Dr James Cuffe
Dr

James Cuffe

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53180

Background

Dr Cuffe is a systems physiologist focused on understanding the complex changes to maternal physiology that occur during pregnancy and the impact of pregnancy dysfunction of programmed cardiovascular, metabolic and renal disease in offspring. Dr Cuffe has a particular focus on understanding the role of the placenta and its hormones in mediating both maternal and offspring disease. He is most recognised for his research investigating how maternal stress, thyroid dysfunction, hypoxia or altered nutrition affect placental development and program disease in the mother after pregnancy as well as her offspring. Dr Cuffe has an exceptional track record and is excited to take new honours and PhD students into his research laboratory.

Availability

Dr James Cuffe is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Cell physiology Clinical sciences Endocrinology Foetal development and medicine Medical physiology Nutrition and dietetics Reproduction Systems physiology

Qualifications

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

Research interests

  • Placental regulation of pregnancy disorders

    The placenta modulates almost every aspect of human physiology during pregnancy and it is the least understood of all human organs. It is known that placental dysfunction contributes to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, stillbirth, preterm birth and fetal growth restriction and yet the mechanisms responsible are largely unknown. Much of my work focuses on understanding what goes wrong in the placenta to cause such poor outcomes in pregnancy.

  • Understanding the impact of thyroid disorders on pregnancy outcomes

    Given that thyroid disorders impact 1 in 20 women, it is essential to understand the links between these disorders and poor outcomes in pregnancy. In particular, I want to understand how targeting novel factors may ensure a healthy start to life for babies born to women with a thyroid disorder

  • Effects of maternal adversity on offspring physiology

    I am interested in understanding how stress, hypoxia or other causes of adversity during pregnancy can impair placental function and induce fetal growth restriction. Given that fetal growth restriction is associated with a range of adult onset diseases, I explore the link between these maternal factors and offspring cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological and renal dysfunction.

  • Understanding the role of poorly understood nutrients in pregnancy health and fetal development

    We must obtain a large number of micronutrients in our diet to ensure optimal health. The requirements for many of these micronutrients increase in pregnancy as the placenta actively transports these nutrients to the baby where they are required for essential biological processes or to provide the building blocks of life. This can mean that micronutrient deficiencies can become problematic at a time that the human body is undergoing the most significant changes to its physiology that occur during its lifetime. My research focuses on understand the key biological roles of such micronutrients in pregnancy which may better inform nutrient requirements to ensure a healthy pregnancy. I am currently most interested in understanding the roles of selenium and vitamin B12 in pregnancy in relation to poor pregnancy outcomes and long term disease in offspring.

  • Understanding the impact of metformin on placental formation

    Metformin is frontline medication used for management of endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus and polycystic ovary syndrome. Furthermore, it is one of only two treatments used to manage gestational diabetes. Metformin is known to induce its effects by impacting multiple pathways however, how it impacts maternal and fetal physiology in pregnancy is largely unknown. I am currently looking at how metformin impacts placental development and if some of the benefits of this drug are due to changes in placental function.

Search Professor James Cuffe’s works on UQ eSpace

103 works between 2008 and 2025
All (103) Journal Article (77) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (24) Other Outputs (1)

61 - 80 of 103 works

2017

Journal Article

Maternal growth restriction and stress exposure in rats differentially alters expression of components of the placental glucocorticoid barrier and nutrient transporters

Briffa, Jessica F, Hosseini, Sogand S, Tran, Melanie, Moritz, Karen M, Cuffe, James S M and Wlodek, Mary E (2017). Maternal growth restriction and stress exposure in rats differentially alters expression of components of the placental glucocorticoid barrier and nutrient transporters. Placenta, 59, 30-38. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.09.006

Maternal growth restriction and stress exposure in rats differentially alters expression of components of the placental glucocorticoid barrier and nutrient transporters

2017

Journal Article

Dexamethasone and sex regulate placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms in mice

Cuffe, James S. M., Saif, Zarqa, Perkins, Anthony V., Moritz, Karen M. and Clifton, Vicki L. (2017). Dexamethasone and sex regulate placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms in mice. Journal of Endocrinology, 234 (2), 89-100. doi: 10.1530/JOE-17-0171

Dexamethasone and sex regulate placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms in mice

2017

Journal Article

Review: The role of multiple placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms in adapting to the maternal environment and regulating fetal growth

Clifton, V. L., Cuffe, J., Moritz, K. M., Cole, T. J., Fuller, P. J., Lu, N. Z., Kumar, S., Chong, S. and Saif, Z. (2017). Review: The role of multiple placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms in adapting to the maternal environment and regulating fetal growth. Placenta, 54, 24-29. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.12.017

Review: The role of multiple placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms in adapting to the maternal environment and regulating fetal growth

2017

Journal Article

Placental O-GlcNAc-transferase expression and interactions with the glucocorticoid receptor are sex specific and regulated by maternal corticosterone exposure in mice

Pantaleon, Marie, Steane, Sarah E., McMahon, Kathryn, Cuffe, James S. M. and Moritz, Karen M. (2017). Placental O-GlcNAc-transferase expression and interactions with the glucocorticoid receptor are sex specific and regulated by maternal corticosterone exposure in mice. Scientific Reports, 7 (1) 2017, 2017. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-01666-8

Placental O-GlcNAc-transferase expression and interactions with the glucocorticoid receptor are sex specific and regulated by maternal corticosterone exposure in mice

2017

Journal Article

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnancy complications

Cuffe, James S. M., Xu, Ziheng Calvin and Perkins, Anthony V. (2017). Biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnancy complications. Biomarkers in Medicine, 11 (3), 295-306. doi: 10.2217/bmm-2016-0250

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnancy complications

2017

Journal Article

Review: Placental derived biomarkers of pregnancy disorders

Cuffe, James S. M., Holland, Olivia, Salomon, Carlos, Rice, Gregory E. and Perkins, Anthony V. (2017). Review: Placental derived biomarkers of pregnancy disorders. Placenta, 54, 104-110. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.01.119

Review: Placental derived biomarkers of pregnancy disorders

2017

Conference Publication

Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse induces placental oxidative stress and dysregulates expression of antioxidant and apoptotic genes in a sex specific manner

Cuffe, James S. M., Bartho, Lucy A., Moritz, Karen M. and Perkins, Tony V. (2017). Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse induces placental oxidative stress and dysregulates expression of antioxidant and apoptotic genes in a sex specific manner. The Endocrine Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 21-24 August 2016. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/cen.13259

Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse induces placental oxidative stress and dysregulates expression of antioxidant and apoptotic genes in a sex specific manner

2017

Conference Publication

Maternal glucocorticoid exposure in the mouse alters placental oxidative stress, mitochondrial content and antioxidant capacity in a sexually dimorphic manner

Cuffe, S. M. James, Bartho, Lucy A., Holland, Olivia J., Moritz, Karen M. and Perkins, Anthony V. (2017). Maternal glucocorticoid exposure in the mouse alters placental oxidative stress, mitochondrial content and antioxidant capacity in a sexually dimorphic manner. Meeting of the International-Federation-of-Placenta-Associations (IFPA), Manchester England, Aug 30-Sep 2 2017. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.07.261

Maternal glucocorticoid exposure in the mouse alters placental oxidative stress, mitochondrial content and antioxidant capacity in a sexually dimorphic manner

2017

Conference Publication

Exercise initiated during pregnancy reduces blood spaces in males, despite increasing placental angiogenic markers

Mangwiro, Yeukai, Cuffe, James, Briffa, Jessica, Hosseini, Sogand, Mahizir, Dayana, Anevska, Kristina, Romano, Tania, Moritz, Karen and Wlodek, Mary (2017). Exercise initiated during pregnancy reduces blood spaces in males, despite increasing placental angiogenic markers. Meeting of the International-Federation-of-Placenta-Associations (IFPA), Manchester England, Aug 30-Sep 2 2017. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.07.327

Exercise initiated during pregnancy reduces blood spaces in males, despite increasing placental angiogenic markers

2017

Conference Publication

Periconceptional ethanol exposure alters maternal adrenal steroidogenesis and corticosterone levels

Burgess, Danielle, Cuffe, James and Moritz, Karen (2017). Periconceptional ethanol exposure alters maternal adrenal steroidogenesis and corticosterone levels. The Endocrine Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 21-24 August 2016. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing . doi: 10.1111/cen.13259

Periconceptional ethanol exposure alters maternal adrenal steroidogenesis and corticosterone levels

2017

Conference Publication

Sex-specific placental IGF-system adaptations to maternal exercise in growth restricted mothers

Mangwiro, Yeukai, Cuffe, James, Briffa, Jessica, Mahizir, Dayana, Anevska, Kristina, Romano, Tania, Moritz, Karen and Wlodek, Mary (2017). Sex-specific placental IGF-system adaptations to maternal exercise in growth restricted mothers. Meeting of the International-Federation-of-Placenta-Associations (IFPA), Manchester England, Aug 30-Sep 2 2017. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.07.073

Sex-specific placental IGF-system adaptations to maternal exercise in growth restricted mothers

2017

Conference Publication

Maternal Selenium Deficiency in Mice Alters Placental Function, Reduces Foetal Glucose Concentrations and Impairs Foetal Growth

Hofstee, Pierre, Bartho, Lucy A., McKeating, Daniel R., Holland, Olivia J., Vanderlelie, Jessica J., Cuffe, James S. M. and Perkins, Anthony V. (2017). Maternal Selenium Deficiency in Mice Alters Placental Function, Reduces Foetal Glucose Concentrations and Impairs Foetal Growth. Meeting of the International-Federation-of-Placenta-Associations (IFPA), Manchester England, Aug 30-Sep 02, 2017. W B SAUNDERS CO LTD. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.07.328

Maternal Selenium Deficiency in Mice Alters Placental Function, Reduces Foetal Glucose Concentrations and Impairs Foetal Growth

2017

Journal Article

Prenatal corticosterone exposure programs sex-specific adrenal adaptations in mouse offspring

Cuffe, J. S. M., Turton, E. L., Akison, L. K., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, H. and Moritz, K. M. (2017). Prenatal corticosterone exposure programs sex-specific adrenal adaptations in mouse offspring. Journal of Endocrinology, 232 (1), 37-48. doi: 10.1530/JOE-16-0417

Prenatal corticosterone exposure programs sex-specific adrenal adaptations in mouse offspring

2016

Journal Article

Review: Effects of maternal micronutrient supplementation on placental function

Richard, Kerry, Holland, Olivia, Landers, Kelly, Vanderlelie, Jessica J., Hofstee, Pierre, Cuffe, James S. M. and Perkins, Anthony V. (2016). Review: Effects of maternal micronutrient supplementation on placental function. Placenta, 54, 38-44. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.12.022

Review: Effects of maternal micronutrient supplementation on placental function

2016

Journal Article

The current state of reproductive biology research in Australia and New Zealand: core themes from the Society for Reproductive Biology Annual Meeting, 2016

Akison, L. K., Andraweera, P. H., Bertoldo, M. J., Brown, H. M., Cuffe, J. S. M., Fullston, T., Holland, O. and Schjenken, J. E. (2016). The current state of reproductive biology research in Australia and New Zealand: core themes from the Society for Reproductive Biology Annual Meeting, 2016. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 29 (10), 1883-1889. doi: 10.1071/RD16382

The current state of reproductive biology research in Australia and New Zealand: core themes from the Society for Reproductive Biology Annual Meeting, 2016

2016

Journal Article

Sex-specific metabolic outcomes in offspring of female rats born small or exposed to stress during pregnancy

Cheong, Jean N., Cuffe, James S. M., Jefferies, Andrew J., Anevska, Kristina, Moritz, Karen and Wlodek, Mary E. (2016). Sex-specific metabolic outcomes in offspring of female rats born small or exposed to stress during pregnancy. Endocrinology, 157 (11), 4104-4120. doi: 10.1210/en.2016-1335

Sex-specific metabolic outcomes in offspring of female rats born small or exposed to stress during pregnancy

2016

Journal Article

Adrenal, metabolic and cardio-renal dysfunction develops after pregnancy in rats born small or stressed by physiological measurements during pregnancy

Cheong, Jean N., Cuffe, James S. M., Jefferies, Andrew J., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2016). Adrenal, metabolic and cardio-renal dysfunction develops after pregnancy in rats born small or stressed by physiological measurements during pregnancy. Journal of Physiology, 594 (20), 6055-6068. doi: 10.1113/JP272212

Adrenal, metabolic and cardio-renal dysfunction develops after pregnancy in rats born small or stressed by physiological measurements during pregnancy

2016

Journal Article

Programming of maternal and offspring disease: impact of growth restriction, fetal sex and transmission across generations

Cheong, Jean N., Wlodek, Mary E., Moritz, Karen M. and Cuffe, James S. M. (2016). Programming of maternal and offspring disease: impact of growth restriction, fetal sex and transmission across generations. Journal of Physiology, 594 (17), 4727-4740. doi: 10.1113/JP271745

Programming of maternal and offspring disease: impact of growth restriction, fetal sex and transmission across generations

2016

Journal Article

Acute restraint stress induces rapid changes in central redox status and protective antioxidant genes in rats

Spiers, Jereme G., Chen, Hsiao-Jou Cortina, Cuffe, James S. M., Sernia, Corrado and Lavidis, Nickolas A. (2016). Acute restraint stress induces rapid changes in central redox status and protective antioxidant genes in rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 67, 104-112. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.02.005

Acute restraint stress induces rapid changes in central redox status and protective antioxidant genes in rats

2016

Journal Article

Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse programs sex-specific renal adaptations in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in 6-month offspring

Cuffe, James S. M., Burgess, Danielle J., O'Sullivan, Lee, Singh, Reetu R. and Moritz, Karen M. (2016). Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse programs sex-specific renal adaptations in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in 6-month offspring. Physiological Reports, 4 (8) e12754, e12754. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12754

Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse programs sex-specific renal adaptations in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in 6-month offspring

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Selenium supplementation: Can a simple nutritional supplement prevent fetal loss linked to thyroid autoimmunity?
    Allen Foundation Inc.
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Do thyroid antibodies disrupt placental arterial remodelling in pregnancy
    American Thyroid Association
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Understanding the relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
    Allen Foundation Inc.
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Brightfield and Fluorescent High Speed and Throughput Slide Scanner for biological, medical, materials science, and agricultural applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Vevo 3100 Imaging System for ultrahigh resolution and frame rate echocardiographic assessment of small animals.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Placental clock gene expression in the Spiny Mouse
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant

Availability

Dr James Cuffe is:
Available for supervision

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

Available projects

  • Investigating placental contributions to complications of pregnancy

    The placenta regulates all aspects of pregnancy health. It secretes factors into the maternal system to control maternal blood glucose concentrations, blood pressure and neurological function. This study will investigate key pathological processes in the placenta which may contribute to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction.

  • Investigating how micro-nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy lead to metabolic and renal disease in offspring.

    Given that only 1 in 20 Australians consume the recommended dietary intake of fruit and vegetables, most Australians would be deficient in key micronutrients when they fall pregnant. Deficiencies in these micronutrients is known to increase maternal risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia but their influence on offspring physiology is less well understood. This study will investigate the role of specific micronutrients in fetal development and offspring physiology. Most particularly, this project will focus on diabetes and renal disease in offspring, two comorbid conditions known to be affected by events that occur before birth.

  • Investigating placental contributions to complications of pregnancy

    The placenta regulates all aspects of pregnancy health. It secretes a range of steroid, protein and peptide hormones into the maternal system to override normal homeostatic processes resulting in drastic physiological changes to almost all biological systems. Such changes result in a significant expansion of blood volume, cardiac hypertrophy, redistribution of metabolic resources, altered insulin production, insulin resistance as well changes to neurological function. This study will investigate how pathological processes in the placenta impact hormone secretion and this may contribute to miscarriage, stillbirth, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. This study also aims to increase our knowledge of poorly understood proteins that are only secreted by the placenta that likely have significant biological roles. To achieve these outcomes, this study will use a combination of clinical samples from pregnant people as well as targeted animal and in vitro models.

  • Investigating how thyroid autoimmunity impacts pregnancy outcomes: Possible role of selenium as a treatment

    Thyroid autoimmunity is the most common cause of thyroid dysfunction in areas that are iodine sufficient. Patients with thyroid autoimmunity have antibodies that target key thyroid proteins. These thyroid antibodies can disrupt thyroid function leading to thyroid disease. However, a large number of individuals have high levels of these antibodies without having yet developing changes to thyroid hormone levels. Approximately 1 in 6 pregnant people are positive for thyroid antibodies, and this increases their risk of a range of pregnancy complications, even if their thyroid hormone levels are within normal ranges. This study aims to investigate the biological processes by which thyroid antibodies lead to a range of pregnancy related disorders. For instance, we will investigate how thyroid antibodies impact vascular smooth muscle cell migration and how this might lead to preeclampsia or growth restriction. Currently, there are no suitable treatments for reducing thyroid antibody levels however, there is a large amount of emerging evidence that suggests that selenium supplementation might improve outcomes. Therefore this study will also explore how selenium can alter the biological processes shown to be impacted by thyroid antibodies.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Treating thyroid autoimmunity in pregnancy with selenium supplementation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Karin Borges

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the effects of Autoimmune Thyroiditis on Pregnancy Physiology

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the impact of metformin on one carbon metabolism, placental function and fetal outcomes.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr David Simmons

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the effects of Autoimmune Thyroiditis on Pregnancy Physiology

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the impact of metformin on one carbon metabolism, placental function and fetal outcomes.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr David Simmons

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Karin Borges

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Glycogen in Epilepsy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Nela Durisic, Associate Professor Karin Borges

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A new the mechanism for the coexistence of hypercortisolaemia and inflammation: GRalpha D1

    Associate Advisor

Completed supervision

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