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
- Hon Assoc Professor 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
Associate Professor Paul Dawson is an internationally recognised leader in sulfate biology whose research has transformed understanding of how sulfate supports healthy pregnancy, fetal development and brain function. For more than 20 years, his discoveries have advanced biomedical knowledge while delivering tangible benefits for mothers, newborns and children.
Improving outcomes for preterm infants. A/Prof Dawson identified sulfate deficiency as a previously under-recognised risk factor for impaired neurodevelopment. His research underpins the SuPreme Program, a world-first initiative investigating sulfate supplementation as a strategy to improve brain development and reduce the risk of cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities in very preterm infants. This work has attracted more than $2 million in competitive funding and is progressing toward clinical application.
Translating research into healthcare. His team developed Australia’s first NATA-accredited diagnostic test for plasma and urine sulfate measurements, providing clinicians and researchers with a practical tool to assess sulfate status in pregnancy, newborns and rare genetic disorders. This work was recognised through a Top 10 Translational Achievements Award from the Translational Research Institute.
Creating global impact. A/Prof Dawson’s discoveries established that maternal-fetal sulfate transport is essential for healthy growth and brain development. His work identified key sulfate transporter genes and linked disrupted sulfate supply to developmental disorders, influencing research in neuroscience, genetics, obstetrics and neonatology worldwide.
Building research capacity and leadership. A/Prof Dawson has supervised more than 60 research students and early-career researchers, many of whom now hold positions in academia, medicine and industry. He has also led research-training initiatives, established international collaborations, and contributed to major national programs including the Australian Autism Biobank.
Research impact beyond academia. Through scientific discovery, clinical translation and research leadership, A/Prof Dawson’s work is improving healthcare, enabling new diagnostic capabilities, supporting the development of therapies for vulnerable newborns, and strengthening Australia’s biomedical research workforce.
Works
Search Professor Paul Dawson’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Hon Assoc Professor Paul Dawson is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
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
Molecular analyses of sulfation pathways in neurodevelopment following preterm birth
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yvonne Eiby
-
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
Other advisors: Professor Sailesh Kumar
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sulfate biology in bronchiectasis: integrating biobank analyses, dietary assessment, and mechanistic invitro models.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lucy Burr
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
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