summer | 2015
LAUNCH EDITION: SUPPORTING HUDSON RESEARCH
PETER FIELDING’S GIFT TO EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS
SINGLE CELL GENOMICS TAKEN TO A NEW LEVEL PAGE 3
PIONEERING TREATMENT GIVEN AN INJECTION PAGE 4
HUDSON IDENTIFIES NEW SYNDROME LEADING TO INTERSEX PAGE 7
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS NEW CEREBRAL PALSY THERAPIES FOR BABIES PAGE 8
www.hudson.org.au hudson news - issue 2 2015 | 1
h udso n n e w s | i ssue 2 2 0 1 5
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
S
ince the Institute was
Ron Firestein has come all the
Hudson’s Board of Governance
renamed ‘Hudson Institute
way from San Francisco with his
has received a major boost
of Medical Research’ in
young family to take up the role.
with the appointment of two
May, we have had many major
We feel extremely privileged to
extremely high calibre individuals.
developments, starting with
have Associate Professor Firestein
Distinguished scientist, Professor
the implementation of our new
join the Institute, as he is a highly
Warwick Anderson AM and Ms
strategic plan, which outlines
esteemed researcher and physician
Maria Trinci bring to the Institute
our priorities for the next three
who will provide significant clinical
their vital insights into how the
years. Key to this plan will be
insight into Hudson’s cancer
Hudson Institute can generate
addressing Australia’s financially
research. He will undertake clinical
new funding and ensure its
uncertain research environment,
hours as a consultant molecular
financial sustainability. Read
providing outstanding support
pathologist for Monash Health,
more in this newsletter.
to our researchers to ensure
our partnering hospital. Read more
As we look towards the end
they continue to deliver world-
about why Associate Professor
of the year there are still many
class research and ensuring our
Firestein has chosen to undertake
exciting developments to come,
discoveries have a direct impact on
his research at the Hudson
as we have just completed
the community.
Institute in this edition of Hudson
the construction of our new
The last few months have
News.
Translational Research Facility
brought some outstanding
Last year we announced the $1
which we share with our partners
successes for the Institute. In
million commitment made by the
Monash Health and Monash
July, Dr Claudia Nold’s innovative
Fielding Foundation to support
University. Hudson’s cancer, baby
research into the dangerous
our bright young researchers
and women’s health researchers
diseases associated with
and research innovation for the
will begin moving into the
premature birth was recognised
next five years. The first round of
building in November ready for
with a prestigious Paul Korner
Fielding funding has now been
its opening in early 2016. The
Innovation Award from the Heart
awarded to Dr Rebecca Lim and
facility sits side by side with the
Foundation. Dr Nold’s research
Associate Professor Marcel Nold.
Institute and will enhance our
©2015 Hudson News.
is world class and she is highly
Read more about the outstanding
ability to turn our discoveries into
Complete articles may be
deserving of this honour.
research these scientists are
improved prevention, diagnosis
reproduced, acknowledging
Hudson’s Associate Director,
conducting in this newsletter.
and treatments for the world’s
Dellora and Kristy Sheridan;
Professor Peter Fuller, has been
In August, one of our most
most pressing diseases.
Design: Sue Panckridge
appointed to the important role
eminent Institute leaders,
of Chair of the Victorian Cancer
Professor Euan Wallace, was
Agency Consultative Council. In
honoured for his outstanding
27 - 31 Wright Street,
addition to providing independent
record in clinical research and
Clayton, 3168
strategic advice to the State
research training in perinatal
Professor Bryan Williams
Victoria, Australia
Minister for Health and the
medicine with a Career Recognition
Director, Hudson Institute of
Department of Health and Human
Award by the Victorian Clinician
Medical Research
email: info@hudson.org.au
Services’ Executive on matters
Researcher Network (VCRN).
web: www.hudson.org.au
relating to cancer research, the
Professor Wallace has dedicated
Council also funds translational
his career to translational research
cancer research.
excellence as Director of Obstetric
In August, Hudson gained a
Services at Monash Health, Head
world-renowned researcher who
of Department of Obstetrics and
will head our Centre for Cancer
Gynaecology, Monash University,
Research. Associate Professor
and Co-Head of The Ritchie Centre
”
...in Australia’s financially uncertain research environment, providing outstanding support to our researchers to ensure they continue to deliver world-class research and ensuring our discoveries have a direct impact on the community.
”
the source. Editors: Claire
Hudson Institute of Medical Research
tel: +61 3 8572 2700 fax: +61 3 9594 7114
https://www.facebook.com/ hudson.org.au https://twitter.com/ Hudson_Research
at the Hudson Institute.
2 | hudson news - issue 2 2015 www.hudson.org.au
Single cell genomics medicine taken to a new level
(L-R): The honourable Frank McGuire MP, Professor Bryan Williams
“Single cell genomics technology enables scientists to analyse an individual cell from a diseased organ or tumour to establish which cells are actually causing disease”
I
(L-R): A/Prof Jose Polo, Fluidigm Representative Hana Gage, Prof Martin Pera, Prof Bryan Williams, Prof Ian Smith, Prof Paul Hertzog, The Hon. Frank McGuire MP, A/Prof Phil Hansbro
diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
magine the human body is like a galaxy,
encompassing billions of cells that, to
Genomics Centre opened at the Medical
In future, single cell technology will prove
the untrained eye, appear like stars from
Genomics Facility, part of the Monash Health
crucial to research in areas like infection and
thousands of kilometres away – just tiny
Translation Precinct (MHTP), in 2014. Its
immunity, regenerative medicine and drug
specks. Now, imagine being able to hone
technology is already enabling researchers
discovery.
in and analyse just one of these ‘stars’
from the Hudson and its partners to analyse
in isolation, to determine its make-up,
cells that cause inflammation, cancer and
was recently named the first Fluidigm Single
environment and whether it poses a threat
chronic autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.
Cell Genomics Centre of Excellence in the
to its surroundings. Welcome to the world
southern hemisphere. As part of this award,
of single cell genomics technology, which is
Polo is using single cell technology in his quest
the Institute entered into an agreement with
revolutionising cell analysis.
to discover how adult stem cells work.
biotechnology company Fluidigm, giving it
“Single cell technology is revolutionising
first access to new technologies and providing
of cells, they did so assuming that all cells
genomic medicine and allowing us to discover
opportunities for Hudson scientists to present
that appear the same must be similar in their
different cell types that have remained elusive
their findings at global conferences.
make-up. However, new data are revealing
until now.
that individual cells that appear similar may in
Medical Research, Frank McGuire MP, officially
fact differ significantly in their genetic make-
cell technology at the Hudson Institute, my
opened the centre in early September, praising
up, with this difference driving the health and
current research was not possible as it would
the work of both the facility and the MHTP.
function of the entire cell population.
have been too costly and taken time I don’t
Previously, when scientists analysed groups
The Hudson Institute’s Single Cell
Monash University Associate Professor Jose
“Before having access to Fluidigm’s single
The MHTP’s Single Cell Genomics Centre
Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for
The centre is the result of an Australian
have. Profiling the appropriate cells now takes
Research Council grant, through a partnership
scientists to analyse an individual cell from a
me just one day using single cell technology
between the Hudson Institute, Monash
diseased organ or tumour to establish which
whereas it would have taken 22 using the old
University, the University of Melbourne and
cells are actually causing the disease, or
system. That’s the equivalent of six months
the University of Newcastle. With the help of
responding to a treatment. In short, it allows
versus 12 years.”
the technology, researchers from the Hudson
researchers to further unravel the human
Institute are shining a light on the furthest
genome by analysing one cell at a time.
advancing research into stem cell immune
corners of the ‘galaxy’ of the human genome
responses to cancer and neurodegenerative
to tackle disease.
Single cell genomics technology enables
Characterising these cellular variations is
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h udso n n e w s | i ssue 2 2 0 1 5
A MESSAGE FROM PETER FIELDING – A GIFT FOR GENERATIONS Inaugural recipient of the Fielding Fellowship, Dr Rebecca Lim, is leading a research group that is pioneering a world-first treatment employing stem-cell-like therapy to treat lung damage in premature babies. A/Prof Marcel Nold is the first Fielding Innovation award recipient, researching small proteins called cytokines, their signalling and role in suppressing inflammation.
“T
he Fielding Foundation
this flow, by addressing these gaps
has supported the Hudson
to support young scientists when
Institute and its work
they need it most and put them
for many years, but in 2014,
on the path towards a quest for
we decided to cement that
knowledge and making discoveries
commitment by making a real
that help to improve and save lives.
and lasting contribution.
Innovation Award supports the
To this end, the Foundation
Meanwhile, the Fielding
has pledged $1 million over five
commercialisation of medical
years to support the Institute’s
research, to help ensure
areas of greatest need – research
discoveries are translated from the
innovation and assisting its bright lab into patient treatments. young researchers, through the
establishment of the Fielding
in business, I recognise the
Coming from a background (L-R): Peter Fielding, Professor Bryan Williams
Foundation Innovation Award and importance of commercialising Fielding Fellowship.
research and agree that the
success of the Hudson Institute will
Due to critical funding gaps,
many young medical researchers
depend on how well its researchers
will take their vital intellect
can connect their innovative ideas
offshore to conduct research
with companies. This will generate
overseas or exit the profession
additional funding for their
altogether, often leaving their
research and provide an avenue for
research projects, and potentially
scientists to turn their discoveries
countless vital discoveries,
into new therapies to improve
unfulfilled.
the health and quality of life of
patients in need.
The Fielding Foundation
Fellowship was created to stem
As a donor, I see no greater
4 | hudson news - issue 2 2015 www.hudson.org.au
cause to direct funds to than
outstanding organisation and
improving the health and
one with which the Fielding
wellbeing of the community.
Foundation feels honoured and
Health affects us all. It is the
proud to be associated.”
one critical need we all share, and sadly, disease and injury will
Peter Fielding,
affect either us or someone we
Fielding Foundation
love in our lifetime.
We are very proud to have our
contribution reflect areas we feel passionate about. The Hudson Institute is an
From the study they discovered
those suffering dangerous and
during pregnancy. These cells
the mechanisms by which
debilitating inflammation.”
then attach themselves to the
interleukin 37 (IL-37), a cytokine
baby’s damaged lungs, kick-
of the IL-1 family, acts to
supports the Hudson
starting the repair process.
regulate immune responses
scientist who is producing
Like stem cells, these cells can
and control inflammation in the
major advancements in the
grow into any type of cell in
body.
commercialisation of their
the body, but because they
research. Next, Associate
PIONEERING TREATMENT GIVEN AN INJECTION
are discarded as part of the
to translate the powerful
Professor Nold’s team will begin
afterbirth, they lack the same
functions of this small protein
experiments to test modulators
ethical dilemmas.
Dr Rebecca Lim
which surrounds the baby
The team is now looking
The Innovation Award
of the protein’s function,
used to control or unleash the
accelerating the research
Hudson’s Dr Rebecca Lim, is
immune system. This could have
and strengthening the team’s
leading a research group that
wide-reaching implications for
position.
is pioneering a world-first
treating strokes, heart attacks
treatment employing stem-
and auto-immune diseases such
cell-like therapy to treat lung
as lupus.
The inaugural recipient
A/Prof Marcel Nold
into new drugs that could be
of the Fielding Fellowship,
damage in premature babies.
Dr Lim’s research group
has commenced clinical trials involving premature babies from the Monash Children’s Hospital here on the Monash Medical Centre site. The babies are administered the stem cell treatment in the days after their birth.
If it proves successful,
this technique could be used in hospitals to improve survival rates and quality of life of babies suffering from conditions like lung respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Preterm babies are often
born with immature lungs,
completed, the team envisages
“The Fielding
this research program will arouse
Innovation Award
the interest of pharmaceutical
MARCEL NOLD RECEIVES FIELDING INNOVATION AWARD
Once further testing is
companies.
Associate Professor Marcel
“Now that we’ve discovered
amount of work done
controlling inflammation, we are
Nold has been awarded the
over the next 12
looking into how to make that
inaugural $50,000 Fielding
research medically useful,” Dr
months and beyond
Innovation Award to help develop
Nold said.
his work on small proteins called
“The Fielding Innovation
findings through to a
cytokines, their signalling and
Award will greatly help us to
role in suppressing inflammation.
commercial stage of
get the extensive amount of
developing drugs to
work done over the next 12
improve life for those
Associate Professor Nold and
months and beyond in order to
international study which was
take our findings through to a
suffering dangerous
published earlier this year in the
commercial stage of developing
and debilitating
highly regarded journal Nature
drugs to improve life for
inflammation.”
Immunology.
- Associate Professor Marcell Nold
that around 50 per cent will experience lung damage, for
IL-1R8
This is where Dr Lim’s
ATP
amnion epithelial cell
Inflamation mTOR NF-κB TAK1
IL-18Rα
effective treatment.
Smad3
STAT3 Mer PTEN
TLR agonist eg. LPS
treatment could have lifesaving effects. As part of the treatment, amniotic epithetical cells are extracted from the amniotic membrane,
in order to take our
his wife Dr Claudia Nold led an
support. The side effect is
to get the extensive
the mechanisms of IL-37 in
requiring life-saving respiratory
which there is currently no
will greatly help us
IL-1β TNF IFNγ
IL-37 ne oki r Cyt cepto e r
TL
R
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h udso n n e w s | i ssue 2 2 0 1 5
FORMER NHMRC BOSS JOINS HUDSON BOARD The Hudson Institute is pleased
is privileged to welcome a board
Professor Anderson completed
announce the appointment of
member of Professor Anderson’s
research fellowships at the
distinguished scientist Professor
calibre.
University of Sydney and Harvard
Warwick Anderson AM to its board of governance.
Professor Anderson led
the NHMRC, Australia’s major governmental funding body for health and medical research, for almost nine years until March this year.
He is also the former Head of
Monash University’s School of Biomedical Sciences and former Deputy Director of the Baker Medical Research Institute.
Hudson Director, Professor
Bryan Williams, says the Institute
Medical School.
“Professor Anderson brings varied experience as a medical researcher, and at the helm of Australia’s foremost funding body,” Professor Williams said.
“Professor Anderson’s
knowledge will be invaluable as we work to galvanise our research strengths, particularly in Australia’s shifting medical research funding landscape.”
His research has focused on
renal causes of hypertension, including the roles of renal vascular remodeling, renal innervation and the reninangiotensin system.
long and celebrated history in
He has a history of serving
“The Hudson Institute has a
on medical and scientific boards
medical research and discovery.
and committees, and currently
I look forward to playing a role
serves on the International
in these transformative years
Advisory Committee on
for the Hudson Institute and
Biomedical Science for Singapore eagerly await the real and lasting and the Dana-Farber Cancer
impact the Institute will make
Institute’s Presidential Visiting
on human health,” Professor
Committee.
Anderson said.
Q&A WITH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR RON FIRESTEIN to the unique experiences
the right place at the right time.
found non-avian Australians to
and perspectives of clinician-
Two key Institute strengths that
be very welcoming and friendly.
scientists who go back and forth
led me to come here were the
The girls have settled in to their
between the lab and the clinic
strong culture of collaboration
new school and already have
and can serve as ‘translators’ of
and multi-disciplinary research
many friends. At this point, they
medical research.
and the clinical and translational
have both started to sing the
strength on the Monash Health
Australian national anthem and
campus. It’s exciting to see
declared that they are never
how ‘out of the box’ thinking
leaving Australia.
Tell us about some of your most notable discoveries so far? Associate Professor Ron Firestein
One of the major projects I led
talks about why he moved from
at Genentech involved finding
the US (where he worked for
biomarkers that can predict
biotech company Genentech
which patients will respond
in San Francisco) to become
to epigenetic therapies. I’m
the Hudson Institute’s new
particularly excited about this
Director of the Centre for Cancer
work because of its potential to
Research.
directly impact patient care in the next 3 years.
Why did you decide to go into medical research after becoming
You have just moved to Australia
a doctor? Why is medical
to begin working at the Hudson
research so important?
Institute. Why did you choose
My own path started in the
the Hudson over other medical
laboratory and led me to the
research institutes?
clinic. As an undergraduate
Joining the Hudson Institute is
student, I instantly was drawn
a fantastic opportunity to be in
6 | hudson news - issue 2 2015 www.hudson.org.au
can come together as project ideas are spawned between our scientists and other Hudson Centres that focus on orthogonal questions in immunity, endocrinology, and reproductive health.
What do you hope to achieve as head of Hudson’s Centre for Cancer Research? The Cancer Centre is an exciting and growing theme area at the Hudson Institute. Many of our members are early career
How is your family settling into
scientists and I am particularly
Australian life?
looking forward to mentoring
I came here with my wife, Naama, and working collaboratively with and two daughters Eliana (age
them to cultivate and promote
6) and Emily (age 3). My family
the Centre’s unique strengths
loves Australia! Aside from
and attributes.
being attacked by a grumpy neighbourhood magpie we’ve
HUDSON BREAKTHROUGH IDENTIFIES A NEW SYNDROME LEADING TO INTERSEX
Hudson researchers are leading an international study that has identified a new intersex syndrome, Craniosynostosis with Sex Reversal (CSR).
H
udson Institute sex genetics experts
undiagnosed, leading to health and social
Professor Vincent Harley and Dr
impacts later in life,” Professor Harley said.
Stefan Bagheri-Fam have led an
Researchers analysed genetic data
international study which identifies a new
from a German patient who, as a teenager,
rare disorder that forms another piece of
was diagnosed with the form of intersex
the puzzle in understanding why some
called XY gonadal dysgenesis. Genetic
people are born intersex.
sequencing by Dr Makoto Ono, visiting
pediatrician at the Hudson, revealed
People who are intersex have
reproductive organs, sexual anatomy or
that the patient carried the mutated
chromosome patterns that do not fit the
FGFR2 gene, already a known cause of
typical definition of male (XY) or female
craniosynostosis.
(XX).
the FGFR2 mutation was also responsible
conditions like gonadal cancer.
Human Molecular Genetics, shows how a
for the XY male-to-female sex reversal.
mutated form of the FGFR2 gene, already
The breakthrough came when Hudson
clinicians are better equipped to
known to cause craniosynostosis (where
scientist and lead author of the paper, Dr
diagnose the condition, and precisely
the joints between the bones of a baby’s
Bagheri-Fam, working with Yale University
treat and manage the health risks
skull close before it is fully formed), can
researchers, demonstrated that mice with
associated with specific genetic intersex
also cause XY sex reversal. The team has
a very similar mutation also showed XY
conditions,” Professor Harley said.
identified a new intersex syndrome, called
male-to-female sex reversal.
Craniosynostosis with Sex Reversal (CSR).
National Health and Medical Research
two per cent of live births are intersex,
Council (NHMRC) Australia, and the
which can result in psychological trauma,
US National Institute of Dental and
infertility, lifelong endocrine care,
Craniofacial Research.
The study, published in the journal
“The umbrella term ‘intersex’ has many
genetic causes, the majority of which go
The question remained as to whether
Professor Harley says that one to
(L-R): Professor Vincent Harley, Dr Stefan Bagheri-fam
multiple surgeries and increased risk of “By identifying the genetic causes,
The work is supported by the
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h udso n n e w s | i ssue 2 2 0 1 5
COMMUNITY SUPPORT COMMUNITY SUPPORTS NEW CEREBRAL PALSY THERAPIES FOR BABIES Hudson Institute’s Ritchie Centre enjoys a strong relationship with Inner Wheel Australia (IWA), which supports researchers through its annual appeal, Coin for a Cord Day. To date, IWA funding for the Hudson Institute has enabled preclinical studies in premature birth and birth asphyxia, two of the major causes of cerebral palsy, whilst supporting key women in science.
Earlier this year, Victorian
Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) students from The Centre for Continuing Education in Wangaratta put their money where their mouth is in support of IWA and the Hudson Institute. The students, aged 16 to 18, have been raising funds for IWA through merchandising and cake stalls in Wangaratta.
A group of 25 students toured
the Institute, where researchers are investigating the use of stem cells from babies’ umbilical cords to improve brain function after severe birth asphyxia and to
treat and prevent cerebral palsy. The students participated in a Q&A session Professor Graham Jenkin’s and Dr Suzie Miller’s group. Director, Professor Bryan Williams, says Hudson researchers are deeply committed to sharing discoveries with the community and rewarding their commitment to science.
“The community is essential
to our ability to make vital discoveries. Research such as this is not possible with government funding alone.”
Through grants from IWA,
the results obtained by Professor Jenkin’s and Dr Miller’s research group have supported the establishment of a world-first clinical trial to test the use of cord blood before it can be used to treat the damaged brains of babies who have suffered a loss of oxygen at birth.
VCAL teacher, Rebecca
Higginson, said opportunities like the visit to the Hudson Institute build self-confidence and belief in the students.
“The students thoroughly
enjoyed seeing first-hand how the funds they raise really make a difference,” said Ms Higginson.
Dr Kevin Knower (‘Dr Kev’)
SCIENTISTS IN SCHOOLS Hudson Institute researchers have participated in the CSIRO ‘Scientists in Schools’ program for many years, forging long-lasting partnerships between scientists, school students and teachers.
Our researchers find the
Above: Mossgiel Park Primary School students work on one of Dr Kev’s assignments
program highly rewarding, as
the interaction with enthusiastic
student, Aina, says,“Dr Kev is
students gives them a fresh
interesting to listen to and is
perspective on science.
a very good scientist”, while
12-year-olds Chelsea and Zhenni
Dr Kevin Knower has taken
Mossgiel Park Primary School
part in the program for four years.
say, “Dr Kev’s experiments are
He recently visited Mossgiel Park
fun, interesting and unique.”
Primary School in Endeavour Hills to conduct practical science lessons with the students. melting points and freezing by
A GIFT IN YOUR WILL
using dry ice, bacterial hygiene
Including a gift to the Hudson
by growing bugs in petri dishes
Institute in your Will supports our
and how to isolate DNA from
scientists and students to work
strawberries.
side by side with clinicians to solve
The students learnt about
Year six teacher, Cathy
Cavedon, said, “It’s been wonderful to be involved in the Scientists in Schools program with Doctor Kev. The students have embraced the program and always
some of our most challenging contemporary health problems. Your bequest will help our researchers to unravel the mysteries of nature to cure disease and improve healthcare now and for future generations.
look forward to doing activities
For a confidential conversation
that are engaging and outside the
about including a gift to the Hudson
normal classroom parameters.”
Institute in your Will, or to receive further information, please contact Stuart Lowe our Fundraising Manager, on 03 8572 2701.
8 | hudson news - issue 2 2015 www.hudson.org.au