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) at the Wesley Research Institute. A/Prof Kulasinghe has pioneered spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and interactomics in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to world-first studies in lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and tissue atlasing studies of infectious diseases across pandemics. His research aims to understand the underlying pathobiology by using an integrative multi-omics approach. A/Prof Kulasinghe has over 100 peer-reviewed publications, including The Lancet Microbe, Journal of Clinical Oncology and Nature Genetics. He is the recipient of the Cure Cancer "Researcher of the Year" 2023 and named in the "Top Innovators Award" by the Australian for 2024. A/Prof Kulasinghe is supported by the MRFF, NHMRC, US DoD, Cancer Australia, Cure Cancer, pharma 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
2021
Journal Article
Understanding the tumor microenvironment for effective immunotherapy
Sadeghi Rad, Habib, Monkman, James, Warkiani, Majid E., Ladwa, Rahul, O'Byrne, Ken, Rezaei, Nima and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2021). Understanding the tumor microenvironment for effective immunotherapy. Medicinal Research Reviews, 41 (3), 1474-1498. doi: 10.1002/med.21765
2021
Journal Article
Spatial profiling technologies and applications for brain cancers
Kalita-de Croft, Priyakshi, Rad, Habib Sadeghi, Gasper, Harry, O'Byrne, Ken, Lakhani, Sunil R. and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2021). Spatial profiling technologies and applications for brain cancers. Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, 21 (3), 323-332. doi: 10.1080/14737159.2021.1900735
2021
Conference Publication
Spatial profiling of lung SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infection identifies virus specific host responses and gene signatures
Kulasinghe, Arutha (2021). Spatial profiling of lung SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infection identifies virus specific host responses and gene signatures. AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer, Virtual, 3-5 February 2021. Philadelphia, PA, United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1557-3265.covid-19-21-s03-04
2021
Journal Article
Highly multiplexed digital spatial profiling of the tumor microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients
Kulasinghe, Arutha, Taheri, Touraj, O'Byrne, Ken, Hughes, Brett G. M., Kenny, Liz and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2021). Highly multiplexed digital spatial profiling of the tumor microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. Frontiers in Oncology, 10 607349, 607349. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2020.607349
2021
Book Chapter
Exosomes in cancer
Müller Bark, Juliana, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Amenábar, José Miguel and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2021). Exosomes in cancer. Advances in Clinical Chemistry. (pp. 1-40) edited by Gregory S Makowski. San Diego, CA, United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/bs.acc.2020.06.006
2021
Conference Publication
TS01.06 High-Plex Digital Spatial Profiling of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Kulasinghe, A., Monkman, J., Taheri, T., Warkiani, M., O’leary, C., Ladwa, R., Richard, D. and O'Byrne, K. (2021). TS01.06 High-Plex Digital Spatial Profiling of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). 2020 North America Conference on Lung Cancer, Virtual, 16-17 October 2020. New York, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2020.10.098
2021
Other Outputs
Circulating tumour cells in head and neck cancers
Kulasinghe, Arutha Jeevana (2021). Circulating tumour cells in head and neck cancers. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology. doi: 10.5204/thesis.eprints.110534
2020
Journal Article
Protein glycosylation in head and neck cancers: From diagnosis to treatment
Rasheduzzaman, Mohammad, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Dolcetti, Riccardo, Kenny, Liz, Johnson, Newell W., Kolarich, Daniel and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2020). Protein glycosylation in head and neck cancers: From diagnosis to treatment. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer, 1874 (2) 188422, 188422. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188422
2020
Journal Article
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, O’ Byrne, Ken and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2020). High-plex and high-throughput digital spatial profiling of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cancers, 12 (12) 3551, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/cancers12123551
2020
Journal Article
Transformation or progression from adenocarcinoma to small cell lung cancer detected by serially tracking mutations in the blood
Kulasinghe, Arutha, Monkman, James, Nalder, Mark, O’Leary, Connor, Ladwa, Rahul and O’Byrne, Ken (2020). Transformation or progression from adenocarcinoma to small cell lung cancer detected by serially tracking mutations in the blood. Reports, 3 (4) 33, 33. doi: 10.3390/reports3040033
2020
Conference Publication
Highly multiplexed digital spatial profiling of the tumor microenvironment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Kulasinghe, Arutha, O’Leary, Connor, Ladwa, Rahul, Warkiani, Majid and O’byrne, Kenneth (2020). Highly multiplexed digital spatial profiling of the tumor microenvironment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting (SITC 2020), Virtual, 9-14 November 2020. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2020-sitc2020.0043
2020
Conference Publication
Spatial profiling of the tumour microenvironment in head and neck cancer to identify biomarkers of response to therapy
Kulasinghe, Arutha (2020). Spatial profiling of the tumour microenvironment in head and neck cancer to identify biomarkers of response to therapy. 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting (SITC 2020), Virtual, 9-14 November 2020. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2020-sitc2020.0749
2020
Journal Article
Circulating tumor cell clusters: insights into tumour dissemination and metastasis
Herath, Sayuri, Razavi Bazaz, Sajad, Monkman, James, Ebrahimi Warkiani, Majid, Richard, Derek, O’Byrne, Ken and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2020). Circulating tumor cell clusters: insights into tumour dissemination and metastasis. Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, 20 (11), 1139-1147. doi: 10.1080/14737159.2020.1846523
2020
Conference Publication
Spatial profiling of the tumour microenvironment using digital spatial profiling
Kulasinghe, Arutha (2020). Spatial profiling of the tumour microenvironment using digital spatial profiling. AACR Virtual Special Conference on Tumor Heterogeneity: From Single Cells to Clinical Impact, Virtual, 17-18 September 2020. Philadelphia, PA, United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.tumhet2020-po-089
2020
Journal Article
Emerging standards and the hybrid model for organizing scientific events during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Hanaei, Sara, Takian, Amirhossein, Majdzadeh, Reza, Maboloc, Christopher Ryan, Grossmann, Igor, Gomes, Orlando, Milosevic, Milos, Gupta, Manoj, Shamshirsaz, Alireza A., Harbi, Amine, Burhan, Amer M., Uddin, Lucina Q., Kulasinghe, Arutha, Lam, Chi-Ming, Ramakrishna, Seeram, Alavi, Abass, Nouwen, Jan L., Dorigo, Tommaso, Schreiber, Michael, Abraham, Ajith, Shelkovaya, Natalya, Krysztofiak, Wojtek, Ebrahimi Warkiani, Majid, Sellke, Frank, Ogino, Shuji, Barba, Francisco J., Brand, Serge, Vasconcelos, Clara, Salunke, Deepak B. and Rezaei, Nima (2020). Emerging standards and the hybrid model for organizing scientific events during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 16 (3) PII S1935789320004061, 1-6. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2020.406
2020
Journal Article
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
O’Leary, Connor, Gasper, Harry, Sahin, Katherine B., Tang, Ming, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Adams, Mark N., Richard, Derek J. and O’Byrne, Ken J. (2020). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pharmaceuticals, 13 (10) 273, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/ph13100273
2020
Journal Article
Ex vivo culture of circulating tumour cells derived from non-small cell lung cancer
Kapeleris, Joanna, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Warkiani, Majid Ebrahimi, Oleary, Connor, Vela, Ian, Leo, Paul, Sternes, Peter, O'Byrne, Kenneth and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2020). Ex vivo culture of circulating tumour cells derived from non-small cell lung cancer. Translational Lung Cancer Research, 9 (5), 1795-1809. doi: 10.21037/tlcr-20-521
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
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
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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Spatial profiling of the tumour microenvironment in head and neck cancers
Principal Advisor
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Master Philosophy
Defining the head and neck cancer tumour microenvironment across clinical contexts
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy using deep spatial profiling
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Brett Hughes
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the role of myeloid lineages in early melanoma establishment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor James Wells
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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
Improved diagnostics for respiratory viral infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Meagan Carney, Professor Kirsty Short
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Doctor Philosophy
Mapping immune dysregulation in complex tissues using single-cell spatial multi-omics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dharmesh Bhuva, Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes
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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
Developing a Translational Pipeline for Personalised Immunotherapy in Follicular Lymphoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Maher Gandhi, Dr Joshua Tobin
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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
Lessons from a Century of Influenza Pandemics and Implications for Future Preparedness
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Keng Chew, Professor Kirsty Short
Completed supervision
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2025
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, Associate Professor Brett Hughes
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Comprehensive characterisation of tumour microenvironment and therapeutic insights into paediatric cancers through multi-omics profiling
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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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