Overview
Background
I am a clinician scientist and academic leader with research in melanoma cell biology and experimental melanoma therapy. I received my degree in medicine from the University of Heidelberg, Germany (1990-1998). I graduated summa cum laude with a PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Heidelberg (1993-1999) and trained in clinical dermatology at the University of Hamburg, Germany (1999-2003). In 2003 I moved to Philadelphia, PA, to work as a post-doctoral fellow in Meenhard Herlyn’s lab at The Wistar Institute (2003-2007). From there I was recruited as an associate faculty member to the Centenary Institute/University of Sydney (2007-2013). In 2013 I commenced a position as Associate Professor for Cutaneous Oncology at University of Queensland Diamantina Institute (now Frazer Institute) and was promoted to full Professor in April 2016.
Availability
- Professor Nikolas Haass is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctoral Diploma, Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg
Research impacts
Using cutting-edge technology, including real-time cell cycle imaging in 3D culture and in vivo, my team studies the role of dynamic melanoma heterogeneity in melanomagenesis with the goal to develop novel therapeutic approaches by simultaneously targeting different tumor cell subpopulations. My laboratory and our team are in the unique position to combine sophisticated imaging and biosensor approaches with biochemical methods to provide unprecedented insight to the mechanisms of tumor heterogeneity, tumor-stroma interactions and cancer immunology.
My contribution to the field is best evidenced by 97 original papers and invited reviews in leading biomedical journals. Many of our papers have a large impact in the field (>7500 citations in total, and 19 papers cited >100 times each). The papers in Mol Cancer Ther (2006, cited >500x), Cancer Res (2007, cited 265x) and PNAS (2008, cited 1500x) were evaluated by Faculty 1000 Biology as recommended or exceptional, respectively.
Works
Search Professor Nikolas Haass’s works on UQ eSpace
2010
Conference Publication
Tropomyosin Tm5NM1: A novel target for cancer therapy
Stehn, J., Schevzov, G., Bonello, T., McCluskey, A., Haass, N., Palmer, S., Hardeman, E., Allanson, M., Reeve, V. and Gunning, P. (2010). Tropomyosin Tm5NM1: A novel target for cancer therapy. 22nd EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Berlin Germany, Nov 16-19, 2010. PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. doi: 10.1016/S1359-6349(10)72041-3
2010
Conference Publication
Tight Junction - specific proteins are absent from melanoma while ZO-1 is widely expressed
Bohner, C., Vidal-y-Sy, S., Moll, I, von den Driesch, P., Haass, N. K., Schaider, H. and Brandner, J. M. (2010). Tight Junction - specific proteins are absent from melanoma while ZO-1 is widely expressed. WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2010
Journal Article
Genetics of basal cell carcinoma
De Zwaan, Sally E. and Haass, Nikolas K. (2010). Genetics of basal cell carcinoma. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 51 (2), 81-92. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2009.00579.x
2010
Conference Publication
Modification of the sphingosine kinase pathway as a novel therapeutic approach for melanoma
Douglas, G., Kaczorowski, D., McGowan, E., Anfosso, A., Xia, P., Weninger, W. and Haass, N. K. (2010). Modification of the sphingosine kinase pathway as a novel therapeutic approach for melanoma. 37th Annual Meeting of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft-Dermatologishche-Forschung, Luebeck Germany, Feb 18-20, 2010. ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG.
2010
Journal Article
Multiple desmoplastic melanomas in Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome and a proposed signaling link between folliculin, the mTOR pathway, and melanoma susceptibility
Cocciolone, Raymond A., Crotty, Kerry A., Andrews, Lesley, Haass, Nikolas K. and Moloney, Fergal J. (2010). Multiple desmoplastic melanomas in Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome and a proposed signaling link between folliculin, the mTOR pathway, and melanoma susceptibility. Archives of Dermatology, 146 (11), 1316-1318. doi: 10.1001/archdermatol.2010.333
2010
Journal Article
Melanoma progression exhibits a significant impact on connexin expression patterns in the epidermal tumor microenvironment
Haass, Nikolas K., Ripperger, D., Wladykowski, E., Dawson, P., Gimotty, P. A., Blome, C., Fischer, F., Schmage, P., Moll, I. and Brandner, Johanna M. (2010). Melanoma progression exhibits a significant impact on connexin expression patterns in the epidermal tumor microenvironment. Histochemistry and Cell Biology, 133 (1), 113-124. doi: 10.1007/s00418-009-0654-5
2010
Journal Article
PLX4032, a potent inhibitor of the B-Raf V600E oncogene, selectively inhibits V600E-positive melanomas
Lee, John T., Li, Ling, Brafford, Patricia A., Van Den Eijnden, Marcia, Halloran, Molly B., Sproesser, Katrin, Haass, Nikolas K., Smalley, Keiran S. M., Tsai, James, Bollag, Gideon and Herlyn, Meenhard (2010). PLX4032, a potent inhibitor of the B-Raf V600E oncogene, selectively inhibits V600E-positive melanomas. Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research, 23 (6), 820-827. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2010.00763.x
2009
Conference Publication
Connexin expression patterns in the epidermal tumour microenvironment of melanoma are valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis
Haass, N. K., Ripperger, D., Wladykowski, E., Dawson, P., Gimotty, P. A., Reich, C., Fischer, F., Schmage, P., Moll, I. and Brandner, J. M. (2009). Connexin expression patterns in the epidermal tumour microenvironment of melanoma are valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. 5th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian-Society-for-Dermatology-Research, Sydney Australia, May 21-22, 2008. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
2009
Conference Publication
NOXA inhibits melanoma growth and invasion in 3D models
Mohana-Kumaran, N., Lucas, K. M., Weninger, W., Allen, J. D. and Haass, N. K. (2009). NOXA inhibits melanoma growth and invasion in 3D models. 5th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian-Society-for-Dermatology-Research, Sydney Australia, May 21-22, 2008. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
2009
Conference Publication
Inhibition of MEK with AZD6244 is cytostatic as a monotherapy in melanoma, but cytotoxic when combined with docetaxel leading to tumour regression in vitro and in vivo
Haass, Nikolas K., Sproesser, Katrin, Nguyen, Thiennga K., Contractor, Rooha, Herlyn, Meenhard and Smalley, Keiran S. M. (2009). Inhibition of MEK with AZD6244 is cytostatic as a monotherapy in melanoma, but cytotoxic when combined with docetaxel leading to tumour regression in vitro and in vivo. 5th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian-Society-for-Dermatology-Research, Sydney Australia, May 21-22, 2008. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
2009
Conference Publication
Tight junction proteine in merkel cell carcinoma
Fuchs, F., Moll, I, Haass, N. K., Houdek, P., Wladykowski, E. and Brandner, J. M. (2009). Tight junction proteine in merkel cell carcinoma. MALDEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC.
2009
Conference Publication
Novel small molecule kinase inhibitors with potent and specific anti-melanoma activity
Haass, N. K., Smalley, K. S., Lee, J. T., Weninger, W. and Herlyn, M. (2009). Novel small molecule kinase inhibitors with potent and specific anti-melanoma activity. 69th Annual Meeting of the Society-of-Investigative-Dermatology, Montreal Canada, May 06-09, 2009. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
2009
Conference Publication
Targeted therapy of melanoma: Novel kinase inhibitors with potent and specific anti-melanoma activity
Haass, N. K., Smalley, K. S., Lee, J. T. and Herlyn, M. (2009). Targeted therapy of melanoma: Novel kinase inhibitors with potent and specific anti-melanoma activity. 36th Annual Meeting of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft-Dermatologishche-Forschung, Heidelberg Germany, Mar 05-07, 2009. WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2009
Conference Publication
Usability of Connexin 26, 30 and 43 as markers for diagnosis and prognosis of malignant melanoma
Haass, N. K., Ripperger, D., Wladykowski, E., Fischer, F., Schmage, P., Moll, I. and Brandner, J. M. (2009). Usability of Connexin 26, 30 and 43 as markers for diagnosis and prognosis of malignant melanoma. 36th Annual Meeting of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft-Dermatologishche-Forschung, Heidelberg Germany, Mar 05-07, 2009. WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2009
Conference Publication
ZO-1 in malignant melanoma and adjacent epidermis
Bohner, C., Haass, N. K., Ripperger, D., Wladykowski, E., Moll, I. and Brandner, J. (2009). ZO-1 in malignant melanoma and adjacent epidermis. 36th Annual Meeting of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft-Dermatologishche-Forschung, Heidelberg Germany, Mar 05-07, 2009. WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2009
Journal Article
Melanocytes: From morphology to application
Santiago-Walker, A., Li, L., Haass, N. K. and Herlyn M. (2009). Melanocytes: From morphology to application. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 22 (2), 114-121. doi: 10.1159/000178870
2009
Journal Article
Melanoma Biomarkers Current Status and Utility in Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Response to Therapy
Haass, Nikolas K. and Smalley, Keiran S. M. (2009). Melanoma Biomarkers Current Status and Utility in Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Response to Therapy. Molecular Diagnosis and Therapy, 13 (5), 283-296. doi: 10.1007/BF03256334
2008
Conference Publication
COMP 374-Potent inhibitors of mutant-B-Raf and Fms kinases designed using a scaffold-based drug discovery approach
Artis, Dean R., Tsai, James, Bremer, Ryan, Zhang, Jiazhong, Cho, Hanna, Mamo, Shumeye, Spevak, Wayne, Gillette, Samuel, Kong, Jun, Fong, Daniel, Zhu, Yong-Liang, Wang, Weiru, Nespi, M., Marimuthu, Adhirai, Lam, Billy, Shi, Shenghua, Burton, Betsy, Guan, Yinghui, Liu, Jennifer, Cheung, Ivana, Rice, Julie, Wong, Bernice, Nguyen, Hoa, Suzuki, Yoshihisa, Luu, Catherine, Settachatgul, Calvin, Shellooe, Rafe, Cantwell, John, Haass, Nikolas K. ... Bollag, Gideon (2008). COMP 374-Potent inhibitors of mutant-B-Raf and Fms kinases designed using a scaffold-based drug discovery approach. 236th National Meeting of the American-Chemical-Society, Philadelphia Pa, Aug 17-21, 2008. AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
2008
Journal Article
From Xiphophorus to Melanoma - A tribute to Steven Kazianis (1966-2008) - In memoriam
Haass, Nikolas K. (2008). From Xiphophorus to Melanoma - A tribute to Steven Kazianis (1966-2008) - In memoriam. Zebrafish, 5 (2), 91-92. doi: 10.1089/zeb.2008.9992
2008
Conference Publication
Vertical and horizontal expression of Cx26 in epidermis adjacent to malignant melanoma correlates to tumor depth
Ripperger, D., Haass, N. K., Wladykowski, E., Fischer, F., Schmage, P., Moll, I. and Brandner, I. M. (2008). Vertical and horizontal expression of Cx26 in epidermis adjacent to malignant melanoma correlates to tumor depth. International Investigative Dermatology Meeting, Kyoto Japan, May 14-17, 2008. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Nikolas Haass 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 interplay of MITF, TFEB and CDK4/6 on lysosome activity in melanoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jason Lee
-
Doctor Philosophy
Proteomics and transcriptomics analysis of phenotypic heterogeneity in 3D melanoma spheroids
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen, Associate Professor Helmut Schaider
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of cell cycle phase-dependent immunogenicity of melanoma treated with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brian Gabrielli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Proteomics and transcriptomics analysis of phenotypic heterogeneity in 3D melanoma spheroids
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen, Associate Professor Helmut Schaider
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modulating phenotypic melanoma heterogeneity and lymphocyte infiltration to improve both targeted and immune therapy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brian Gabrielli, Dr Janin Chandra
-
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting epigenetic regulation to overcome immunotherapy resistance in cutaneous melanoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani, Dr Abbas Shafiee, Associate Professor Jason Lee
-
Doctor Philosophy
Strategies to improve immunotherapy for patients with glioblastoma or breast cancer brain metastases
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jodi Saunus, Professor Fiona Simpson
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing ER stress induced apoptosis and immunogenic cell death in melanoma
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor (MITF)-driven tumour heterogeneity in a 3D melanoma spheroid model in vitro.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Helmut Schaider
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The regulation of cGAS during cell cycle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Clarke
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of Microtubules in 3D by CLASPs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Samantha Stehbens
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanisms and markers of CHK1 inhibitors sensitivity in melanoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brian Gabrielli
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Professor Nikolas Haass's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: