Overview
Background
Professor Denise Doolan is Director of Research at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience. She joined IMB in 2022 and was previously Deputy Director of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, and Director of the JCU Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, at James Cook University.
She is a molecular immunologist, working on the development of vaccines, diagnostics and host-directed therapeutics for infectious and chronic diseases that impact global public health, with a particular focus on malaria. Her cross-disciplinary research program spans host-pathogen immunity, antigen discovery, vaccine engineering, and biomarker discovery. A particular interest is the application of state-of-the-art genome-based technologies and human models of disease system to identify novel targets for intervention against disease or that predict risk of disease.
She is a recognized world expert in malaria immunology, vaccinology, and omic-based approaches for therapeutic and diagnostic development. She has been honoured as a Fellow of the International Society for Vaccines (2017) and a Fellow of the Australian Society of Parasitology (2019) in recognition of her leadership and contribution to health and medical science in Australia and internationally.
Professor Doolan serves on a number of Executive Boards and Advisory Boards. Most recently, she has been elected as President of the International Society for Vaccines (2021-2023), and has been appointed to the Federal Government’s Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB; 2021-2026) to provide specialist insights into Australia’s medical research and innovation priorities.
Availability
- Professor Denise Doolan is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- B Sc Hons (Biochemistry), The University of Queensland
- M Phil (Life Sciences), Griffith University
- PhD (Molecular Immunology), The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Denise Doolan’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Journal Article
Novel Plasmodium antigens identified via genome-based antibody screen induce protection associated with polyfunctional T cell responses
Schussek, Sophie, Trieu, Angela, Apte, Simon H., Sidney, John, Sette, Alessandro and Doolan, Denise L. (2017). Novel Plasmodium antigens identified via genome-based antibody screen induce protection associated with polyfunctional T cell responses. Scientific reports, 7 (1) 15053, 1-18. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-15354-0
2017
Journal Article
The establishment of a WHO Reference Reagent for anti-malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) human serum
Bryan, Donna, Silva, Nilupa, Rigsby, Peter, Dougall, Thomas, Corran, Patrick, Bowyer, Paul W, Ho, Mei Mei, Collaborative study group and Doolan, Denise L. (2017). The establishment of a WHO Reference Reagent for anti-malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) human serum. Malaria Journal, 16 (1) 314, 10-10. doi: 10.1186/s12936-017-1958-x
2017
Journal Article
Dichotomous miR expression and immune responses following primary blood-stage malaria
Burel, Julie G., Apte, Simon H., Groves, Penny L., Boyle, Michelle J., Langer, Christine, Beeson, James G., McCarthy, James S. and Doolan, Denise L. (2017). Dichotomous miR expression and immune responses following primary blood-stage malaria. JCI Insight, 2 (15) e93434. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.93434
2017
Journal Article
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells appear inactive during sub-microscopic Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage infection, yet retain their ability to respond to TLR stimulation
Loughland, Jessica R., Minigo, Gabriela, Sarovich, Derek S., Field, Matt, Tipping, Peta E., Montes de Oca, Marcela, Piera, Kim A., Amante, Fiona H., Barber, Bridget E., Grigg, Matthew J., William, Timothy, Good, Michael F., Doolan, Denise L., Engwerda, Christian R., Anstey, Nicholas M., McCarthy, James S. and Woodberry, Tonia (2017). Plasmacytoid dendritic cells appear inactive during sub-microscopic Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage infection, yet retain their ability to respond to TLR stimulation. Scientific Reports, 7 (1) 2596. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-02096-2
2017
Journal Article
A Plasmodium vivax plasmid DNA- and adenovirus-vectored malaria vaccine encoding blood-stage antigens AMA1 and MSP142 in a prime/boost heterologous immunization regimen partially protects Aotus monkeys against blood-stage challenge
Obaldia, Nicanor, Stockelman, Michael G., Otero, William, Cockrill, Jennifer A., Ganeshan, Harini, Abot, Esteban N., Zhang, Jianfeng, Limbach, Keith, Charoenvit, Yupin, Doolan, Denise L., Tang, De-Chu C and Richie, Thomas L (2017). A Plasmodium vivax plasmid DNA- and adenovirus-vectored malaria vaccine encoding blood-stage antigens AMA1 and MSP142 in a prime/boost heterologous immunization regimen partially protects Aotus monkeys against blood-stage challenge. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, 24 (4) e00539, 1-16. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00539-16
2017
Journal Article
Polyfunctional and IFN- monofunctional human CD4 T cell populations are molecularly distinct
Burel, Julie G., Apte, Simon H., Groves, Penny L., McCarthy, James S. and Doolan, Denise L. (2017). Polyfunctional and IFN- monofunctional human CD4 T cell populations are molecularly distinct. JCI Insight, 2 (3) e87499, e87499. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.87499
2017
Journal Article
Recent advances in proteomic applications for schistosomiasis research: potential clinical impact
Sotillo, Javier, Doolan, Denise and Loukas, Alex (2017). Recent advances in proteomic applications for schistosomiasis research: potential clinical impact. Expert Review of Proteomics, 14 (2), 171-183. doi: 10.1080/14789450.2017.1271327
2016
Journal Article
Plasmodium vivax but not Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage infection in humans is associated with the expansion of a CD8+T cell population with cytotoxic potential
Burel, Julie G., Apte, Simon H., McCarthy, James S. and Doolan, Denise L. (2016). Plasmodium vivax but not Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage infection in humans is associated with the expansion of a CD8+T cell population with cytotoxic potential. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 10 (12) e0005031, e0005031. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005031
2016
Journal Article
Mining, visualizing and comparing multidimensional biomolecular data using the Genomics Data Miner (GMine) web-server
Proietti, Carla, Zakrzewski, Martha, Watkins, Thomas S., Berger, Bernard, Hasan, Shihab, Ratnatunga, Champa N., Brion, Marie-Jo, Crompton, Peter D., Miles, John J., Doolan, Denise L. and Krause, Lutz (2016). Mining, visualizing and comparing multidimensional biomolecular data using the Genomics Data Miner (GMine) web-server. Scientific Reports, 6 (1) 38178. doi: 10.1038/srep38178
2016
Journal Article
Type I interferons regulate immune responses in humans with blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum infection
de Oca, Marcela Montes, Kumar, Rajiv, Rivera, Fabian de Labastida, Amante, Fiona H., Sheel, Meru, Faleiro, Rebecca J., Bunn, Patrick T., Best, Shannon E., Beattie, Lynette, Ng, Susanna S., Edwards, Chelsea L., Boyle, Glen M., Price, Ric N., Anstey, Nicholas M., Loughland, Jessica R., Burel, Julie, Doolan, Denise L., Haque, Ashraful, McCarthy, James S. and Engwerda, Christian R. (2016). Type I interferons regulate immune responses in humans with blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum infection. Cell Reports, 17 (2), 399-412. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.09.015
2016
Journal Article
Reduced Plasmodium parasite burden associates with CD38+ CD4+ T cells displaying cytolytic potential and impaired IFN-γ production
Burel, Julie G., Apte, Simon H., Groves, Penny L., Klein, Kerenaftali, McCarthy, James S. and Doolan, Denise L. (2016). Reduced Plasmodium parasite burden associates with CD38+ CD4+ T cells displaying cytolytic potential and impaired IFN-γ production. PLoS Pathogens, 12 (9) e1005839, e1005839. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005839
2016
Journal Article
Chemically attenuated blood-stage Plasmodium yoelii parasites induce long-lived and strain-transcending protection
Raja, Amber I., Cai, Yeping, Reiman, Jennifer M., Groves, Penny, Chakravarty, Sumana, McPhun, Virginia, Doolan, Denise L., Cockburn, Ian, Hoffman, Stephen L., Stanisic, Danielle I. and Good, Michael F. (2016). Chemically attenuated blood-stage Plasmodium yoelii parasites induce long-lived and strain-transcending protection. Infection and Immunity, 84 (8), 2274-2288. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00157-16
2016
Journal Article
Mosquito bite immunization with radiation-attenuated Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites: safety, tolerability, protective efficacy and humoral immunogenicity
Hickey, Bradley W, Lumsden, Joanne M, Reyes, Sharina, Sedegah, Martha, Hollingdale, Michael R, Freilich, Daniel A, Luke, Thomas C, Charoenvit, Yupin, Goh, Lucy M, Berzins, Mara P, Bebris, Lolita, Sacci, John B, De La Vega, Patricia, Wang, Ruobing, Ganeshan, Harini, Abot, Esteban N, Carucci, Daniel J, Doolan, Denise L, Brice, Gary T, Kumar, Anita, Aguiar, Joao, Nutman, Thomas B, Leitman, Susan F, Hoffman, Stephen L, Epstein, Judith E and Richie, Thomas L (2016). Mosquito bite immunization with radiation-attenuated Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites: safety, tolerability, protective efficacy and humoral immunogenicity. Malaria Journal, 15 (1) 377, 1-18. doi: 10.1186/s12936-016-1435-y
2016
Journal Article
Profoundly reduced CD1c+ myeloid dendritic cell HLA-DR and CD86 expression and increased tumor necrosis factor production in experimental human blood-stage malaria infection
Loughland, Jessica R., Minigo, Gabriela, Burel, Julie, Tipping, Peta E., Piera, Kim A., Amante, Fiona H., Engwerda, Christian R., Good, Michael F., Doolan, Denise L., Anstey, Nicholas M., McCarthy, James S. and Woodberry, Tonia (2016). Profoundly reduced CD1c+ myeloid dendritic cell HLA-DR and CD86 expression and increased tumor necrosis factor production in experimental human blood-stage malaria infection. Infection and Immunity, 84 (5), 1403-1412. doi: 10.1128/IAI.01522-15
2016
Journal Article
Defining the targets of antiparasitic compounds
Skinner-Adams, Tina S., Sumanadasa, Subathdrage D.M., Fisher, Gillian M., Davis, Rohan A., Doolan, Denise L. and Andrews, Katherine T. (2016). Defining the targets of antiparasitic compounds. Drug Discovery Today, 21 (5), 725-39. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.01.002
2016
Journal Article
Proceedings of the 7th Biannual International Symposium on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma 2015 : Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 4-6 June 2015
Tan, IB, Chang, Ellen T., Chen, Chien-Jen, Hsu, Wan-Lun, Chien, Yin-Chu, Hildesheim, Allan, McKay, James D., Gaborieau, Valerie, Kaderi, Mohamed Arifin Bin, Purnomosari, Dewajani, Voegele, Catherine, LeCalvez-Kelm, Florence, Byrnes, Graham, Brennan, Paul, Devi, Beena, Li, L., Zhang, Y., Fan, Y., Sun, K., Du, Z., Sun, H., Chan, A. T., Tsao, S. W., Zeng, Y. X., Tao, Q., Busson, Pierre, Lhuillier, Claire, Morales, Olivier, Mrizak, Dhafer ... Haryana, Sofia Mubarika (2016). Proceedings of the 7th Biannual International Symposium on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma 2015 : Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 4-6 June 2015. BMC Proceedings, 10 (S1) 1. doi: 10.1186/s12919-016-0001-5
2016
Journal Article
Immunomics: a 21st century approach to vaccine development for complex pathogens
de Sousa, Karina P. and Doolan, Denise L. (2016). Immunomics: a 21st century approach to vaccine development for complex pathogens. Parasitology, 143 (2), 236-244. doi: 10.1017/S0031182015001079
2016
Journal Article
Synthesis of mannosylated lipopeptides with receptor targeting properties
Sedaghat, Bita, Stephenson, Rachel J., Giddam, Ashwini Kumar, Eskandari, Sharareh, Apte, Simon H., Pattinson, David J., Doolan, Denise L. and Toth, Istvan (2016). Synthesis of mannosylated lipopeptides with receptor targeting properties. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 27 (3), 533-548. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00547
2016
Journal Article
Synthesis and immunological evaluation of peptide-based vaccine candidates against malaria
Chandrudu, Saranya, Skwarczynski, Mariusz, Pattinson, David, Apte, Simon H., Doolan, Denise L. and Toth, Istvan (2016). Synthesis and immunological evaluation of peptide-based vaccine candidates against malaria. Biochemical Compounds, 4 (1). doi: 10.7243/2052-9341-4-1
2016
Journal Article
Systems approaches towards molecular profiling of human immunity
Burel, Julie G., Apte, Simon H. and Doolan, Denise L. (2016). Systems approaches towards molecular profiling of human immunity. Trends in Immunology, 37 (1), 53-67. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2015.11.006
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Denise Doolan is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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UNDERSTANDING THE LINK BETWEEN EBV AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
An opportunity exists for a PhD position in molecular immunology, where cutting-edge technologies will be applied to understand the molecular basis of the link between EBV and Multiple Sclerosis. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the top identified causative agent of Multiple Sclerosis, but how this occurs is not known. This project aims to apply an innovative approach using proteome-wide screening of EBV to identify the subset of EBV proteins from the complete EBV proteome that triggers MS. It will compare responses in individuals with different stages of MS and apply sophisticated computational analytics to identify specific EBV proteins that predict MS disease. This EBV signature of MS could be translated into a clinic-friendly point-of-care test. If successful, this project could revolutionize the diagnosis and management of MS, providing patients with a quicker and more accurate diagnosis and enhanced quality of life.
Subject areas: Immunology, Molecular immunology, Systems biology, Multiple Sclerosis, Autoimmunity, EBV
Eligibility: Entry: Bachelor degree with Honours Class I (or equivalent via outstanding record of professional or research achievements) Experience/Background: laboratory-based experience in immunology, host-pathogen interactions, immune regulation and infectious diseases; excellent computer, communication, and organisational skills are required.
Supervisors:
Professor Denise Doolan & Dr Carla Proietti
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MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY OF MALARIA
An opportunity exists for a PhD position in the molecular immunology of malaria. The focus of this project will be to apply cutting-edge technologies to understand the molecular basis of protective immunity to malaria. It will take advantage of controlled human infection models and as well as animal models to explore the mechanisms underlying protective immunity to malaria and immune responsiveness. Using a range of interdisciplinary approaches, including immune profiling, transcriptomics, proteomics, and small molecule characterization, the project aims to define the critical cells and signalling pathways required for protective immunity against malaria. It is anticipated that this research will have broad application to a wide range of infectious and chronic diseases, with important implications for vaccination.
Subject areas: Immunology, Molecular immunology, Systems biology, Vaccinology, Malaria
Eligibility: Entry: Bachelor degree with Honours Class I (or equivalent via outstanding record of professional or research achievements) Experience/Background: laboratory-based experience in immunology, host-pathogen interactions, immune regulation and infectious diseases; excellent computer, communication, and organisational skills are required.
Supervisors:
Professor Denise Doolan (IMB) & Dr Carla Proietti (IMB)
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VACCINE ENGINEERING
An opportunity exists for a PhD position in vaccine engineering. Vaccines are one of the most effective health care interventions but remain a challenge for many diseases, and in particular intracellular pathogens such as malaria where T cell responses are particularly desirable. We have been exploring novel approaches to rationally design an effective vaccine against challenging disease targets. By taking advantage of recent advances in genomic sequencing, proteomics, transcriptional profiling, and molecular immunology, we have discovered unique targets of T cell responses or antibody response. This project will test these antigens as vaccine candidates by assessing immunogenicity, protective capacity and biological function using different vaccine platforms. By designing an effective vaccine from genomic data, this project is expected to result in significance advances in vaccinology as well as immunology, with important public health outcomes.
Subject areas: Immunology, Vaccinology, Molecular immunology, Malaria, Vaccine engineering, Vaccine design
Eligibility: Entry: Bachelor degree with Honours Class I (or equivalent via outstanding record of professional or research achievements) Experience/Background: laboratory-based experience in immunology, host-pathogen interactions, immune regulation and infectious diseases; excellent computer, communication, and organisational skills are required.
Supervisor:
Professor Denise Doolan (IMB) & Professor Carla Proietti (IMB)
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SYSTEMS IMMUNOLOGY AND MULTI-OMICS APPROACHES TO UNDERSTAND PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY TO HUMAN MALARIA
This PhD project aims to develop and apply computational approaches that integrate systems biology and molecular immunology to understand host-pathogen immunity and predict immune control of malaria. The project will utilise systems-based immunology and multi-omics approaches to profile the host immune response in controlled infection models of malaria at molecular, cellular, transcriptome and proteome-wide scale.
The overall aim will be to develop and apply omics-based technologies and computational tools, including network theory and machine learning, to integrate multiple high-dimensional datasets and reveal novel insights into host-pathogen immunity and predict immune responsiveness and parasite control. Modelling of large-scale existing datasets, including those generated by single-cell RNA-sequencing technologies, may also be a feature of this project. The opportunity to identify new knowledge and integrate this with experimental data produced by our laboratory will be instrumental to extending the impact of these bioinformatics analyses. This project will provide an opportunity to be at the forefront in cutting-edge technologies and advances in computational analysis of integrated high-dimensional omic data.
Methodologies: Bioinformatics, Machine Learning, Immunology, Systems Immunology, Systems Biology, Genomics/Proteomics/Transcriptomics, Molecular and Cell Biology, Statistics
Eligibility: Entry: BSc Honours Class I (or equivalent via outstanding record of professional or research achievements) Experience/Background: Experience with programming languages, mathematics, statistics and/or background in immunology and molecular sciences, with an interest in integrating the fields of immunology and bioinformatics.
Excellent computer, communication, and organisational skills are required. Forward thinking, innovation and creativity are encouraged.
Supervisors:
Professor Denise Doolan (IMB) & Dr Carla Proietti (IMB)
Associate Professor Jessica Mar (AIBN)
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Systems immunology and multi-omics approaches to understand protective immunity to human malaria
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Molecular Basis of Immune Heterogeneity using Systems Immunology
Principal Advisor
Completed supervision
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of cross-reactive immune responses in the context of a complex host-pathogen system.
Principal Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular profiling of cellular immune responses to Plasmodium spp. blood-stage infection in humans using systems immunology
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of novel DNA vaccine delivery strategies targeting dendritic cells: mechanisms of action, immunogenicity and protective efficacy
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of novel antigens identified in genome-wide screening approaches for next-generation malaria vaccines
Principal Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Design and use of a schistosome protein microarray to investigate Asian schistosomiasis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Malcolm Jones
Media
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