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
2014
Conference Publication
Loss of Placental Sulphate Transporter Slc13A4 Causes Severe Developmental Defects and Embryonic Lethality
Rakoczy, Joanna, Dawson, Paul and Simmons, David (2014). Loss of Placental Sulphate Transporter Slc13A4 Causes Severe Developmental Defects and Embryonic Lethality. International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA)/EPG Meeting, Paris, France, 09-12 September 2014. Camden, London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.06.313
2014
Conference Publication
Sulfate in human pregnancy and preterm babies: what we ought to know
Dawson, P. A., McIntyre, H. D., Petersen, S., Gibbons, K., Bowling, F. G. and Hurrion, E. (2014). Sulfate in human pregnancy and preterm babies: what we ought to know. 18th Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), Perth, WA, Australia, 6-9 April 2014. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jpc.12528_2
2013
Journal Article
Quality and shelf life of fresh chicken breasts subjected to crust freezing with and without skin
Dawson, Paul L., Chaves, Byron D., Northcutt, Julie K. and Han, Invee Y. (2013). Quality and shelf life of fresh chicken breasts subjected to crust freezing with and without skin. Journal of Food Quality, 36 (5), 361-368. doi: 10.1111/jfq.12046
2013
Journal Article
Role of sulphate in development
Dawson, Paul Anthony (2013). Role of sulphate in development. Reproduction, 146 (3), R81-R89. doi: 10.1530/REP-13-0056
2013
Journal Article
Effect of combining nisin with modified atmosphere packaging on inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat turkey bologna
Naas, Hesham, Martinez-Dawson, Rose, Han, Inyee and Dawson, Paul (2013). Effect of combining nisin with modified atmosphere packaging on inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat turkey bologna. Poultry Science, 92 (7), 1930-1935. doi: 10.3382/ps.2012-02141
2013
Journal Article
Shelf life extension of shrimp (white) using modified atmosphere packaging
Kalleda, Ranjith K., Han, Inyee Y., Toler, Joe E., Chen, Feng, Kim, Hyun J. and Dawson, Paul L. (2013). Shelf life extension of shrimp (white) using modified atmosphere packaging. Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 63 (2), 87-94. doi: 10.2478/v10222-012-0071-7
2013
Journal Article
Human placental sulfate transporter mRNA profiling from term pregnancies identifies abundant SLC13A4 in syncytiotrophoblasts and SLC26A2 in cytotrophoblasts
Simmons, D. G., Rakoczy, J., Jefferis, J., Lourie, R., McIntyre, H. D. and Dawson, P. A. (2013). Human placental sulfate transporter mRNA profiling from term pregnancies identifies abundant SLC13A4 in syncytiotrophoblasts and SLC26A2 in cytotrophoblasts. Placenta, 34 (4), 381-384. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.01.017
2013
Journal Article
Molecular analysis of the human SLC13A4 sulfate transporter gene promoter
Jefferis, J., Rakoczy, J., Simmons, D. G. and Dawson, P. A. (2013). Molecular analysis of the human SLC13A4 sulfate transporter gene promoter. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 433 (1), 79-83. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.02.061
2013
Journal Article
Plasma and urinary sulfate determination in a cohort with autism
Bowling, Francis G., Heussler, Helen S., McWhinney, Avis and Dawson, Paul A. (2013). Plasma and urinary sulfate determination in a cohort with autism. Biochemical Genetics, 51 (1-2), 147-153. doi: 10.1007/s10528-012-9550-0
2013
Journal Article
Antioxidant activity of carnosine extracted from various poultry tissues
Manhiani, P. S., Northcutt, J. K., Han, I., Bridges, W. C. and Dawson, P. L. (2013). Antioxidant activity of carnosine extracted from various poultry tissues. Poultry Science, 92 (2), 444-453. doi: 10.3382/ps.2012-02480
2013
Conference Publication
Properties of soy flour-filled polyethylene fibers
Ozdemir, O., Lukubira, S., Amod Ogale, A., Nafde, C. and Dawson, Paul (2013). Properties of soy flour-filled polyethylene fibers. International Symposium on Fibers Interfacing the World, Clemson, South Carolina, 23-25 October 2013. Fiber Society.
2013
Journal Article
Human SLC26A1 gene variants: a pilot study
Dawson, Paul A., Sim, Pearl, Mudge, David W. and Cowley, David (2013). Human SLC26A1 gene variants: a pilot study. Scientific World Journal, 2013 (1) 541710, 1-7. doi: 10.1155/2013/541710
2012
Journal Article
Placental, renal, and ileal sulfate transporter gene expression in mouse gestation
Dawson, Paul A., Rakoczy, Joanna and Simmons, David G. (2012). Placental, renal, and ileal sulfate transporter gene expression in mouse gestation. Biology of Reproduction, 87 (2) Article 43, 43.1-43.9. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.098749
2012
Journal Article
Indigenous health: ACTION on prevention - 50th Annual Australian Society for Medical Research National Scientific Conference
Yazbeck, R., Dawson, P., Rogers, N., West, C., Keogh, R., Wallace, D., Polyak, S., Nowak, K., Burt, R., Taylor, J., Dunn, L., Philp, A. and Parkinson-Lawrence, E. (2012). Indigenous health: ACTION on prevention - 50th Annual Australian Society for Medical Research National Scientific Conference. Rural and Remote Health, 12 (3).
2012
Journal Article
Analysis of the effect that holding time has on the perceived sensory quality and acceptability of poached chicken
Jones, Gregory S., Bouton, Anderson, Jones, Krystal L., Cauble, Andrew C., Laffitte, Lightsey, Dawson, Paul, Sharp, Julia and Condrasky, Margaret D. (2012). Analysis of the effect that holding time has on the perceived sensory quality and acceptability of poached chicken. Journal of Culinary Science and Technology, 10 (3), 259-270. doi: 10.1080/15428052.2012.706120
2012
Book Chapter
The Biological Roles of Steroid Sulfonation
Dawson, Paul Anthony (2012). The Biological Roles of Steroid Sulfonation. Steroids. (pp. 45-64) edited by Sergej M. Ostojic. Croatia: InTech. doi: 10.5772/52714
2011
Journal Article
Survival of artificially inoculated Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium on the surface of raw poultry products subjected to crust freezing
Chaves, B. D., Han, I. Y., Dawson, P. L. and Northcutt, K. (2011). Survival of artificially inoculated Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium on the surface of raw poultry products subjected to crust freezing. Poultry Science, 90 (12), 2874-2878. doi: 10.3382/ps.2011-01640
2011
Conference Publication
Water binding in raw and cooked marinated turkey breast meat
Jensen, J. M., Acton, J. C. and Dawson, P. L. (2011). Water binding in raw and cooked marinated turkey breast meat.
2011
Journal Article
Effect of stress on carnosine levels in brain, breast, and thigh of broilers
Manhiani, P. S., Northcutt, J. K., Han, I., Bridges, W. C., Scott, T. R. and Dawson, P. L. (2011). Effect of stress on carnosine levels in brain, breast, and thigh of broilers. Poultry Science, 90 (10), 2348-2354. doi: 10.3382/ps.2011-01426
2011
Journal Article
Micronutrient and mineral supply in developmental biology
Dawson, Paul (2011). Micronutrient and mineral supply in developmental biology. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 22 (6), 602-602. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2011.09.007
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.
-
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
Neuroprotective role of sulphate among preterm infants (SuPreme study)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sailesh Kumar
-
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
-
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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