Fields of Research

Cellular nervous system
Cancer genetics
Cell development, proliferation and death
Neurology and neuromuscular diseases
Ophthalmology and optometry
Ophthalmology
Genetic immunology
Biochemistry and cell biology
Cell metabolism
Epigenetics (incl. genome methylation and epigenomics)
Signal transduction
Gene and molecular therapy
Vision science
Central nervous system
Animal physiology - systems
Genomics and transcriptomics
Molecular medicine
Cancer cell biology
Nutrition and dietetics
Medical biochemistry and metabolomics
Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy
Education assessment and evaluation
Nanotoxicology, health and safety
Neurosciences
Genetics
Nutritional science
Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells)
Cell neurochemistry
Gastroenterology and hepatology
Animal physiology - cell
Health services and systems
Health psychology
Peripheral nervous system
Sensory systems
Biomechanical engineering
Separation science
Analytical chemistry
Cellular immunology
Animal immunology
Genomics
Cell physiology
Other chemical sciences

Research Objectives

Clinical health
Treatment of human diseases and conditions
Expanding knowledge in the biomedical and clinical sciences
Expanding knowledge in the health sciences
Prevention of human diseases and conditions
Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences
Terrestrial biodiversity
Other education and training
Behaviour and health
Learner and learning
Other health
Public health (excl. specific population health)
Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions
Health status (incl. wellbeing)
Expanding knowledge in the chemical sciences
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander determinants of health

Career Best Publications

Analysis of cultured human melanocytes based on polymorphisms within the SLC45A2/MATP, SLC24A5/NCKX5 and OCA2/P loci; The Journal of Investigative Dermatology: An International Journal for Research in Cutaneous Biology
Human Melanoblasts in Culture: Expression of BRN2 and Synergistic Regulation by Fibroblast Growth Factor-2, Stem Cell Factor and Endothelin-3; The Journal of Investigative Dermatology: An International Journal for Research in Cutaneous Biology
If human brain organoids are the answer to understanding dementia, what are the questions?; The Neuroscientist
Lysosomal alterations and decreased electrophysiological activity in CLN3 disease patient-derived cortical neurons; Disease Models & Mechanisms
TIMP1, TIMP2, and TIMP4 are increased in aqueous humor from primary open angle glaucoma patients; Molecular Vision

Research Publications

A simple differentiation protocol for generation of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived basal forebrain-like cholinergic neurons for Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia disease modeling; Cells
Analysis of cultured human melanocytes based on polymorphisms within the SLC45A2/MATP, SLC24A5/NCKX5 and OCA2/P loci; The Journal of Investigative Dermatology: An International Journal for Research in Cutaneous Biology
Approaches for the sensitive detection of rare base and prime editing events; Methods
Arsenic exposure disrupts epigenetic regulation of SIRT1 in human keratinocytes; Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
BRN2 in melanocytic cell development, differentiation and transformation; From Melanocytes to Melanoma: The Progression of Malignancy
CDKN2A is not the principle target of deletions on the short arm of chromosome 9 in neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma of the skin; International Journal of Cancer
Characterisation of colonic dysplasia-like epithelial atypia in murine colitis; World Journal of Gastroenterology
Characterization of the Melanoma miRNAome by Deep Sequencing; PLoS One
Co-expression of SOX9 and SOX10 during melanocytic differentiation in vitro. Experimental Cell Research; Experimental Cell Research
Comparison of CRISPR/Cas endonucleases for in vivo retinal gene editing; Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
CRISPR/Cas-Mediated Knock-in of genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors into the AAVS1 locus of human-induced pluripotent stem cells; Methods in Molecular Biology
Culture variabilities of human iPSC-derived cerebral organoids are a major Issue for the modelling of phenotypes observed in Alzheimer's Disease; Stem Cell Reviews and Reports
Defining conditions to direct human pluripotent stem cells towards the glaucoma-affected trabecular meshwork cell lineage; Australian Health & Medical Research Congress
Defining conditions to direct human pluripotent stem cells towards the glaucoma-affected trabecular meshwork cell lineage; Narrowing the Gap Between Stem Cell Science and Cell Therapy
Defining conditions to direct human pluripotent stem cells towards the glaucoma-affected trabecular meshwork cell lineage; 2014 Australian Health and Medical Research Congress (AHMRC)
Deletion mapping on the short arm of chromosome 1 in Merkel cell carcinoma; Cancer Detection and Prevention
Disease-specific, neurosphere-derived cells as models for brain disorders; Disease models & mechanisms
Enriched retinal ganglion cells derived from human embryonic stem cells; Scientific Reports
Exposure of colonic epithelial cells to oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress causes rapid potassium efflux and calcium influx; Cell Biochemistry and Function
Expression of developmentally regulated transcription factors in Merkel cell carcinoma; The Merkel Cell Structure-Development-Function-Cancerogenesis
Frequent allelic loss at 10q23 but low incidence of PTEN mutations in Merkel cell carcinoma; International Journal of Cancer
Gene expression profiling reveals distinct expression patterns for Classic versus Variant Merkel cell phenotypes and new classifier genes to distinguish Merkel cell from small cell lung carcinoma; Oncogene
Gene expression profiling reveals two distinct subtypes of Merkel Cell Carcinoma; In: The Merkel Cell Structure-Development-Function-Cancerogensesis
Generation of MNZTASi001-A, a human pluripotent stem cell line from a person with primary progressive multiple sclerosis; Stem Cell Research
Human Melanoblasts in Culture: Expression of BRN2 and Synergistic Regulation by Fibroblast Growth Factor-2, Stem Cell Factor and Endothelin-3; The Journal of Investigative Dermatology: An International Journal for Research in Cutaneous Biology
If human brain organoids are the answer to understanding dementia, what are the questions?; The Neuroscientist
Image-based quantitation of kainic acid-induced excitotoxicity as a model of neurodegeneration in Human iPSC-Derived Neurons; Methods in Molecular Biology
Lysosomal alterations and decreased electrophysiological activity in CLN3 disease patient-derived cortical neurons; Disease Models & Mechanisms
Melanoma cell invasiveness is regulated by miR-211 suppression of the BRN2 transcription factor; Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research
NLRP3-dependent and -independent processing of interleukin (IL)-1β in active ulcerative colitis; International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Nod-like receptor pyrin-containing protein 6 (NLRP6) is up-regulated in ileal Crohn’s disease and differentially expressed in goblet cells; Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology
NRF2 Activation Restores Disease Related Metabolic Deficiencies in Olfactory Neurosphere-Derived Cells from Patients with Sporadic Parkinson's Disease; PLoS ONE
Nrf2 dysfunction in patient-derived cell lines in a new model of sporadic Parkinsons disease; Keystone Symposium on Aging and Diseases of Aging
Participant understanding and recall of informed consent for induced pluripotent stem cell biobanking; Cell and Tissue Banking
Peeking into the molecular trove of discarded surgical specimens; Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Post-transcriptional regulation of melanin biosynthetic enzymes by cAMP and resveratrol in human melanocytes; Journal of Investigative Dermatology
POU domain transcription factors: BRN2 as a regulator of melanocytic growth and tumourigenesis
PPAR gamma agonists attenuate proliferation and modulate Wnt/â-catenin signalling in melanoma cells; International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Proneural and Proneuroendocrine Transcription Factor Expression In Cutaneous Mechanoreceptor (Merkel) Cells and Merkel Cell Carcinoma; International Journal of Cancer
Red hair is the null phenotype of MC1R; Human Mutation
Reflections on the value of mapping the final theory examination in a molecular biochemistry unit; Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education
Researchers see hope for glaucoma sufferers using stem cells
Rotenone susceptibility phenotype in olfactory derived patient cells as a model of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease; PloS One
Screening of CRISPR/Cas base editors to target the AMD high-risk Y402H complement factor H variant; Molecular Vision
Screening of human primary melanocytes of defined melanocortin-1 receptor genotype: pigmentation marker, ultrastructural and UV-survival studies; Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research
Seeing neurodegeneration in a new light using genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors and iPSCs; International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Self-reported Student Confidence in Troubleshooting Ability Increases After Completion of an Inquiry-Based PCR Practical; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education
Single cell eQTL analysis identifies cell type-specific genetic control of gene expression in fibroblasts and reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem cells; Genome Biology
Single cell eQTL mapping identifies cell type specific genetic control of autoimmune disease; Science
SIRT1 inhibition restores apoptotic sensitivity in p53-mutated human keratinocytes; Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
SIRT1 modulates miRNA processing defects in p53-mutated human keratinocytes; Journal of Dermatological Science
SOX9 and SOX10 but Not BRN2 Are Required for Nestin Expression in Human Melanoma Cells; The Journal of Investigative Dermatology: An International Journal for Research in Cutaneous Biology
Surface coatings of ZnO nanoparticles mitigate differentially a host of transcriptional, protein and signalling responses in primary human olfactory cells; Particle and Fibre Toxicology
The Recycling Endosome Protein Rab17 Regulates Melanocytic Filopodia Formation and Melanosome Trafficking; Traffic: The International Journal of Intracellular Transport
The role of altered protein acetylation in neurodegenerative disease; Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
TIMP1, TIMP2, and TIMP4 are increased in aqueous humor from primary open angle glaucoma patients; Molecular Vision
Use of CRISPR/Cas ribonucleoproteins for high throughput gene editing of induced pluripotent stem cells; Methods
Uteroglobin and FLRG concentrations in aqueous humor are associated with age in primary open angle glaucoma patients; BMC Ophthalmology
Utility of self-destructing CRISPR/Cas constructs for targeted gene editing in the retina; Human Gene Therapy

Research Projects

2012: Ageing and Diseases of Ageing, Japan; University of Tasmania (UTAS)
A Multi-donor iPS Cell Line Pool for Rapid Screening of Genotype-specific Neuroprotective Strategies; University of Tasmania (UTAS)
CRISPR screen to identify key genes driving DFTD; University of Tasmania Foundation Inc (UTF)
CRISPR/Cas gene editing of Batten disease genes in patient-specific stem cells; Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA)
Developing CRISPR/Cas Library Screens for identifying Novel Cancer Therapies; University of Tasmania Foundation Inc (UTF)
Developing isogenic iPSC lines to understand the role of stress hormones in Alzheimer s disease; University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Differentiation of inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into pericytes to investigate neuron-pericyte interactions; University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Dissecting the effects of CLN3 variants on the blood-brain barrier; Batten Disease Support and Research Association Australia (BDSRAA)
Epidemiology in a dish: using human iPSC to discover common and genotype-specific molecular signatures of the multi-step hypothesis of ALS; FightMND (FMND)
Epigenetic Regulation of Tumour Supressors in Skin Cancer; Cancer Council of Tasmania (CCT)
Extracellular matrix remodelling in the glaucomatous trabecular meshwork; Clifford Craig Foundation (CCFoundation)
HDAC6 inhibition to rescue axon degeneration in ALS; FightMND (FMND)
Investigating Batten disease-causing CLN3 mutations in patient-specific stem cells and neurons; Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation (RHHRF)
Investigating the utility of retinal Base-Editing; Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation (RHHRF)
Investigation of carcinogenesis pathways in colitis-associated colorectal cancer; Clifford Craig Foundation (CCFoundation)
Investigation of carcinogenesis pathways in colitis-associated colorectal cancer (Scholarship Sarron Randall-Demllo) ; Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF)
Isogenic iPSC models with CLN3 variants for high throughput drug screening; Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA)
Microfluidic models of the CNS: Understanding cells, circuits & synapses; Australian Research Council (ARC)
Optimisation of CRISPR/Cas gene editing in the retina.; Bayer Pharma AG (BPAG)
Optimizing trabecular meshwork differentiation; University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Pre-clinical validation, optimisation, and safety profiling of CRISPR/Cas-base editing for PCDH15-related disease.; Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
Protein Recycling is Disrupted in Parkinson's Disease; Brain Foundation (BrainF)
Protein recycling is disrupted in Parkinson's disease; University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Proteomic analysis of exosomes from iPS cell-derived neurons with mislocalised TDP-43; Motor Neurone Disease Research Australia (MNDRA)
Tackling the Genetic Heterogeneity of CLN3 disease; Batten Disease Support and Research Association Australia (BDSRAA)
The INK4 locus in glaucoma - functional assessment of the non-coding RNA gene ANRIL in patient-specific cells; Clifford Craig Foundation (CCFoundation)
The landscape of gene expression changes in the aqueous humor drainage pathway of glaucoma patients; Clifford Craig Foundation (CCFoundation)
To die or not to die: What is the mechanism of axon degeneration in ALS?; Motor Neurone Disease Research Australia (MNDRA)
Towards a patient-specific stem cell model of the blinding eye disease glaucoma; Clifford Craig Foundation (CCFoundation)
Understanding the role of inflammasomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); Clifford Craig Foundation (CCFoundation)
Using stem cells to understand glaucoma; Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia (ORIA)
Why do we have SARM 1 protein if knocking it out prevents axons degenerating?; National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Glaucoma Fibroblast Cultures
Now this is an exciting project!: Exciting tools to excite neurons will excite students

Research Candidate Supervision

A Novel Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Model of Trabecular Meshwork Tissue- Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms of Complex Disease
Analysing the Regulatory and Effector T Cell Balance in Inflammatory Bowel Disease- Can the CCR6-CCL20 axis be exploited as a therapeutic Target
Epigenetic mechanisms of arsenic-induced transformation in human keratinocytes
The Role of Inflammasomes in the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The Role of the Inflammasome in the Pathogenesis of IBD
Trabecular Meshwork Dysfunction in Glaucoma using Patient-specific iPS Cells