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Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe
Associate Professor

Arutha Kulasinghe

Email: 

Overview

Background

Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe leads the Clinical-oMx Lab at the Frazer Institute, University of Queensland. A/Prof Kulasinghe has pioneered spatial transcriptomics using digital spatial profiling approaches in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to world-first studies for lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and COVID-19. His research aims to understand the underlying pathobiology by using an integrative multi-omics approach.

Availability

Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology

Research interests

  • Immuno-oncology

    Applications in lung, skin, and head and neck cancers.

  • Spatial transcriptomics

    Applications across solid tumours and COVID-19

  • Liquid Biopsies

    Applications in lung cancer, and head and neck cancer

Works

Search Professor Arutha Kulasinghe’s works on UQ eSpace

144 works between 2015 and 2024

1 - 20 of 144 works

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Profiling of lung SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infection dissects virus-specific host responses and gene signatures

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Tan, Chin Wee, dos Santos Miggiolaro, Anna Flavia Ribeiro, Monkman, James, SadeghiRad, Habib, Bhuva, Dharmesh D., da Silva Motta Junior, Jarbas, Vaz de Paula, Caroline Busatta, Nagashima, Seigo, Baena, Cristina Pellegrino, Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Paulo, de Noronha, Lucia, McCulloch, Timothy, Rodrigues Rossi, Gustavo, Cooper, Caroline, Tang, Benjamin, Short, Kirsty R., Davis, Melissa J., Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando, Belz, Gabrielle T. and O'Byrne, Ken (2022). Profiling of lung SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infection dissects virus-specific host responses and gene signatures. European Respiratory Journal, 59 (6) 2101881, 1-19. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01881-2021

Profiling of lung SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infection dissects virus-specific host responses and gene signatures

2024

Journal Article

Copper chelation redirects neutrophil function to enhance anti-GD2 antibody therapy in neuroblastoma

Rouaen, Jourdin R. C., Salerno, Antonietta, Shai-Hee, Tyler, Murray, Jayne E., Castrogiovanni, Giulia, McHenry, Charlotte, Jue, Toni Rose, Pham, Vu, Bell, Jessica Lilian, Poursani, Ensieh, Valli, Emanuele, Cazzoli, Riccardo, Damstra, Naomi, Nelson, Delia J., Stevens, Kofi L. P., Chee, Jonathan, Slapetova, Iveta, Kasherman, Maria, Whan, Renee, Lin, Francis, Cochran, Blake J., Tedla, Nicodemus, Veli, Feyza Colakoglu, Yuksel, Aysen, Mayoh, Chelsea, Saletta, Federica, Mercatelli, Daniele, Chtanova, Tatyana, Kulasinghe, Arutha ... Vittorio, Orazio (2024). Copper chelation redirects neutrophil function to enhance anti-GD2 antibody therapy in neuroblastoma. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 10462, 10462. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54689-x

Copper chelation redirects neutrophil function to enhance anti-GD2 antibody therapy in neuroblastoma

2024

Conference Publication

110 Spatial dynamics and cellular architecture mapping in head and neck cancer: insights into immunotherapy response

Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). 110 Spatial dynamics and cellular architecture mapping in head and neck cancer: insights into immunotherapy response. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2024-sitc2024.0110

110 Spatial dynamics and cellular architecture mapping in head and neck cancer: insights into immunotherapy response

2024

Conference Publication

212 Multi-omic spatial data integration resolves immunometabolic heterogeneity associated with Nivolumab response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

Yan, Raymond, Quinn, Shannon, Falkenstein, Brian, Monkman, James, O’Bryne, Kenneth, Chakra Chennubhotla, S, Pullara, Filippo and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). 212 Multi-omic spatial data integration resolves immunometabolic heterogeneity associated with Nivolumab response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2024-sitc2024.0212

212 Multi-omic spatial data integration resolves immunometabolic heterogeneity associated with Nivolumab response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

2024

Conference Publication

558 An integrated approach to high dimensional spatial proteomics and interaction mapping in head and neck cancer tissues prior to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy

Naei, Vahid Yaghoubi, Monkman, James, Hughes, Brett and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). 558 An integrated approach to high dimensional spatial proteomics and interaction mapping in head and neck cancer tissues prior to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2024-sitc2024.0558

558 An integrated approach to high dimensional spatial proteomics and interaction mapping in head and neck cancer tissues prior to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy

2024

Conference Publication

109 Development of a novel immuno-metabolic spatial signature to predict response and resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC patients

Markovits, Ettai, Monkman, James, Aung, Thazin, Reeves, Jason, O’Byrne, Ken, Czertock, Rotem, Puig, Oscar, Rimm, David and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). 109 Development of a novel immuno-metabolic spatial signature to predict response and resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC patients. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2024-sitc2024.0109

109 Development of a novel immuno-metabolic spatial signature to predict response and resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC patients

2024

Conference Publication

Characterization of Circulating Tumor-Associated and Immune Cells in Advanced-Stage NSCLC

Yaghoubi Naei, V., Mullally, W., Warkiani, M., O'Byrne, K. and Kulasinghe, A. (2024). Characterization of Circulating Tumor-Associated and Immune Cells in Advanced-Stage NSCLC. 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer, San Diego, CA United States, 7-10 September 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2024.09.473

Characterization of Circulating Tumor-Associated and Immune Cells in Advanced-Stage NSCLC

2024

Conference Publication

Deciphering Single-Cell Resolved Tumour Microenvironment Profiles Using Spatial Metabolic Mapping

Kulasinghe, A., Monkman, J., Markovits, E. and O'Byrne, K. (2024). Deciphering Single-Cell Resolved Tumour Microenvironment Profiles Using Spatial Metabolic Mapping. 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer, San Diego, CA United States, 7-10 September 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2024.09.032

Deciphering Single-Cell Resolved Tumour Microenvironment Profiles Using Spatial Metabolic Mapping

2024

Journal Article

Glycan profiling in small extracellular vesicles with a SERS microfluidic biosensor identifies early malignant development in lung cancer

Zhou, Quan, Niu, Xueming, Zhang, Zhen, O'Byrne, Kenneth, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Fielding, David, Möller, Andreas, Wuethrich, Alain, Lobb, Richard J. and Trau, Matt (2024). Glycan profiling in small extracellular vesicles with a SERS microfluidic biosensor identifies early malignant development in lung cancer. Advanced Science, 11 (33) 2401818, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/advs.202401818

Glycan profiling in small extracellular vesicles with a SERS microfluidic biosensor identifies early malignant development in lung cancer

2024

Conference Publication

Unraveling functionally distinct metabolic programs to predict immunotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Kulasinghe, A., Yan, R., Quinn, S., Falkenstein, B., Monkman, J., O'Byrne, K.J., Chennubhotla, S.C. and Pullara, F. (2024). Unraveling functionally distinct metabolic programs to predict immunotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ESMO Congress 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 13-17 September 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.08.142

Unraveling functionally distinct metabolic programs to predict immunotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

2024

Journal Article

Protocol for high-plex, whole-slide imaging of human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue using PhenoCycler-Fusion

Donovan, Meg L., Jhaveri, Niyati, Ma, Ning, Cheikh, Bassem Ben, DeRosa, James, Mihani, Ritu, Berrell, Naomi, Suen, Jacky Y., Monkman, James, Fraser, John F. and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Protocol for high-plex, whole-slide imaging of human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue using PhenoCycler-Fusion. STAR Protocols, 5 (3) 103226, 103226. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103226

Protocol for high-plex, whole-slide imaging of human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue using PhenoCycler-Fusion

2024

Conference Publication

Multiomic spatial profiling of whole-slide NSCLC tissues from patients receiving anti PD-1 therapy identifies metabolic phenotypes associated with therapy resistance

Kulasinghe, A., Monkman, J. and O'Byrne, K.J. (2024). Multiomic spatial profiling of whole-slide NSCLC tissues from patients receiving anti PD-1 therapy identifies metabolic phenotypes associated with therapy resistance. ESMO Congress 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 13-17 September 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.08.2037

Multiomic spatial profiling of whole-slide NSCLC tissues from patients receiving anti PD-1 therapy identifies metabolic phenotypes associated with therapy resistance

2024

Journal Article

Spatial dynamics of tertiary lymphoid aggregates in head and neck cancer: insights into immunotherapy response

Sadeghirad, Habib, Monkman, James, Tan, Chin Wee, Liu, Ning, Yunis, Joseph, Donovan, Meg L., Moradi, Afshin, Jhaveri, Niyati, Perry, Chris, Adams, Mark N., O’Byrne, Ken, Warkiani, Majid E., Ladwa, Rahul, Hughes, Brett G.M. and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Spatial dynamics of tertiary lymphoid aggregates in head and neck cancer: insights into immunotherapy response. Journal of Translational Medicine, 22 (1) 677, 677. doi: 10.1186/s12967-024-05409-y

Spatial dynamics of tertiary lymphoid aggregates in head and neck cancer: insights into immunotherapy response

2024

Journal Article

Spatial resolution of the head and neck cancer tumor microenvironment to identify tumor and stromal features associated with therapy response

Berrell, Naomi, Monkman, James, Donovan, Meg, Blick, Tony, O'Byrne, Ken, Ladwa, Rahul, Tan, Chin Wee and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Spatial resolution of the head and neck cancer tumor microenvironment to identify tumor and stromal features associated with therapy response. Immunology & Cell Biology, 102 (9), 830-846. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12811

Spatial resolution of the head and neck cancer tumor microenvironment to identify tumor and stromal features associated with therapy response

2024

Journal Article

Spatial proteomic profiling of tumor and stromal compartments in non‐small‐cell lung cancer identifies signatures associated with overall survival

Yaghoubi Naei, Vahid, Monkman, James, Sadeghirad, Habib, Mehdi, Ahmed, Blick, Tony, Mullally, William, O'Byrne, Ken, Warkiani, Majid Ebrahimi and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Spatial proteomic profiling of tumor and stromal compartments in non‐small‐cell lung cancer identifies signatures associated with overall survival. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 13 (7) e1522, e1522. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1522

Spatial proteomic profiling of tumor and stromal compartments in non‐small‐cell lung cancer identifies signatures associated with overall survival

2024

Journal Article

A mesoporous gold sensor unveils phospho PD-L1 in extracellular vesicles as a proxy for PD-L1 expression in lung cancer tissue

Shanmugasundaram, Karthik B., Ahmed, Emtiaz, Miao, Xinzhe, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Fletcher, James A., Monkman, James, Mainwaring, Paul, Masud, Mostafa Kamal, Park, Hyeongyu, Hossain, Md Shahriar A., Yamauchi, Yusuke, Sina, Abu A. I., O’Byrne, Kenneth, Wuethrich, Alain and Trau, Matt (2024). A mesoporous gold sensor unveils phospho PD-L1 in extracellular vesicles as a proxy for PD-L1 expression in lung cancer tissue. ACS Sensors, 9 (6), 3009-3016. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.4c00192

A mesoporous gold sensor unveils phospho PD-L1 in extracellular vesicles as a proxy for PD-L1 expression in lung cancer tissue

2024

Journal Article

Characterisation of circulating tumor‐associated and immune cells in patients with advanced‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer

Yaghoubi Naei, Vahid, Ivanova, Ekaterina, Mullally, William, O'Leary, Connor G, Ladwa, Rahul, O'Byrne, Ken, Warkiani, Majid E and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Characterisation of circulating tumor‐associated and immune cells in patients with advanced‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer. Clinical and Translational Immunology, 13 (6) e1516, e1516. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1516

Characterisation of circulating tumor‐associated and immune cells in patients with advanced‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer

2024

Journal Article

Mapping the spatial dynamics of the CD4+ T cell spectrum in classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Menéndez, Victoria, Solórzano, José L., García-Cosío, Mónica, Cereceda, Laura, Díaz, Eva, Estévez, Mónica, Roncador, Giovanna, Vega, Zaira, Montalbán, Carlos, Kulasinghe, Arutha and García, Juan F. (2024). Mapping the spatial dynamics of the CD4+ T cell spectrum in classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Modern Pathology, 37 (9) 100551, 100551. doi: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100551

Mapping the spatial dynamics of the CD4+ T cell spectrum in classical Hodgkin lymphoma

2024

Journal Article

In situ characterization of the tumor microenvironment

Sadeghirad, Habib, Yaghoubi Naei, Vahid, O’Byrne, Ken, Warkiani, Majid E and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). In situ characterization of the tumor microenvironment. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 86 103083. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103083

In situ characterization of the tumor microenvironment

2024

Conference Publication

Defining PD-1/PD-L1 receptor-ligand interactions in the head and neck cancer tumor microenvironment identifies unique ‘immune cell rivers’ of cellular interactions

Sadeghirad, Habib, Naei, Vahid Yaghoubi, Monkman, James, Basu, Subham, Wicher, Agata, Ladwa, Rahul, Hughes, Brett G.M. and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Defining PD-1/PD-L1 receptor-ligand interactions in the head and neck cancer tumor microenvironment identifies unique ‘immune cell rivers’ of cellular interactions. American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024, San Diego, CA United States, 5-10 April 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2024-5188

Defining PD-1/PD-L1 receptor-ligand interactions in the head and neck cancer tumor microenvironment identifies unique ‘immune cell rivers’ of cellular interactions

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2026
    AtlasHNC: Precision Medicine Initiative for Head and Neck Cancer
    Ramaciotti Health Investment Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Understanding the impact of Spanish Flu on Adult and Children lungs, cell-by-cell
    Wesley Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    METASPATIAL Study: Metabolic Spatial Analysis of Lung Cancer Study
    NHMRC MRFF EMCR - Early to Mid-Career Researchers
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Queensland Spatial Biology Centre - Breast Cancer Study
    Wesley Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Queensland Spatial Biology Centre - Lung Study
    Wesley Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Queensland Spatial Biology Centre - Multi Cancer Study
    Wesley Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Queensland Spatial Biology Centre - Ovarian Cancer Study
    Wesley Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Queensland Spatial Biology Centre - Sepsis Study
    Wesley Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Queensland Spatial Biology Centre -Cardiac Study
    Wesley Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2030
    Prostate Cancer - FDG - Spatial Imaging (Spatial biology meets PET imaging: A non-invasive, Google Map for Prostate cancer)
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    From Pixels to Prognosis: Harnessing single-cell spatial analysis to predict and improve immunotherapy response in lung cancer
    Cure Cancer Early Career Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Pseudomyxoma Perionei Research Program
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    The development of DMX8.1 as a novel treatment for immunotherapy-refractory cancers
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Proof of concept studies for a novel immunotherapy for triple negative Breast cancer and companion diagnostic
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Breast Cancer Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Multi-omics data integration to elucidate novel mechanisms of lung pathology during bacterial or viral infection
    University of Technology Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Developing a multi-omic, high-dimensional assessment of head and neck cancer
    Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Conjoint Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Personalising Innate-immunotherapy for Superior Treatment Outcomes with Large anticancer applicability (PISTOL)
    NHMRC MRFF EMCR - Early to Mid-Career Researchers
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Understanding the Role of Immature Myeloid Cells in Early Melanoma Establishment
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Melanoma Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    PREDICT: PREcision DIagnostiCs for early melanoma detection using spaTial biology and AI-guided image analysis
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Melanoma Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Defining host immune and microbial determinants of disease trajectory in mycobacterial infection
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Pixels to clinical insights: Deciphering immunotherapy responses in head and neck cancer
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Developing a spatial metabolic map of immunotherapy sensitivity in lung cancer
    TdC Early Career Grant
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    LUNG PREDICT Study
    Cancer Australia
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Laser capture microdissection to empower cancer discoveries, improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes in amyloidosis patients
    IPF Healthy - Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Whole exome and transcriptome profiling of patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma exposed to immunotherapy: C-Seq STUDY (Research Support Scheme Project Grant led by Metro South HHS)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Spatial transcriptomics of the tumour microenvironment in melanoma brain metastasis (SERTA Early Career Researcher Grant led by MSHHS)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Identification of predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint blockade in head and neck cancer
    Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Conjoint Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and tumour MICroenvironment Multiplex Spatial Profiling - cMIC STUDY (PA Research Foundation Award administered by MSHHS)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Understanding the immunopathology of COVID-19 infected myocardial tissue
    Regional Collaborations Programme COVID-19 Digital Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Precision medicine in the immunotherapy era
    NHMRC Early Career Fellowships
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe is:
Available for supervision

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

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    Spatial profiling of the tumour microenvironment in head and neck cancers

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterising cytotoxic T cell fates in allogeneic stem cell transplantation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The investigation of the tumour microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to identify predictive biomarkers of response to immunotherapy

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the tumour microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy using deep spatial profiling

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Studying the tumour immune microenvironment in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the role of immature myeloid cells in early melanoma establishment

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jazmina Gonzalez Cruz, Associate Professor James Wells

  • Master Philosophy

    Spatial multi-omics to study hard-to-cure lung infections

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ahmed Mehdi, Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improved diagnostics for respiratory viral infections

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Meagan Carney, Professor Kirsty Short

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Immune regulation through bi-directional interactions between subsets of Natural Killer cells and Dendritic cells.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Andrew Barbour, Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Immuno-genetic biomarkers of response in a prospective study of immune checkpoint therapy in primary CNS lymphoma

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Zachary Hawula, Associate Professor Colm Keane

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Deciphering mechanisms of fibroblast-mediated immune regulation in dysplastic cutaneous and oral mucosal epithelium

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Debottam Sinha, Dr Janin Chandra

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genesis and Pathognesis of avain influenza

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Keng Chew, Professor Kirsty Short

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe directly for media enquiries about:

  • COVID-19 biomarkers
  • head and neck cancer
  • immuno-oncology
  • lung cancer

Need help?

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

communications@uq.edu.au