis Vaccine Program. XV11th International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria, Jeju,
Korea, Sept/Oct 2008
Dog vaccination against echinococcosis Workshop on Current Diagnosis, Treatment and Control of Cystic
Echinococcosis, University of Peru, Lima, Peru, Mar 2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 135
DR DAVID MCMILLAN
Vaccines for group A streptococcus JCU undergraduate students, Townsville, Jul 2008
A mucosal vaccine for group A streptococcus QUT undergraduate students, Brisbane, Sept 2008
MS KATE MARKEY
Conventional dendritic cells are the critical donor APC presenting
alloantigen after experimental BMT.
European Bone Marrow Transplantation Society Annual Meeting,
Gothberg, Sweden, Mar 2009
PROF NICK MARTIN
Genetics of complex diseases Human Genetics Society of Australasia, Adelaide, Aug 2008
GWAS for moliness 21st Twin Analysis Workshop, Leuven, Belgium, Aug 2008
G x E for depression? David Hay Festschrift Symposium, Perth, Nov 2008
Genetic approaches to anorexia and bulimia Butterfl y Foundation, Eating Disorders Symposium, Sydney, Nov 2008
The GWAS revolution Australian Academy of Science, Queensland Branch, Brisbane, Nov 2008
GWAS for CVD risk factors Nordic Countries Biobank Consortium, Groningen, Holland, Dec 2008
Genetics of quality of life indicators Faculty Mayo Clinic – Wellbeing Consortium Meeting, Rochester, MN, Feb 2009
Hunting QTLs Invited Faculty : 22nd International Workshop on Methodology of Twin &
Family Studies, Boulder, Colorado, Feb 2009
The GWAS revolution Australian Academy of Science, Queensland Branch, Townsville, Mar 2009
GWAS for depression and alcoholism Royal Australian College of Psychiatry meeting, Adelaide, May 2009
Genetics of cognition Bouchard Festschrift Symposium, Minneapolis, USA, Jun 2009
GWAS for personality Behaviour Genetics Association, Minneapolis, USA, Jun 2008
DR SARAH MEDLAND
1. Introduction to Mx
2. Linkage and association analysis using Mx
3. Linkage analysis, MERLIN
4. Multivariate association
Invited Faculty : 22nd International Workshop on Methodology of Twin
and Family Studies, Boulder, USA, Mar 2009
MS ANGELA MIKA
Scabies mite serpins Inaugural Scabies Workshop, Darwin, Aug 2008
PROF GRANT MONTGOMERY
Genetic architecture of common complex diseases MMRI Mucosal Disease Symposium, Mater Hospital, Australia, Oct 2008
Genomics and genetic architecture in common complex diseases Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland Brisbane,
Oct 2008
Genetic architecture of common complex diseases Children’s Medical Research Institute, The Children’s Hospital at
Westmead, Mar 2009
New genetic technologies and twin research Australian Twin Registry Workshop, Sydney, Apr 2009
MR BRIAN MORRISON
Characteristics of breast cancer stem cells. Australian Health and Medical Research Congress – Epithelial
Development and Differentiation Symposium, Brisbane, Nov 2008
DR MIRIAM MOSING
Lecture : Available Australian Twin Data Faculty Mayo Clinic – Wellbeing Consortium Meeting, Rochester, MN, Feb 2009
PROF BRYAN MOWRY
Plenary speaker International Conference on Schizophrenia Research Chennai, India, Oct 2008
INVITED LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
2008-2009 CONTINUED
136 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
MS MICHELLE NELLER
Ex vivo analysis of effective T cell responses against advanced
melanoma
EMBO Advanced cytometry and cell sorting training course, Berlin,
Germany, Jul 2008
DR JAMIE NOURSE
EBV microRNAs in PTLD European Haematology Association, PTLD meeting, Berlin, Germany, Jun 2009
DR DALE NYHOLT
Selected participant for 2008 Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank
on Preventative Health
Convened by Australian Academy of Science 2008, Sydney, Nov 2008
DR COLLEEN OLIVE
Expression of dendritic cell maturation markers in response to
lipid-core peptide group A streptococcal vaccines
Sixth World Congress on Vaccines, Immunisation and Immunotherapy,
Milan, Italy, Sep 2008
PROF LAWRIE POWELL
Haemochromatosis - 2008 Update Czech Hepatology Society, Prague, Czech Republic, Aug 2008
Iron overload in the Asia-Pacifi c region Asia-Pacifi c Association for the Study of the Liver, Hong Kong, China, Feb
2009
ASSOC PROF GRANT RAMM
Plenary Session Chair on Haemochromatosis BioIron 2009: World Congress on Iron Metabolism, Porto, Portugal, Jun 2009
Research as a career for physician scientists – career planning,
mentoring choices and funding opportunities
National Scientifi c Conference of Gastroenterological Society of Australia,
Brisbane, Oct 2008
Stem cells in liver development and HCC Schering-Plough AASLD 2008 Meeting, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Lymphotoxin-beta signalling in stellate cells: relationship to
infl ammation, regeneration and progenitor cells
Opportunities in Liver Infl ammation and Cancer Symposium, Centenary
Institute, Sydney, Jun 2009
MS SIMONE REYNOLDS
Scabies mite inactivated protease paralogues Inaugural Scabies Workshop, Darwin, Aug 2008
DR CHRIS SCHMIDT
Stage IV melanoma patients responding clinically to DC
immunotherapy mount T cell responses against multiple tumour
epitopes
Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, Dec 2008
Enabling melanoma research with validated cell lines Australasian Biospecimen Network, Sydney, Nov 2008
MR HARAN SIVAKUMARAN
Arginine methyaltion increases the stability of HIV-1 Tat Retroviruses Meeting, Cold Spring Harbor, USA, May 2009
DR TINA SKINNER-ADAMS
HIV and malaria co-infection: interactions and consequences of
chemotherapy
La Trobe University, Melbourne, Jul 2008
High-throughput screening in Parasitology: The Plasmodium
falciparum aminopeptidases
The Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, Sept 2008
DR KEVIN SPRING
CpG Island methylator phenotype in serrated polyps of the
colorectrum
Peter MacCallum Symposium – Cancer Epigenetics, Wilson’s
Promontory, Victoria, Oct 2008
DR AMANDA SPURDLE
Role of bioinformatic analysis for prediction of splicing aberrations IARC Unclassifi ed Variants in Mismatch Repair Genes Workshop, Lyon,
France, Feb 2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 137
Evaluation of mismatch repair gene unclassifi ed sequence variants Queensland Clinical Genetics Service Inservice Training Meeting,
Brisbane, Nov 2008
Breast cancer genetics – current state of the fi eld Australian Health and Medical Research Congress 2008, Nov 2008
PROF KADABA SRIPRAKASH
Group A Streptococcus – can horizontal gene transfers explain
changes in epidemiology?
Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases Meeting, Brussels, Belgium,
11 Jun 2009
DR AMANDA STANLEY
Important roles for liver APC and LIGHT during experimental
visceral leishmaniasis
University of York, York and University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,
Dec 2008
ASSOC PROF ANDREAS SUHRBIER
A clinical trial and 12 year follow up of a peptide-based vaccine for
Epstein Barr virus-induced glandular fever
Australian Society for Microbiology Conference, Melbourne, Jul 2008
Commercial contract research for the real world QUT Research Boot Camp Program, Brisbane, Aug 2008
Ticks associated with Macquarie Island penguins carry arboviruses
from four genera
8th Mosquito Control Association of Australia International Conference,
Coffs Harbour, Sep 2008
DR KATHARINE TRENHOLME
Sex in Plasmodium : A sign of commitment Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, Sydney, Nov 2008
Starving malaria parasites to death : Aminopeptidase enzymes as
potential targets for the development of antimalarial drugs
Rotary against Malaria Conference, Caboolture, May 2009
DR PATRICIA VALERY
High prevalence of metabolic syndrome among youth of the Torres
Strait Islands of Australia
Brisbane Winter Endocrine Symposium, Brisbane, Jul 2008
PROF PETER VISSCHER
Prediction of individual genetic risk to disease Lorne Genome, Lorne, Feb 2009
GWAS for schizophrenia ANU, Canberra, Mar 2009
Statistical aspects of the prediction of risk to disease from marker data University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, Jun 2009
DR MEAGAN WALSH
The role of host factors in non-response to antiviral therapy in
patients with chronic Hepatitis C
Australian Society for Medical Research, Student Conference, Brisbane,
May 2009
DR MICHAEL WALSH
Does expression of the gastric mucin MUC6 help identify
advanced serrated colorectal polyps?
Clinicians, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, NZ, Apr 2009
DR DAVID WARRILOW
A host cell factor may stabilize the HIV reverse transcription complex Retroviruses Meeting, Cold Spring Harbor, USA, May 2009
ASSOC PROF PENNY WEBB
Ethical issues surrounding informed consent and the use of
biospecimens for future unspecifi ed analyses
45 and Up Study Workshop, Sydney, Jul 2008
Confounding Postgraduate Epidemiology Program, Brisbane, Aug 2008
Epidemiology Panel member Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce: Clinical Forum on ovarian cancer,
Sydney, Oct 2008
INVITED LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
2008-2009 CONTINUED
138 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
DR VICKI WHITEHALL
Pathways of colorectal tumourigenesis AHMRC, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Bowel cancer: prevention to cure Rotary BowelScan Launch, Brisbane, Feb 2009
PROF EMMA WHITELAW
A screen for modifi ers of epigenetic reprogramming Queenstown Molecular Biology Meeting, Queenstown, New Zealand,
Sept 2008
Epigenetics and human health NHMRC Spring Council Dinner, Canberra, Sept 2008
Cancer Epigenetics Peter MacCullum Cancer Centre workshop, Wilsons Promontory, Oct, 2008
Epigenetic reprogramming in development IMB Institute seminar, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Epigenetics and disease Australian Pediatrics and Endocrinology annual meeting, Canberra,
Nov 2008
Epigenetics and obesity Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, Nov 2008
and Keystone Symposia on obesity, Banff, Canada, Jan 2009
The role of epigenetics in development Hanson Institute seminar, Adelaide, Apr 2009
Intangible variation 7th Gene mappers conference, Katoomba, Apr 2009
Genetics to Epigenetics James Cook University, Townsville, Apr 2009
Intangible variation in mammals John Curtin School of Medicine, ANU, Canberra, May 2009
An ENU screen for modifi ers of epigenetic reprogramming MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh, UK, May 2009
Epigenetics in development Epigenetics and Development, Gotteborg, Sweden, May 2009
An ENU screen for modifi ers of epigenetic reprogramming Japanese Society of Developmental Biology, Niigata, Japan, May 2009
and RIKEN Institute seminar, Yokohama, Japan, Jun 2009
Epigenetics and the innate/acquired distinction International Society for History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Biology,
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Jul 2009
ASSOC PROF DAVID WHITEMAN
Man and cancer Cancer Council WA, Perth, Jul 2008
Upper gastrointestinal cancers Clinical Oncological Society, Sydney, Nov 2008
Obesity and cancer AHMRC, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Men and cancer Queensland Department of Tourism, Mt Isa, Nov 2008
Is melanoma caused by genes or environment? World Congress of Melanoma, Vienna, Austria, May 2009
DR JOHN WHITFIELD
Genotyping in common metabolic dieases and toxicology 18th IFCC-FESCC European Congress of Clinical Chemistry and
Laboratory Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria, Jun 2009
DR DANIEL WORTHLEY
DNA methylation throughout the human colorectum: person, place
and pathology.
AHMRC, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Donor determined mannose-binding lectin defi ciency increases the
likelihood of clinically signifi cant infection after liver transplantation.
Invited speaker at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Annual
Scientifi c Congress, Brisbane, May 2009
DR NAOMI WRAY
The race to fi nd genes for anxiety and depression QIMR retreat, Queensland, Sep 2008 and Orygen Research Centre,
Melbourne, Sep 2008
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 139
The impact of co-morbidity between anxiety and depression
disorders on the analysis of genome-wide association studies
Symposium of the World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics, Osaka,
Japan, Oct 2008
Selected Participant : 2008 Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank
on Preventative Health
Convened by Australian Academy of Science, Sydney, Nov 2008
Towards an understanding of the genetic architecture of psychiatric
disorders
Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sydney, Dec 2008
From Genome-wide Association Studies to Prediction of Genetic Risk Griffi th Medical Research College, Brisbane, Apr 2009
Genetic evidence for a shared etiology of affective and psychotic
disorders
Eli Lilly Cutting Edge Symposium, Melbourne, May 2009
DR MARGIE WRIGHT
Optimism and its link to health in older Australian twins International College of Geriatric Psychoneuropharmacology, Sydney, 5
Sept 08
A genetics primer for geriatric psychiatry – beginning the era of
personalised medicine
AAGP 2009 Annual Meeting Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, Mar 09.
ASSOC PROF JOANNE YOUNG
Serrated polyposis Colorectal Cancer Summit, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, Sept 2008
Heterogeneity in hyperplastic polyposis may have a genetic basis Peter Macallum Cancer Epigenetics Workshop, Tidal River, Australia,
Nov 2008
Serrated neoplasia: genetics and environment AHMR Congress, Brisbane, Nov 2008
Importance of stratifi cation in colorectal cancer gene discovery GWAS Working Group Colon CFR, Santa Monica, California, USA,
Jan 2009
Serrated neoplasia families Memorial University of Newfoundland Discipline of Genetics, St John’s,
Canada, Mar 2009
DR WENBAO ZHANG
Control of echinococcosis in China Workshop on Current Diagnosis, Treatment and Control of Cystic
Echinococcosis, University of Peru, Lima, Peru, Mar 2009
INVITED LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
2008-2009 CONTINUED
140 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
DIRECTOR
M F Good AO BSc(Med) MBBS(Hons)
PhD MD DSc FASM FAFPHM
FRACP(HON) FAIM
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
A C Green MBBS MSc PhD AC
GENERAL MANAGER
J Tarr BA JD LLM PhD
CHIEF COMMERCIAL MANAGER
D Hancock BComm MBA
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS
A W Boyd (UQ) BMedSc(Hons) MBBS PhD
FRACP
M F Lavin (UQ) BSc(Hons) PhD
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO DIRECTOR
J Black
Administrative Support to Director
T Checkley
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
N Karger BSc MBA (to Feb 09)
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
Division Chair: E Whitelaw
A Green MBBS MSc PhD AC
T Ahmed MBBS MPH (to Aug 08)
L Braatvedt BSc MSpeechPath
R Cicero BA
T Corish RN
J Doecke BSc(Hons) PhD (to Sep 08)
P Fahey BSc(Stats) MMedStats
L Gordon BEcon MPhil PhD
R Grealy BBiomedSc(Hons)
L Green RN
N Hirst BEcon BCom
M Hughes BS MMedSc
L Jackman BSc(BusAdmin)
J Jetann BNursing
T Lawton
V Logan
T Luong AssocDipArts/Photograghy
K Mallitt BSc(Hons)
L Marquart BSc BEcon
F Millar BNursing
R Neale BVSc PhD
P O’Rourke BSc(Hons) BA(Hons) PhD GCEd
P Parmar BSc MSc
D Simmonds BNurs MPH
V Siskind BSc PhD
P Valery MD MPH PhD
J Van der pols BSc MSc PhD
B Waters BAppSc MPhil
INDIGENOUS HEALTH RESEARCH
G Garvey Bed MEd
E Anderson
W Anderson
S Anderson
J Cavanagh CertEducationSupport BTheology
V Clements MAppEpi
V Harrhy BSc
C Jacka
R Mobbs BA(Hons) (to Sep 08)
C Suey (to Feb 09)
CANCER CONTROL
D Whiteman BMedSc MBBS(Hons) PhD
A Antonsson MBBS(Hons) PhD
C Baxter BA
H Carroll MBBS MPH
M Davis MD MPH
K Harrap BInfoTech
C Hill BN
J Mayhew RN (to Dec 08)
A McMurtrie BNursing
S O’Brien BNursing MPH
C Olsen BSc(Hons) PhD
N Pandeya BSc GradDipAppSc MMedSc
S Perry BAppScNurs MEnvirCommHlth
BEnvirHlthSc
B Ranieri
CANCER GENETICS
G Trench BSc(Hons) PhD
J Arnold BSc(Hons) PhD (to Aug 08)
J Beesley BSc(Hons) PhD
X Chen BMed
S Healey BSc DipEd BAppSc
H Holland BHlthSc(Hons)
J Jayanthan BSc(Hons) (to Mar 09)
S Johnatty MSc PhD
C Johnstone BSc(Hons) PhD (to Jan 09)
S Kugler
A Marsh BSc(Hons)
N Waddell BSc(Hons) PhD
EPIGENETICS
E Whitelaw BSc(Hons) PhD
A Ahola MSc
A Apedaile BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
A Ashe BSc(Hons) PhD (to Mar 09)
S Chong BAppSc(Hons) PhD
T Epp BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
E Lambley BSc(Hons)
D Morgan BSc(Hons)
S Young BAppSc(Hons)
N Youngson BSc(Hons) PhD
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 141
QIMR STAFF 2008-2009
FAMILIAL CANCER
J Young GradDipBiotech MAppSc PhD
S Arnold BSc(Hons) (to Nov 08)
D Buchanan BSc(Hons)
M Clendenning BSc(Hons) PhD
M Mckeone (to May 09)
D Mckeone AssocDipLabTech
E Pavluk BSc DipEd GradDipZoo
S Pearson AssocDipBioLabTech
A Roberts BSc(Hons)
M Walsh BAppSc
R Walters BAppSc
L Young (to May 09)
GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
N Martin BSc(Hons) PhD FASSA FAA
J Atherton (to Aug 08)
H Beeby BSc(Hons)
L Boettcher (to Dec 08)
J Brodie (to Dec 08)
M Caffrey
J Cochrane BBus(HRM&IndRel)
M De Nooyer BPsych(Hons)
A Dormer AssocDipArts
D Duffy MBBS PhD
T Dumenil BAppSc MAppSc
G Dwyer BHlthSc
A Eldridge RN
J Evans AssocDipBus
M Ferreira PhD
S Fox BSc
M Ferguson
N Garden BSc(Psych)(Hons)
N Gillespie BA(Hons) PhD (to Feb 09)
S Gordon BEng(Hons) PhD
M Grace RN
L Grey BSc
M Grimmer Bsc(Psych)(Hons) MSc(OccPsych)
(to Mar 09)
T Gunasekera BSc(Biotech)(Hons) (to Apr 09)
H Handoko BSc MSc PhD
K Hanigan BSc(Pub Health)
N Hansell BSc(Hons) PhD
D Hickey AssocDipArts
N Huang BAgSc MAppSc
L Hume BA MA PhD
F Husband (to Aug 08)
T Hyam AdvDipAppSc CertHlthCareAss
(to May 09)
M Ikonomopoulou BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
S Jamali BA BBusMgt BHealthSc
M James BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
C Jaremczuk BA(Psych) GradDipProfPsych
K Krishnaprasad BEngineer
C Laizans
A Lin BMedSc
E Mallon
K McAloney BCommerce
S McCoombe
J Medhurst BBus DipHort
S Medland BA(Psych)(Hons) PhD
R Middelberg BSc(Hons) PhD
E Miller BBehavSc(Hons)
N Moghbelpour BSc(Psych) GradDipPsych
MInternatPubHlth
J Moir BSc BA
J Morrissey
L Nunn DipTeaching
H Park GradDipRehab MHumServs
D Park
R Parker BPsych(Hons)
C Pink
C Pretsel
L Rasmussen (to Aug 08)
C Redfern BA(Psych)(Hons) (to Aug 08)
S Rodda BSocSc MA
L Ryan BSc(Hons) (to Feb 09)
S Shekar BSc(Hons) PhD
P Shertock
L Simms BSc(Hons)
C Singer BA(Soc) MInfMgtSys
D Smyth BEngineer(Hons)
A Somerville BA
D Statham BA(Hons) MClinPsych
L Sullivan BA
H Taylor
A Toivanen BPsych(Hons)
K Watson
K White AdvCertArts
J Whitfi eld BSc(Hons) MSc PhD FRCPath FRACB
L Winkler
J Wood
N Wray BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
M Wright BSc(Hons) PhD
O Zheng DipInfoTech
G Zhu BSc(Med) MPH
GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCER
P Webb MA PhD
B Alexander RN BNursing
V Beesley BHlthSc(Hons) PhD
S Brown RN BA
J Griffi th
K Ibiebele BSc MPHSocialSc PhD
QIMR STAFF 2008-2009 CONTINUED
142 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
F Kolahdooz BSc MSc GradDipPubHlth
M Malt EN BBus
K Martin RN BHlthAdmin
C Nagle BAppSc PhD
D Roffe RN
J White RN
MOLECULAR CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY
A Spurdle BSc MSc PhD
K Ferguson
F Lose BSc(Hons) PhD
M O’Brien
C Paterson BSc
P Schultz (to Dec 08)
B Thompson BSc(Hons)
L Walker BSc MSc PhD
S Webb BNursing
P Whiley BSc(Hons)
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY
G Montgomery BAgSc(Hons) PhD
L Bowdler BAppSc
M Campbell BAppSc
N Campbell BSc MSc
A Caracella BSc
B Chapman BAppSc
S Crooks BSc GradDipClinMicrobiol
A Henders BSc(Hons)
L Le BSc(Hons) MSc (to Dec 08)
M Lin BMed MSc
P Lind BSc(Hons) PhD
J Painter BSc(Hons) PhD
K Patel BSc(Hons) GradCert Immunology
M Richter BAppSc
S Smith BBioSc(Hons)
S Thomas BSc
L Wallace BBiomedSc
GradDipGeneticCounsel
C Zhang BSc
Z Zhao MDentSc PhD
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
C Lendon BSc(Hons) PhD
A Pritchard BMedSc(Hons) PhD
NEUROGENETICS
D Nyholt BSc(Hons) PhD
HUMAN GENETICS
N Hayward BSc MSc(Qual) PhD
L Aoude BA BEng
M Auret BSc(Hons) PhD
V Bonazzi PhD
K Loffl er BSc(Hons) PhD
D Nancarrow BSc MSc(Qual) PhD
L Packer BSc(Hons) PhD
J Palmer RN
E Planas Rigol BSc (to Aug 08)
M Stark BAppSc(Hons)
J Symmons BBus RN
S Tyagi MSc PhD
QUEENSLAND STATISTICAL GENETICS
P Visscher BSc MSc PhD
B Benyamin BAgrSc(Hons) MAgrSc PhD
H Lee Bagr MAgr PhD
S MacGregor BSc MSc PhD
B McEvoy BA(Hons) PhD
A McRae BSc(Hons) PhD
J Yang BSc PhD
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
Division Chair: G Anderson
DRUG DISCOVERY GROUP
P Parsons BSc(Hons) PhD
G Boyle BSc(Hons) PhD
J Johns BSc(Hons)
A Martyn BSc(Hons) (to Dec 08)
L Maslovskaya PhD
J Pedley BSc
C Pierce BBioMedSc(Hons)
J Shan BSc MEngineer PhD (to Dec 08)
HEPATIC FIBROSIS
G Ramm BSc(Hons) PhD
M Bertrand-Philippe MSc PhD
D Hoang-le BSc(Hons)
T Pereira BSc(Hons) PhD
L Ramm BSc
D Rowsell BSc(Hons)
R Ruddell BSc(Hons) PhD
M Walsh BSc(Hons) PhD
IRON METABOLISM
G Anderson BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
D Darshan MBBS MAppSc PhD
J Dixon RN BA(Hons) MPH
D Frazer BAppSc(Hons) PhD
J Ghazali BNursing
C McDermott BSc(Hons) PhD (to May 09)
L Powell AC FTSE MBBS MD PhD D
Univ(Griff) FRCP FRACP
L Rawlings
V Shaw
T Steele BSc(Hons)
A Sue tin (to Mar 09)
S Wilkins BSc(Hons)
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 143
LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION
A Boyd BMedSc(Hons) MBBS PhD FRACP
S Charmsaz BBiotech MBiotech
K Chen BSc (to May 09)
B Day BAppSc BSc(Hons) PhD
C De Bock BSc MSc PhD
S Duffy BSc(Hons) PhD (to Jun 09)
K Ensbey BBehavSc BSc
N Herath BSc(Hons) PhD
P Jamieson BA BSc(Hons)
E Lau BSc GradDipSc
K Miller BSc
N Neijman DipMedBiol (to Jul 08)
F Smith BAppSc
M Spanevello BAppSc(Hons) PhD
S Stein BAppSc
B Stringer BMedSc MBBS PhD
T Yeadon BSc(Hons) PhD
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
N Subramaniam BSc MSc PhD
E Crampton BSc(Hons) PhD (to Oct 08)
C McDonald BSc(Hons) PhD
L Summerville BSc GradDipClinBiochem
D Wallace BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
CCQ TRANSGENICS
G Kay BSc(Hons) PhD
D Carrie BSc
A Mould BSc(Hons) PhD
J Pang BBiotech MBiotech
I Tonks BSc(Hons) PhD
RADIATION BIOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY
M Lavin BSc(Hons) PhD
O Becherel BSc MSc PhD
G Birrell CertBioTech MMedSc PhD
(to Nov 08)
M Buck DipMedTech
P Chen BSc MSc PhD
J Cullen BSc(Hons) PhD
S Earl BBiotech(Hons) PhD
A Farrell NCEA CertAppSc
M Gatei BSc PhD
A Kijas BBiotech(Hons) PhD
S Kozlov MSc PhD
J Luff CertVetNurs/AnimalCare
T Roberts BSc(Hons) PhD
R Stirling BSc(Hons) PhD
A Suraweera BSc(Hons) PhD
M Trabi BSc(Hons) PhD
RBWH GASTROENTEROLOGY
B Leggett MBBS (Hons) MD FRACP
K Banducci BAppSc(Hons)
W Fernando BTech MMolecBiol
S Greco BSc
S Nayler BAppSc(Hons)
I Ramsnes BBusInfoSys BSc (to Jan 09)
C Rickman BSc(Hons)
J Robinson BSc(Hons) PhD
K Spring BSc PhD
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION
K Khanna BSc MSc PhD
E Bolderson BSc(Hons) PhD
D Boucher DipHlth MRadBiol PhD
K Hobson BSc(Hons) (to Dec 08)
J Jeffery BSc(Hons) PhD
S Miles AssocDipAppBiol
J Pagan BSc(Hons) PhD (to Oct 08)
L Papp BSc(Hons)PhD
M Parish
D Richard BSc(Hons) PhD
M Shariff BSc(Hons) MPhil (to Dec 08)
W Shi BMed MSc PhD
A Urquhart BSc(Hons) PhD
A Van der Horst BBioMedSc PhD
SKIN CANCER CARCINOGENESIS
G Walker BSc MSc(Qual) PhD
B Ferguson BSc
IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION
Division Chair: G Hill
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
G Hill BHB MBChB FRCPA FRACP MD
T Banovic MD MMedSc
P Bunn
A Don BSc(Hons)
M Koyama MD PhD
R Kuns BSc(Hons)
K Macdonald BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
S Olver BSc(Hons)
N Raffelt BSc(Hons)
A Varelias BAppSc PhD
Y Wilson BAppSc(Hons)
CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
C Schmidt BSc(Hons) PhD
K Ellem BSc(Med) MBBS PhD AO
X Huang BMed PhD
C Lanagan BBiomedSc(Hons)
L O’connor AssocDegAppSc
CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY
S Burrows BSc PhD
M Bell BSc(Hons)
J Burrows BSc GradDipTeaching
J Miles BSc(Hons) PhD
QIMR STAFF 2008-2009 CONTINUED
144 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
M Neller BAppSc
S Silins BSc(Hons) PhD
CLINICAL IMMUNOHAEMATOLOGY
M Gandhi MBChB FRACP FRCP FRCPath PhD
P Crooks BSc(Hons)
E Han BMed MMed
K Jones BSc(Hons)
J Nourse BSc DipSc MSc PhD
S Singh BSc MSc(Qual) (to Jun 09)
F Vari BSc(Hons) PhD
DENDRITIC CELLS AND CANCER
A Lopez MD
EBV BIOLOGY
D Moss BSc PhD
P Crooks BSc(Hons)
J Johns BSc(Hons)
V Lutzky MSS PhD
M Martinez DipAppSc
L Morrison CBLT
N Stevens BScBiotech
IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
C Engwerda BAgrSc(Hons) PhD
F Amante BSc(Hons) PhD
F De Labastida Rivera BSc(Biotech) GradDipBiotech
MBiotech
K Evans BMedChem PhD
A Haque BA(Hons) PhD
L Randall BSc(Hons) (to Sep 08)
A Stanley BSc(Hons) PhD (to Apr 09)
IMMUNOVIROLOGY
A Suhrbier BA(Hons) PhD
I Anraku BSc(Hons) PhD
S Cozzi BAppSc(Hons) PhD
J Gardner BAppSc
C James BBiotech MA
T Le BAppSc GradDipBiotech
L Major BAppSc(Hons)
W Schroder BSc(Hons) PhD
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
M Good BSc(Med) MBBS(Hons) PhD MD
DSc FASM FAFPHM FRACP(Hon)
FAIM
R Anderson
A Caudron BSc MPhil (to Dec 08)
S Cavaignac MSc PhD (to Apr 09)
V Kienzle BSc(Hons)
X Liu BMed MMedSc
V McPhun BSc MSc
D Mitchell BSc(Hons)
C Olive BSc(Hons) PhD
A Pinzon-Charry MD PhD
M Wykes BSc(Hons) PhD
M Yong BBiotech(Hons) (to Jan 09)
MOLECULAR VACCINOLOGY
D Doolan BSc(Hons) MPhil PhD
S Apte BSc(Hons) PhD
K Buttigieg BBioTech
F Caldas Cardoso BSc MSc PhD
P Day
P Groves BAppSc
A Trieu BBiotech(Hons) PhD
TUMOUR IMMUNOLOGY
R Khanna BSc MSc PhD
L Beagley BSc
T Crough BSc(Hons) PhD
D Elhassen BSc MSc PhD
L Heslop BBiomedSc(Hons)
D Hoang-le BSc(Hons)
L Jones
J Peet BAppSc(Hons)
M Rist BSc(Hons) PhD (to Dec 08)
C Smith BSc(Hons) PhD
F Soldevila Casals BBiotech/BBiochem (to Aug 08)
N Tellam
J Tellam BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
S Walker BAppSc (to Nov 08)
K Wynn BSc(Hons) (to Mar 09)
J Zhong BSc PhD
INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIVISION
Division Chair: J McCarthy
BACTERIAL PATHOGENESIS
K Sriprakash BPharm MPharm PhD
B Duell BSc(Hons) (to May 09)
M Georgousakis BSc(Hons) PhD
D McMillan BSc(Hons) PhD
N Rosenzweig BBioSc (to Apr 09)
J Shera BSc(Hons)
T Vu BAppSc(Hons)
BACTERIAL VACCINES
M Batzloff BSc(Hons) PhD
J Cox BSc GradDipBiotech MAppSc
(to Mar 09)
J Hartas BAppSc
G Magor BSc(Hons)
J Malcolm BSc(Hons)
M Pandey BSc MSc PhD
S Sekuloski BSc(Hons) PhD
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 145
CLINICAL TROPICAL MEDICINE
J McCarthy MBBS FRACP MD
K Andrews BSc(Hons) PhD (to Dec 08)
A Butterworth BSc(Hons)
M Ho BSc(Hons)
D Jones BAppSc(Nursing)
M Kuwahata BA BAppSc MSc
L Melville BA BSc
C Pasay BS MSc PhD
A Robertson BSc(Hons)
E Siu BSc BA (to Aug 08)
L Tran BSc(Hons)
HELMINTH BIOLOGY
A Loukas BSc(Hons) PhD
A Aziz
L Cooper ADCLT BAppSc
S Gaze BSc MSc PhD
P Giacomantonio BSc (Hons) (to Feb 09)
H McSorley MSc PhD
M Meuleman
J Mulvenna BSc(Hons) PhD
M Pearson BSc MSc PhD
D Pickering BAppSc(Hons)
N Ranjit BBiotech(Hons) (to Aug 08)
D Smyth BSc(Hons) PhD
L St Pierre BAppSc(Hons) PhD
M Tran BSc GradDipClinBiochem PhD
L Tribolet BAppSc GradDipBiotech
HIV MOLECULAR VIROLOGY
D Harrich BSc PhD
A Apolloni BSc PhD
H Sivakumaran BSc(Hons) PhD
D Warrilow BSc(Hons) PhD
T Wei BAgrSc MAgrSc PhD
MALARIA BIOLOGY
D Gardiner BAppSc PhD
K Anderson CBLT
T Skinner-adams BSc(Hons) PhD
K Trenholme BSc MSc PhD
MALARIA DRUG RESISTANCE AND CHEMOTHERAPY
Q Cheng BMed MMed PhD
L Bain BSc
A Codd BE(Hons) MSc(Hons) PhD
(to Jun 09)
M Gatton BSc(Hons) PhD
K Gresty BSc(Hons)
A Pelecanos BBioinformatics BSc(Hons)
W Sharrock BSc(Hons)
F Teuscher BPharm PhD
N Walpole Cert3 Bus AdminCert3 Animal Serv
MOLECULAR GENETICS
P Upcroft BSc(Hons) PhD
A Burgess BSc MSc(Hons) PhD
L Dunn BSc(Hons) PhD
K Krauer BSc PhD
J Upcroft BSc(Hons) PhD
MOLECULAR
PARASITOLOGY
D McManus BSc(Hons) PhD DSc
M Duke AssDipFarmMgt
M Ellis BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
G Gobert BSc(Hons) PhD
D Gray BSc MSc GradCertPublicHlth PhD
Y Li MD PhD
J Li BPharm PhD
L Moertel BBiomedSc(Hons) PhD
W Zhang BSc PhD
MOSQUITO CONTROL
P Ryan BSc(Hons) PhD
C Cheah BBiotech(Hons) (to Mar 09)
J Darbro BA MS PhD
P Fraley
L Hugo BSc(Hons) PhD
T Hurst BSc(Hons) PhD
J Jeffery BSc(Hons) PhD
B Kay BSc(Hons) PhD AM FAA
G Lu BAgrSc MAgrSc MVetSc PhD
L Maddock BSc MEntomology (to Apr 09)
K Marshall
J Monkman BSc(Hons)
B Trewin BSc(Hons)
PARASITE CELL BIOLOGY
M Jones BSc(Hons) PhD
E Lovas BAppSc(Hons)
PROTEIN DISCOVERY CENTRE
J Gorman BSc PhD
J Chicher BSc MSc
K Dave BSc(Hons) MSc
A Diseberg BSc(Hons)
H Goswami BSc(Hons) (to Jul 08)
B Hamilton BSc(Hons) PhD (to Jul 08)
M Hastie BAppSc(Hons) PhD
M Headlam BSc PhD
H Jiang BSc MSc PhD
N Patel BPharm (to Feb 09)
M Plan BAgrSc GradDipAgrStud PhD
E Redhead BSc(Hons)
C Wright BSc(Hons)
Scabies
D Kemp BSc(Hons) PhD FAA
QIMR STAFF 2008-2009 CONTINUED
146 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
K Fischer PhD
M Johnstone BSc(Hons) PhD
A Mika BSc MSc PhD
Y Zhou BMed DipAppSc
MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH DIVISION
M Breakspear BSc(Med) BA(Hons) MBBS(Hons)
PhD
N Quirk
Q-GEN
J Youngson BSc PhD
K Aliabadi zadeh DVM PhD (to Oct 08)
M Bleasdale BSc(Hons) (to Feb 09)
K Bouyer BAppSc (to Jan 09)
B Butcher DipElect CertBiomedEngTech
(to Feb 09)
G Butterworth BSc(Hons) (to Mar 09)
W Chung BSc(Hons) PhD (to May 09)
S Collett BAppSc(Hons) (to Mar 09)
J Crowley RN (to Dec 08)
T Dex BBiotech(Hons) (to Mar 09)
A Evans BSc(Hons) (to Mar 09)
M Gerometta BAppSc(Hons) PhD (to Mar 09)
S Johnson RN (to Nov 08)
A Jordan BAppSc (to Jan 09)
P Kearns BAppSc(Hons) PhD (to Feb 09)
F Khan BA BSc MSc (to Sep 08)
M Leaf (to Aug 08)
N Martinez BSc(Hons) PhD (to Aug 08)
M Mcintyre AssocDipAppSc (to Mar 09)
A McLean BAppSc(Hons) GAICD (to Aug 08)
M Muroa (to Sep 08)
J Ridgewell (to Jan 09)
M Sheridan BSc (to Aug 08)
R Sinha BBiomedSc MAppSc (to Mar 09)
P Toh BSc
A Tolstoff BAppSc (to Sep 08)
J Uksanovic-Barnjak DipVetFoodSc DipLabTech
J Williamson (to Nov 08)
L Wilson (to Oct 08)
K Windle BBiotech(Hons) (to Sep 08)
ACITH (JOINT WITH UQ)
B H Kay BSc(Hons) PhD AM FAA
P Fraley
CORPORATE DIVISION
GENERAL MANAGER
J Tarr BA JD LLM PhD
CHIEF COMMERCIAL MANAGER
D Hancock BComm MBA
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
N Fox
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO GM
B Wanrooy
ADMINISTRATION
C Green CertBus
D Gunn
S Hunting
T Laing BA
D Meaclem
R Meaclem CertBus (to Sep 08)
M Randle CertAdminFinance
DipBasicOperations DipBasicMgt
G Sriprakash
P Verso BBus DipConservLandMgt
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
G Haaima BSc(Hons) PhD MBA
J Fox BSc PhD
FINANCE
G Cunningham BBus(Acc)
M Cornell BBus (to Jun 09)
L Lin BLit MComm GradDipMgt
Y Marcinkus (to Oct 08)
C McNally
K Moran
M Stromberg
A Valentine
GRANTS
L Casey BSc GDTh
K Dry DipMgt
B Dunphy BBus(Acc)
D Evans
J Whybird BBus(Acc) GradDipAdult Voc Ed
HUMAN RESOURCES
T Greenaway BComm GradDipPsych
M Anderson CertBus
P Buratowski
N Green BBus(HRM) MBA (to Sep 08)
E Horsfi eld DipBus
L Lane
P Pekhu
M Weaver AdvDipBus(Acct)
PURCHASING
S Wood CertTransportWarhouseDistrib
M Eaton CertTransportWarhouseDistrib
RECORDS AND INFORMATION SERVICES
N Kremko
O Griffi ths BA
L O’Mahoney
REGULATORY AFFAIRS
A Mitchell BSc(Hons) PhD
J Chow BA BSc MPH
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 147
R Lacey
B Rosser BAppSc BA MHlthSc (to May 09)
SCIENTIFIC SERVICES
J A Cooper BSc MSc PhD GCertMgt
A Allester
D Bain (to Mar 09)
J Bonnily (to Feb 09)
J Canning CertLabAnCare (to Nov 08)
J Carter (to Mar 09)
S Cassidy CLabAnCare CertTrainAsses
A Dorrington
G Chapman BSc MSc PhD
G Chojnowski BAppSc
P Collins BSc(Hons)
R Collins CertBioLabTech
A Cross CertAnimalServ
C Cross
G Cuthbert BNurs CertTrainAsses
C Dickfos CertLabCare AssDipAppSc
M Edmundson BSc MSc
N Felder
B Fewster
A Girle CertTransportWarhouseDistrib
S Gregg CertAnimalTech
C Groennou CertAnimalTech
A Hale
P Hall BSc
S James Cert Companion Animal Services
Cert Childrens Services
T Kent
V Matthews
M McDade CertTransportWarhouseDistrib
M McInnes CertAnimalCare (to Feb 09)
D McNeilly CerLAnimalTech
A O’Regan Cert Companion Animal Services
S H Park DipClinPath
H Platt Cert Companion Animal Services
(to May 09)
G Rees CertDiagnosticCytology
AssDipClinLabTechniques
DipOccHlthSfty
T Scown CertAnimalTech
I Shiels BVSc MACSVSc PhD
A Smith BAppScNur (to Aug 08)
J Sutton CertCompanionAnimalServices
L Thompson
S Watkins
C Winterford AssDipAppBiol
BUILDING AND SECURITY
A Stockman HND (Elec Eng) HTC (Plant)
M Bugden TradeCert(Refrig)
J P Fahrner CKennel/CatPrac
G Madders ElectricMechanic/Fitter
A McKee AssocDipElectEngineer
D Patrick AssocDipElecEngineer
R Tyrrell EngFitter
SAFETY
H Leonard BSc MSc PhD WHSO RSO
M Richards BSc GradDipSc WHSO RSO
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
C Ward ADAB GradDipCommComp MACS
M Creevey BEng
M Feodoroff BInf MCSE HP AIS
D James
S Jaremczuk BBiolSc MBA MInfSys
P Kaim BAppSc
X Lin GradDipIT BEng MEng PhD
V Mar COBC CCSA CSA HP-UX
A Nutley-Govaerts BAppSc MCP
A Orreal CertBusAdmin DipITNetwork
(to Feb 09)
A Stevens
L Ward BInfoTech
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
V Johnson GradCertMktg MBus BA
H Astbury GradCertBus
F Beltran BBusMktPR (to Dec 08)
E Carroll CertTextilesClothing (to Sep 08)
S Cross BSc(Hons) DipEd MSc
G D’Adam GradCertBus (to Sep 08)
A Dignan
M Gampbell (to Nov 08)
J Gill BComm
A Hall Bbus
M Kersting BFA Medical Illustration
H Matthews BA CertPhotography
A McGaw
M O’Hara
J O’Keefe BAppSc DipBusComm
M Quince DipBus
T Scanlan
J Stockman
S Tennant BAdvSc(Hons) GradDipScComm
GradDipSecEd MEnvSc&Law
V Torres CertBus
A Van Der Beek BBusComm
VISITING SCIENTISTS
GENETICS AND POPULATION HEALTH DIVISION
R Arden BA(Hons)
R Ataee Pharm D
C Bain BSc MBBS MPH MS
T Bates BA MA PhD
QIMR STAFF 2008-2009 CONTINUED
148 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
J Batra BSc MSc PhD
W Coventry BAgrSc GradDipSocSc BA(Psych)
(Hons)
E Fearnley BEnvHlth PhD MAppEpi
C Filippich BAppSc
J Flanagan BSc(Hons) PhD
T Flatscher-Bader BSc(Hons) PhD
N Gillespie BA(Hons) PhD
D Goldgar BA MD PhD
J Gratten BSc(Hons) PhD
E Hacker BSc MSc PhD
A Hadley BMed(Hons)
P Hatemi BS BA MA PhD
A Heath BA PhD
A Hewitt BSc(Hons) DipSc
E Holliday BSc(Hons)
K Holohan BSc(Hons)
S Jordan MBBS(Hons)
N Kaminen-Ahola MSc PhD
J Keith BMath(Hons) PhD
M Larsson BSocSc PhD
M Lynskey BSc(Hons) MSc(Psych) PhD
D Mackey MBBS MD FRACS FRANZCO
P Madden BS MS PhD
S Manning
G Miller BA PhD
B Mowry MBBS BA(Hons) FRANZP MD
E Nelson BA MD
G Radford-Smith BA MBBCh MRCP FRACP PhD
H Rangappa MBBS MPH
V Relan BSc MSc PhD
J Riley
S Sadeghi MD GradDipPubHlth PhD
W Slutske BA (Psych) BSc(Psych) PhD
H Smith BSc
J Stirling MPrimHlthCare
R Sturm BSc(Hons) PhD
D Tam MBBS BPhar
S Treloar BSocStud MSc MSocWk PhD
CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY DIVISION
R Aizawa MD
J Aylward BSc MSc PhD
G Beadle MBBS FRACP FRACR
R Buttenshaw CertChem
V Catts BSc(Hons) PhD
D Chin MBBCh FRCSI PhD
R Clarke BSc(Hons) PhD
M Coulthard MBBS FRACP FJFICM PhD
M Cummings MBBS FRCPA PhD FIAC
L Da silva MD
L Fletcher BSc(Hons) PhD
F Gardiner MBBS FRCS FRACS MD
A Hallahan BSc MBBS DipPaed
M Heritage BBiomedSc(Hons) PhD
W Ingram BSc(Hons) PhD
T Ishii MBBS PhD
L Jaskowski ADCLT
J Jayanthan BSc(Hons)
P Keith BSc MPhil
S Lakhani BSc(Hons) MBBS MRCP MD FRCP
P Lewindon MBBS MRCP FRACP
P Li BSc
C Loo BMedSc MBBS PhD
G Macdonald MBBS(Hons) FRACP
P Masci BSc MQual MBiochem
T Murphy BSc MSc
R Murray BBioSc MAppSc
S Ogbourne BSc(Hons) PhD
P Pakkiri MBChB(Hons) MMedPath
C Peng MMed
S Reece MBBS FRACS FRCS MD FRACGP
L Reid BSc MSc(Qual)
R Shepherd MBBS MRCP MD FRACP
P Simpson BSc PhD
C Smart BSc(Hons) PhD
J Smith BSc PhD
L Teng BSc(Hons)
A Umapathy BSc(Hons) Mbiotech
S Vuckovic BSc MSc PhD
D Walker BMedSc MBBS(Hons)
V Whitehall BSc(Hons) PhD
K Zhao BSc MSc PhD
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 149
PHD SCHOLARS
QIMR
SUPERVISOR
A Abdel-Aal BSc MSc M Batzloff
N Abdul Murad BSc MMSc M Lavin
B Appleyard BSc(Hons) MPH J McCarthy
S Arabshahi
BSc MSPh
GradDipPubHlth A Green
L Bain BSc(Hons) K Khanna
J Balen BSc (Hons) D McManus
G Blokland MSc N Martin
C Bond BPhysio MSc B Leggett
R Brennan BSc(Hons) S Burrows
M Burke BBiomedSc D McManus
E Byrne BA(Hons) P Visscher
T Chuah BMedSc MBBS M Lavin
V Dasari BSc MSc R Khanna
P Driguez BSc(Hons) D McManus
K Dutton-Regester BAppSc(Hons) N Hayward
L Fernandez BAppSc(Hons) J McCarthy
I Gillions BAppSc(Hons) A Lopez
A Glanfi eld BSc(Hons) M Jones
D Hall BSc(Hons) MBBS P Parsons
J Hancock BAppSc(Hons) M Lavin
J Hansen BSc(Hons) N Martin
C Jekimovs BAppSc(Hons) K Khanna
J Johnson BSc(Hons) G Trench
M Jones BSc(Hons) K Khanna
M Kvaskoff MPH D Whiteman
S Lane MBBS(Hons) A Boyd
E Leddy BAppSc(Hons) N Subramaniam
PHD SCHOLARS
QIMR
SUPERVISOR
N Lee BBiotech(Hons) J McCarthy
Y Lim BSc(Hons) M Lavin
Y Lu BEcon(Hons) MSc P Visscher
K Markey BEng(Chem)(Hons) G Hill
Nico Martin BSc MSc N Martin
P McBride BMedSc MBBS A Green
J McCarron BAppSc(Hons) A Boyd
N McDougall BAppSc(Hons) P Parsons
L Meredith BSc(Hons) D Harrich
S Moore BHlthSc MPH A Green
B Morrison BABiology MSc A Lopez
M Mosing BPsych Mpsych N Martin
D Muslim BSc(Hons) N Subramaniam
S Nawaratna MBBS(Hons) MPhil M Jones
P Nguyen BMed MPH P Ryan
N Pandeya
BSc GradDipAppSc
MMedSc D Whiteman
C Peatey BSc(Hons) D Gardiner
K Phillipps BBiotech(Hons) M Good
A Redmond MBBS D Doolan
M Reiter BSc(Hons) C Schmidt
S Reynolds BSc(Hons) A Loukas
N Richmond BAppSc(Hons) A Green
R Robb BSc(Hons) G Hill
A Roberts BBiomedSc(Hons) E Whitelaw
M Rubinov MBBS BMedSc M Breakspear
M Sa’Ariwijaya BSc(Hons) MSc M Lavin
M Sheel BSc(Biotech) M Batzloff
RESEARCH STUDENTS AT
QIMR AS AT JUNE 2009
Left to right: Jacinta Simmons, Ken Dutton-Regester,
Rebekah Brennan, Sally Mujaj, Michelle Neller, Denny
Muslim, Jatin Patel, Imogen Gillions, Julie Johnson
150 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
PHD SCHOLARS
QIMR
SUPERVISOR
J Simmons BBiotech(Hons) K Khanna
K Smith MBChB D Whiteman
M Smout BSc(Hons) A Loukas
S Tey
MBBS(Hons) FRACP
FRCPA R Khanna
P Tran BMed MPH P Ryan
T Tran BSc(Hons) J McCarthy
C Verweij BPsych MSc N Martin
K Warren BMedSc(Hons) D Harrich
N Wayte BSc(Hons) G Trench
N Whitelaw BSc(Hons) E Whitelaw
M Wood MBBS RACP G Ramm
D Worthley MBBS(Hons) B Leggett
H You BSc MSc D McManus
B Zietsch BPsychSc(Hons) N Martin
MASTERS SCHOLARS
QIMR
SUPERVISOR
S Anderson BBioSc MBBS P Parsons
R Barr BEcon BAppSc MBBS P Parsons
P Faleiro BSc M Good
B Jayakody
Arachchige BSc J Gorman
B Kendall MBBS D Whiteman
D Menon
BSc GradDip
MicrobialBiotech K Khanna
M Miranda BSc B Leggett
S Ratnakar BTech MSBiotech J McCarthy
K Thelakkat BSc M Lavin
M Tomasella BHlthSc MPH G Garvey
M Vinod BSc K Khanna
L Whop BAppSc G Garvey
HONOURS STUDENTS
QIMR
SUPERVISOR
M Bauer BBiotech K Sriprakash
J Chaplin BMath BSc G Montgomery
W Fernandes BSc A Loukas
I Ferriera BSc A Loukas
R Foale BAppSc P Parsons
T Hanrahan BSc D Harrich
T Harding BAppSc K Sriprakash
H Lim BSc J McCarthy
J Liu BEcon BSc P Visscher
L McGarvey BSc D McManus
S Morgan BBiomedSc K Sriprakash
D Pattinson BSc D Doolan
M Perumalpillai-
McGarryBSc M Jones
J Rami BBiotech A Loukas
N Ross BAppSc M Gandhi
B Rutherford BAppSc P Ryan
L Schulte BSc M Jones
R Stewart BBiomedSc M Lavin
L Yong Ming BBiotech A Loukas
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 • 151
AASLD American Association
for the Study of Liver Diseases
ACITH Australian Centre for
International and Tropical Health
ACVD Australian Centre for
Vaccine Development
AHMRC Aboriginal Health and
Medical Research Council
AIDS Acquired Immune
Defi ciency Syndrome
AMATA Australasian Microarray
and Associated Technologies
Association
ANU Australian National
University
AOA1 Ataxia with oculomotor
apraxia type 1
AOCS Australian Ovarian
Cancer Study
APC Antigen presenting cells
APHA Australian Private
Hospitals Association
API Antiretroviral protease
inhibitors
ARC Australian Research
Council
ASARCO American Smelting
and Refi ning Company
ASIP Agouti signalling protein
A-T Ataxia-telangiectasia
ATM Ataxia-telangiectasia
mutated
BCC Basal cell carcinoma
BRCA Breast cancer gene
CDKN2A Cyclin-dependent
kinase inhibitor 2A
CF Cystic fi brosis
CMR Centre for Magnetic
Resonance
CRCAH Cooperative Research
Centre for Aboriginal Health
CSIRO Commonwealth
Scientifi c and Industrial
Research Organisation
CSLD Chronic suppurative lung
disease
CT Computed axial tomography
CTL Cytotoxic T lymphocyte
CVD Cardiovascular disease
DC Dendritic cells
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
EBV Epstein-Barr virus
ENU N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea
EVC Emory Vaccine Centre
FACS Fluorescence-activated
cell sorter
FAS Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fd Ferrodoxin
GAS Group A streptococcus
GC Germinal cell
G-CSF Granulocyte colony
stimulating factor
GFP Green fl uorescent protein
GGS Group G streptococcus
GITR Glucocorticoid-induced
tumor necrosis factor receptor
GMP Good manufacturing
practice
GMRC Griffi th Medical
Research College
GU Griffi th University
GVHD Graft-versus-host
disease
GVL Graft-versus-leukaemia
GWAS Genome-wide
association study
HCC Hepatocellular carcinoma
HCMV Human cytomegalovirus
HDC Higher Degrees
Committee
HGSA Human Genetics Society
of Australasia
HIF Hypoxia inducible factor
HIV Human immunodefi ciency
virus
HL Hodgkin’s lymphoma
HLA Human leukocyte antigen
HPS Hyperplastic polyposis
syndrome
IL-2 Interleukin 2
IMB Institute of Molecular
Bioscience
JCC Joint Consultative
Committee
JCU James Cook University
LAW cohort Longitudinal
Ageing Women’s cohort
LDRL Liver Disease Review
Letters
MALVAC Malaria Vaccine
Advisory Committee
MBL Mannose-binding lectin
MCP-1 Monocyte chemotaxis
protein-1
MDR Multi-drug resistant
MEGA Epidemiology Molecular,
Environmental, Genetic &
Analytic Epidemiology
MGE Mobile genetic elements
MHC Major histocompatibility
complex
MIC-1 Macrophage inhibitory
cytokine 1
MLPA Multiplex ligation-
dependent probe amplifi cation
MLST Multilocus sequence
typing
MRC Medical Research Council
mRNA Messenger ribonucleic
acid
MS Multiple sclerosis
MYH MutY homologue
NCI National Cancer Institute
NCRIS National Collaborative
Research Infrastructure
Strategy
NHMRC National Health and
Medical Research Council
NIAID National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Disease
NIH National Institute of Health
NKT-cell Natural Killer T-cell
NPC Nasopharyngeal
carcinoma
PACMISC Pacifi c Malaria
Initiative Support Centre
PCA3 Prostate cancer gene 3
PDC Protein discovery centre
PET Positron emission
tomography
PFOR Pyruvate ferredoxin
oxidoreductase
PHERP Public Health
Education and Research
Program
PTEN Phosphatase and tensin
homologue
PTLD Post-transplant
lymphoproliferative disease
QTL Quantitative trait locus
QUT Queensland University of
Technology
RBWH Royal Brisbane and
Women’s Hospital
RDT Rapid diagnostic test
RISS Research Infrastructure
Support Services
RNA Ribonucleic acid
RSV Respiratory synctival virus
RT-PCR Reverse transcription
polymerase chain reaction
SCC Squamous cell carcinoma
SMIPP Scabies mite inactivated
protease paralogue
SNP Single nucleotide
polymorphisms
SPH School of Population
Health
TCR T-cell receptor
TLR Toll-like receptor
TNF Tumour necrosis factor
UK The United Kingdom
UNESCO United Nations
Educational, Scientifi c and
Cultural Organization
UQ The University of
Queensland
UVR Ultra violet radiation
VIPBG Virginia Institute for
Psychiatric and Behavioural
Genetics
WEHI Walter and Eliza Hall
Institute
WHO World Health
Organisation
YSA Young Scientist of
Australia
ACRONYMS
152 • QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009 QIMR - Annual Report 2008-2009
AbOUT UsQIMR is one of Australia’s largest and most successful medical research institutes. Our researchers are investigating the genetic and environmental causes of more than 40 diseases as well as developing new diagnostics, better treatments and prevention strategies. The Institute’s diverse research program extends from tropical diseases to cancers to Indigenous health, mental health, obesity, HIV and asthma.
OUR VIsION better health through medical research.
OUR MIssION To prevent and cure disease through research.
OUR PHILOsOPHy QIMR supports scientists who perform world-class ethical medical research aimed at improving the health and well-being of all people.
OUR LOgO The QIMR logo is comprised of superimposed benzene rings which symbolise one of the fundamental molecular arrangements of the chemicals which make up living things.
Director – Professor Michael good AO
Deputy Director – Professor Adèle green AC
www.qimr.edu.au | [email protected]
1800 993 000
Cover Image: Close up of neuron network
Inside Cover Image: Rebekah Brennan, PhD student Cellular Immunology Laboratory - Immunology Division
300 Herston Road, Herston QLD 4006, AustraliaT: 1800 993 000 E: [email protected] www.qimr.edu.au
Project Manager sarah Tennant
Compilation Jann O’Keefe Editing sarah-Jane Matthews
Design Rowland
Graphic Support Mimi Kersting
Photography Heather Matthews Tony Phillips
Published October 2009
Copies can be obtained by phoning 1800 993 000 or [email protected]
Online version available at www.qimr.edu.au
ANNUAL REPORT
2008-09300 Herston Road, Herston QLD 4006, Australia
P: (+61) 7 3362 0222 F: (+61) 7 3362 0111 www.qimr.edu.au [email protected]
ANNUAL REPORT
2008-09
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