
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
2013
Journal Article
Highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR for the detection of Plasmodium liver-stage parasite burden following low-dose sporozoite challenge
Schussek, Sophie, Groves, Penny L., Apte, Simon H. and Doolan, Denise L. (2013). Highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR for the detection of Plasmodium liver-stage parasite burden following low-dose sporozoite challenge. PLoS One, 8 (10) e77811, e77811.1-e77811.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077811
2013
Journal Article
A novel candidate vaccine for Cytauxzoonosis inferred from comparative apicomplexan genomics
Tarigo, Jaime L., Scholl, Elizabeth H., Bird, David McK, Brown, Corrie C., Cohn, Leah A., Dean, Gregg A., Levy, Michael G., Doolan, Denise L., Trieu, Angela, Nordone, Shila K., Felgner, Philip L., Vigil, Adam and Birkenheuer, Adam J. (2013). A novel candidate vaccine for Cytauxzoonosis inferred from comparative apicomplexan genomics. PLoS One, 8 (8) e71233, 1-9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071233
2013
Journal Article
Identification of minimal human MHC-restricted CD8+ T-cell epitopes within the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP)
Sedegah, Martha, Kim, Yohan, Ganeshan, Harini, Huang, Jun, Belmonte, Maria, Abot, Esteban, Banania, Jo Glenna, Farooq, Fouzia, McGrath, Shannon, Peters, Bjoern, Sette, Alessandro, Soisson, Lorraine, Diggs, Carter, Doolan, Denise L, Tamminga, Cindy, Villasante, Eileen, Hollingdale, Michael R and Richie, Thomas L. (2013). Identification of minimal human MHC-restricted CD8+ T-cell epitopes within the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP). Malaria Journal, 12 (1) 185. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-185
2013
Journal Article
DNA prime/Adenovirus boost malaria vaccine encoding P. falciparum CSP and AMA1 induces sterile protection associated with cell-mediated immunity
Chuang, Ilin, Sedegah, Martha, Cicatelli, Susan, Spring, Michele, Polhemus, Mark, Tamminga, Cindy, Patterson, Noelle, Guerrero, Melanie, Bennett, Jason W, McGrath, Shannon, Ganeshan, Harini, Belmonte, Maria, Farooq, Fouzia, Abot, Esteban, Banania, Jo Glenna, Huang, Jun, Newcomer, Rhonda, Rein, Lisa, Litilit, Dianne, Richie, Nancy O, Wood, Chloe, Murphy, Jittawadee, Sauerwein, Robert, Hermsen, Cornelus C, McCoy, Andrea J, Kamau, Edwin, Cummings, James, Komisar, Jack, Sutamihardja, Awalludin ... Richie, Thomas L (2013). DNA prime/Adenovirus boost malaria vaccine encoding P. falciparum CSP and AMA1 induces sterile protection associated with cell-mediated immunity. PLoS One, 8 (2) e55571, 1-15. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055571
2012
Journal Article
Editorial
Doolan, Denise (2012). Editorial. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 1, 1-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2012.07.001
2012
Journal Article
Clinical trial in healthy malaria-naïve adults to evaluate the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity and efficacy of MuStDO5, a five-gene, sporozoite/hepatic stage Plasmodium falciparum DNA vaccine combined with escalating dose human GM-CSF DNA
Richie, Thomas L, Charoenvit, Yupin, Wang, Ruobing, Epstein, Judith E, Hedstrom, Richard C, Kumar, Sanjai, Luke, Thomas C, Freilich, Daniel A, Aguiar, Joao C, Sacci, John B, Sedegah, Martha, Nosek, Ronald A, De La Vega, Patricia, Berzins, Mara P, Majam, Victoria F, Abot, Esteban N, Ganeshan, Harini, Richie, Nancy O, Banania, Jo Glenna, Baraceros, Maria Fe B, Geter, Tanya G, Mere, Robin, Bebris, Lolita, Limbach, Keith, Hickey, Bradley W, Lanar, David E, Ng, Jennifer, Shi, Meng, Hobart, Peter M ... Hoffman, Stephen L (2012). Clinical trial in healthy malaria-naïve adults to evaluate the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity and efficacy of MuStDO5, a five-gene, sporozoite/hepatic stage Plasmodium falciparum DNA vaccine combined with escalating dose human GM-CSF DNA. Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, 8 (11), 1564-1584. doi: 10.4161/hv.22129
2012
Journal Article
Addressing the bottleneck at clinical testing of candidate malaria vaccines
Doolan, Denise L. and Apte, Simon H. (2012). Addressing the bottleneck at clinical testing of candidate malaria vaccines. Pathogens and Global Health, 106 (6). doi: 10.1179/2047772412Z.00000000081
2012
Conference Publication
Dissecting T cell or antibody immunodominance in a complex host-pathogen system
Proietti, Carla, Krause, Lutz, Roddick, Joanne, Trieu, Angela and Doolan, Denise L. (2012). Dissecting T cell or antibody immunodominance in a complex host-pathogen system. Challenges in Malaria Research, Basel, Switzerland, 10-12 October 2012. London, United Kingdom: BioMed Central. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-s1-o23
2012
Journal Article
Vaccination with lipid core peptides fails to induce epitope-specific T cell responses but confers non-specific protective immunity in a malaria model.
Apte, Simon H., Groves, Penny L., Skwarczynski, Mariusz, Fujita, Yoshio, Chang, Chenghung, Toth, Istvan and Doolan, Denise L. (2012). Vaccination with lipid core peptides fails to induce epitope-specific T cell responses but confers non-specific protective immunity in a malaria model.. PLoS One, 7 (8 Article. No.e40928) e40928, e40928. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040928
2012
Book Chapter
Schistosomiasis Vaccines - New Approaches to Antigen Discovery and Promising New Candidates
Loukas, Alex, Gaze, Soraya, Pearson, Mark, Doolan, Denise, Felgner, Philip, Diemert, David, Mcmanus, Donald P., Driguez, Patrick and Bethony, Jeffrey (2012). Schistosomiasis Vaccines - New Approaches to Antigen Discovery and Promising New Candidates. Parasitic Helminths: Targets, Screens, Drugs and Vaccines. (pp. 421-433) Wiley-VCH. doi: 10.1002/9783527652969.ch25
2012
Journal Article
Correction: Modification of Ad5 hexon hypervariable regions circumvents pre-existing Ad5 neutralizing antibodies and induces protective immune responses
Bruder, Joseph T., Semenova, Elena, Chen, Ping, Limbach, Keith, Patterson, Noelle B., Stefaniak, Maureen E., Konovalova, Svetlana, Thomas, Charlie, Hamilton, Melissa, King, C. Richter, Richie, Thomas L. and Doolan, Denise L. (2012). Correction: Modification of Ad5 hexon hypervariable regions circumvents pre-existing Ad5 neutralizing antibodies and induces protective immune responses. PLoS One, 7 (5). doi: 10.1371/annotation/c110beed-3cac-48db-9039-ba4498d5db50
2012
Journal Article
Modification of Ad5 hexon hypervariable regions circumvents pre-existing Ad5 neutralizing antibodies and induces protective immune responses
Bruder, Joseph T., Semenova, Elena, Chen, Ping, Limbach, Keith, Patterson, Noelle B., Stefaniak, Maureen E., Konovalova, Svetlana, Thomas, Charlie, Hamilton, Melissa, King, C. Richter, Richie, Thomas L. and Doolan, Denise L. (2012). Modification of Ad5 hexon hypervariable regions circumvents pre-existing Ad5 neutralizing antibodies and induces protective immune responses. PLoS One, 7 (4) e33920, 1-13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033920
2012
Journal Article
The role of age and exposure to Plasmodium falciparum in the rate of acquisition of naturally acquired immunity: a randomized controlled trial
Guinovart, Caterina, Dobaño, Carlota, Bassat, Quique, Nhabomba, Augusto, Quintó, Llorenç, Manaca, Maria Nélia, Aguilar, Ruth, Rodríguez, Mauricio H, Barbosa, Arnoldo, Aponte, John J, Mayor, Alfredo G, Renom, Montse, Moraleda, Cinta, Roberts, David J, Schwarzer, Evelin, Le Souëf, Peter N, Schofield, Louis, Chitnis, Chetan E, Doolan, Denise L and Alonso, Pedro L (2012). The role of age and exposure to Plasmodium falciparum in the rate of acquisition of naturally acquired immunity: a randomized controlled trial. PLoS One, 7 (3) e32362, 1-11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032362
2012
Journal Article
Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine does not modify plasma cytokines and chemokines or intracellular cytokine responses to Plasmodium falciparum in Mozambican children
Quelhas, Diana, Puyol, Laura, Quintó, Llorenç, Nhampossa, Tacilta, Serra-Casas, Elisa, Macete, Eusébio, Aide, Pedro, Sanz, Sergi, Aponte, John J, Doolan, Denise L, Alonso, Pedro L, Menéndez, Clara and Dobaño, Carlota (2012). Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine does not modify plasma cytokines and chemokines or intracellular cytokine responses to Plasmodium falciparum in Mozambican children. BMC Immunology, 13 (1) 5, 1-18. doi: 10.1186/1471-2172-13-5
2011
Journal Article
Editorial
Doolan, Denise L. and Spithill, Terry (2011). Editorial. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 1 (1), 1-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2011.09.001
2011
Journal Article
Evaluation of approaches to identify the targets of cellular immunity on a proteome-wide scale
Cardoso, Fernanda C., Roddick, Joanne S., Groves, Penny and Doolan, Denise L. (2011). Evaluation of approaches to identify the targets of cellular immunity on a proteome-wide scale. Plos One, 6 (11) e27666, e27666.1-e27666.14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027666
2011
Journal Article
The stability and complexity of antibody responses to the major surface antigen of plasmodium falciparum are associated with age in a malaria endemic area
Barry, Alyssa E., Trieu, Angela, Fowkes, Freya J. I., Pablo, Jozelyn, Kalantari-Dehaghi, Matthew, Jasinskas, Algis, Tan, Xiaolin, Kayala, Matthew A., Tavul, Livingstone, Siba, Peter M., Day, Karen P., Baldi, Pierre, Felgner, Philip L. and Doolan, Denise L. (2011). The stability and complexity of antibody responses to the major surface antigen of plasmodium falciparum are associated with age in a malaria endemic area. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 10 (11) M111.008326, 1-12. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M111.008326
2011
Journal Article
Adenovirus 5-vectored P. falciparum vaccine expressing CSP and AMA1. Part A: safety and immunogenicity in seronegative adults
Sedegah, Martha, Tamminga, Cindy, McGrath, Shannon, House, Brent, Ganeshan, Harini, Lejano, Jennylynn, Abot, Esteban, Banania, Glenna J, Sayo, Renato, Farooq, Fouzia, Belmonte, Maria, Manohar, Nalini, Richie, Nancy O, Wood, Chloe, Long, Carole A, Regis, David, Williams, Francis T, Shi, Meng, Chuang, Ilin, Spring, Michele, Epstein, Judith E, Mendoza-Silveiras, Jose, Limbach, Keith, Patterson, Noelle B, Bruder, Joseph T, Doolan, Denise L, King, C Richter, Soisson, Lorraine, Diggs, Carter ... Richie, Thomas L (2011). Adenovirus 5-vectored P. falciparum vaccine expressing CSP and AMA1. Part A: safety and immunogenicity in seronegative adults. PLoS One, 6 (10) e24586, 1-22. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024586
2011
Journal Article
Adenovirus-5-vectored P. falciparum vaccine expressing CSP and AMA1. Part B: safety, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the CSP component
Tamminga, Cindy, Sedegah, Martha, Regis, David, Chuang, Ilin, Epstein, Judith E, Spring, Michele, Mendoza-Silveiras, Jose, McGrath, Shannon, Maiolatesi, Santina, Reyes, Sharina, Steinbeiss, Victoria, Fedders, Charlotte, Smith, Kathryn, House, Brent, Ganeshan, Harini, Lejano, Jennylynn, Abot, Esteban, Banania, Glenna J, Sayo, Renato, Farooq, Fouzia, Belmonte, Maria, Murphy, Jittawadee, Komisar, Jack, Williams, Jackie, Shi, Meng, Brambilla, Donald, Manohar, Nalini, Richie, Nancy O, Wood, Chloe ... Richie, Thomas L (2011). Adenovirus-5-vectored P. falciparum vaccine expressing CSP and AMA1. Part B: safety, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the CSP component. PLoS One, 6 (10) e25868, 1-20. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025868
2011
Journal Article
High-throughput multi-parameter flow-cytometric analysis from micro-quantities of plasmodium-infected blood
Apte, Simon H., Groves, Penny L., Roddick, Joanne S., P da Hora, Vanusa and Doolan, Denise L. (2011). High-throughput multi-parameter flow-cytometric analysis from micro-quantities of plasmodium-infected blood. International Journal for Parasitology, 41 (12), 1285-94. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2011.07.010
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
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
Understanding the Molecular Basis of Immune Heterogeneity using Systems Immunology
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Molecular Basis of Immune Heterogeneity using Systems Immunology
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Systems immunology and multi-omics approaches to understand protective immunity to human malaria
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Molecular Basis of Immune Heterogeneity using Systems Immunology
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the link between EBV and Multiple Sclerosis
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Utilising high throughout spatial Transcriptomics to personlise treatment approaches for endometriosis patients
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen, Associate Professor Akwasi Amoako, Dr Brett McKinnon
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Molecular Basis of Immune Heterogeneity using Systems Immunology
Principal Advisor
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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 antigens identified in genome-wide screening approaches for next-generation malaria vaccines
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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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Design and use of a schistosome protein microarray to investigate Asian schistosomiasis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Malcolm Jones
Media
Enquiries
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