Associate Professor Timothy Wells
Associate Professor

Timothy Wells

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Background

Dr Timothy Wells joined the Frazer Institute in 2016 as a Senior Research Fellow. His research aims to find novel methods of treating multi-drug resistant bacteria, by examing the interactions between the host immune system and Gram negative bacteria. His research largely focuses on Pseudomonas aeruginosa acute and chronic infections, espeically in people living with cystic fibrosis. Dr Wells is passionate about making his research as clinically relevant as possible, with his work previously having led to novel treatment of critically ill patients. His research uses a mixture of molecular microbiology, immunology and genomic approaches.

Availability

Associate Professor Timothy Wells is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Biotechnology, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

    The T-Wells lab is interested in all infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa whether that be chronic lung infection, wound and joint infections, acute pneumonia, UTIs and bacteremia.

  • Bacterial chronic lung infections

    The T-Wells lab is interested in bacterial infections in people with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, COPD and post-lung transplant

Research impacts

Dr Wells’s original work in the field of host- pathogen interactions during chronic lung infection has led to several key insights and direct translation to the clinic.

Antibody dependent enhancement of bacterial infection: Antibodies usually protect against bacterial infection, however Dr Wells' work has identified ‘cloaking antibodies’ in patients who have Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Cloaking antibodies paradoxically prevent immune killing of patient's bacterial strains. Importantly, high titres of cloaking antibodies has been associated with worse lung function and patient outcomes in people with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and post-lung transplant. These antibodies are also prevelant in actue Pseduomonas infections such as bacteremia.

Novel treatment of multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection: As cloaking antibodies (cAbs) protect bacteria from immune killing, we hypothesised that cAb removal would restore normal immune killing. Three patients with chronic P. aeruginosa infections and cAb, who had exhausted all standard treatment options have now been treated via plasmapheresis. This treatment removes all antibody, including cAbs from the patients. After treatment, P. aeruginosa was undetectable in all patients, inflammatory markers were normal and lung function increased. As these patients had strains displaying resistance to many antibiotics used clinically, this is a novel treatment method for multi-drug resistant infections.

Search Professor Timothy Wells’s works on UQ eSpace

80 works between 2004 and 2025
All (80) Journal Article (65) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (10) Other Outputs (4)

1 - 20 of 80 works

Featured

2017

Journal Article

The Use of Plasmapheresis in Patients with Bronchiectasis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection and Inhibitory Antibodies

Wells, Timothy J., Davison, John, Sheehan, Emma, Kanagasundaram, Suren, Spickett, Gavin, MacLennan, Calman A., Stockley, Robert A., Cunningham, Adam F., Henderson, Ian R. and De Soyza, Anthony (2017). The Use of Plasmapheresis in Patients with Bronchiectasis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection and Inhibitory Antibodies. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 195 (7), 955-958. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201603-0599LE

The Use of Plasmapheresis in Patients with Bronchiectasis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection and Inhibitory Antibodies

2025

Journal Article

Ceftriaxone-Loaded Liposomal Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Delivery Against Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Development and Characterization

Panthi, Vijay Kumar, Fairfull-Smith, Kathryn E., Wells, Timothy J., Wang, Tony and Islam, Nazrul (2025). Ceftriaxone-Loaded Liposomal Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Delivery Against Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Development and Characterization. Pharmaceuticals, 18 (3) 414, 414. doi: 10.3390/ph18030414

Ceftriaxone-Loaded Liposomal Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Delivery Against Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Development and Characterization

2025

Journal Article

Emerging antimicrobial therapies for Gram-negative infections in human clinical use

Hickson, Sarah M., Ledger, Emma L. and Wells, Timothy J. (2025). Emerging antimicrobial therapies for Gram-negative infections in human clinical use. npj Antimicrobials and Resistance, 3 (1) 16. doi: 10.1038/s44259-025-00087-2

Emerging antimicrobial therapies for Gram-negative infections in human clinical use

2025

Journal Article

Inhaled combined antibacterials against biofilm-forming antibiotic-resistant bacteria for the management of pulmonary bacterial infections

Suraweera, Ruwani K., Spann, Kirsten M., Wells, Timothy J. and Islam, Nazrul (2025). Inhaled combined antibacterials against biofilm-forming antibiotic-resistant bacteria for the management of pulmonary bacterial infections. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 104 106555, 106555. doi: 10.1016/j.jddst.2024.106555

Inhaled combined antibacterials against biofilm-forming antibiotic-resistant bacteria for the management of pulmonary bacterial infections

2025

Journal Article

Understanding the pathophysiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization as a guide for future treatment for chronic leg ulcers

Matheus, Gabriela Gonzalez, Chamoun, Michelle N., Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Sivakumaran, Yogeesan and Wells, Timothy J. (2025). Understanding the pathophysiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization as a guide for future treatment for chronic leg ulcers. Burns and Trauma, 13 tkae083, tkae083. doi: 10.1093/burnst/tkae083

Understanding the pathophysiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization as a guide for future treatment for chronic leg ulcers

2025

Journal Article

Salmonella enterica Serovar Abony Outbreak Caused by Clone of Reference Strain WDCM 00029, Chile, 2024

Pina-Iturbe, Alejandro, Fredes-Garcia, Diego, Garcia, Patricia, Porte, Lorena, Johnson, Timothy J., Singer, Randall S., Toro, Magaly, Munita, Jose M. and Moreno-Switt, Andrea I. (2025). Salmonella enterica Serovar Abony Outbreak Caused by Clone of Reference Strain WDCM 00029, Chile, 2024. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 31 (1), 186-189. doi: 10.3201/eid3101.241012

Salmonella enterica Serovar Abony Outbreak Caused by Clone of Reference Strain WDCM 00029, Chile, 2024

2024

Journal Article

Development and characterization of spray-dried combined levofloxacin–ambroxol dry powder inhaler formulation

Suraweera, Ruwani K., Spann, Kirsten M., Izake, Emad L., Wells, Timothy J., Wang, Xiaodong and Islam, Nazrul (2024). Development and characterization of spray-dried combined levofloxacin–ambroxol dry powder inhaler formulation. Pharmaceutics, 16 (12) 1506. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16121506

Development and characterization of spray-dried combined levofloxacin–ambroxol dry powder inhaler formulation

2024

Journal Article

Dichotomous outcomes of TNFR1 and TNFR2 signaling in NK cell-mediated immune responses during inflammation

McCulloch, Timothy R., Rossi, Gustavo R., Alim, Louisa, Lam, Pui Yeng, Wong, Joshua K. M., Coleborn, Elaina, Kumari, Snehlata, Keane, Colm, Kueh, Andrew J., Herold, Marco J., Wilhelm, Christoph, Knolle, Percy A., Kane, Lawrence, Wells, Timothy J. and Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando (2024). Dichotomous outcomes of TNFR1 and TNFR2 signaling in NK cell-mediated immune responses during inflammation. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 9871, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54232-y

Dichotomous outcomes of TNFR1 and TNFR2 signaling in NK cell-mediated immune responses during inflammation

2024

Journal Article

Complete genome sequences of eight <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> isolates representing all lipopolysaccharide outer core loci

Hashish, Amro, Johnson, Timothy J., Ghanem, Mostafa, Sato, Yuko, Macedo, Nubia R., LeCount, Karen J. and El-Gazzar, Mohamed (2024). Complete genome sequences of eight Pasteurella multocida isolates representing all lipopolysaccharide outer core loci. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 13 (11). doi: 10.1128/mra.00604-24

Complete genome sequences of eight <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> isolates representing all lipopolysaccharide outer core loci

2024

Journal Article

Type 5 secretion system antigens as vaccines against Gram-negative bacterial infections

Da Costa, Rochelle M., Rooke, Jessica L., Wells, Timothy J., Cunningham, Adam F. and Henderson, Ian R. (2024). Type 5 secretion system antigens as vaccines against Gram-negative bacterial infections. npj Vaccines, 9 (1) 159, 159. doi: 10.1038/s41541-024-00953-6

Type 5 secretion system antigens as vaccines against Gram-negative bacterial infections

2024

Journal Article

Cloaking antibodies are prevalent in Burkholderia cepacia complex infection and their removal restores serum killing

Pham, Amy, Tan, Kellynn K. Y., Ledger, Emma L., Smith, Daniel J., Reid, David W., Burr, Lucy, Chambers, Daniel C. and Wells, Timothy J. (2024). Cloaking antibodies are prevalent in Burkholderia cepacia complex infection and their removal restores serum killing. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 14 1426773. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1426773

Cloaking antibodies are prevalent in Burkholderia cepacia complex infection and their removal restores serum killing

2024

Journal Article

Mechanisms of antibody-dependent enhancement of infectious disease

Wells, Timothy J., Esposito, Tyron, Henderson, Ian R. and Labzin, Larisa I. (2024). Mechanisms of antibody-dependent enhancement of infectious disease. Nature Reviews Immunology, 25 (1) e33073, 6-21. doi: 10.1038/s41577-024-01067-9

Mechanisms of antibody-dependent enhancement of infectious disease

2024

Conference Publication

Does a leopard change its spots? Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis after CFTR modulation

Ledger, Emma, Smith, Daniel, Teh, Jing Jie, Wood, Michelle, Whibley, Page, Morrison, Mark, Goldberg, Joanna, Reid, David and Wells, Timothy (2024). Does a leopard change its spots? Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis after CFTR modulation. Abstracts of the 15th Australasian Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 2–4 August 2024. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons.

Does a leopard change its spots? Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis after CFTR modulation

2024

Journal Article

The immune checkpoint TIGIT is upregulated on T cells during bacterial infection and is a potential target for immunotherapy

McCulloch, Timothy R., Rossi, Gustavo R., Miranda‐Hernandez, Socorro, Valencia‐Hernandez, Ana Maria, Alim, Louisa, Belle, Clemence J., Krause, Andrew, Zacchi, Lucia F., Lam, Pui Yeng, Nakamura, Kyohei, Kupz, Andreas, Wells, Timothy J. and Souza‐Fonseca‐Guimaraes, Fernando (2024). The immune checkpoint TIGIT is upregulated on T cells during bacterial infection and is a potential target for immunotherapy. Immunology and Cell Biology, 102 (8), 721-733. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12794

The immune checkpoint TIGIT is upregulated on T cells during bacterial infection and is a potential target for immunotherapy

2024

Journal Article

Impact of CFTR modulation on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in people with cystic fibrosis

Ledger, Emma L., Smith, Daniel J., Teh, Jing Jie, Wood, Michelle E., Whibley, Page E., Morrison, Mark, Goldberg, Joanna B., Reid, David W. and Wells, Timothy J. (2024). Impact of CFTR modulation on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in people with cystic fibrosis. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 230 (3), e536-e547. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae051

Impact of CFTR modulation on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in people with cystic fibrosis

2024

Journal Article

Antibody-mediated serum resistance protects Pseudomonas aeruginosa during bloodstream infections

Hickson, Sarah M., Hoehensteiger, Johannes K., Mayer-Coverdale, Johanna, Torres, Von Vergel L., Feng, Wenkang, Monteith, Joshua N., Henderson, Ian R., McCarthy, Kate L. and Wells, Timothy J. (2024). Antibody-mediated serum resistance protects Pseudomonas aeruginosa during bloodstream infections. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 230 (2), e221-e229. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiad457

Antibody-mediated serum resistance protects Pseudomonas aeruginosa during bloodstream infections

2023

Journal Article

Genomic analyses of Burkholderia respiratory isolates indicates two evolutionarily distinct B. anthina clades

Pham, Amy, Volmer, James G., Chambers, Daniel C., Smith, Daniel J., Reid, David W., Burr, Lucy and Wells, Timothy J. (2023). Genomic analyses of Burkholderia respiratory isolates indicates two evolutionarily distinct B. anthina clades. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14 1274280, 1-14. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1274280

Genomic analyses of Burkholderia respiratory isolates indicates two evolutionarily distinct B. anthina clades

2023

Journal Article

Plugging the leaks: antibiotic resistance at human-animal interfaces in low-resource settings

Nadimpalli, Maya L., Stegger, Marc, Viau, Roberto, Yith, Vuthy, de Lauzanne, Agathe, Sem, Nita, Borand, Laurence, Huynh, Bich-tram, Brisse, Sylvain, Passet, Virginie, Overballe-Petersen, Soren, Aziz, Maliha, Gouali, Malika, Jacobs, Jan, Phe, Thong, Hungate, Bruce A., Leshyk, Victor O., Pickering, Amy J., Gravey, Francois, Liu, Cindy M., Johnson, Timothy J., Le Hello, Simon and Price, Lance B. (2023). Plugging the leaks: antibiotic resistance at human-animal interfaces in low-resource settings. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 21 (9), 428-434. doi: 10.1002/fee.2639

Plugging the leaks: antibiotic resistance at human-animal interfaces in low-resource settings

2023

Journal Article

Leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural experiment to assess changes in antibiotic use and antibiotic-resistant E. coli carriage in semi-rural Ecuador

Amato, Heather K., Loayza, Fernanda, Salinas, Liseth, Paredes, Diana, Garcia, Daniela, Sarzosa, Soledad, Saraiva-Garcia, Carlos, Johnson, Timothy J., Pickering, Amy J., Riley, Lee W., Trueba, Gabriel and Graham, Jay P. (2023). Leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural experiment to assess changes in antibiotic use and antibiotic-resistant E. coli carriage in semi-rural Ecuador. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 14854. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39532-5

Leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural experiment to assess changes in antibiotic use and antibiotic-resistant E. coli carriage in semi-rural Ecuador

2023

Journal Article

Evidence of host specificity in Lactobacillus johnsonii genomes and its influence on probiotic potential in poultry

Johnson, Abigail, Miller, Elizabeth A., Weber, Bonnie, Figueroa, Cristian Flores, Aguayo, Jeannette Munoz, Johny, Anup Kollanoor, Noll, Sally, Brannon, Jeanine, Kozlowicz, Briana and Johnson, Timothy J. (2023). Evidence of host specificity in Lactobacillus johnsonii genomes and its influence on probiotic potential in poultry. Poultry Science, 102 (9) 102858, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102858

Evidence of host specificity in Lactobacillus johnsonii genomes and its influence on probiotic potential in poultry

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Counteracting cloaking antibodies to treat intractable Pseudomonas infection.
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation USA
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Evaluation of plasmapheresis to treat intractable lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis
    Cystic Fibrosis Research Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Personalising diagnosis and treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (NHMRC Ideas Grant administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Understanding and counteracting antibody-mediated inflammation driving lung damage
    Conquer Cystic Fibrosis Lung Health Transplant Grant
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Antibody mediated exacerbation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected chronic wounds (an MSH-RSS administered by MSHHS)
    Metro South Research Support Scheme Co-funded Collaboration Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Impact and treatment of cloaking antibodies in Cystic Fibrosis
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation USA
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Paradoxical antibody: the role of antibody in exacerbating Pseudomonas lung infection
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Determining the scope and mechanism of inhibitory antibodies in bacterial lung infections.
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Timothy Wells is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Synergistic drugs to counteract cloaking antibodies

    Some patients infected with P. aeruginosa produce antibodies that, instead of fighting infection, actively protect P. aeruginosa from killing by the immune system. These ‘cloaking antibodies’ (cAb) target a lipopolysaccharide on the bacterial surface, known as O-antigen and form a physical barrier that stops the membrane attack complex (MAC) from reaching the bacterial outer membrane. Importantly, patients with cAb had greater disease severity and worse outcomes than patients with no cAb. Previous treatment for cAbs has focused on removal of the antibody, however a second attractive target is the infecting bacteria itself. We have recently investigated the bacterial requirements for the cloaking phenotype by creating strains with variable amounts and lengths of O-antigen expression. Serum bactericidal assays revealed that the serum-inhibition phenotype requires long and dense O-antigen We hypothesise that existing bacterial outer membrane modifying drugs can overcome the effect of cAbs, without cAb removal. This project will investigate potential synergistic drugs that could counteract cAbs, leading to bacterial killing.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Targeting the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to disrupt the action of cloaking antibodies in cystic fibrosis

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the gram-negative bacterial and host factors that drive sepsis outcomes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kate McCarthy

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating B cell responses to Pseudomonas O-Antigen

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson

  • Master Philosophy

    Antibody-mediated exacerbation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected chronic wounds

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of Two Partner Secretion proteins in the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson, Dr Jessica Rooke

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistance in the cystic fibrosis lung

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Role of PlpD in the Virulence of P. aeruginosa

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson, Dr Jessica Rooke

  • Master Philosophy

    Antibody mediated exacerbation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected chronic wounds

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving Plasmapheresis: Investigating specific removal of cloaking antibodies to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The impact of helpful and harmful immune responses on infection in the cystic fibrosis lung

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistance in the cystic fibrosis lung

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of cloaking antibodies in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory diseases

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Morrison

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistence in the cystic fibrosis lung

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in spondyloarthropathy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ranjeny Thomas, Dr Anne-Sophie Bergot

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ranjeny Thomas, Dr Anne-Sophie Bergot

  • Doctor Philosophy

    High Mobility Group Box Family Member TOX2 in Innate Lymphoid Cell Development and Maintenance

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterisation of the anti-mycobacterial activity of wollamide cyclic hexapeptides against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Antje Blumenthal

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Deciphering the protective program of innate and adaptive cells in pathogen infection

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ranjeny Thomas, Dr Anne-Sophie Bergot

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Timothy Wells directly for media enquiries about:

  • cystic fibrosis infections
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

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