I am a passionate research scientist who joined Professor Alan Rowans group in 2017 to develop novel wound management agents and investigate the interface between material science and cellular responses. These projects focus on studying cellular responses within 3D matrices of defined properties where we can investigate the role of biophysical and biochemical interactions in real time and with applied mechanical force using a confocal rheometer. Extracellular matrices are a large focus, acting as dynamic platforms not only providing a physical scaffold with defined mechanical properties but also act as a repository for biochemical based signalling molecules and interaction domains, orchestrating biological responses. Matrices composed of synthetic or naturally derived material, offer different and overlapping array of advantageous in the context of cell behaviour. We are exploring both types in isolation and as composite and hybrid materials to tailor the biophysical aspects to the specific applications. By combining these matrices with bioactive components we are empowering the materials to bring about the biochemical responses in defined ways, enabling the investigation of both fundamental biological processes as well as development of clinically relevant agents.
Journal Article: Snake venom-defined fibrin architecture dictates fibroblast survival and differentiation
Wang, Zhao, Lauko, Jan, Kijas, Amanda W., Gilbert, Elliot P., Turunen, Petri, Yegappan, Ramanathan, Zou, Dongxiu, Mata, Jitendra and Rowan, Alan E. (2023). Snake venom-defined fibrin architecture dictates fibroblast survival and differentiation. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 1029, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-36437-9
Journal Article: Snake venom hydrogels as a rapid hemostatic agent for uncontrolled bleeding
Yegappan, Ramanathan, Lauko, Jan, Wang, Zhao, Lavin, Martin F., Kijas, Amanda W. and Rowan, Alan E. (2022). Snake venom hydrogels as a rapid hemostatic agent for uncontrolled bleeding. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 11 (15) 2200574, 2200574. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202200574
Journal Article: The Mechanosensory Role of Osteocytes and Implications for Bone Health and Disease States
Choi, Jung Un Ally, Kijas, Amanda W., Lauko, Jan and Rowan, Alan E. (2022). The Mechanosensory Role of Osteocytes and Implications for Bone Health and Disease States. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9 770143, 770143. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.770143
(2022–2026) Metro North Hospital and Health Service
Characterisation of Cytoskeleton information transfer
Doctor Philosophy
Snake venom-controlled fibrin networks for wound healing studies
Doctor Philosophy
Control of osteocyte behaviour by tailoring extracellular matrix
(2022) Doctor Philosophy
Kijas, Amanda W. and Lavin, Martin F. (2017). Assaying for radioresistant DNA synthesis, the hallmark feature of the intra-S-phase checkpoint using a DNA fiber technique. ATM kinase: methods and protocols. (pp. 13-23) edited by Sergei V. Kozlov. New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6955-5_2
ATM mediated signaling defends the integrity of the genome
Lavin, Martin F., Gatei, Magtouf, Chen, Philip, Kijas, Amanda and Kozlov, Sergei (2010). ATM mediated signaling defends the integrity of the genome. Handbook of Cell Signaling. (pp. 2171-2183) edited by Ralph A. Bradshaw and Edward A. Dennis. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Inc.. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-374145-5.00263-1
Snake venom-defined fibrin architecture dictates fibroblast survival and differentiation
Wang, Zhao, Lauko, Jan, Kijas, Amanda W., Gilbert, Elliot P., Turunen, Petri, Yegappan, Ramanathan, Zou, Dongxiu, Mata, Jitendra and Rowan, Alan E. (2023). Snake venom-defined fibrin architecture dictates fibroblast survival and differentiation. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 1029, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-36437-9
Snake venom hydrogels as a rapid hemostatic agent for uncontrolled bleeding
Yegappan, Ramanathan, Lauko, Jan, Wang, Zhao, Lavin, Martin F., Kijas, Amanda W. and Rowan, Alan E. (2022). Snake venom hydrogels as a rapid hemostatic agent for uncontrolled bleeding. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 11 (15) 2200574, 2200574. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202200574
The Mechanosensory Role of Osteocytes and Implications for Bone Health and Disease States
Choi, Jung Un Ally, Kijas, Amanda W., Lauko, Jan and Rowan, Alan E. (2022). The Mechanosensory Role of Osteocytes and Implications for Bone Health and Disease States. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9 770143, 770143. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.770143
Heterodyne Brillouin microscopy for biomechanical imaging
Taylor, Michael A., Kijas, Amanda W., Wang, Zhao, Lauko, Jan and Rowan, Alan E. (2021). Heterodyne Brillouin microscopy for biomechanical imaging. Biomedical Optics Express, 12 (10) 6259, 6259-6268. doi: 10.1364/boe.435869
Ovchinnikov, Dmitry A., Withey, Sarah L., Leeson, Hannah C., Lei, U. Wang, Sundarrajan, Ashmitha, Junday, Keerat, Pewarchuk, Michelle, Yeo, Abrey J., Kijas, Amanda W., Lavin, Martin F. and Wolvetang, Ernst J. (2020). Correction of ATM mutations in iPS cells from two ataxia-telangiectasia patients restores DNA damage and oxidative stress responses. Human Molecular Genetics, 29 (6), 990-1001. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa023
Lim, Yi Chieh, Ensbey, Kathleen S., Offenhäuser, Carolin, D'souza, Rochelle C. J., Cullen, Jason K., Stringer, Brett W., Quek, Hazel, Bruce, Zara C., Kijas, Amanda, Cianfanelli, Valentina, Mahboubi, Bijan, Smith, Fiona, Jeffree, Rosalind L., Wiesmüeller, Lisa, Wiegmans, Adrian P., Bain, Amanda, Lombard, Fanny J., Roberts, Tara L., Khanna, Kum Kum, Lavin, Martin F., Kim, Baek, Hamerlik, Petra, Johns, Terrance G., Coster, Mark J., Boyd, Andrew W. and Day, Bryan W. (2020). Simultaneous targeting of DNA replication and homologous recombination in glioblastoma with a polyether ionophore. Neuro-Oncology, 22 (2), 216-228. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noz159
Therapeutic targets and investigated treatments for Ataxia-Telangiectasia
Lavin, Martin F., Yeo, Abrey J., Kijas, Amanda W., Wolvetang, Ernst, Sly, Peter D., Wainwright, Claire and Sinclair, Kate (2016). Therapeutic targets and investigated treatments for Ataxia-Telangiectasia. Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs, 4 (12), 1263-1276. doi: 10.1080/21678707.2016.1254618
ATM-dependent phosphorylation of all three members of the MRN complex: from sensor to adaptor
Lavin, Martin F., Kozlov, Sergei, Gatei, Magtouf and Kijas, Amanda W. (2015). ATM-dependent phosphorylation of all three members of the MRN complex: from sensor to adaptor. Biomolecules, 5 (4) A31, 2877-2902. doi: 10.3390/biom5042877
Kijas, Amanda W., Lim, Yi Chieh, Bolderson, Emma, Cerosaletti, Karen, Gatei, Magtouf, Jakob, Burkhard, Tobias, Frank, Taucher-Scholz, Gisela, Gueven, Nuri, Oakley, Greg, Concannon, Patrick, Wolvetang, Ernst, Khanna, Kum Kum, Wiesmuller, Lisa and Lavin, Martin F. (2015). ATM-dependent phosphorylation of MRE11 controls extent of resection during homology directed repair by signalling through Exonuclease 1. Nucleic Acids Research, 43 (17), 8352-8367. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkv754
RAD50 phosphorylation promotes ATR downstream signaling and DNA restart following replication stress
Gatei, Magtouf, Kijas, Amanda W., Biard, Denis, Dork, Thilo and Lavin, Martin F. (2014). RAD50 phosphorylation promotes ATR downstream signaling and DNA restart following replication stress. Human Molecular Genetics, 23 (16) ddu141, 4232-4248. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddu141
A patient-derived olfactory stem cell disease model for ataxia-telangiectasia
Stewart, Romal, Kozlov, Sergei, Matigian, Nicholas, Wali, Gautam, Gatei, Magtouf, Sutharsan, Ratneswary, Bellette, Bernadette, Kijas, Amanda Wraith, Cochrane, Julie, Coulthard, Mark, Perry, Chris, Sinclair, Kate, Mackay-Sim, Alan and Lavin, Martin F. (2013). A patient-derived olfactory stem cell disease model for ataxia-telangiectasia. Human Molecular Genetics, 22 (12), 2495-2509. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt101
Lim, Yi Chieh, Roberts, Tara L., Day, Bryan W., Harding, Angus, Kozlov, Sergei, Kijas, Amanda W., Ensbey, Kathleen S., Walker, David G. and Lavin, Martin F. (2012). A role for homologous recombination and abnormal cell-cycle progression in radioresistance of glioma-initiating cells. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 11 (9), 1863-1872. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-11-1044
ATM protein-dependent phosphorylation of Rad50 protein regulates DNA repair and cell cycle control
Gatei, Magtouf, Jakob, Burkhard, Chen, Philip, Kijas, Amanda W., Becherel, Olivier J., Gueven, Nuri, Birrell, Geoff, Lee, Ji-Hoon, Paull, Tanya T., Lerenthal, Yaniv, Fazry, Shazrul, Taucher-Scholtz, Gisela, Kalb, Reinhard, Schindler, Detlev, Waltes, Regina, Doerk, Thilo and Lavin, Martin F. (2011). ATM protein-dependent phosphorylation of Rad50 protein regulates DNA repair and cell cycle control. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 286 (36), 31542-31556. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.258152
Autophosphorylation and ATM activation: Additional sites add to the complexity
Kozlov, Sergei V., Graham, Mark E., Jakob, Burkhard, Tobias, Frank, Kijas, Amanda W., Tanuji, Marcel, Chen, Philip, Robinson, Phillip J., Taucher-Scholz, Gisela, Suzuki, Keiji, So, Sairai, Chen, David and Lavin, Martin F. (2011). Autophosphorylation and ATM activation: Additional sites add to the complexity. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 286 (11), 9107-9119. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.204065
CK2 phosphorylation-dependent interaction between aprataxin and MDC1 in the DNA damage response
Becherel, Olivier J., Jakob, Burkhard, Cherry, Amy L., Gueven, Nuri, Fusser, Markus, Kijas, Amanda W., Peng, Cheng, Katyal, Sachin, McKinnon, Peter J., Chen, Junjie, Epe, Bernd, Smerdon, Stephen J., Taucher-Scholz, Gisela and Lavin, Martin F. (2010). CK2 phosphorylation-dependent interaction between aprataxin and MDC1 in the DNA damage response. Nucleic Acids Research, 38 (5) gkp1149, 1489-1503. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkp1149
Human RAD50 deficiency in a Nijmegen breakage syndrome-like disorder.
Waltes, R, Kalb, R, Gatei, M, Kijas, AW, Stumm, M, Sobeck, A, Wieland, B, Varon, R, Lerenthal Y, Lavin, Martin F., Schindler, D and Dörk, T (2009). Human RAD50 deficiency in a Nijmegen breakage syndrome-like disorder.. American Journal of Human Genetics, 84 (5), 605-616. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2009.04.010
A subgroup of spinocerebellar ataxias defective in DNA damage responses
Gueven, N., Chen, P., Nakamura, J., Becherel, O.J., Kijas, A.W., Grattan-Smith, P. and Lavin, M.F. (2007). A subgroup of spinocerebellar ataxias defective in DNA damage responses. Neuroscience, 145 (4), 1418-1425. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.12.010
Kijas, Amanda W., Harris, Janelle L., Harris, Jonathan M. and Lavin, Martin F. (2006). Aprataxin forms a discrete branch in the HIT (Histidine Triad) superfamily of proteins with both DNA/RNA binding and nucleotide hydrolase activities. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 281 (20), 13939-13948. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M507946200
msh2 separation of function mutations confer defects in the initiation steps of mismatch repair
Kijas, Amanda Wraith, Studamire, Barbara and Alani, Eric (2003). msh2 separation of function mutations confer defects in the initiation steps of mismatch repair. Journal of Molecular Biology, 331 (1), 123-138. doi: 10.1016/S0022-2836(03)00694-6
Alani, Eric, Lee, Jae Young, Schofield, Mark J., Kijas, Amanda W., Hsieh, Peggy and Yang, Wei (2003). Crystal structure and biochemical analysis of the MutS dot ADP dot beryllium fluoride complex suggests a conserved mechanism for ATP interactions in mismatch repair. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278 (18), 16088-16094. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M213193200
Argueso, Juan Lucas, Kijas, Amanda Wraith, Sarin, Sumeet, Heck, Julie, Waase, Marc and Alani, Eric (2003). Systematic mutagenesis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae MLH1 gene reveals distinct roles for Mlh1p in meiotic crossing over and in vegetative and meiotic mismatch repair. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 23 (3), 873-886. doi: 10.1128/MCB.23.3.873-886.2003
Origins of the many NPY-family receptors in mammals
Larhammar, Dan, Wraith, Amanda, Berglund, Magnus M., Holmberg, Sara K. S. and Lundell, Ingrid (2001). Origins of the many NPY-family receptors in mammals. Peptides, 22 (3), 295-307. doi: 10.1016/S0196-9781(01)00331-X
Söderberg, Charlotte, Wraith, Amanda, Ringvall, Maria, Yan, Yi-Lin, Postlethwait, John H., Brodin, Lennart and Larhammar, Dan (2000). Zebrafish genes for neuropeptide Y and peptide YY reveal origin by chromosome duplication from an ancestral gene linked to the homeobox cluster. Journal of Neurochemistry, 75 (3), 908-918. doi: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2000.0750908.x
Wraith, Amanda, Törnsten, Anna, Chardon, Patrick, Harbitz, Ingrid, Chowdhary, Bhanu P., Andersson, Leif, Lundin, Lars-Gustav and Larhammar, Dan (2000). Evolution of the neuropeptide Y receptor family: gene and chromosome duplications deduced from the cloning and mapping of the five receptor subtype genes in pig. Genome Research, 10 (3), 302-310. doi: 10.1101/gr.10.3.302
Sharma, Parul, Arvidsson, Ann-Kristin, Wraith, Amanda, Beck-Sickinger, Annette G., Jönsson-Rylander, Ann-Cathrine and Larhammar, Dan (1999). Characterization of the cloned Atlantic cod neuropeptide Y-Yb receptor: peptide-binding requirements distinct from known mammalian Y receptors. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 115 (3), 422-428. doi: 10.1006/gcen.1999.7332
Neuropeptide Y receptor subtype with unique properties cloned in the zebrafish: the zYa receptor
Starbäck, P., Lundell, I., Fredriksson, R., Berglund, M. M., Yan, Y. L., Wraith, A., Söderberg, C., Postlethwait, J. H. and Larhammar, D. (1999). Neuropeptide Y receptor subtype with unique properties cloned in the zebrafish: the zYa receptor. Molecular Brain Research, 70 (2), 242-252. doi: 10.1016/S0169-328X(99)00152-7
Cloning of a neuropeptide Y/peptide YY receptor from the Atlantic cod: the Yb receptor
Arvidsson, Ann-Kristin, Wraith, Amanda, Jönsson-Rylander, Ann-Cathrine and Larhammar, Dan (1998). Cloning of a neuropeptide Y/peptide YY receptor from the Atlantic cod: the Yb receptor. Regulatory Peptides, 75-76, 39-43. doi: 10.1016/S0167-0115(98)00051-2
Neutrophils induce damage to respiratory epithelial cells infected with respiratory syncytial virus.
Wang, S. Z., Xu, H., Wraith, A., Bowden, J. J., Alpers, J. H. and Forsyth, K. D. (1998). Neutrophils induce damage to respiratory epithelial cells infected with respiratory syncytial virus.. European Respiratory Journal, 12 (3), 612-618. doi: 10.1183/09031936.98.12030612
FISH mapping of the porcine NPY5 gene to chromosome 8p11
Törnsten, A., Wraith, A., Larhammar, D. and Chowdhary, B. P. (1998). FISH mapping of the porcine NPY5 gene to chromosome 8p11. Mammalian Genome, 9 (3), 262-263. doi: 10.1007/s003359900742
Response of glioma initiating cells to ionising radiation
Lim, Y. C., Roberts, T., Day, B., Harding, A., Ensbey, K., Kozlov, S., Kijas, A., Walker, D. and Lavin, M. (2012). Response of glioma initiating cells to ionising radiation. Targeting Cancer from Diagnosis to Cure & 5th Annual COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 8-10 August 2012. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-7563.2012.01586_2.x
(2022–2026) Metro North Hospital and Health Service
Characterisation of Cytoskeleton information transfer
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Snake venom-controlled fibrin networks for wound healing studies
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
REGULATION OF STEM CELL FATE IN RGD-FUNCTIONALIZED BIOMIMETIC HYDROGEL
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Investigation of Matrix Regulation of Wound Repair
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Procoagulant-Based Rapid Wound Sealant
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Stress stiffening biomaterials driving differentiation
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Control of osteocyte behaviour by tailoring extracellular matrix
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: