Overview
Background
Dr Julie Wixey is a Senior Research Fellow at the Perinatal Research Centre and Group Leader in fetal growth restriction research at The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR). She currently holds an NHMRC Investigator grant (2023-2027). Her research focusses on mechanisms, detection, and treatment of brain injury in fetally growth restricted babies.
Fetal growth restriction (FGR), where a fetus fails to grow normally in utero, is a leading cause of death and long-term disability with around 32 million babies born FGR globally each year. The fetal brain is particularly vulnerable to FGR conditions, and adverse outcomes cause life-long difficulties ranging from schooling and behavioural issues to cerebral palsy. These disabilities occur in up to 50% of FGR infants and have significant impacts on their lives. There is no treatment to protect the FGR newborn brain.
Dr Wixey is investigating how inflammation is associated with brain injury in the growth restricted newborn. She is examining novel detection methods of brain injury and applying different treatments to the clinically relevant growth restriction animal model, targeting both inflammation and blood brain barrier integrity to protect the vulnerable newborn brain.
Research Projects
• Mechanisms of brain injury in growth restriction
• Novel detection methods of brain injury in the growth restricted newborn using blood biomarkers
• Treatments to protect the growth restricted newborn from adverse brain outcomes
Availability
- Dr Julie Wixey is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), James Cook University
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Neonatal brain injury
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Neuroinflammation
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Neuroprotection
Research impacts
My research, using the clinically relevant animal model of fetal growth restriction (FGR), has:
1) provided new evidence that brain injury persists even after the FGR baby is born, and
2) demonstrated treating after birth protects the FGR brain.
My work exposed a novel opportunity to treat FGR newborns after birth by targeting inflammation to protect the FGR newborn brain. This attracted significant media attention with 16 national and international media outlets citing these publications. My ABC interview resulted in online and radio releases. Articles reporting on this research include Medical Xpress (United Kingdom), Readers Digest (Canada), Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age reflect interest extending from scientists to clinicians and general public.
Works
Search Professor Julie Wixey’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Hypoxia-ischemia in the immature rodent brain impairs serotonergic neuronal function in certain dorsal raphé nuclei
Reinebrant, Hanna, Wixey, Julie and Buller, Kathryn M. (2020). Hypoxia-ischemia in the immature rodent brain impairs serotonergic neuronal function in certain dorsal raphé nuclei. Neural Regeneration Research, 15 (3), 457-463. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.266067
2019
Journal Article
Ibuprofen treatment reduces the neuroinflammatory response and associated neuronal and white matter impairment in the growth restricted newborn
Wixey, Julie A., Sukumar, Kishen R., Pretorius, Rinaldi, Lee, Kah Meng, Colditz, Paul B., Bjorkman, S. Tracey and Chand, Kirat K. (2019). Ibuprofen treatment reduces the neuroinflammatory response and associated neuronal and white matter impairment in the growth restricted newborn. Frontiers in Physiology, 10 (MAY) 541, 541. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00541
2019
Journal Article
Accuracy of transient elastography data combined with APRI in detection and staging of liver disease in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis
Lewindon, Peter J., Puertolas-Lopez, Mora V., Ramm, Louise E., Noble, Charlton, Pereira, Tamara N., Wixey, Julie A., Hartel, Gunter F., Calvopina, Diego A., Leung, Daniel H. and Ramm, Grant A. (2019). Accuracy of transient elastography data combined with APRI in detection and staging of liver disease in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 17 (12), 2561-2569.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.03.015
2019
Journal Article
Neuropathology in intrauterine growth restricted newborn piglets is associated with glial activation and proinflammatory status in the brain
Wixey, Julie A., Lee, Kah Meng, Miller, Stephanie M., Goasdoue, Kate, Colditz, Paul B., Bjorkman, S.T. and Chand, Kirat K. (2019). Neuropathology in intrauterine growth restricted newborn piglets is associated with glial activation and proinflammatory status in the brain. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 16 (1) 5, 5. doi: 10.1186/s12974-018-1392-1
2019
Conference Publication
Seizures are associated with blood-brain barrier disruption in a piglet model of neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
Goasdoue, Kate, Chand, Kirat Kishore, Miller, Stephanie Melita, Lee, Kah Meng, Colditz, Paul Bernard, Wixey, Julie Anne and Bjorkman, Stella Tracey (2019). Seizures are associated with blood-brain barrier disruption in a piglet model of neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. 11th Hershey Conference on Developmental Brain Injury, Asilomar, CA, United States, 5-8 June 2018. Basel, Switzerland: S. Karger AG. doi: 10.1159/000499365
2018
Journal Article
Therapeutic potential to reduce brain injury in growth restricted newborns
Wixey, Julie A., Chand, Kirat K., Pham, Lily, Colditz, Paul B. and Bjorkman, S. Tracey (2018). Therapeutic potential to reduce brain injury in growth restricted newborns. Journal of Physiology, 596 (23), 5675-5686. doi: 10.1113/JP275428
2018
Journal Article
Disruption to the 5-HT7 Receptor Following Hypoxia-Ischemia in the Immature Rodent Brain
Wixey, Julie A, Reinebrant, Hanna E, Chand, Kirat K and Buller, Kathryn M (2018). Disruption to the 5-HT7 Receptor Following Hypoxia-Ischemia in the Immature Rodent Brain. Neurochemical research, 43 (3), 711-720. doi: 10.1007/s11064-018-2473-3
2017
Journal Article
Targeting inflammation to reduce brain injury in growth restricted newborns: A potential treatment?
Wixey, Julie A, Colditz, Paul B and Björkman, Stella Tracey (2017). Targeting inflammation to reduce brain injury in growth restricted newborns: A potential treatment?. Neural regeneration research, 12 (11), 1804-1806. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.219038
2017
Journal Article
GABAA receptor expression and white matter disruption in intrauterine growth restricted piglets
Kalanjati, Viskasari P., Wixey, Julie A., Miller, Stephanie M., Colditz, Paul B. and Bjorkman, Stella T. (2017). GABAA receptor expression and white matter disruption in intrauterine growth restricted piglets. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 59 (C), 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.02.004
2017
Journal Article
Neuroinflammation in intrauterine growth restriction
Wixey, Julie A., Chand, Kirat K., Colditz, Paul B. and Bjorkman, S. Tracey (2017). Neuroinflammation in intrauterine growth restriction. Placenta, 54, 117-124. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.11.012
2017
Conference Publication
Neuroinflammation in the IUGR piglet model
Sukumar, K., Chand, K., Miller, S., Goasdoue, K., Colditz, P., Bjorkman, S. T. and Wixey, J. (2017). Neuroinflammation in the IUGR piglet model. Queensland Perinatal Consortium, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, 20 July 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Inflammation and blood-brain barrier disruption occurs rapidly following neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
Goasdoue, K., Miller, S., Chand, K., Wixey, J., Colditz, P. and Bjorkman, S. T. (2017). Inflammation and blood-brain barrier disruption occurs rapidly following neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Queensland Perinatal Consortium, Brisbane, Australia, 20 July 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Anti-inflammatory treatment to reduce brain injury in the growth restricted neonate
Wixey, Julie, Sukumar, Kishen, Miller, Stephanie, Goasdoue, Kate, Colditz, Paul, Bjorkman, Stella Tracey and Chand, Kirat (2017). Anti-inflammatory treatment to reduce brain injury in the growth restricted neonate. 31st Annual Fetal and Neonatal Workshop of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 30-31 March 2017.
2016
Journal Article
Transient liver elastography in unsedated control children: Impact of age and intercurrent illness
Lewindon, Peter J., Balouch, Fariha, Pereira, Tamara N., Puertolas-Lopez, Mora V., Noble, Charlton, Wixey, Julie A. and Ramm, Grant A. (2016). Transient liver elastography in unsedated control children: Impact of age and intercurrent illness. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 52 (6), 637-642. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13151
2016
Conference Publication
Neuroinflammatory response in the growth restricted neonate
Wixey, Julie, Muller, Camille, Chand, Kirat, Sullivan, Susan, Colditz, Paul and Bjorkman, Stella Tracey (2016). Neuroinflammatory response in the growth restricted neonate. Australasian Neuroscience Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Hobart, TAS Australia, 4-7 December 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Pilot trial of early blood transfusions for supporting cardiovascular function and cerebral oxygen delivery in preterm piglets
Eiby, Yvonne, Bjorkman, Tracey, Wixey, Julie, Chand, Kirat, Colditz, Paul and Lingwood, Barbara (2016). Pilot trial of early blood transfusions for supporting cardiovascular function and cerebral oxygen delivery in preterm piglets. 30th Annual meeting Fetal and Neonatal Workshop of Australia and New Zealand, Magnetic Island, QLD, Australia, 19-21 May 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Inflammation, microglial and astrocyte response in the intrauterine growth restricted neonatal brain
Wixey, Julie, Muller, Camille, Sullivan, Susan, Colditz, Paul and Bjorkman, Stella Tracey (2016). Inflammation, microglial and astrocyte response in the intrauterine growth restricted neonatal brain. 25th Annual RBWH Health Care Symposium, Herston, QLD Australia, 12-16 September 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Investigation of the impact of seizures on disruption to the blood-brain barrier following neonatal hypoxia-ischaemia
Goasdoue, Kate, Miller, Stephanie, Chand, Kirat, Wixey, Julie, Colditz, Paul and Bjorkman, Tracey (2016). Investigation of the impact of seizures on disruption to the blood-brain barrier following neonatal hypoxia-ischaemia. Queensland Perinatal Consortium, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: University of Queensland, 15 July, 2016.
2015
Conference Publication
Erythropoietin decreases brain injury and improves glial outcomes in newborn hypoxic-ischemic piglets
Sullivan, S. M., Wixey, J. A., Sullivan, R. K. P. and Colditz, P. B. (2015). Erythropoietin decreases brain injury and improves glial outcomes in newborn hypoxic-ischemic piglets. 24th Annual RBWH Healthcare Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 12 - 16 October 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
Inflammation in the growth restricted newborn brain
Wixey, J. A., Colditz, P. B. and Sullivan, S. M. (2015). Inflammation in the growth restricted newborn brain. 24th Annual RBWH Healthcare Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 12-16 October 2015.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Julie Wixey is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Long-term neuroprotection in the growth restricted newborn
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Blood biomarkers to detect adverse brain outcomes in fetal growth restriction
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Novel targeted therapies to improve brain outcomes in growth restricted newborns
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Proteomic landscapes in early brain development and neuropathological implications of fetal growth restriction
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kirat Chand
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Doctor Philosophy
Blood biomarkers to detect brain injury in the growth restricted newborn
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Aven Lee, Dr Kirat Chand
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Doctor Philosophy
Examining long-term neuroprotection in the growth restricted newborn
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kirat Chand
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
A novel stem cell therapy for the treatment of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy of the newborn
Associate Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Blood-brain barrier disruption in a model of neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Julie Wixey directly for media enquiries about:
- Biomarkers to detect newborn brain injury
- Growth restriction
- Neonatal brain injury
- Neuroinflammation
- Perinatal neuroscience
- Preterm birth
- treatments for newborn brain injury
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