Overview
Background
A/Prof Barbara Rolfe is a Group Leader at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. A/Prof Rolfe is an immunologist and cell biologist, whose major research interests are the role of the innate immune system in cancer, the identification of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer, and nanomaterial safety. Her research has led to the identification of a previously unknown mechanism by which dysregulation of the immune system contributes to cancer development and growth, and provided information regarding the immune response to nanomaterials and the influence of physicochemical characteristics on biodistribution and cellular uptake. A/Prof Rolfe has used mouse models and small peptide agonists and antagonists to investigate the role of the innate immune system in tumour development and growth. This research demonstrated for the first time an important role for complement proteins in promoting tumour growth via regulation of immunosuppressive innate immune cells. Ongoing research is aimed focussed on gaining a better understanding of the role of complement proteins in tumour growth, developing novel immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer and investigating the application of nanomaterials for targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs.
Availability
- Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Research interests
-
The role of the innate immune system in cancer
-
Nanotechnology for drug delivery
Works
Search Professor Barbara Rolfe’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Book Chapter
The role of the complement system in cancer etiology and management
Sonderegger, Stefan E., Manzanero, Silvia, Woodruff, Trent M., Farouqa, Jad, Nabizadeh, Jamileh, Panagides, Nadya and Rolfe, Barbara E. (2024). The role of the complement system in cancer etiology and management. Clinical immuno-oncology. (pp. 41-60.e10) edited by John E. Niederhuber. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-87763-3.00012-5
2022
Journal Article
Complement C5a induces the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps by myeloid-derived suppressor cells to promote metastasis
Ortiz-Espinosa, Sergio, Morales, Xabier, Senent, Yaiza, Alignani, Diego, Tavira, Beatriz, Macaya, Irati, Ruiz, Borja, Moreno, Haritz, Remírez, Ana, Sainz, Cristina, Rodriguez-Pena, Alejandro, Oyarbide, Alvaro, Ariz, Mikel, Andueza, Maria P., Valencia, Karmele, Teijeira, Alvaro, Hoehlig, Kai, Vater, Axel, Rolfe, Barbara, Woodruff, Trent M., Lopez-Picazo, Jose Maria, Vicent, Silvestre, Kochan, Grazyna, Escors, David, Gil-Bazo, Ignacio, Perez-Gracia, Jose Luis, Montuenga, Luis M., Lambris, John D., Ortiz de Solorzano, Carlos ... Pio, Ruben (2022). Complement C5a induces the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps by myeloid-derived suppressor cells to promote metastasis. Cancer Letters, 529, 70-84. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.12.027
2022
Conference Publication
Immunoregulatory role for complement receptors in murine breast cancer
Rolfe, Barbara, Sonderegger, Stefan, McGirr, Crystal and Woodruff, Trent (2022). Immunoregulatory role for complement receptors in murine breast cancer. 28th Virtual International Complement Workshop (ICW) of the International-Complement-Society (ICS), Virtual, 6-10 December 2021. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
2021
Journal Article
Development of Potent and Selective Agonists for Complement C5a Receptor 1 with In Vivo Activity
Gorman, Declan M., Li, Xaria X., Lee, John D., Fung, Jenny N., Cui, Cedric S., Lee, Han Siean, Rolfe, Barbara E., Woodruff, Trent M. and Clark, Richard J. (2021). Development of Potent and Selective Agonists for Complement C5a Receptor 1 with In Vivo Activity. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 64 (22) acs.jmedchem.1c01174, 16598-16608. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01174
2021
Journal Article
An immunoregulatory role for complement receptors in murine models of breast cancer
Akhir, Fazrena Nadia Md, Noor, Mohd Hezmee Mohd, Leong, Keith Weng Kit, Nabizadeh, Jamileh A., Manthey, Helga D., Sonderegger, Stefan E., Fung, Jenny Nga Ting, McGirr, Crystal E., Shiels, Ian A., Mills, Paul C., Woodruff, Trent M. and Rolfe, Barbara E. (2021). An immunoregulatory role for complement receptors in murine models of breast cancer. Antibodies, 10 (1) 2, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/antib10010002
2020
Journal Article
Correction to High F-content perfluoropolyether-based nanoparticles for targeted detection of breast cancer by 19F magnetic resonance and optical imaging
Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Wang, Wenqian, Ta, Hang Thu, Han, Yanxiao, Han, Felicity Y., Peng, Hui, Král, Petr, Rolfe, Barbara E., Gooding, J. Justin, Gaus, Katharina and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2020). Correction to High F-content perfluoropolyether-based nanoparticles for targeted detection of breast cancer by 19F magnetic resonance and optical imaging. ACS Nano, 14 (10), 14245-14246. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.0c07373
2020
Journal Article
Editorial: The Role of Complement in Tumors
Rolfe, Barbara E., Pio, Ruben, Woodruff, Trent M., Markiewski, Maciej M. and Manthey, Helga D. (2020). Editorial: The Role of Complement in Tumors. Frontiers in Immunology, 11 139, 139. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00139
2019
Journal Article
C5a receptors C5aR1 and C5aR2 mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma
Nabizadeh, Jamileh A., Manthey, Helga D., Panagides, Nadya, Steyn, Frederik J., Lee, John D., Li, Xaria X., Akhir, Fazrena N. M., Chen, Weiyu, Boyle, Glen M., Taylor, Stephen M., Woodruff, Trent M. and Rolfe, Barbara E. (2019). C5a receptors C5aR1 and C5aR2 mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma. FASEB Journal, 33 (10), fj201800980RR-11071. doi: 10.1096/fj.201800980rr
2019
Conference Publication
Complement C5a receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2, mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma
Nabizadeh, J., Manthey, H., Panagides, N., Steyn, F., Lee, J., Li, X., Woodruff, T. and Rolfe, B. (2019). Complement C5a receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2, mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma. 17th International Congress of Immunology (IUIS), Beijing, China, 19-23 October 2019. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley.
2018
Journal Article
Clay nanoparticles co-deliver three antigens to promote potent immune responses against pathogenic Escherichia coli
Chen, Weiyu, Zuo, Huali, Rolfe, Barbara, Schembri, Mark A., Cobbold, Rowland N., Zhang, Bing, Mahony, Timothy J. and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). Clay nanoparticles co-deliver three antigens to promote potent immune responses against pathogenic Escherichia coli. Journal of Controlled Release, 292, 196-209. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.11.008
2018
Journal Article
The pathways for layered double hydroxide nanoparticles to enhance antigen (cross)-presentation on immune cells as adjuvants for protein vaccines
Yan, Shiyu, Xu, Kewei, Li, Li, Gu, Wenyi, Rolfe, Barbara E. and Xu, Zhi P. (2018). The pathways for layered double hydroxide nanoparticles to enhance antigen (cross)-presentation on immune cells as adjuvants for protein vaccines. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9 (SEP) 1060, 1060. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01060
2018
Journal Article
Influence of Charge on Hemocompatibility and Immunoreactivity of Polymeric Nanoparticles
Chen, Liyu, Glass, Joshua J., De Rose, Robert, Sperling, Claudia, Kent, Stephen J., Houston, Zachary H., Fletcher, Nicholas L., Rolfe, Barbara E. and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2018). Influence of Charge on Hemocompatibility and Immunoreactivity of Polymeric Nanoparticles. ACS Applied Bio Materials, 1 (3) acsabm.8b00220, 756-767. doi: 10.1021/acsabm.8b00220
2018
Journal Article
High F-content perfluoropolyether-based nanoparticles for targeted detection of breast cancer by 19F magnetic resonance and optical imaging
Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Wang, Wenqian, Ta, Hang Thu, Han, Yanxiao, Han, Felicity Y., Peng, Hui, Král, Petr, Rolfe, Barbara E., Gooding, John Justin, Gaus, Katharina and Whittaker, Andrew Keith (2018). High F-content perfluoropolyether-based nanoparticles for targeted detection of breast cancer by 19F magnetic resonance and optical imaging. ACS Nano, 12 (9) acsnano.8b03726, 9162-9176. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b03726
2018
Journal Article
Clay nanoparticles elicit long-term immune responses by forming biodegradable depots for sustained antigen stimulation
Chen, Weiyu, Zuo, Huali, Li, Bei, Duan, Chengcheng, Rolfe, Barbara, Zhang, Bing, Mahony, Timothy J and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). Clay nanoparticles elicit long-term immune responses by forming biodegradable depots for sustained antigen stimulation. Small, 14 (19) 1704465, e1704465. doi: 10.1002/smll.201704465
2018
Journal Article
Differential immunological profiles herald magnetic resonance imaging-defined perioperative cerebral infarction
Fanning, Jonathon P., See Hoe, Louise E., Passmore, Margaret R., Barnett, Adrian G., Rolfe, Barbara E., Millar, Jonathan E., Wesley, Allan J., Suen, Jacky and Fraser, John F. (2018). Differential immunological profiles herald magnetic resonance imaging-defined perioperative cerebral infarction. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, 11, 1756286418759493. doi: 10.1177/1756286418759493
2018
Conference Publication
High F-Content Perfluoropolyether-based Polymers for Targeted Detection of Breast Cancer by 19F Magnetic Resonance and Optical Imaging
Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Ta, Hang T., Han, Yanxiao, Han, Felicity Y., Peng, Hui, Král, Petr, Rolfe, Barbara E. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2018). High F-Content Perfluoropolyether-based Polymers for Targeted Detection of Breast Cancer by 19F Magnetic Resonance and Optical Imaging. World Polymer Congress Macro 2018, Cairns QLD Australia, 1-5 July 2018.
2017
Journal Article
High adjuvant activity of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles and nanosheets in anti-tumour vaccine formulations
Yan, Shiyu, Gu, Wenyi, Zhang, Bing, Rolfe, Barbara E and Xu, Zhi Ping (2017). High adjuvant activity of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles and nanosheets in anti-tumour vaccine formulations. Dalton Transactions, 47 (9), 2956-2964. doi: 10.1039/c7dt03725b
2017
Journal Article
Effects of Surface Charge of Hyperbranched Polymers on Cytotoxicity, Dynamic Cellular Uptake and Localization, Hemotoxicity, and Pharmacokinetics in Mice
Chen, Liyu, Simpson, Joshua D, Fuchs, Adrian V, Rolfe, Barbara E and Thurecht, Kristofer J (2017). Effects of Surface Charge of Hyperbranched Polymers on Cytotoxicity, Dynamic Cellular Uptake and Localization, Hemotoxicity, and Pharmacokinetics in Mice. Molecular pharmaceutics, 14 (12), 4485-4497. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00611
2017
Journal Article
Layered double hydroxide nanoparticles: Impact on vascular cells, blood cells and the complement system
Gu, Zi, Yan, Shiyu, Cheong, Soshan, Cao, Zhenbang, Zuo, Huali, Thomas, Anita C., Rolfe, Barbara E. and Xu, Zhi Ping (2017). Layered double hydroxide nanoparticles: Impact on vascular cells, blood cells and the complement system. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 512, 404-410. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2017.10.069
2017
Journal Article
Efficient induction of comprehensive immune responses to control pathogenic E. coli by clay nano-adjuvant with the moderate size and surface charge
Chen, Weiyu, Zuo, Huali, Mahony, Timothy J, Zhang, Bing, Rolfe, Barbara and Xu, Zhi Ping (2017). Efficient induction of comprehensive immune responses to control pathogenic E. coli by clay nano-adjuvant with the moderate size and surface charge. Scientific reports, 7 (1) 13367, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-13570-2
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
The role of the complement system in tumour growth
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing the Innate Immune System to Target Cancer: A Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Solid Tumors
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modulating the Mononuclear Phagocyte System for Improved Nanomaterial Delivery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht, Dr Nick Fletcher
Completed supervision
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting hypoxic cancer stem cells with nanoparticles
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker, Dr Wenyi Gu, Dr Cheng Zhang
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Contribution of complement anaphylatoxin receptors to melanoma growth: potential therapeutic targets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Wenyi Gu
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Transforming Growth Factor and Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor on Myofibroblast Differentiation in the Peritoneal Cavity
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of Myeloid Cells in the Peritoneal Foreign Body Response: Evidence for Phenotypic Plasticity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Hume
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Application of clay nanoparticles as efficient adjuvant in vaccine against pathogenic diarrheagenic E. Coli
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Mahony
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Developing layered double hydroxides into multi-functional vehicles for efficient anti-tumour vaccination
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Wenyi Gu
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Physiological Response to Polymeric Materials in Nanomedicine
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Controlled delivery of nanoparticles to the colon for tumour targeting
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
The role of complement anaphylatoxin receptors in mammary tumour growth: identification of new therapeutic targets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Wenyi Gu
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
The influence of substrate creep on mesenchymal stem cell behaviour and phenotype
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justin Cooper-White, Professor Darren Martin
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of Cells in the Foreign Body Response
Joint Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Exercise, RhoA and Cardioprotection
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jeff Coombes, Professor Robert Fassett
-
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Ex vivo tissue vascularisation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justin Cooper-White
-
2004
Master Philosophy
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARTIFICIAL ARTERY AND ARTIFICIAL UTERUS FROM THE PERITONEAL-DERIVED TISSUE CAPSULE
Associate Advisor
-
2004
Master Philosophy
TISSUE CAPSULE FORMATION IN THE PERITONEAL CAVITY
Associate Advisor
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
THE MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ACTIONS OF THE THERAPEUTIC CYTOKINE LIF ON THE VASCULATURE
Associate Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL CYTOSKELETAL PROTEINS AND REGULATION OF SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL PHENOTYPE
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: