Overview
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
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).
Works
Search Professor Paul Dawson’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
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
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
2017
Journal Article
Review: Nutrient sulfate supply from mother to fetus: placental adaptive responses during human and animal gestation
Dawson, P. A., Richard, K., Perkins, A., Zhang, Z. and Simmons, D. G. (2017). Review: Nutrient sulfate supply from mother to fetus: placental adaptive responses during human and animal gestation. Placenta, 54, 45-51. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.01.001
2017
Book Chapter
Sulphate in pregnancy
Dawson, Paul A., Elliott, Aoife and Bowling, Francis G. (2017). Sulphate in pregnancy. Nutrition in Pregnancy. (pp. 110-123) edited by Janna L. Morrison and Timothy R.H. Regnault. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/books978-3-03842-367-6
2017
Conference Publication
Plasma sulphate levels decline in the neonatal preterm piglet
Dawson, Paul, Lingwood, Barbara, Eiby, Yvonne, Barnes, Samuel, Colditz, Paul, Boyd, Roslyn, Badawi, Nadia, Koorts, Pieter, Kumar, Sailesh, Flenady, Vicki and Hurrion, Elizabeth (2017). Plasma sulphate levels decline in the neonatal preterm piglet. 21st Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), Canberra, Australia, 2–5 April, 2017. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13494_68
2016
Journal Article
IFPA meeting 2015 workshop report I: Placental mitochondrial function, transport systems and epigenetics
Bianco-Miotto, T., Blundell, C., Buckberry, S., Chamley, L., Chong, S., Cottrell, E., Dawson, P., Hanna, C., Holland, O., Lewis, R.M., Moritz, K., Myatt, L., Perkins, A.V., Powell, T., Saffery, R., Sferruzzi-Perri, A., Sibley, C., Simmons, D. and O'Tierney-Ginn, P. F. (2016). IFPA meeting 2015 workshop report I: Placental mitochondrial function, transport systems and epigenetics. Placenta, 48, S3-S6. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.11.014
2016
Journal Article
Peach skin powder inhibits oxidation in cooked Turkey meat
Zhang, Y., Han, I., Bridges, W. C. and Dawson, P. L. (2016). Peach skin powder inhibits oxidation in cooked Turkey meat. Poultry Science, 95 (10), 2435-2440. doi: 10.3382/ps/pew139
2016
Journal Article
Recovery, survival and transfer of bacteria on restaurant menus
Alsallaiy, Ibtehal, Dawson, Paul, Han, Inyee and Martinez-Dawson, Rose (2016). Recovery, survival and transfer of bacteria on restaurant menus. Journal of Food Safety, 36 (1), 52-61. doi: 10.1111/jfs.12212
2016
Other Outputs
Brain cells transformed from blood: a cell model for investigating autism
Dawson, Paul A., Heussler, Helen, Wolvetang, Ernst, Lee, Soohyun and Thakar, Nilay (2016). Brain cells transformed from blood: a cell model for investigating autism. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Autism CRC.
2016
Conference Publication
Immune-driven alterations in mucin glycosylation are essential for Trichuris muris worm expulsion
Hasnain, S. Z., Lourie, R., Hutson, P. G., Dawson, P., Grencis, R. K. and Thornton, D. J. (2016). Immune-driven alterations in mucin glycosylation are essential for Trichuris muris worm expulsion. ICI 2016 International Congress of Immunology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 21-26 August 2016. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley - V C H Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. doi: 10.1002/eji.201670200
2016
Conference Publication
Magnesium sulfate for preterm infants do not prevent all cases of cerebral palsy. Are sulfate maintenance genes the missing link?
Dawson, P. A., Langford, R. and Hurrion, E. (2016). Magnesium sulfate for preterm infants do not prevent all cases of cerebral palsy. Are sulfate maintenance genes the missing link?. 20th Annual Meeting of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, Townsville, QLD Australia, 22-25 May 2016. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13194
2015
Journal Article
Loss of the sulfate transporter Slc13a4 in placenta causes severe fetal abnormalities and death in mice
Rakoczy, Joanna, Zhang, Zhe, Bowling, Francis Gerard, Dawson, Paul Anthony and Simmons, David Gordon (2015). Loss of the sulfate transporter Slc13a4 in placenta causes severe fetal abnormalities and death in mice. Cell Research, 25 (11), 1273-1276. doi: 10.1038/cr.2015.100
2015
Journal Article
Placental and fetal cysteine dioxygenase gene expression in mouse gestation
Rakoczy, J., Lee, S., Weerasekera, S. J., Simmons, D. G. and Dawson, P. A. (2015). Placental and fetal cysteine dioxygenase gene expression in mouse gestation. Placenta, 36 (8), 956-959. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.06.003
2015
Journal Article
QF2011: a protocol to study the effects of the Queensland flood on pregnant women, their pregnancies, and their children's early development
King, Suzanne, Kildea, Sue, Austin, Marie-Paule, Brunet, Alain, Cobham, Vanessa E., Dawson, Paul A., Harris, Mark, Hurrion, Elizabeth M., Laplante, David P., McDermott, Brett M., McIntyre, H. David, O'Hara, Michael W., Schmitz, Norbert, Stapleton, Helen, Tracy, Sally K., Vaillancourt, Cathy, Dancause, Kelsey N., Kruske, Sue, Reilly, Nicole, Shoo, Laura, Simcock, Gabrielle, Turcotte-Tremblay, Anne-Marie and Ping, Erin Yong (2015). QF2011: a protocol to study the effects of the Queensland flood on pregnant women, their pregnancies, and their children's early development. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15 (1) 109, 109.2-109.47. doi: 10.1186/s12884-015-0539-7
2015
Journal Article
Reference intervals for plasma sulfate and urinary sulfate excretion in pregnancy
Dawson, Paul Anthony, Petersen, Scott, Rodwell, Robyn, Johnson, Phillip, Gibbons, Kristen, McWhinney, Avis, Bowling, Francis Gerard and McIntyre, Harold David (2015). Reference intervals for plasma sulfate and urinary sulfate excretion in pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15 (1) 96, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s12884-015-0526-z
2015
Journal Article
Sulphate in pregnancy
Dawson, Paul A., Elliott, Aoife and Bowling, Francis G. (2015). Sulphate in pregnancy. Nutrients, 7 (3), 1594-1606. doi: 10.3390/nu7031594
2015
Conference Publication
Benefit of antenatal magnesium sulphate for preterm infants. Is it magnesium or sulphate.
Dawson, P.A., Bowling, F.G. and Hurrion, E. (2015). Benefit of antenatal magnesium sulphate for preterm infants. Is it magnesium or sulphate.. S19th Annual Meeting of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), Melbourne, Australia, 19-22 April 2015. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2015
Conference Publication
The placental sulfate transporter, Slc13A4, is critical for skeletal development in mice
Rakoczy, Joanna, Dawson, Paul and Simmons, David (2015). The placental sulfate transporter, Slc13A4, is critical for skeletal development in mice. International Federation of Placenta Associations 2015, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 8-11 September 2015. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.198
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
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.
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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
Neuroprotective role of sulphate among preterm infants (SuPreme study)
Principal Advisor
-
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
-
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
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
Physiological analysis of xenobiotic toxicity, steroids and neurotransmitters in mouse models of hyposulfataemia
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the role of the placental sulfate transporter Slc13a4 in fetal development.
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic variants in Angelman syndrome and related disorders: relationship to phenotype and neuronal function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Honey Heussler
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Role of the Sulfate Transporter SLC13A4 in Brain Development and Function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons
Media
Enquiries
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