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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 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

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

152 works between 2015 and 2025

121 - 140 of 152 works

2020

Conference Publication

Abstract 3384: characterization of the tumor microenvironment and liquid biopsy in head and neck and non-small cell lung cancer

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Kapeleris, Joanna, Kenny, Liz, Hughes, Brett, Warkiani, Majid, Vela, Ian, Thiery, Jean-Paul, O'Byrne, Ken and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2020). Abstract 3384: characterization of the tumor microenvironment and liquid biopsy in head and neck and non-small cell lung cancer. AACR Annual Meeting 2020, Philadelphia, PA USA, 27-28 April 2020 and 22-24 June 2020. Philadelphia, PA USA: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2020-3384

Abstract 3384: characterization of the tumor microenvironment and liquid biopsy in head and neck and non-small cell lung cancer

2020

Other Outputs

High-Plex and High-throughput Digital Spatial Profiling of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Monkman, James, Taheri, Touraj, Warkiani, Majid Ebrahimi, O’leary, Connor, Ladwa, Rahul, Richard, Derek, Byrne, Ken O’ and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2020). High-Plex and High-throughput Digital Spatial Profiling of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). doi: 10.1101/2020.07.22.20160325

High-Plex and High-throughput Digital Spatial Profiling of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

2020

Conference Publication

Abstract A03: isolation, characterization, and expansion of circulating tumor cells in head and neck cancers

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Kapeleris, Joanna, Kenny, Liz, Warkiani, Majid, Vela, Ian, Thiery, Jean Paul, O’Byrne, Ken and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2020). Abstract A03: isolation, characterization, and expansion of circulating tumor cells in head and neck cancers. AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research, Austin, TX USA, 29-30 April 2019. Philadelphia, PA USA: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1557-3265.aacrahns19-a03

Abstract A03: isolation, characterization, and expansion of circulating tumor cells in head and neck cancers

2020

Journal Article

The use of three-dimensional DNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (3D DNA FISH) for the detection of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) circulating tumor cells

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Lim, Yenkai, Kapeleris, Joanna, Warkiani, Majid, O'Byrne, Ken and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2020). The use of three-dimensional DNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (3D DNA FISH) for the detection of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) circulating tumor cells. Cells, 9 (6) 1465, 1-8. doi: 10.3390/cells9061465

The use of three-dimensional DNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (3D DNA FISH) for the detection of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) circulating tumor cells

2020

Conference Publication

Culture of circulating tumour cells derived from non-small cell lung cancer

O'Byrne, Kenneth John, Kapeleris, Joanna, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Warkiani, Majid E., O'Leary, Connor Gerard, Ladwa, Rahul, Vela, Ian, Leo, Paul, Sternes, Peter and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2020). Culture of circulating tumour cells derived from non-small cell lung cancer. 2020 ASCO Annual Meeting, Online, 30 May 2020. Alexandria, VA USA: American Society of Clinical Oncology. doi: 10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e21692

Culture of circulating tumour cells derived from non-small cell lung cancer

2020

Journal Article

The evolving landscape of predictive biomarkers in immuno-oncology with a focus on spatial technologies

Sadeghi Rad, Habib, Bazaz, Sajad Razavi, Monkman, James, Ebrahimi Warkiani, Majid, Rezaei, Nima, O'Byrne, Ken and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2020). The evolving landscape of predictive biomarkers in immuno-oncology with a focus on spatial technologies. Clinical and Translational Immunology, 9 (11) e1215, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1215

The evolving landscape of predictive biomarkers in immuno-oncology with a focus on spatial technologies

2020

Journal Article

Circulating biomarkers in patients with glioblastoma

Müller Bark, Juliana, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Chua, Benjamin, Day, Bryan W. and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2020). Circulating biomarkers in patients with glioblastoma. British Journal of Cancer, 122 (3), 295-305. doi: 10.1038/s41416-019-0603-6

Circulating biomarkers in patients with glioblastoma

2020

Book Chapter

Application of microfluidic technology in cancer research and therapy

Azadi, Shohreh, Aboulkheyr Es, Hamidreza, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Bordhan, Pritam and Ebrahimi Warkiani, Majid (2020). Application of microfluidic technology in cancer research and therapy. Advances in Clinical Chemistry. (pp. 193-235) edited by Gregory S. Makowski. Cambridge, MA, United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/bs.acc.2020.02.012

Application of microfluidic technology in cancer research and therapy

2019

Journal Article

An update: circulating tumor cells in head and neck cancer

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Hughes, Brett G. M., Kenny, Liz and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2019). An update: circulating tumor cells in head and neck cancer. Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, 19 (12), 1109-1115. doi: 10.1080/14737159.2020.1688145

An update: circulating tumor cells in head and neck cancer

2019

Journal Article

Isolation of circulating tumor cells in non-small-cell-lung-cancer patients using a multi-flow microfluidic channel

Zhou, Jian, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Bogseth, Amanda, O’Byrne, Ken, Punyadeera, Chamindie and Papautsky, Ian (2019). Isolation of circulating tumor cells in non-small-cell-lung-cancer patients using a multi-flow microfluidic channel. Microsystems and Nanoengineering, 5 (1) 8, 8. doi: 10.1038/s41378-019-0045-6

Isolation of circulating tumor cells in non-small-cell-lung-cancer patients using a multi-flow microfluidic channel

2019

Book Chapter

The isolation and characterization of circulating tumor cells from head and neck cancer patient blood samples using spiral microfluidic technology

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Warkiani, Majid Ebrahimi and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2019). The isolation and characterization of circulating tumor cells from head and neck cancer patient blood samples using spiral microfluidic technology. Methods in Molecular Biology. (pp. 129-136) New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9769-5_8

The isolation and characterization of circulating tumor cells from head and neck cancer patient blood samples using spiral microfluidic technology

2019

Journal Article

Phenotypic characterization of circulating lung cancer cells for clinically actionable targets

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Kapeleris, Joanna, Cooper, Carolina, Warkiani, Majid Ebrahimi, O’Byrne, Kenneth and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2019). Phenotypic characterization of circulating lung cancer cells for clinically actionable targets. Cancers, 11 (3) 380, 380. doi: 10.3390/cancers11030380

Phenotypic characterization of circulating lung cancer cells for clinically actionable targets

2019

Journal Article

Capture of circulating tumour cell clusters using straight microfluidic chips

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Zhou, Jian, Kenny, Liz, Papautsky, Ian and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2019). Capture of circulating tumour cell clusters using straight microfluidic chips. Cancers, 11 (1) 89, 89. doi: 10.3390/cancers11010089

Capture of circulating tumour cell clusters using straight microfluidic chips

2018

Journal Article

The prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in head and neck and non-small-cell lung cancer

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Kapeleris, Joanna, Kimberley, Rebecca, Mattarollo, Stephen R., Thompson, Erik W., Thiery, Jean-Paul, Kenny, Liz, O’Byrne, Ken and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2018). The prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in head and neck and non-small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Medicine, 7 (12), 5910-5919. doi: 10.1002/cam4.1832

The prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in head and neck and non-small-cell lung cancer

2018

Journal Article

A collective route to head and neck cancer metastasis

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Schmidt, Henri, Perry, Chris, Whitfield, Bernard, Kenny, Liz, Nelson, Colleen, Warkiani, Majid E. and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2018). A collective route to head and neck cancer metastasis. Scientific Reports, 8 (1) 746, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-19117-9

A collective route to head and neck cancer metastasis

2018

Journal Article

A pilot study to non-invasively track PIK3CA mutation in head and neck cancer

Schmidt, Henri, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Allcock, Richard J. N., Tan, Lit Yeen, Mokany, Elisa, Kenny, Liz and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2018). A pilot study to non-invasively track PIK3CA mutation in head and neck cancer. Diagnostics, 8 (4) 79, 79. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics8040079

A pilot study to non-invasively track PIK3CA mutation in head and neck cancer

2018

Journal Article

The prognostic role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in lung cancer

Kapeleris, Joanna, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Warkiani, Majid E., Vela, Ian, Kenny, Liz, O' Byrne, Kenneth and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2018). The prognostic role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in lung cancer. Frontiers in Oncology, 8 (AUG) 311, 311. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00311

The prognostic role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in lung cancer

2018

Journal Article

The use of microfluidic technology for cancer applications and liquid biopsy

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Wu, Hanjie, Punyadeera, Chamindie and Warkiani, Majid Ebrahimi (2018). The use of microfluidic technology for cancer applications and liquid biopsy. Micromachines, 9 (8) 397, 1-22. doi: 10.3390/mi9080397

The use of microfluidic technology for cancer applications and liquid biopsy

2018

Conference Publication

Abstract 5572: Circulating tumor cells: The tumor trail left in the blood

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Perry, Chris, Kenny, Liz, Blick, Tony, Warkiani, Majid, Vela, Ian, O'Byrne, Ken, Thiery, Jean-Paul, Thompson, Erik, Nelson, Colleen and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2018). Abstract 5572: Circulating tumor cells: The tumor trail left in the blood. Annual Meeting of the American-Association-for-Cancer-Research (AACR), Chicago Il, Apr 14-18, 2018. PHILADELPHIA: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2018-5572

Abstract 5572: Circulating tumor cells: The tumor trail left in the blood

2018

Other Outputs

The Prognostic Significance of Circulating Tumour Cells in Head and Neck and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Kulasinghe, Arutha, Kapeleris, Joanna, Kimberley, Rebecca, Mattarollo, Stephen R, Thompson, Erik W, Thiery, Jean-Paul, Kenny, Liz, O’Byrne, Ken and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2018). The Prognostic Significance of Circulating Tumour Cells in Head and Neck and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3237005

The Prognostic Significance of Circulating Tumour Cells in Head and Neck and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Developing a multi-omic tissue atlas in solid cancers
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

    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

  • 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

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