Profiles
Andrew Flies
UTAS Home Senior Research Fellow Andrew (Andy) Flies
Andrew (Andy) Flies
ARC Discovery Early Career Research Fellow
Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Room 439-12 , Medical Science 2 (MS2)
+61 3 6226 4614 (phone)
Andy is an ARC Discovery Early Career Research Fellow at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research. He leads the Wild Immunology group and works closely with the Devil Immunology Group. His primary research interest understanding how the immune system interacts with cancer cells to facilitate better cancer immunotherapies and vaccines. His primary focus is developing and vaccine to protect Tasmanian devils from the devil facial tumour diseases. This has led to novel findings for human and veterinary medicine and demonstrates how natural disease models can be used to better understand human disease.
Biography
In 2002 Andy obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, with concentrations in math and chemistry. Following his interests back to biology, his research career began as a laboratory technician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. He then moved to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA with Professor Lieping Chen. He subsequently completed a dual PhD in Zoology and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behaviour at Michigan State University (2012), and his dissertation research focused on understanding the immune system of spotted hyenas. Andrew spent nearly a year living and working in Kenya to collect tissue samples and socio-ecological data about the hyena societies.
Following completion of his PhD Andy moved to Adelaide where his wife Emily Johnston was pursuing her PhD. In 2014 Andrew was awarded a two-year postdoctoral fellowship from the Morris Animal Foundation to develop of treatment for the Tasmanian devil facial tumour (DFT) disease. In 2015 he was award an Entrepreneurs' Programme – Research Connections grant for additional work on DFT treatments and canine cancer. In 2016 he won a prestigious Australian Research Council – Discovery Early Career Research Fellowship.
Andrew enjoys running in his spare time and has run many marathons and ultramarathons, including The North Face 100 and the Heyson 105.
Career summary
Qualifications
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 2006-2012
- Dual Ph.D. in Zoology and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior (EEBB)
- Concentration: Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine
- Dissertation: Ecology and Immune Function in the Spotted Hyena, Crocuta crocuta
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 2004-2006
- Advanced Academic Programs - Environmental Sciences
Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 1997-2002
- B.S. in Computer Science
- Minors: Math, Chemistry
Memberships
Professional practice
- International Society of Developmental and Comparative Immunology (2018-present)
- Australasian Society for Immunology (2014-present)
- Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (2010-present)
- Royal Society of South Australia (2014-2015)
- Explorer’s Club (2011-2013)
- National Geographic Society (2006-2013)
Administrative expertise
Andy was the lab coordinator for a lab at Johns Hopkins University that employed over 20 people. He was also the manager of a remote field site and lead instructor for a study abroad course in Kenya. Andy was student president of the Michigan State University EEBB program.
Teaching
Laboratory management
Teaching expertise
- Human Physiology (HP100, 1 semesters)
- Behavioral Ecology of African Mammals study abroad - Kenya (ZOL 490, 1 semester)
- Cells and Development (ZOL 425, 2 semesters)
- Histology (ZOL 408, 3 semesters)
- Fundamental Genetics – online (ZOL 341, 1 semester)
- Organisms and Populations laboratory (BS 110, 2 semesters)
Research Appointments
- ARC Discovery Early Career Research Fellow (2018-2020)
- Morris Animal Foundation postdoctoral research fellow (2014-2016)
Research Invitations
- Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute - 2019
- United States Department of Agriculture – National Wildlife Research Center - 2019
- San Diego Zoo - 2019
- Royal Hobart Hospital - Haematology, oncology, palliative care lunchtime meeting - 2019
- Guest lecture at Peppermint Bay (Tasmania) - 2018
- School of Natural Sciences seminar series (UTAS) - 2018
- Day of Immunology (Royal Hobart Hospital) - 2018
- Host competence workshop (Deakin University) - 2018
- University of the Third Age (U3A) – Tasmania - 2017
- NextCure, Inc (Maryland) - 2016
- Ultrarunning and Education –Rotary Club of Mt. Barker, South Australia - 2014
- Maasai Mara Basecamp - Maasai Mara, Kenya - 2009
View more on Dr Andy Flies in WARP
Expertise
- Recombinant protein production
- Chimeric antibodies
- Cytokine development and testing
- Functional characterization of interactions among cell surface molecules
- Costimulatory signalling in lymphocytes and how these signals can modulate immune function in relation to cancer, allergy, and autoimmune diseases
- Development of recombinant protein and monoclonal antibody secreting hybridomas
- Behavioural studies on large carnivores
- How the ecology of an organism affects the development and maintenance of its immune system
- Laboratory and field skills including but not limited to:
- ELISA
- cytometry (FACS)
- Western blots
- proliferation assays
- cytotoxicity assays
- gene cloning
- bacterial transformation
- mammalian cell transfection
- animal handling
- large animal immobilization
- behavioural ecology studies
- management of field research
Research Themes
Andy’s research aligns to the University’s research themes of Environment, Resources and Sustainability and also Better Health. Visitor’s arriving in Tasmania via the Hobart airport will quickly notice the multitude of Tasmanian devil toys and souvenirs for sale. The iconic Tasmanian devil is an important part of Tasmanian culture and plays an important role of top native predator in Tasmanian ecosystems.
In addition to developing a vaccine to save the devils, understanding how the DFT evades the devil immune system can provide insight into how cancer in other animals, including humans, evades the immune system. Furthermore, the DFT cells that move between individuals are essentially tissue transplants or grafts. Tissue transplants in humans usually require close genetic matches and powerful immunosuppressive drugs to avoid having the host immune system reject the tissue transplant. Understanding how the DFT persists on hosts without the use of exogenously administered drugs and precise genetic matching may allow us to improve the success rate of tissue transplants in humans and other animals.
Awards
- Vice-chancellor's award for Community Engagement (2017)
Current projects
- Development of an oral bait vaccine for Tasmanian devil facial tumours
- Intercellular protein transfer
- Wild and comparative immunology
- Rapid development of immunology tools
Fields of Research
- Animal immunology (310905)
- Cellular immunology (320404)
- Veterinary immunology (300906)
- Tumour immunology (320409)
- Infectious diseases (320211)
- Veterinary diagnosis and diagnostics (300904)
- Medical biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) (320602)
- Immunology (320499)
- Animal cell and molecular biology (310902)
- Ecology (310399)
- Veterinary epidemiology (300905)
- Neurology and neuromuscular diseases (320905)
- Infectious agents (310702)
- Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (300409)
- Applied immunology (incl. antibody engineering, xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies) (320402)
- Rural clinical health (320224)
- Cell development, proliferation and death (310102)
- Biological oceanography (370801)
- Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases) (320101)
- Cancer genetics (321103)
- Host-parasite interactions (310407)
- Conservation and biodiversity (410401)
- Biological control (410302)
- Public health (420699)
- Humoural immunology and immunochemistry (320405)
- Transplantation immunology (320408)
- Genetics (310599)
- Health psychology (520304)
- Behavioural ecology (310301)
- Oceanography (370899)
- Innate immunity (320407)
- Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) (321104)
- Genomics (310509)
- Wildlife and habitat management (410407)
Research Objectives
- Clinical health (200199)
- Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences (280102)
- Terrestrial biodiversity (180606)
- Expanding knowledge in the agricultural, food and veterinary sciences (280101)
- Veterinary diagnostics (241602)
- Expanding knowledge in the health sciences (280112)
- Veterinary biological preventatives (241601)
- Expanding knowledge in the biomedical and clinical sciences (280103)
- Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in terrestrial environments (180602)
- Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions (200101)
- Treatment of human diseases and conditions (200105)
- Efficacy of medications (200102)
- Disease distribution and transmission (incl. surveillance and response) (200404)
- Sugar (260607)
- Public health (excl. specific population health) (200499)
- Health status (incl. wellbeing) (200407)
- Other health (209999)
- Fisheries - aquaculture (100299)
- Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences (280111)
- Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems (180601)
- Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in marine environments (180503)
Publications
Total publications
43
Highlighted publications
(7 outputs)| Year | Type | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Journal Article | Ong C, Patchett AL, Darby JM, Chen J, Liu G, et al., 'NLRC5 regulates expression of MHC-I and provides a target for anti-tumor immunity in 3 transmissible cancers', Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 147, (7) pp. 1973-1991. ISSN 0171-5216 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1101/2020.09.06.274720 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 6 Co-authors: Ong C; Patchett AL; Darby JM; Liu G; Lyons AB; Woods GM | |
| 2020 | Journal Article | Flies AS, Darby JM, Lennard PR, Murphy PR, Ong C, et al., 'A novel system to map protein interactions reveals evolutionarily conserved immune evasion pathways on transmissible cancers', Science Advances, 6, (27) Article eaba5031. ISSN 2375-2548 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba5031 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 11Web of Science - 10 Co-authors: Darby JM; Lennard PR; Murphy PR; Ong C; Pinfold TL; De Luca A; Lyons AB; Woods GM; Patchett AL | |
| 2020 | Journal Article | Flies AS, Flies EJ, Fox S, Gilbert A, Johnson SR, et al., 'An oral bait vaccination approach for the Tasmanian devil facial tumor diseases', Expert Review of Vaccines, 19, (1) pp. 1-10. ISSN 1476-0584 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2020.1711058 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 16 Co-authors: Flies EJ; Liu G-S; Lyons AB; Patchett AL; Pye RJ | |
| 2020 | Journal Article | Flies AS, Patchett A, 'Rewilding immunology', Science, 369, (6499) pp. 37-38. ISSN 1095-9203 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1126/science.abb8664 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 14 Co-authors: Patchett A | |
| 2019 | Journal Article | Patchett AL, Coorens THH, Darby J, Wilson R, McKay MJ, et al., 'Two of a kind: transmissible Schwann cell cancers in the endangered Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)', Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 77 pp. 1847-1858. ISSN 1420-682X (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03259-2 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 16Web of Science - 15 Co-authors: Patchett AL; Darby J; Wilson R; Pye RJ; Lyons AB; Woods GM; Tovar C | |
| 2016 | Journal Article | Flies AS, Lyons AB, Corcoran LM, Papenfuss AT, Murphy JM, et al., 'PD-L1 is not constitutively expressed on Tasmanian devil facial tumor cells but is strongly upregulated in response to IFN-γ and can be expressed in the tumor microenvironment', Frontiers in Immunology, 7 Article 581. ISSN 1664-3224 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00581 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 29Web of Science - 29 Co-authors: Lyons AB; Woods GM | |
| 2016 | Journal Article | Flies AS, Mansfield LS, Flies EJ, Grant CK, Holekamp KE, 'Socioecological predictors of immune defences in wild spotted hyenas', Functional Ecology, 30, (9) pp. 1549-1557. ISSN 0269-8463 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12638 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 23Web of Science - 21 Co-authors: Flies EJ |
Journal Article
(38 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Dempsey S, Pye RJ, Gilbert AT, Fountain-Jones NM, Moffat JM, et al., 'Evaluation of oral baits and distribution methods for Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii)', Wildlife Research pp. 1-13. ISSN 1035-3712 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1071/WR22070 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Pye RJ; Fountain-Jones NM | |
| 2022 | Drawert B, Flies AS, Matthew S, Powell M, Rumsey B, 'Saving the Devils is in the details: Tasmanian Devil facial tumor disease can be eliminated with interventions', Letters in Biomathematics, 9, (1) pp. 121-140. ISSN 2373-7867 (2022) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2022 | Kayigwe AN, Darby JM, Lyons AB, Patchett AL, Lisowski L, et al., 'A human adenovirus encoding IFN-γ can transduce Tasmanian devil facial tumour cells and upregulate MHC-I', Journal of General Virology, 103, (11) pp. 1-8. ISSN 0022-1317 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001812 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Darby JM; Lyons AB; Patchett AL; Liu G-S | |
| 2022 | Ong CEB, Cheng V, Siddle HV, Lyons AB, Woods GM, et al., 'Class II transactivator induces expression of MHC-I and MHC-II in transmissible Tasmanian devil facial tumours', Open biology, 12, (10) Article 220208. ISSN 2046-2441 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220208 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Ong CEB; Lyons AB; Woods GM | |
| 2022 | Ong CEB, Cheng Y, Siddle HV, Lyons AB, Woods GM, et al., 'Class II transactivator induces expression of MHC-I and MHC-II in transmissible Tasmanian devil facial tumours', Open Biology, 12, (10) Article 220208. ISSN 2046-2441 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.14.452299 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Ong CEB; Lyons AB; Woods GM | |
| 2021 | De Luca AJ, Lyons AB, Flies AS, 'Cytokines: Signalling improved immunotherapy?', Current Oncology Reports, 23 Article 103. ISSN 1534-6269 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01095-x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: De Luca AJ; Lyons AB | |
| 2021 | Ohmer MEB, Costantini D, Czirjak GA, Downs CJ, Ferguson LV, et al., 'Applied ecoimmunology: using immunological tools to improve conservation efforts in a changing world', Conservation Physiology, 9, (1) pp. 1-16. ISSN 2051-1434 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab074 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 9Web of Science - 8 | |
| 2021 | Ong C, Patchett AL, Darby JM, Chen J, Liu G, et al., 'NLRC5 regulates expression of MHC-I and provides a target for anti-tumor immunity in 3 transmissible cancers', Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 147, (7) pp. 1973-1991. ISSN 0171-5216 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1101/2020.09.06.274720 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 6 Co-authors: Ong C; Patchett AL; Darby JM; Liu G; Lyons AB; Woods GM | |
| 2021 | Pye RJ, Darby JM, Flies AS, Fox S, Carver SS, et al., 'Post-release immune responses of Tasmanian devils vaccinated with an experimental devil facial tumour disease vaccine', Wildlife Research, 48, (8) pp. 701-712. ISSN 1035-3712 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1071/WR20210 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Pye RJ; Darby JM; Carver SS; Woods GM; Lyons AB | |
| 2021 | Wong C, Darby JM, Murphy PR, Pinfold TL, Lennard PR, et al., 'Tasmanian devil CD28 and CTLA4 capture CD80 and CD86 from adjacent cells', Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 115 Article 103882. ISSN 0145-305X (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103882 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 3 Co-authors: Darby JM; Murphy PR; Pinfold TL; Woods GM; Lyons AB | |
| 2020 | Flies AS, Darby JM, Lennard PR, Murphy PR, Ong C, et al., 'A novel system to map protein interactions reveals evolutionarily conserved immune evasion pathways on transmissible cancers', Science Advances, 6, (27) Article eaba5031. ISSN 2375-2548 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba5031 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 11Web of Science - 10 Co-authors: Darby JM; Lennard PR; Murphy PR; Ong C; Pinfold TL; De Luca A; Lyons AB; Woods GM; Patchett AL | |
| 2020 | Flies AS, Darby JM, Murphy PR, Pinfold TL, Patchett AL, et al., 'Generation and Testing of Fluorescent Adaptable Simple Theranostic (FAST) Proteins', Bio-protocol, 10, (13) pp. 1-49. ISSN 2331-8325 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.3696 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 3 Co-authors: Darby JM; Murphy PR; Pinfold TL; Patchett AL; Lennard PR | |
| 2020 | Flies AS, Flies EJ, Fox S, Gilbert A, Johnson SR, et al., 'An oral bait vaccination approach for the Tasmanian devil facial tumor diseases', Expert Review of Vaccines, 19, (1) pp. 1-10. ISSN 1476-0584 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2020.1711058 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 16 Co-authors: Flies EJ; Liu G-S; Lyons AB; Patchett AL; Pye RJ | |
| 2020 | Flies AS, Patchett A, 'Rewilding immunology', Science, 369, (6499) pp. 37-38. ISSN 1095-9203 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1126/science.abb8664 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 14 Co-authors: Patchett A | |
| 2020 | Patchett AL, Flies AS, Lyons AB, Woods GM, 'Curse of the devil: molecular insights into the emergence of transmissible cancers in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)', Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 77, (13) pp. 2507-2525. ISSN 1420-682X (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03435-4 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 9Web of Science - 10 Co-authors: Patchett AL; Lyons AB; Woods GM | |
| 2019 | Flies AS, Woods GM, 'Editorial: Wild Immunology - The answers are out there', Frontiers in Immunology, 10 Article 126. ISSN 1664-3224 (2019) [Letter or Note in Journal] DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00126 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 3 Co-authors: Woods GM | |
| 2019 | Martin LB, Addison B, Bean AGD, Buchanan KL, Crino OL, et al., 'Extreme competence: keystone hosts of infections', Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 34, (4) pp. 303-314. ISSN 0169-5347 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.12.009 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 36Web of Science - 31 Co-authors: Hamede R; Ruiz Aravena M | |
| 2019 | Ong C, Lyons AB, Woods GM, Flies AS, 'Inducible IFN-γ expression for MHC-I upregulation in devil facial tumor cells', Frontiers in Immunology, 9 Article 3117. ISSN 1664-3224 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03117 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 10Web of Science - 10 Co-authors: Ong C; Lyons AB; Woods GM | |
| 2019 | Patchett AL, Coorens THH, Darby J, Wilson R, McKay MJ, et al., 'Two of a kind: transmissible Schwann cell cancers in the endangered Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)', Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 77 pp. 1847-1858. ISSN 1420-682X (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03259-2 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 16Web of Science - 15 Co-authors: Patchett AL; Darby J; Wilson R; Pye RJ; Lyons AB; Woods GM; Tovar C | |
| 2018 | Woods GM, Fox S, Flies A, Tovar CD, Jones M, et al., 'Two decades of the impact of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)', Integrative and Comparative Biology, 58, (6) pp. 1043-1054. ISSN 1540-7063 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/icb/icy118 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 7Web of Science - 6 Co-authors: Woods GM; Tovar CD; Jones M; Hamede R; Lyons AB; Bettiol S | |
| 2017 | Flies AS, Blackburn NB, Lyons AB, Hayball JD, Woods GM, 'Comparative analysis of immune checkpoint molecules and their potential role in the transmissible Tasmanian Devil facial tumor disease', Frontiers in Immunology, 8 Article 513. ISSN 1664-3224 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00513 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 12Web of Science - 14 Co-authors: Blackburn NB; Lyons AB; Woods GM | |
| 2016 | Flies AS, Lyons AB, Corcoran LM, Papenfuss AT, Murphy JM, et al., 'PD-L1 is not constitutively expressed on Tasmanian devil facial tumor cells but is strongly upregulated in response to IFN-γ and can be expressed in the tumor microenvironment', Frontiers in Immunology, 7 Article 581. ISSN 1664-3224 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00581 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 29Web of Science - 29 Co-authors: Lyons AB; Woods GM | |
| 2016 | Flies AS, Mansfield LS, Flies EJ, Grant CK, Holekamp KE, 'Socioecological predictors of immune defences in wild spotted hyenas', Functional Ecology, 30, (9) pp. 1549-1557. ISSN 0269-8463 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12638 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 23Web of Science - 21 Co-authors: Flies EJ | |
| 2016 | Flies EJ, Flies AS, Fricker SR, Weinstein P, Williams CR, 'Regional comparison of mosquito bloodmeals in South Australia: implications for Ross River virus ecology', Journal of Medical Entomology, 53, (4) pp. 902-910. ISSN 0022-2585 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw035 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 13Web of Science - 13 Co-authors: Flies EJ | |
| 2015 | Flies AS, Mansfield LS, Grant CK, Weldele ML, Holekamp KE, 'Markedly elevated antibody responses in wild versus captive spotted hyenas show that environmental and ecological factors are important modulators of immunity', PLoS One, 10, (10) Article e0137679. ISSN 1932-6203 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137679 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 21Web of Science - 18 | |
| 2015 | Luo L, Zhu G, Xu H, Yao S, Zhou G, et al., 'B7-H3 promotes pathogenesis of autoimmune disease and inflammation by regulating the activity of different T cell subsets', PLoS One, 10, (6) Article e0130126. ISSN 1932-6203 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130126 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 35Web of Science - 32 | |
| 2014 | Flies AS, Maksimoski MT, Mansfield LS, Weldele ML, Holekamp KE, 'Characterization of Toll-like receptors 1-10 in spotted hyenas', Veterinary Research Communications: An International Journal Publishing Topical Reviews and Research Articles on All Aspects of The Veterinary Sciences, 38, (2) pp. 165-70. ISSN 0165-7380 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11259-014-9592-3 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 6 | |
| 2014 | Johnston E, Weinstein P, Slaney D, Flies AS, Fricker S, et al., 'Mosquito communities with trap height and urban-rural gradient in Adelaide, South Australia: implications for disease vector surveillance', Journal of Vector Ecology, 39, (1) pp. 48-55. ISSN 1081-1710 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1948-7134.2014.12069.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 20Web of Science - 19 Co-authors: Johnston E | |
| 2013 | Nelson KG, Engh AL, McKnight CA, Kiupel M, Wise AG, et al., 'Papillomavirus-associated Cutaneous Papillomas in a Population of Wild Spotted Hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)', Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 49, (3) pp. 627-631. ISSN 0090-3558 (2013) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.7589/2011-09-262 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2 | |
| 2012 | Flies AS, Grant CK, Mansfield LS, Smith EJ, Weldele ML, et al., 'Development of a hyena immunology toolbox', Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology: An International Journal of Comparative Immunology, 145, (1-2) pp. 110-119. ISSN 0165-2427 (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2011.10.016 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 12Web of Science - 11 | |
| 2008 | Azuma T, Yao S, Zhu G, Flies AS, Flies SJ, et al., 'B7-H1 is a ubiquitous antiapoptotic receptor on cancer cells', Blood, 111, (7) pp. 3635-3643. ISSN 0006-4971 (2008) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1182/blood-2007-11-123141 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 392Web of Science - 363 | |
| 2008 | Zhu G, Augustine MM, Azuma T, Luo L, Yao S, et al., 'B7-H4-deficient mice display augmented neutrophil-mediated innate immunity', Blood, 113, (8) pp. 1759-1767. ISSN 0006-4971 (2008) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-01-133223 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 68Web of Science - 61 | |
| 2007 | Goldberg MV, Maris CH, Hipkiss EL, Flies AS, Zhen L, et al., 'Role of PD-1 and its ligand, B7-H1, in early fate decisions of CD8 T cells', Blood, 110, (1) pp. 186-192. ISSN 0006-4971 (2007) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-12-062422 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 159Web of Science - 150 | |
| 2007 | Tsushima F, Yao S, Shin T, Flies AS, Xu H, et al., 'Interaction between B7-H1 and PD-1 determines initiation and reversal of T-cell anergy', Blood, 110, (1) pp. 180-185. ISSN 0006-4971 (2007) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-11-060087 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 188Web of Science - 177 | |
| 2007 | Zhu Y, Zhu G, Luo L, Flies AS, Chen L, 'CD137 stimulation delivers an antigen-independent growth signal for T lymphocytes with memory phenotype', Blood, 109, (11) pp. 4882-4889. ISSN 0006-4971 (2007) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-10-043463 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 68Web of Science - 67 | |
| 2006 | Anand S, Wang P, Yoshimura K, Choi I-H, Hillard A, et al., 'Essential role of TNF family molecule LIGHT as a cytokine in the pathogenesis of hepatitis', Journal of Clinical Investigation, 116, (4) pp. 1045-1051. ISSN 0021-9738 (2006) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1172/JCI27083 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 61Web of Science - 59 | |
| 2006 | Xu Y, Flies AS, Files DB, Zhu G, Anand S, et al., 'Selective targeting of the LIGHT-HVEM costimulatory system for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease', Blood , 109, (9) pp. 4097-4104. ISSN 0006-4971 (2006) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1182/blood- 2006-09-047332 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 50 | |
| 2004 | Luo L, Chapoval AL, Flies DB, Zhu G, Hirano F, et al., 'B7-H3 enhances tumor immunity in vivo by costimulating rapid clonal expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ cytolytic T cells', Journal of Immunology, 173, (9) pp. 5445-50. ISSN 0022-1767 (2004) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.9.5445 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 154Web of Science - 141 |
Contract Report, Consultant's Report
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Zosky GR, Norris K, Woods G, Flies A, 'RTA in a COVID-19 Environment', Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), Tasmania, Australia (2020) [Contract Report] Co-authors: Zosky GR; Norris K; Woods G |
Other Public Output
(4 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Flies AS, Ong C, Pye R, 'Thousands of Tasmanian devils are dying from cancer-but a new vaccine approach could help us save them', The Conversation, online, 17 November (2022) [Magazine Article] Co-authors: Pye R | |
| 2020 | Flies AS, Patchett AL, Lyons B, Woods G, 'We developed tools to study cancer in Tasmanian devils. They could help fight disease in humans', The Conversation, online, 2 July 2020 (2020) [Magazine Article] Co-authors: Patchett AL; Lyons B; Woods G | |
| 2017 | Flies AS, 'Spotted hyenas rarely die from disease: we set out to discover why', The Conversation, Australia, April 17 (2017) [Magazine Article] | |
| 2016 | Flies AS, Woods GM, 'Deadly disease can 'hide' from a Tasmanian devil's immune system', The Conversation (2016) [Magazine Article] Co-authors: Woods GM |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
26
Total funding
$2,924,748
Projects
Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal - Tasmanian Devil Vaccine research (2022 - 2023)$90,066
- Description
- Donation account for Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal project to develop a vaccine against Devil Facial Tumour Disease
- Funding
- Donation via University of Tasmania Foundation ($90,066)
- Scheme
- Donation - Individual
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS
- Period
- 2022 - 2023
Acquisition of a VS200 Research Slide Scanner for the College of Health and Medicine (2022)$100,000
- Description
- The Olympus VS200 Research Slide Scanner enables the imaging of entire tissue sections in an automated manner. It can acquire images from up to six fluorescent channels along with brightfield, dark field and phase contrast, and has objectives up to 100X. The robotic slide loader allows for batch scanning of up to 210 slides at a time and can accommodate multiple sizes of slides up to 4x5 plates for large tissue sections. Our current VS120 slide scanner is already used at a maximum capacity with researchers having to book weeks in advance to scan slides. The VS200 will add further capacity and offers improved capabilities with greater optical resolution, more fluorescent channels, more batch scanning capacity and the ability to scan larger slides. Pairing this with free open source software like QuPath provides high throughput, efficient and highly accurate quantitative workflows that greatly improve productivity.
- Funding
- Ian Potter Foundation ($100,000)
- Scheme
- Grant - Medical Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Sutherland BA; Howells DW; Courtney J; King AE; Dickson TC; Premilovac D; Bye N; Flies AS; Young K
- Year
- 2022
GreyScan TVD Extension (2021)$146,415
- Description
- Funding to continue research on the development of the GreyScan TVD-1 system for trace virus detection. A first round of research supported by CSIRO innovations connection funding has completed. Additional work is required to continue the research required for product scope and development.
- Funding
- GreyScan Pty Ltd ($146,415)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Breadmore MC; Gell DA; King AE; Flies AS; Wilson CR; Flies E; Liu G
- Year
- 2021
Cancer Research to Help Tasmanian Devils (2021 - 2024)$312,960
- Description
- The high conservation of key proteins and central cancer pathways suggests that higher vertebrates display common cancer development and progression mechanisms, allowing for similar treatment strategies across species boundaries. This opened a new therapeutic avenue and an important contribution to ongoing efforts to understand how the devil immune system recognizes and kills transmissible cancers.
- Funding
- University of Veterinary Medicine ($312,960)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Bergthaler A; Morrigl R
- Period
- 2021 - 2024
Select Foundation Senior Research Fellowship - Immunology (2021 - 2025)$625,000
- Funding
- The Select Foundation ($625,000)
- Scheme
- Fellowship-Senior Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS
- Period
- 2021 - 2025
Development of a field diagnostic test for DFT1/2 (2021)$25,000
- Description
- Current approaches to detecting DFTD in Tasmanian devils rely on time-consuming laboratory analysis with instruments being non-portable, making DFTD diagnosis in the field impracticable. Our project aims to adapt COVID-19 rapid detection test into a rapid DFTD diagnostic tool to allow for rapid detection of DFTD infections in the field.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania Foundation Inc ($25,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Gran
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Patchett AL; Pye RJ
- Year
- 2021
Development of a devil facial tumour disease vaccine (2021)$40,000
- Description
- This project will test a vaccine that can be used to prevent and treat both types of devil facial tumour diseases (DFT1 & DFT2). Our approach is similar to COVID-19 vaccines and effective human cancer treatments. Importantly, this approach can be used for vaccination of devils across the Tasmanian landscape
- Funding
- University of Tasmania Foundation Inc ($40,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Gran
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Pye RJ; Patchett AL; Liu G
- Year
- 2021
Cancer Shapeshifters Deciphering the contribution of tumour plasticity to DFT vaccine failure and tumour emergence (2021)$35,000
- Description
- Cancer cells are intrinsically plastic (malleable), enabling changes to protein signalling pathways to maintain growth or remain 'hidden' from the immune system under different conditions. In the Tasmanian devil, plasticity in fundamental protein signalling pathways has been associated with both the failure of current candidate DFT vaccines and the emergence DFT cancers in the wild. This proposal will investigate whether DFT plasticity represents a 'missing piece of the puzzle' in fully understanding how Schwann cell cancers in devils gain the ability to evade immune detection and spread across a myriad of Tasmanian devils, irrespective of host genetics and intervention (i.e. vaccination). In aim 1, we will develop laboratory cell culture models of DFT plasticity that we will use to understand how changes to protein signalling impact the ability of the devil immune system to detect and kill the DFT cells. In aim 2, we will use comprehensive RNA sequencing technologies to examine the functional evolution of DFT2 tumours since emergence, therefore revealing the role of DFT plasticity in the establishment of transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devil populations. Together, these analyses will reveal the contribution of DFT plasticity to DFT survival and propagation under different conditions, therefore providing critical knowledge that will be required for full optimisation and success of protective DFT vaccines in wild populations. Furthermore, this knowledge will be applied to predict the potential impact of DFT2 upon spread outside of its population of origin.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania Foundation Inc ($35,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Gran
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Patchett AL; Flies AS; Whitworth D
- Year
- 2021
ICG - GREYSCAN PTY LTD (2020)$259,020
- Description
- With GreyScan will repurpose the ETD-100 trace explosives system to detect viruses and create a new product range, TVD 1
- Funding
- GreyScan Pty Ltd ($259,020)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Breadmore MC; King AE; Karupiah G; Flies AS; Wilson CR; Flies E; Gell DA
- Year
- 2020
Advice to the AAD (PMU) re RTA in a COVID19 Environment (2020)$10,000
- Description
- Literature review and recommendations to the Australian Antarctic Division regarding the Return to Australia for current Antarctic Expeditioners in a COVID19 environment.
- Funding
- Australian Antarctic Division ($10,000)
- Scheme
- Consultancy
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Zosky GR; Flies AS; Woods GM; Norris K
- Year
- 2020
ON Prime Lite - Wild Immunology Network (2020)$100
- Description
- The biomedical community has focused on genetically inbred mice in artificial environments to understand precise biochemical and immunological mechanisms that regulate the immune system. This has led to improved understanding of the immune system and a few major breakthroughs, but more than 90% of human clinical trials end in failure. All animals, including humans, suffer from disease. The emergence of COVID-19 from wildlife has provided a wake-up call to the world that disease in wildlife is important and that there is much to learn from studying natural diseases in the real world.
- Funding
- CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation ($100)
- Scheme
- Scholarship-ON Prime Lite
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Patchett AL
- Year
- 2020
Rapid antibody development for improved cancer immunotherapy diagnostics (2019)$9,841
- Description
- Development of tools such as monoclonal antibodies to study the immune system can be time consuming, costly, and technically challenging. Recently, a technique called phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE) was developed to harness the rapid evolution of bacteriophages to produce novel biomolecules1,2. We have recently established the PACE system here at Menzies, and we will now apply this system to the development of monoclonal antibodies. We will use the PACE system to produce single-domain antibodies (sdAb, aka Nanobodies). sdAbs are derived from the variable coding region of heavy-chain only antibodies from the camelid family (e.g. camels, llamas, alpaca). The unique heavy chain only antibodies from camels are simpler to produce than antibodies from other species because they require only one protein-coding gene sequence (e.g. the variable region), whereas other species require at least a heavy chain variable region, a light chain variable region, and in most cases the heavy and light chain constant regions. sdAbs have been shown to a protein binding capacity similar to traditional antibodies, but have the added benefit of being very small, which facilitates their use in applications that require small proteins. Importantly, the ability of a single gene to produce a high-affinity antibody lends itself to the PACE system because only one gene needs to be evolved, thus eliminating complications of matching heavy and light chain genes to produce a functional antibody. We will initially reproduce a published sdAb that targets a key immune molecule3 to demonstrate our capacity to make sdAbs. Then we will produce a phage library that represents the germline heavy chain only variable regions encoded in the camels, llamas, and alpaca genome. We can then allow the phages to compete for binding to target antigens and allow evolution to produce a high-affinity sdAb in a few weeks. Traditional monoclonal antibodies take 2-6 months to produce.
- Funding
- Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation ($9,841)
- Scheme
- Grant-Incubator
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Hewitt A; Nott LM
- Year
- 2019
Development of a devil facial tumour bait-vaccine for landscape-level distribution (2019)$9,952
- Description
- This project aims to develop a devil facial tumour (DFT) disease vaccine based on a highly-successful rabies virus vaccine platform. The bait-vaccine approach works by incorporating tumour antigens (i.e. proteins or peptides) into a non-replicating adenovirus in the laboratory, and then packaging the virus into 'blister packs' that are distributed in the landscape for target animals (i.e. devils) to eat. The virus then infects the animal when the blister pack breaks open in the animal's mouth and induces an immune response against the virus and the tumour antigens. To achieve our bait-vaccine goals we need to bring together teams diverse sets of skills, including but not limited to immunologists, geneticists, and ecologists. This research complements our existing devil immunology research but will require the cross-disciplinary expertise of Rick Liu's genetic engineering team to develop the adenovirus-based vaccine platform. The genetic engineering team will harness existing collaborations with the Children's Medical Research Institute to produce the adenoviruses for the devil team's pilot studies. Long-term development of this project will include veterinarians and ecologists from the School of Natural Sciences and DPIPWE. We will apply for funding from the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal to develop the field-based aspects of the project. This is likely the only approach that has the potential to eradicate DFT disease from Tasmania.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($9,952)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Liu R; Lyons AB; Patchett AL; Pye RJ
- Year
- 2019
Identification of host-tumour interactions driving immune evasion and survival of devil facial tumor disease (2019)$12,951
- Description
- This project will use sequencing to generate gene profiles of immune cells in healthy and diseased Tasmanian devils. These datasets will enable identification of immune cell subsets in the Tasmanian devil, and will be mined to detect changes to immune function in diseased devils.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($12,951)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Patchett AL; Lyons AB; Flies AS
- Year
- 2019
Bait Expectations (2019)$100
- Description
- Tasmanian devil numbers have declined by 80% over the last 23 years due to the emergence of transmissible cancers called devil facial tumour (DFT) disease. To protect the Tasmanian devil, conservation strategies are required to rebuild devil populations in the wild. We propose developing an oral bait vaccine that will be eaten by wild devils to provide immunity to DFTs. Unlike traditional injected vaccines, bait vaccines are dropped into habitat using bait despensers, thus eliminating the need to capture devils for vaccination. This will allow wide-spread vaccination of devils across Tasmania, thus protecting the entire population from DFTs.
- Funding
- CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation ($100)
- Scheme
- Scholarship-ON Prime
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Patchett AL; Flies AS; Lyons AB; Espejo CI
- Year
- 2019
Analytical flow cytometer (2019)$100,000
- Description
- Purchase of a 5 laser Cytoflex LX flow cytometer. This equipment has the ability to examine the full range of fluorescent proteins used in advanced molecular biology and in complex analyses which are not possible using our current instruments.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($100,000)
- Scheme
- null
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Lyons AB; Pinfold T
- Year
- 2019
Tipping the Balance from Tolerance to Immunity for the Devil Facial Tumour (2018 - 2020)$365,058
- Description
- This project aims to develop of a single-shot vaccine for the Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease. The disease is an enigma because the transmissible tumours are simultaneously cancer, infections, and genetically mismatched tissue grafts. This project will focus on immune molecules that are revolutionising human oncology, and it will develop cutting edge techniques to understand and systematically test the function of these key molecules in Tasmanian devils. Understanding the role of these immune molecules will accelerate development of a vaccine to help save the devil and has the potential to shed light on general principles relating to how the immune system balances tolerance and immunity.
- Funding
- Australian Research Council ($365,058)
- Scheme
- Fellowship-Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS
- Period
- 2018 - 2020
- Grant Reference
- DE180100484
Identification of devil facial tumour-associated antigens for vaccine development (2018 - 2019)$34,256
- Description
- The current DFTD vaccine can induce anti-DFTD immune responses, but the scalability and efficacy of the vaccine needs to be improved to deliver a broad conservation impact. This proposal builds on ongoing vaccine research to identify tumour-associated antigens that can be used to produce a highly replicable and scalable DFTD vaccine.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania Foundation Inc ($34,256)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Gran
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Woods GM; Lyons AB; Wilson RR
- Period
- 2018 - 2019
Immunisation to protect against transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devils (2018 - 2020)$303,931
- Funding
- Australian Research Council ($303,931)
- Scheme
- Grant-Discovery Projects
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Woods GM; Lyons AB; Corcoran L; Hayball J; Murphy J; Flies AS
- Period
- 2018 - 2020
- Grant Reference
- DP180100520
A live-attenuated vaccine (DFT-Off) to promote long-term anti-DFTD immunity (2017 - 2018)$35,000
- Description
- We have developed a system that allows us to switch genes on/off in devil facial tumour (DFT) cells. The DFT-Off cells have the potential to be used as a live-attenuated vaccine, which generally perform better than killed vaccines, that provides long-term protection against both forms of DFT disease (DFTD).
- Funding
- University of Tasmania Foundation Inc ($35,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Gran
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Woods GM; Lyons AB
- Period
- 2017 - 2018
Investigation into an overlooked pathway towards anti-cancer immunity. Inhibitory motifs in the extracellular domains of immune checkpoint molecules (2017)$36,155
- Description
- Checkpoint molecule blockade immunotherapy (e.g. PD-1 monoclonal antibody) has achieved unprecedented success in treating several types of cancer, and ITIM and ITSM signalling play a key role in these treatment approaches. The cancer immunotherapy market reached $16.9 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow to $75 billion by 2022 (GBI 2016). This has greatly improved patient outcomes, but the cost to a single patient can exceed $100,000. The research proposed here has the potential to discover many new drug targets. Importantly, the targets are short peptide sequences, which open the door to using small molecule compounds instead that can be produced and formulated at a significantly lower cost than protein-based therapies. This will benefit cancer patients by reducing the cost for treatment and simultaneously help UTAS enter the rapidly expanding cancer immunotherapy market.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania Foundation Inc ($36,155)
- Scheme
- Grant-Cancer Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Guven N; Blackburn NR; Lyons AB
- Year
- 2017
CRISPR screen to identify key genes driving DFTD (2017)$33,500
- Description
- We will apply leading genomic techniques to identify the genes essential for the proliferation of the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour. By systematically disrupting each gene in the cancer, we will also identify genes which help the tumour evade the immune system.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania Foundation Inc ($33,500)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Gran
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Hewitt A; Liu G; Woods GM; Flies AS; Cook AL
- Year
- 2017
Evaluation of the role natural killer (NK) cells in protection against DFTD (2017)$26,487
- Description
- Natural Killer (NK) cells have a major role in the first line of defence against cancer. This project will investigate the presence and function of NK cells in the Tasmanian devil. The ultimate goal is to determine if NK cells are involved in the rejection of DFTD tumours.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania Foundation Inc ($26,487)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Gran
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Woods GM; Lyons AB; Flies AS
- Year
- 2017
Translating human cancer immunotherapy techniques for use in pets and Tasmanian devils (2016 - 2017)$140,000
- Description
- Immunotherapeutics targeting PD-1 and CTLA4 have shown unprecedented success in treating human cancers. Surprisingly, little is known to date on the potential for translating these human immunotherapy approaches into cancer treatments for veterinary medicine. The Tasmanian devil facial tumours (DFTs) and canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) provide unique opportunities to assess immunotherapeutic treatment regimens for two naturally occurring tumours. Our ongoing work on the DFT has already developed ten anti-PD-1, nine anti-PD-L1 (aka B7-H1), and four anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are highly specific for devil proteins. We have developed a system that can be used to rapidly generate new mAbs against additional target proteins. Importantly, this system can be readily applied to the production of antibodies that target proteins in other species. We have already begun cloning target genes in dogs, and will begin production of recombinant dog proteins, cell lines, and mAbs in 2016. The devil immunology group will develop dog-specific mAbs, and perform in vitro testing functional testing of the mAbs. The first batch of antibodies for PETization will be delivered to Nexvet in January, 2017. The initial functional testing of the antibodies performed by the devil immunology team will generate vital preliminary data to support planned ARC Linkage Project application in 2016-2017 in order to leverage funds for ongoing collaborative research. Establishing a solid connection between Nexvet and the devil immunology team prior to submission of the ARC Linkage Project application will greatly increase the probability receiving a Linkage Project award and leveraging funds. This research could help save an iconic Australian animal from extinction, develop immunotherapeutics to improve and extend the lives of pets around the world, and help to drive an emerging market for pharmaceuticals for pets.
- Funding
- Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources ($50,000); Nexvet Australia Pty Ltd ($90,000)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Woods GM; Lyons AB; Hayball J
- Period
- 2016 - 2017
Improving the DFTD vaccine by targeting key immune signalling molecules (2016)$35,000
- Description
- We have discovered that our current vaccine approach of using interferon-gamma (IFNg) to make the DFTD tumour cells visible to the devil immune system also induces upregulation of molecules that inhibit anti-tumour immune responses. We are now modifying the vaccine to counteract the effects of the inhibitory molecules.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania Foundation Inc ($35,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Gran
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS; Woods GM; Lyons AB
- Year
- 2016
Investigation of cancer immunotherapy for the Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease (2014 - 2016)$138,956
- Description
- Cancer is the worst-case scenario in the minds of most people, and this scenario now applies to an entire species, the Tasmanian devil. An 85% decline has already occurred in the critically endangered wild Tasmanian devil population due to the transmissible devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). Immunotherapy targeting cell surface signalling molecules has recently yielded unprecedented response rates in human cancer clinical trials, yet this immunotherapy technique has not yet been evaluated for the DFTD. By translating the proven human immunotherapies into immunotherapies to treat the DFTD, we will be able to rapidly test new treatments for DFTD that could alleviate the suffering caused by the DFTD, and help to maintain genetic diversity and behavioral patterns in wild devil populations.
- Funding
- Morris Animal Foundation ($138,956)
- Scheme
- Grant-Established Investigator
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Flies AS
- Period
- 2014 - 2016
Research Supervision
During Andy's PhD research he developed projects for six undergraduate students and supervised their work on a day-to-day basis. Five of these students went on to pursue medical or HDR degrees. At UniSA Andy unofficially supervised one honours student and three undergraduate students. Andy currently co-supervises a PhD project examining peanut allergies at the University of Adelaide.
- *Ahab Ndabigaye Kayigwe (University of Tasmania – PhD) 2019-present
- Alana De Luca (University of Tasmania – PhD) 2019-present
- Anna Avaliani (University of Tasmania – volunteer) 2019-present
- *Chrissie Ong (University of Tasmania - Honours 2016, PhD 2017-present) 2016-present
- Geordie Free (University of Tasmania – UROP) 2018
- Anuk Kruawan (University of Tasmania – UROP, Honours) 2018-present
- *Peter Murphy (University of Tasmania – UROP, Honours) 2017-2019
- *Candida Wong (University of Tasmania – Honours) 2018
- *Gerardo Lacapra (University of Tasmania – Honours) 2018
- Katherine Erickson (Scripps College, USA - Undergraduate) 2018
- Ayda Issa (University of Tasmania - UROP) 2017-2018
- Jack Fennel (University of Tasmania - UROP) 2018-present
- Sambavi Singarasa (University of Tasmania – UROP) 2018
- *Patrick Lennard (University of Tasmania, Undergraduate, Honours 2017-present) 2016-2017
- Weijia Jiang (University of Tasmania - PhD) 2016-2017
- Mahalia Kingsley (University of Tasmania - UROP) 2017
- Kris Nand (University of Tasmania - UROP) 2017
- Nirdesh Poudel (University of Tasmania) 2016-2017
- Brad Cowen (University of Tasmania - Honours 2016) 2015-2016
- Sandon James (University of Tasmania - UROP) 2016
- https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=s1_82IAAAAAJ&hl=enSandon Lowe (University of Tasmania - UROP) 2015
Current
4
Completed
3
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Identification of Devil Facial Tumour-Associated Antigens for Vaccine Development | 2019 |
| PhD | Single-cell Immunophenotypic Analysis of Peripheral Blood Cells and Metastatic Tumour Cells | 2020 |
| PhD | Development of a Devil Facial Tumour Vaccine and Efficacy Monitoring System | 2021 |
| PhD | Mapping conserved immunotherapy targets | 2022 |
Completed
| Degree | Title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Masters | Development of Synthetic Immunological Tools for Tasmanian Devil Research Candidate: Alana Jane De Luca | 2022 |
| PhD | Manipulation of Devil Facial Tumour Cells to Enhance Immunogenicity Candidate: Chrissie Ee Been Ong | 2022 |
| PhD | Novel Approach to Treat Viral Pneumonia Candidate: Pratikshya Pandey | 2022 |