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Associate Professor Timothy Wells
Associate Professor

Timothy Wells

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Overview

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.

Works

Search Professor Timothy Wells’s works on UQ eSpace

101 works between 2004 and 2025

41 - 60 of 101 works

2021

Journal Article

Oral vaccination reduces the effects of Lawsonia intracellularis challenge on the swine small and large intestine microbiome

Leite, Fernando L., Winfield, Brittanie, Miller, Elizabeth A., Weber, Bonnie P., Johnson, Timothy J., Sylvia, Fred, Vasquez, Erika, Vannucci, Fabio, Beckler, Dana and Isaacson, Richard E. (2021). Oral vaccination reduces the effects of Lawsonia intracellularis challenge on the swine small and large intestine microbiome. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8 692521. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.692521

Oral vaccination reduces the effects of Lawsonia intracellularis challenge on the swine small and large intestine microbiome

2021

Journal Article

Towards efficient immunotherapy for bacterial infection

McCulloch, Timothy R., Wells, Timothy J. and Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando (2021). Towards efficient immunotherapy for bacterial infection. Trends in Microbiology, 30 (2), 158-169. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.05.005

Towards efficient immunotherapy for bacterial infection

2021

Journal Article

Mediation of interleukin-23 and tumor necrosis factor–driven reactive arthritis by Chlamydia-infected macrophages in SKG mice

Romand, Xavier, Liu, Xiao, Rahman, M. Arifur, Bhuyan, Zaied Ahmed, Douillard, Claire, Arora Kedia, Reena, Stone, Nathan, Roest, Dominique, Chew, Zi Huai, Cameron, Amy J., Rehaume, Linda M., Bozon, Aurélie, Habib, Mohammed, Armitage, Charles W., Nguyen, Minh Vu Chuong, Favier, Bertrand, Beagley, Kenneth, Maurin, Max, Gaudin, Philippe, Thomas, Ranjeny, Wells, Timothy J. and Baillet, Athan (2021). Mediation of interleukin-23 and tumor necrosis factor–driven reactive arthritis by Chlamydia-infected macrophages in SKG mice. Arthritis and Rheumatology, 73 (7) art.41653, 1200-1210. doi: 10.1002/art.41653

Mediation of interleukin-23 and tumor necrosis factor–driven reactive arthritis by Chlamydia-infected macrophages in SKG mice

2021

Journal Article

Determination of Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Salmonella from Commercial Poultry as Influenced by Microbiological Culture and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Methods

Wang, Xi, Chaney, W. Evan, Pavlidis, Hilary O., McGinnis, James P., Byrd, J. Allen, Farnell, Yuhua Z., Johnson, Timothy J., McElroy, Audrey P. and Farnell, Morgan B. (2021). Determination of Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Salmonella from Commercial Poultry as Influenced by Microbiological Culture and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Methods. Microorganisms, 9 (6) 1319, 1319. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9061319

Determination of Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Salmonella from Commercial Poultry as Influenced by Microbiological Culture and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Methods

2021

Journal Article

DOCA-salt hypertension and the role of the OVLT-sympathetic-gut microbiome axis

Pestana-Oliveira, Nayara, Nahey, David B., Hartson, Rochelle, Weber, Bonnie, Johnson, Timothy J. and Collister, John P. (2021). DOCA-salt hypertension and the role of the OVLT-sympathetic-gut microbiome axis. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 48 (4), 490-497. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.13457

DOCA-salt hypertension and the role of the OVLT-sympathetic-gut microbiome axis

2021

Journal Article

BamA and BamD are essential for the secretion of trimeric autotransporter adhesins

Rooke, Jessica L., Icke, Christopher, Wells, Timothy J, Rossiter, Amanda E., Browning, Douglas F., Morris, Faye C., Leo, Jack C., Schütz, Monika S., Autenrieth, Ingo B., Cunningham, Adam F., Linke, Dirk and Henderson, Ian R. (2021). BamA and BamD are essential for the secretion of trimeric autotransporter adhesins. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12 628879, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.628879

BamA and BamD are essential for the secretion of trimeric autotransporter adhesins

2021

Journal Article

Environmental spread of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and ESBL genes among children and domestic animals in Ecuador

Salinas, Liseth, Loayza, Fernanda, Cardenas, Paul, Saraiva, Carlos, Johnson, Timothy J., Amato, Heather, Graham, Jay P. and Trueba, Gabriel (2021). Environmental spread of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and ESBL genes among children and domestic animals in Ecuador. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129 (2) 027007, 1-10. doi: 10.1289/EHP7729

Environmental spread of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and ESBL genes among children and domestic animals in Ecuador

2021

Journal Article

Antibody-dependent enhancement of bacterial disease: prevalence, mechanisms and treatment

Torres, Von Vergel L., Coggon, Carrie F. and Wells, Timothy J. (2021). Antibody-dependent enhancement of bacterial disease: prevalence, mechanisms and treatment. Infection and Immunity, 89 (4) e00054-21, 1-15. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00054-21

Antibody-dependent enhancement of bacterial disease: prevalence, mechanisms and treatment

2021

Journal Article

Streptococcus species enriched in the oral cavity of patients with RA are a source of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers that can induce arthritis in mice

Moentadj, Rabia, Wang, Yiwen, Bowerman, Kate, Rehaume, Linda, Nel, Hendrik, O Cuiv, Paraic, Stephens, Juliette, Baharom, Amalina, Maradana, Muralidhara, Lakis, Vanessa, Morrison, Mark, Wells, Timothy, Hugenholtz, Philip, Benham, Helen, Le Cao, Kim-Anh and Thomas, Ranjeny (2021). Streptococcus species enriched in the oral cavity of patients with RA are a source of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers that can induce arthritis in mice. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 80 (5) annrheumdis-2020-219009, annrheumdis-2020. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-219009

Streptococcus species enriched in the oral cavity of patients with RA are a source of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers that can induce arthritis in mice

2021

Journal Article

Assessment of two DNA extraction kits for profiling poultry respiratory microbiota from multiple sample types

Abundo, Michael E. C., Ngunjiri, John M., Taylor, Kara J. M., Ji, Hana, Ghorbani, Amir, Mahesh, K. C., Weber, Bonnie P., Johnson, Timothy J. and Lee, Chang-Won (2021). Assessment of two DNA extraction kits for profiling poultry respiratory microbiota from multiple sample types. PLoS One, 16 (1) e0241732, 1-19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241732

Assessment of two DNA extraction kits for profiling poultry respiratory microbiota from multiple sample types

2020

Journal Article

Structure of dual-BON domain protein DolP identifies phospholipid binding as a new mechanism for protein localization

Bryant, Jack Alfred, Morris, Faye C., Knowles, Timothy J., Maderbocus, Riyaz, Heinz, Eva, Boelter, Gabriela, Alodaini, Dema, Colyer, Adam, Wotherspoon, Peter J., Staunton, Kara A., Jeeves, Mark, Browning, Douglas F., Sevastsyanovich, Yanina R., Wells, Timothy J., Rossiter, Amanda E., Bavro, Vassiliy N., Sridhar, Pooja, Ward, Douglas G., Chong, Zhi-Soon, Goodall, Emily C. A., Icke, Christopher, Teo, Alvin, Chng, Shu-Sin, Roper, David I., Lithgow, Trevor, Cunningham, Adam F., Banzhaf, Manuel, Overduin, Michael and Henderson, Ian R. (2020). Structure of dual-BON domain protein DolP identifies phospholipid binding as a new mechanism for protein localization. eLife, 9 e62614, 1-61. doi: 10.7554/elife.62614

Structure of dual-BON domain protein DolP identifies phospholipid binding as a new mechanism for protein localization

2020

Journal Article

Merging metagenomics and spatial epidemiology to understand the distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes from Enterobacteriaceae in wild owls

Miller, Elizabeth A., Ponder, Julia B., Willette, Michelle, Johnson, Timothy J. and VanderWaal, Kimberly L. (2020). Merging metagenomics and spatial epidemiology to understand the distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes from Enterobacteriaceae in wild owls. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 86 (20) e00571-20, 1-16. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00571-20

Merging metagenomics and spatial epidemiology to understand the distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes from Enterobacteriaceae in wild owls

2020

Journal Article

Genomic landscape of multi-drug resistant avian pathogenic Escherichia coli recovered from broilers

Azam, Mariya, Mohsin, Mashkoor, Johnson, Timothy J., Smith, Emily A., Johnson, Abigail, Umair, Muhammad, Saleemi, Muhammad Kashif and Sajjad-ur-Rahman, (2020). Genomic landscape of multi-drug resistant avian pathogenic Escherichia coli recovered from broilers. Veterinary Microbiology, 247 108766, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108766

Genomic landscape of multi-drug resistant avian pathogenic Escherichia coli recovered from broilers

2020

Journal Article

Characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae carried by suburban mesocarnivores and locally owned and stray dogs

Worsley-Tonks, Katherine E. L., Miller, Elizabeth A., Gehrt, Stanley D., McKenzie, Shane C., Travis, Dominic A., Johnson, Timothy J. and Craft, Meggan E. (2020). Characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae carried by suburban mesocarnivores and locally owned and stray dogs. Zoonoses and Public Health, 67 (4), 460-466. doi: 10.1111/zph.12691

Characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae carried by suburban mesocarnivores and locally owned and stray dogs

2020

Journal Article

Genomic landscape of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in commercial turkey production in the United States

Smith, Emily A., Miller, Elizabeth A., Weber, Bonnie P., Aguayo, Jeannette Munoz, Figueroa, Cristian Flores, Huisinga, Jared, Nezworski, Jill, Kromm, Michelle, Wileman, Ben and Johnson, Timothy J. (2020). Genomic landscape of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in commercial turkey production in the United States. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 86 (11) e02874-19, 1-9. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02874-19

Genomic landscape of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in commercial turkey production in the United States

2020

Conference Publication

A Novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence Factor Predicts CLAD and Death after Lung Transplantation

Divithotawela, C., Pham, A., Ledger, E. L., Hopkins, P., Tan, M., Yerkovich, S., Wells, T. J. and Chambers, D. C. (2020). A Novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence Factor Predicts CLAD and Death after Lung Transplantation. International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation 40th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, Online, 22 - 25 April 2020. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2020.01.1265

A Novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence Factor Predicts CLAD and Death after Lung Transplantation

2020

Conference Publication

A Novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence Factor Predicts CLAD and Death after Lung Transplantation

Divithotawela, C., Pham, A., Ledger, E. L., Hopkins, P., Tan, M., Yerkovich, S., Wells, T. J. and Chambers, D. C. (2020). A Novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence Factor Predicts CLAD and Death after Lung Transplantation. 40th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT), Montreal, Canada, 22-25 April 2020. New York, NY United States: Elsevier.

A Novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence Factor Predicts CLAD and Death after Lung Transplantation

2020

Journal Article

Treatment of life-threatening Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection by pheresis of inhibitory antibodies

Divithotawela, Chandima, Pham, Amy, Ledger, Emma L., Hopkins, Peter, Wells, Timothy J. and Chambers, Daniel (2020). Treatment of life-threatening Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection by pheresis of inhibitory antibodies. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 39 (1), 87-89. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2019.10.001

Treatment of life-threatening Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection by pheresis of inhibitory antibodies

2019

Journal Article

Bacterial flagellin promotes viral entry via an NF-kB and Toll Like Receptor 5 dependent pathway

Benedikz, Elizabeth K., Bailey, Dalan, Cook, Charlotte N. L., Gonçalves-Carneiro, Daniel, Buckner, Michelle M. C., Blair, Jessica M. A., Wells, Timothy J., Fletcher, Nicola F., Goodall, Margaret, Flores-Langarica, Adriana, Kingsley, Robert A., Madsen, Jens, Teeling, Jessica, Johnston, Sebastian L., MacLennan, Calman A., Balfe, Peter, Henderson, Ian R., Piddock, Laura J. V., Cunningham, Adam F. and McKeating, Jane A. (2019). Bacterial flagellin promotes viral entry via an NF-kB and Toll Like Receptor 5 dependent pathway. Scientific Reports, 9 (1) 7903. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44263-7

Bacterial flagellin promotes viral entry via an NF-kB and Toll Like Receptor 5 dependent pathway

2019

Journal Article

Antibiotics and host-tailored probiotics similarly modulate effects on the developing avian microbiome, mycobiome, and host gene expression

Ward, Tonya L., Weber, Bonnie P., Mendoza, Kristelle M., Danzeisen, Jessica L., Llop, Katharine, Lang, Kevin, Clayton, Jonathan B., Grace, Elicia, Brannon, Jeanine, Radovic, Igor, Beauclaire, Mai, Heisel, Timothy J., Knights, Dan, Cardona, Carol, Kogut, Mike, Johnson, Casey, Noll, Sally L., Arsenault, Ryan, Reed, Kent M. and Johnson, Timothy J. (2019). Antibiotics and host-tailored probiotics similarly modulate effects on the developing avian microbiome, mycobiome, and host gene expression. mBio, 10 (5) e02171-19, 1-17. doi: 10.1128/mBio.02171-19

Antibiotics and host-tailored probiotics similarly modulate effects on the developing avian microbiome, mycobiome, and host gene expression

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Counteracting cloaking antibodies to treat intractable Pseudomonas infection.
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation USA
    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

  • 2024 - 2025
    Evaluation of plasmapheresis to treat intractable lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis
    Cystic Fibrosis Research Limited
    Open grant
  • 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

Supervision

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

    The role of cloaking antibodies in the pathophysiology and diagnosis of Crohn's Disease

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Morrison

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pathogenesis Mechanisms in Bacteraemia and Infective Endocarditis

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kate McCarthy

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Timothy Wells directly for media enquiries about:

  • cystic fibrosis infections
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au