Research Interests:
Research in the Department has focused on a broad area which includes inflammation, post translation modification of proteins in age related macular degeneration (AMD), sepsis and the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) , autoimmune disease, allergy and mast cell biology.

In the inflammation area we are examining the role of post translation modification of beta 2 glycoprotein (b2GPI) I and complement factor H (CFH) in AMD, gram negative sepsis and  APS.

In the autoimmune area, animal experiments designed to elucidate the cause of thrombosis and miscarriage in women with the antiphospholipid syndrome. The assessment of Beta 2-glycoprotein I function in humans and experiments utilising b2GPI knockout mice (KO) that have been derived in the Department. Experiments looking at high fat diet and the role of b2GPI in modulating obesity using b2GPI KO mice.The role of oxidised and free thiol b2GPI and CFH in AMD, APS and gram negative sepsis.

Collaborative work with australian researchers at institutions at the Sydney university Millenium Research Center at Westmead Hospital. the Save Sight Institute at Sydney University The Center for Eye Research Australia University of Melbourne School of Biomedical Sciences University of Newcastle The Center for Asthma and Respiratory Disease University of Newcastle

Collaborative work with researchers overseas institutions at the Harvard University, Boston, USA, John Hopkins University Baltimore USA Tianjin University, Tianjin, China, University of Brest, France, Sapporo University, Japan and University of Athens, Greece, University of Sao Paolo Sao Paolo Brazil Seoul National University Seoul Korea .

The role of Beta 2-glycoprotein I in in-vitro and in-vivo angiogenesis is currently being investigated using a Matrigel and tumour animal models with Beta 2GPI knockout mice. The role of Beta 2GPI in cholesterol metabolism is being assessed using C57BL/6 Beta 2GPI+/+ and -/- mice fed a western diet.

Cloning and generating knockout mice of a novel mast cell specific RasGRP4. RasGRP4 knockout mice have defects in mast cell differentiation and expression of FcER1 and c-Kit. Defining gene mutations in patients with mastocytosis, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Identifying the receptor on mast cells for IL-16. The role of mast cells and basophils in HIV-1 infection. Development of novel ELISAs to measure post translation modification of protein for use as bio-markers to predict clinical severity of various human diseases.

Broad Research Areas:
Immunology, Allergy, Haematology, Infectious Diseases,  SepsisInflammation

Qualifications:
MB BS UNSW, PhD Syd, FRACP

Society Memberships & Professional Activities:
American Association of Immunologists, American Association of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, American Autoimmune Association, Collegium Internationale Allergologicum, Honorary Fellow Greek Society of Rheumatology, Hellenic Society of Immunology, Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Elected member International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) standardisation committee on autoantibodies, Elected Advisory Board Member. Institute of Biomembranes. University of Utrecht. The Netherlands., , Membership on Editorial Boards, , Lupus-an International Journal, London, United Kingdom., Bio-Medical Bulletin of the Greek Diaspora, London, United Kingdom., Elected Member of CIA, Elected Fellow of the American Association of Allergy,Asthma and Immunology, Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, Pisa, Italy., Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, USA., Guest Editor, Thrombosis Research, Elsevier International., Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, The official journal of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Blackwell Publishing

Specific Research Keywords:
Atherogenesis and Inflammation, Autoimmune Disease, Thrombosis, Allergy, Oxidative stress, Beta 2-glyycoprotein I