Dr Paul Dawson
Dr

Paul Dawson

Email: 

Background

Associate Professor Paul Dawson is the Mater Research Head of Education, MRI-UQ Director of Higher Degree Research, and a Mater Foundation Principal Research Fellow. Paul leads the Neurodevelopmental Research Group at Mater, which is focussed on cerebral palsy in preterm infants, non-syndromic intellectual disability and autism.

Paul’s research group collaborates very closely with neonatologists, maternal fetal medicine specialists, obstetricians, bioinformaticians and biochemical pathologists at Mater to investigate clinical, biochemical and genetic markers that predict adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. In particular, his research is focussed on the role of nutrient sulphate in brain development. Paul through his work has brought many collaborative groups together. Some of his notable collaborations are with the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), UQ Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), the University of Sydney and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

With over 80 research publications, Paul notes a career highlight as being one of the key investigators, and Autism Biobank member, in the Autism Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) which was awarded $31 million from the Australian government.

Paul is heavily involved in national and international peer review and is a strong advocate for health and medical research with executive roles (Past-President 2012, Chair Advisory Committee) for the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR).

‘My career in medical research happened for many reasons, including my interest and passion for understanding the genetics of disorders that impact on people’s health and well-being. In my early days, I was fortunate to work with a group of like-minded biomedical and clinician scientists which kicked off many discoveries in neurodevelopment, as well as the opportunity to develop and investigate pre-clinical models with the aim of implementing research outcomes to improve healthcare. Working at Mater provides a fantastic opportunity to investigate new approaches for reducing the risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. I look forward to the coming years when the benefits of our Mater-led research will be realised and proven around the globe. It’s a privilege to contribute to Australian health and medical research.’

Availability

Dr Paul Dawson is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of New England Australia
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

Since joining Mater Research in 2010, A/Prof Dawson has brought together collaborative groups of clinicians, biomedical researchers, research entities (MCH/LCCH, MMH, QBI, QCIDD, AIBN, UQ CAI and SBMS) and the Mater Foundation, to investigate the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. These collaborations align with Mater’s strategic research programs Neuroscience and Cognitive Health and Mothers, Babies and Maternal Care. A/Prof Dawson was appointed Program Leader of Neurosciences and Cognitive Health in June 2016. Highlights of A/Prof Dawson’s research achievements include:

  • Investigator (and Autism Biobank member representing Mater Research) in Program 1 of Autism CRC ($31.01M) 2013-2020.
  • Investigator in the Queensland Floods 2011 (QF2011) study, studying the consequences of prenatal maternal stress on child behavioural, developmental and metabolic outcomes. Co-author on 2 publications.
  • CIA on NHMRC-funded study ($720k 2015-2019, ranked 3rd quartile category 6) to investigate the links between biochemistry, genetics and neurodevelopmental outcomes, including cerebral palsy, in preterm infants.
  • Principal Investigator on an Autism CRC Innovative grant using iPS cells as a model to study the cellular and molecular basis of autism ($40k, 2014-2015).
  • Investigator on genetic/clinical studies of Intellectual Disability, with collaborations between Mater Research, LCCH, QCIDD and the Queensland Brain Institute.
  • Initiated and led a world-first NATA approved diagnostic test (and establishment of clinical reference ranges) for plasma and urine sulphate measurements in Mater Pathology, South Brisbane, which has gained media attention for use in his NHMRC-funded neurodevelopmental studies.
  • His achievements in perinatal research were recognised with the 2016 Simon & Nell George Award ($10,000) in recognition of exceptional work undertaken at the Mater in the area of Maternal and/or early childhood health and for support for the work of the Mater Foundation.
  • Oral presentations at 25 local and 20 national/international scientific meetings.
  • Initiated and prepared grant applications with successful funding of $1.5M (2010-present).
  • Contributed as investigator on equipment grants with funding of $540,000 (2011-present).
  • Recipient of Mater Foundation Research Fellowship (2014-20).

Search Professor Paul Dawson’s works on UQ eSpace

189 works between 1988 and 2024
All (189) Journal Article (145) Book Chapter (11) Conference Publication (31) Other Outputs (2)

21 - 40 of 189 works

2021

Journal Article

Detecting and correlating bacterial populations to visual color change of polydiacetylene-coated filters

Zhang, Yueyuan, Dawson, Paul L., Hanks, Timothy W., Northcutt, Julie K., Tzeng, Tzuen-Rong and Pennington, William T. (2021). Detecting and correlating bacterial populations to visual color change of polydiacetylene-coated filters. Talanta, 221 121482, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121482

Detecting and correlating bacterial populations to visual color change of polydiacetylene-coated filters

2021

Journal Article

Surface decontamination of fresh, whole peaches (Prunus persica) using sodium hypochlorite or acidified electrolyzed water solutions

Hopkins, Dylan Zachary, Parisi, Michelle Ann, Dawson, Paul Lynn and Northcutt, Julie Kathleen (2021). Surface decontamination of fresh, whole peaches (Prunus persica) using sodium hypochlorite or acidified electrolyzed water solutions. International Journal of Fruit Science, 21 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/15538362.2020.1822269

Surface decontamination of fresh, whole peaches (Prunus persica) using sodium hypochlorite or acidified electrolyzed water solutions

2020

Journal Article

The effect of different freezing rates and long-term storage temperatures on the stability of sliced peaches

Dawson, Paul, Al-Jeddawi, Wesam and Rieck, James (2020). The effect of different freezing rates and long-term storage temperatures on the stability of sliced peaches. International Journal of Food Science, 2020 9178583, 1-17. doi: 10.1155/2020/9178583

The effect of different freezing rates and long-term storage temperatures on the stability of sliced peaches

2020

Journal Article

Cell-extrinsic requirement for sulfate in regulating hippocampal neurogenesis

Zhang, Zhe, Jhaveri, Dhanisha, Sharmin, Sazia, Harvey, Tracey J., Dawson, Paul A., Piper, Michael and Simmons, David G. (2020). Cell-extrinsic requirement for sulfate in regulating hippocampal neurogenesis. Biology Open, 9 (7) bio053132, 1-7. doi: 10.1242/bio.053132

Cell-extrinsic requirement for sulfate in regulating hippocampal neurogenesis

2020

Journal Article

Whole genome investigation of an atypical autism case identifies a novel ANOS1 mutation with subsequent diagnosis of Kallmann syndrome

Dawson, Paul A., Lee, Soohyun, Ewing, Adam D., Prins, Johannes B. and Heussler, Helen S. (2020). Whole genome investigation of an atypical autism case identifies a novel ANOS1 mutation with subsequent diagnosis of Kallmann syndrome. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports, 23 100593, 100593. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2020.100593

Whole genome investigation of an atypical autism case identifies a novel ANOS1 mutation with subsequent diagnosis of Kallmann syndrome

2020

Journal Article

Molecular analysis of the human placental cysteine dioxygenase type 1 gene

Dawson, Paul A., Weerasekera, Shalini J., Atcheson, Ranita J., Twomey, Sarah A. and Simmons, David G. (2020). Molecular analysis of the human placental cysteine dioxygenase type 1 gene. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports, 22 100568, 100568. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2020.100568

Molecular analysis of the human placental cysteine dioxygenase type 1 gene

2020

Journal Article

A proposed mechanism to induce multi-layer polydiacetylene-coated filter color response to bacteria

Zhang, Yueyuan, Dawson, Paul L., Tzeng, Tzuen-Rong, Hanks, Timothy W., Northcutt, Julie K. and Pennington, William T. (2020). A proposed mechanism to induce multi-layer polydiacetylene-coated filter color response to bacteria. Results in Chemistry, 2 100065, 100065. doi: 10.1016/j.rechem.2020.100065

A proposed mechanism to induce multi-layer polydiacetylene-coated filter color response to bacteria

2019

Journal Article

Kidney microRNA profile in pregnant mice reveals molecular insights into kidney adaptation to pregnancy: a pilot study

Lee, Soohyun, Temple, Fergal Thomas and Dawson, Paul Anthony (2019). Kidney microRNA profile in pregnant mice reveals molecular insights into kidney adaptation to pregnancy: a pilot study. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports, 20 100486, 100486. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2019.100486

Kidney microRNA profile in pregnant mice reveals molecular insights into kidney adaptation to pregnancy: a pilot study

2019

Journal Article

Postnatal N-acetylcysteine administration rescues impaired social behaviors and neurogenesis in Slc13a4 haploinsufficient mice

Zhang, Zhe, Dawson, Paul Anthony, Piper, Michael and Simmons, David Gordon (2019). Postnatal N-acetylcysteine administration rescues impaired social behaviors and neurogenesis in Slc13a4 haploinsufficient mice. EBioMedicine, 43, 435-446. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.03.081

Postnatal N-acetylcysteine administration rescues impaired social behaviors and neurogenesis in Slc13a4 haploinsufficient mice

2018

Journal Article

Study protocol for the Australian autism biobank: an international resource to advance autism discovery research

Alvares, Gail A., Dawson, Paul A., Dissanayake, Cheryl, Eapen, Valsamma, Gratten, Jacob, Grove, Rachel, Henders, Anjali, Heussler, Helen, Lawson, Lauren, Masi, Anne, Raymond, Emma, Rose, Felicity, Wallace, Leanne, Wray, Naomi R. and Whitehouse, Andrew J. O. (2018). Study protocol for the Australian autism biobank: an international resource to advance autism discovery research. BMC Pediatrics, 18 (1) 284, 284. doi: 10.1186/s12887-018-1255-z

Study protocol for the Australian autism biobank: an international resource to advance autism discovery research

2018

Journal Article

Natural disaster-related prenatal maternal stress is associated with alterations in placental glucocorticoid system: the QF2011 Queensland Flood Study

St-Pierre, Joey, Laplante, David P., Elgbeili, Guillaume, Dawson, Paul A., Kildea, Sue, King, Suzanne and Vaillancourt, Cathy (2018). Natural disaster-related prenatal maternal stress is associated with alterations in placental glucocorticoid system: the QF2011 Queensland Flood Study. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 94, 38-48. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.027

Natural disaster-related prenatal maternal stress is associated with alterations in placental glucocorticoid system: the QF2011 Queensland Flood Study

2018

Conference Publication

Preterm piglets are a model of human preterm infant sulphate deficiency

Dawson, P. A., Eiby, Y. A., Barnes, S. K., Boyd, R. N., Badawi, N., Koorts, P. J., Kumar, S., Flenady, V. J., Hurrion, E. M, Colditz, P. B. and Lingwood, B. E. (2018). Preterm piglets are a model of human preterm infant sulphate deficiency. 22nd Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), Auckland, New Zealand, 25–28 March 2018. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13882_186

Preterm piglets are a model of human preterm infant sulphate deficiency

2018

Journal Article

Evaluation of an ion chromatography method for quantitating sulfate in plasma, serum and urine

Dawson, Paul A., McWhinney, Avis, Reimer, Matthew and Bowling, Francis G. (2018). Evaluation of an ion chromatography method for quantitating sulfate in plasma, serum and urine. Journal of Chromatography and Separation Techniques, 09 (05). doi: 10.4172/2157-7064.1000411

Evaluation of an ion chromatography method for quantitating sulfate in plasma, serum and urine

2018

Conference Publication

Supreme Study: Investigating the Neuroprotective Role of Sulphate Among Preterm Babies

Dawson, P. A., Colditz, P. B., Boyd, R. N., Badawi, N., Koorts, P. J., Kumar, S., Flenady, V. J. and Hurrion, E. M. (2018). Supreme Study: Investigating the Neuroprotective Role of Sulphate Among Preterm Babies. 22nd Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), Auckland, New Zealand, 25–28 March 2018. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13882_2

Supreme Study: Investigating the Neuroprotective Role of Sulphate Among Preterm Babies

2017

Journal Article

Gene networks associated with non-syndromic intellectual disability

Lee, Soohyun, Rudd, Stephen, Gratten, Jacob, Visscher, Peter M., Prins, Johannes B. and Dawson, Paul A. (2017). Gene networks associated with non-syndromic intellectual disability. Journal of Neurogenetics, 32 (1), 6-14. doi: 10.1080/01677063.2017.1404058

Gene networks associated with non-syndromic intellectual disability

2017

Journal Article

Polydiacetylene sensor interaction with food sanitizers and surfactants

Zhang, Yueyuan, Northcutt, Julie, Hanks, Tim, Miller, Ian, Pennington, Bill, Jelinek, Raz, Han, Inyee and Dawson, Paul (2017). Polydiacetylene sensor interaction with food sanitizers and surfactants. Food Chemistry, 221, 515-520. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.09.168

Polydiacetylene sensor interaction with food sanitizers and surfactants

2017

Journal Article

Structure, organization and tissue expression of the pig SLC13A1 and SLC13A4 sulfate transporter genes

Barnes, Samuel K., Eiby, Yvonne A., Lee, Soohyun, Lingwood, Barbara E. and Dawson, Paul A (2017). Structure, organization and tissue expression of the pig SLC13A1 and SLC13A4 sulfate transporter genes. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, 10, 215-223. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2017.04.005

Structure, organization and tissue expression of the pig SLC13A1 and SLC13A4 sulfate transporter genes

2017

Journal Article

Molecular analysis of sequence and splice variants of the human SLC13A4 sulfate transporter

Zhang, Zhe, Aung, Zin Thu, Simmons, David G. and Dawson, Paul A. (2017). Molecular analysis of sequence and splice variants of the human SLC13A4 sulfate transporter. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 121 (1), 35-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2017.03.010

Molecular analysis of sequence and splice variants of the human SLC13A4 sulfate transporter

2017

Journal Article

Immune-driven alterations in mucin sulphation is an important mediator of Trichuris muris helminth expulsion

Hasnain, Sumaira Z., Dawson, Paul A., Lourie, Rohan, Hutson, Peter, Tong, Hui, Grencis, Richard K., McGuckin, Michael A. and Thornton, David J. (2017). Immune-driven alterations in mucin sulphation is an important mediator of Trichuris muris helminth expulsion. PLoS Pathogens, 13 (2) e1006218, e1006218. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006218

Immune-driven alterations in mucin sulphation is an important mediator of Trichuris muris helminth expulsion

2017

Journal Article

Genetics and pathophysiology of mammalian sulfate biology

Langford, Rachel, Hurrion, Elizabeth and Dawson, Paul A. (2017). Genetics and pathophysiology of mammalian sulfate biology. Journal of Genetics and Genomics, 44 (1), 7-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jgg.2016.08.001

Genetics and pathophysiology of mammalian sulfate biology

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Neuroprotective benefit and safety of preterm neonatal sulphate supplementation
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    SuPreme Study:towards a sulphate therapy to reduce the rate of cerebral palsy among preterm infants.
    Cerebral Palsy Alliance
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Sulphate pharmacokinetics in preterm neonates: towards a sulphate therapy to reduce the rate of cerebral palsy (KiSPrem study)
    Cerebral Palsy Alliance
    Open grant
  • 2018
    A pre-clinical intensive care facility to research long-term outcomes in neonates
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    The effects of the Queensland floods on pregnant women, their pregnancies and their children's early development (QF2011)
    Douglas Hospital Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Neuroprotective role of sulphate among preterm babies (SuPreme study)
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Optimising Neonatal Neuroplasticity: research consortium for an MRI compatible incubator at Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital and the Mater Mothers Hospital at the University of Queensland.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    The effects of the Queensland floods on pregnant women, their pregnancies and their children's early development (QF2011)
    Douglas Hospital Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Comprehensive cell imaging facility (ARC LIEF Grant administered by QUT)
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2009
    "Real Time PCR Facility for Biomedical Researchers"
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Liquid Scintillation Spectroscopy Facility
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Functional Characterisation of Pendrin: The Anion Transporter Causing Pendred Syndrome
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Molecular interaction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) with membrane transport proteins.
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Paul Dawson is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Neuroprotective role of sulfate in preterm infants

    PhD project to investigate the molecular genetics and pathophysiology of nutrient sulfate deficiency in human fetal and neonatal development. The project will incorporate clinical, biochemical, genetic and molecular biology approaches.

  • Investigation of individuals with idiopathic intellectual disability

    This study will investigate the genetic causes/factors that may contribute to currently unexplained intellectual disability. The study will increase understanding of fundamental biological abnormalities underpinning intellectual disability.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterisation of sulfate deficiency on preterm neonatal bone growth and development.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Allison Pettit, Dr Yvonne Eiby, Dr Susan Millard

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Molecular analyses of sulfation pathways in neurodevelopment following preterm birth

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Yvonne Eiby

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Neuroprotective role of sulphate among preterm infants (SuPreme study)

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Sailesh Kumar

  • Master Philosophy

    The right ventricular (RV) response to exercise in patients with established pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and correlation to prognostic markers

    Associate Advisor

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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