Overview
Background
Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe leads the Clinical-oMx Lab at the Frazer Institute, University of Queensland and is the Founding Scientific Director of the Queensland Spatial Biology Centre (QSBC). A/Prof Kulasinghe has pioneered spatial transcriptomics, proteomics and interactomics in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to world-first studies for lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and organ atlas studies in COVID-19. His research aims to understand the underlying pathobiology by using an integrative multi-omics approach. A/Prof Kulasinghe is supported by the MRFF, NHMRC, US DoD, Cancer Australia, Cure Cancer and numerous hospital and philanthropic organisations.
Availability
- Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Research interests
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Immuno-oncology
Applications in lung, skin, and head and neck cancers.
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Spatial transcriptomics
Applications across solid tumours and COVID-19
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Liquid Biopsies
Applications in lung cancer, and head and neck cancer
Works
Search Professor Arutha Kulasinghe’s works on UQ eSpace
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
2024
Conference Publication
Integration of high-plex tumor-Immune phenotyping and checkpoint interactions for deeper spatial characterization of human cancer tissues
Bodbin, Sara, Ma, Ning, Pratapa, Aditya, Nikulina, Nadya, Monkman, James, Jhaveri, Niyati, Elofsson, Hampus, Basu, Subham, Zieba-Wicher, Agata and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Integration of high-plex tumor-Immune phenotyping and checkpoint interactions for deeper spatial characterization of human cancer tissues. 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.am2024-1525
2024
Conference Publication
A spatio-temporal approach to mapping the dynamics of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression and immunotherapy response: A journey through TiME
Jhaveri, Niyati, Ben Cheikh, Bassem, Klymyshyn, Dmytro, Ma, Ning, Pratapa, Aditya, Monkman, James, Nelson, Nadine and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). A spatio-temporal approach to mapping the dynamics of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression and immunotherapy response: A journey through TiME. 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.am2024-6872
2024
Conference Publication
Spatial profiling of the tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma revealed immune cell type infiltration into the TME as a predictor of immunotherapy response
Sadeghirad, Habib, Tan, Chin Wee, Liu, Ning, Monkman, James, Cooper, Caroline, O’Byrne, Ken, Davis, Melissa, Hughes, Brett and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Spatial profiling of the tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma revealed immune cell type infiltration into the TME as a predictor of immunotherapy response. 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.am2024-1154
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
2024
Conference Publication
Spatial profiling of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma to elucidate their immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment
Tu, Cui, Tan, Chin Wee, Liu, Ning, Kulasinghe, Arutha and Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando (2024). Spatial profiling of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma to elucidate their immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. 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.am2024-73
2024
Conference Publication
Ultrahigh-plex spatial phenotyping of head and neck cancer tissue uncovers multiomic signatures of immunotherapy response
Pratapa, Aditya, Hernandez, Lydia, Cheikh, Bassem Ben, Jhaveri, Niyati and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Ultrahigh-plex spatial phenotyping of head and neck cancer tissue uncovers multiomic signatures of immunotherapy response. 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.am2024-5503
2024
Conference Publication
Spatially resolved cell profiling unveils tumor metabolic states associated with immunotherapy response in NSCLC
Monkman, James, Czertok, Rotem, Bookstein, Shai, Arbiv, Becky, Shachaf, Yuval, Elran, Ron, Bloom, Kenneth, Puig, Oscar, O'Byrne, Ken, Markovits, Ettai and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Spatially resolved cell profiling unveils tumor metabolic states associated with immunotherapy response in NSCLC. 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.am2024-1158
2024
Conference Publication
Spatial-specific gene signatures to predict immunotherapy outcomes in lung cancer
Aung, Thazin N., Moutafi, Myrto, Trontzas, Ioannis, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Monkman, James, Gavrielatou, Niki, Vathiotis, Ioannis, Warrell, Jonathan H. and Rimm, David L. (2024). Spatial-specific gene signatures to predict immunotherapy outcomes in lung cancer. 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.am2024-1141
2024
Journal Article
Spatial insights into immunotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by multiplexed tissue imaging
Monkman, James, Moradi, Afshin, Yunis, Joseph, Ivison, Geoff, Mayer, Aaron, Ladwa, Rahul, O’Byrne, Ken and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Spatial insights into immunotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by multiplexed tissue imaging. Journal of Translational Medicine, 22 (1) 239, 239. doi: 10.1186/s12967-024-05035-8
2024
Journal Article
Sounding an Alarm over Spatial Biology : Scientists from across the globe highlight spatial biology's triumphs and legal trials while issuing an urgent call for antitrust action
Orr, Miranda E., Kulasinghe, Arutha, Kolar, Grant R., Heyn, Holger, Plummer, Jasmine, Kristensen, Lasse Sommer, Kjems, Jorgen, Mills, Gordon, Garcia-Vallejo, Juan J., Nijman, I.J., West, Nicholas P. and Cox, Amanda (2024). Sounding an Alarm over Spatial Biology : Scientists from across the globe highlight spatial biology's triumphs and legal trials while issuing an urgent call for antitrust action. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, 44 (3), 16-17. doi: 10.1089/gen.44.03.07
2024
Journal Article
In situ single-cell profiling sheds light on IFI27 localisation during SARS-CoV-2 infection
Tan, Chin Wee, Chen, Jinjin, Liu, Ning, Bhuva, Dharmesh D., Blick, Tony, Monkman, James, Cooper, Caroline, Kharbanda, Malvika, Feher, Kristen, Phipson, Belinda, Killingbeck, Emily E., Pan, Liuliu, Kim, Youngmi, Liang, Yan, Nam, Andy, Leon, Michael, Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Paulo, Nagashima, Seigo, Camargo Martins, Ana Paula, Machado-Souza, Cleber, de Noronha, Lucia, Tang, Benjamin, Short, Kirsty, Fraser, John, Belz, Gabrielle T., Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando, Kulasinghe, Arutha and Davis, Melissa J. (2024). In situ single-cell profiling sheds light on IFI27 localisation during SARS-CoV-2 infection. eBioMedicine, 101 105016, 1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105016
2024
Journal Article
Tissue biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
Davoudi, Fatemeh, Moradi, Afshin, Sadeghirad, Habib and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Tissue biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Immunology and Cell Biology, 102 (3), 179-193. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12723
2024
Journal Article
Poor patient outcome correlates with active engulfment of cytokeratin positive CTCs within cancer-associated monocyte population in lung cancer
Wiegmans, A. P., Ivanova, E., Naei, V. Y., Monkman, J., Fletcher, J., Mullally, W., Warkiani, M. E., O’Byrne, K. and Kulasinghe, A. (2024). Poor patient outcome correlates with active engulfment of cytokeratin positive CTCs within cancer-associated monocyte population in lung cancer. Clinical and Experimental Metastasis, 41 (2), 219-228. doi: 10.1007/s10585-024-10270-w
2024
Journal Article
Whole transcriptome profiling of placental pathobiology in SARS‐CoV‐2 pregnancies identifies placental dysfunction signatures
Stylianou, Nataly, Sebina, Ismail, Matigian, Nicholas, Monkman, James, Doehler, Hadeel, Röhl, Joan, Allenby, Mark, Nam, Andy, Pan, Liuliu, Rockstroh, Anja, Sadeghirad, Habib, Chung, Kimberly, Sobanski, Thais, O'Byrne, Ken, Almeida, Ana Clara Simoes Florido, Rebutini, Patricia Zadorosnei, Machado‐Souza, Cleber, Stonoga, Emanuele Therezinha Schueda, Warkiani, Majid E, Salomon, Carlos, Short, Kirsty, McClements, Lana, de Noronha, Lucia, Huang, Ruby, Belz, Gabrielle T, Souza‐Fonseca‐Guimaraes, Fernando, Clifton, Vicki and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Whole transcriptome profiling of placental pathobiology in SARS‐CoV‐2 pregnancies identifies placental dysfunction signatures. Clinical and Translational Immunology, 13 (2) e1488, e1488. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1488
2024
Journal Article
The in situ transcriptomic landscape of breast tumour-associated and normal adjacent endothelial cells
Ravichandran, Akhilandeshwari, Monkman, James, Mehdi, Ahmed M., Blick, Tony, Snell, Cameron, Kulasinghe, Arutha and Bray, Laura J. (2024). The in situ transcriptomic landscape of breast tumour-associated and normal adjacent endothelial cells. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease, 1870 (2) 166985, 166985. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166985
2024
Journal Article
Host transcriptomics and machine learning for secondary bacterial infections in patients with COVID-19: a prospective, observational cohort study
Carney, Meagan, Pelaia, Tiana Maria, Chew, Tracy, Teoh, Sally, Phu, Amy, Kim, Karan, Wang, Ya, Iredell, Jonathan, Zerbib, Yoann, McLean, Anthony, Schughart, Klaus, Tang, Benjamin, Shojaei, Maryam, Short, Kirsty R, PREDICT-19 consortium and Kulasinghe, Arutha (PREDICT-19 consortium member) (2024). Host transcriptomics and machine learning for secondary bacterial infections in patients with COVID-19: a prospective, observational cohort study. The Lancet Microbe, 5 (3), e272-e281. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00363-4
2024
Journal Article
standR: spatial transcriptomic analysis for GeoMx DSP data
Liu, Ning, Bhuva, Dharmesh D, Mohamed, Ahmed, Bokelund, Micah, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Tan, Chin Wee and Davis, Melissa J (2024). standR: spatial transcriptomic analysis for GeoMx DSP data. Nucleic Acids Research, 52 (1) e2, 1-11. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkad1026
2024
Journal Article
Leveraging spatial omics for the development of precision sarcoma treatments
Tu, Cui, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Barbour, Andrew and Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando (2024). Leveraging spatial omics for the development of precision sarcoma treatments. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 45 (2), 134-144. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.12.006
2024
Journal Article
Inhibition of Aurora B kinase (AURKB) enhances the effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy against colorectal cancer cells
Shah, Esha T., Molloy, Christopher, Gough, Madeline, Kryza, Thomas, Samuel, Selwin G., Tucker, Amos, Bhatia, Maneet, Ferguson, Genevieve, Heyman, Rebecca, Vora, Shivam, Monkman, James, Bolderson, Emma, Kulasinghe, Arutha, He, Yaowu, Gabrielli, Brian, Hooper, John D., Richard, Derek J., O’Byrne, Kenneth J. and Adams, Mark N. (2024). Inhibition of Aurora B kinase (AURKB) enhances the effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy against colorectal cancer cells. British Journal of Cancer, 130 (7), 1196-1205. doi: 10.1038/s41416-024-02584-z
Funding
Current funding
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
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the tumour microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy using deep spatial profiling
Principal Advisor
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Master Philosophy
Spatial profiling of the tumour microenvironment in head and neck cancers
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterising cytotoxic T cell fates in allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes
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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
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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
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Genesis and Pathognesis of avain influenza
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Keng Chew, Professor Kirsty Short
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Doctor Philosophy
Studying the tumour immune microenvironment in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz
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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
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Master Philosophy
Spatial multi-omics to study hard-to-cure lung infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ahmed Mehdi, Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes
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Doctor Philosophy
Improved diagnostics for respiratory viral infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Meagan Carney, Professor Kirsty Short
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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
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe directly for media enquiries about:
- COVID-19 biomarkers
- head and neck cancer
- immuno-oncology
- lung cancer
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