Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe
Associate Professor

Barbara Rolfe

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 63856

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

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Biomedical engineering Engineering Immunology Innate immunity Oncology and carcinogenesis Tumour immunology

Research interests

  • The role of the innate immune system in cancer

  • Nanotechnology for drug delivery

Search Professor Barbara Rolfe’s works on UQ eSpace

122 works between 1977 and 2024
All (122) Journal Article (89) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (29) Other Outputs (1)

41 - 60 of 122 works

2011

Book Chapter

The fibrotic response to implanted biomaterials: Implications for tissue engineering

Rolfe, Barbara, Mooney, Jane, Zhang, Bing, Jahnke, Sani, Le, Sarah-Jane, Chau, Yu-Qian, Huang, Qiping, Wang, Hao, Campbell, Gordon and Campbell, Julie (2011). The fibrotic response to implanted biomaterials: Implications for tissue engineering. Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering: Cells and Biomaterials. (pp. 551-568) edited by Daniel Eberli. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech Publishing.

The fibrotic response to implanted biomaterials: Implications for tissue engineering

2011

Journal Article

Increased expression of C5a receptor (CD88) mRNA in canine mammary tumors

Hezmee, Mohd Noor Mohd, Kyaw-Tanner, Myat, Lee, Jia Yu Peppermint, Shiels, Ian A., Rolfe, Barbara, Woodruff, Trent and Mills, Paul C. (2011). Increased expression of C5a receptor (CD88) mRNA in canine mammary tumors. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 139 (1), 50-56. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2010.08.005

Increased expression of C5a receptor (CD88) mRNA in canine mammary tumors

2010

Journal Article

Enhanced effects of low molecular weight heparin intercalated with layered double hydroxide nanoparticles on rat vascular smooth muscle cells

Gu, Zi, Rolfe, Barbara E., Xu, Zhi P., Thomas, Anita C., Campbell, Julie H. and Lu, Gao Q.M. (2010). Enhanced effects of low molecular weight heparin intercalated with layered double hydroxide nanoparticles on rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Biomaterials, 31 (20), 5455-5462. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.03.050

Enhanced effects of low molecular weight heparin intercalated with layered double hydroxide nanoparticles on rat vascular smooth muscle cells

2010

Journal Article

Gene expression profile of the fibrotic response in the peritoneal cavity

Le, S. J., Gongora, M., Zhang, B., Grimmond, S., Campbell, G. R., Campbell, J. H. and Rolfe, B. E. (2010). Gene expression profile of the fibrotic response in the peritoneal cavity. Differentiation, 79 (4-5), 232-243. doi: 10.1016/j.diff.2010.03.001

Gene expression profile of the fibrotic response in the peritoneal cavity

2010

Conference Publication

Effect of hydrogels or lipoxinA4 on rat periodontal fibroblasts in-vitro

Varanasi, S., Wang, D., Peng, H., Do, H.L., Smid, J., Rolfe, B., Rasoul, F., Whittaker, A.K. and Symons, A. (2010). Effect of hydrogels or lipoxinA4 on rat periodontal fibroblasts in-vitro. Australian/New Zealand Division Golden Jubilee Meeting, Sebel Harbourside Hotel, Kiama, New South Wales, Australia,, September 27-29 2010.

Effect of hydrogels or lipoxinA4 on rat periodontal fibroblasts in-vitro

2010

Journal Article

Cellular plasticity of inflammatory myeloid cells in the peritoneal foreign body response

Mooney, Jane E., Rolfe, Barbara E., Osborne, Geoffrey W., Sester, David P., van Rooijen, Nico, Campbell, Gordon R., Hume, David A. and Campbell, Julie H. (2010). Cellular plasticity of inflammatory myeloid cells in the peritoneal foreign body response. American Journal of Pathology, 176 (1), 369-380. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090545

Cellular plasticity of inflammatory myeloid cells in the peritoneal foreign body response

2008

Journal Article

Engineering tissue tubes using novel multilayered scaffolds in the rat peritoneal cavity

Cao, Yang, Zhang, Bing, Croll, Tristan, Rolfe, Barbara E., Campbell, Julie H., Campbell, Gordon R., Martin, Darren and Cooper-White, Justin J. (2008). Engineering tissue tubes using novel multilayered scaffolds in the rat peritoneal cavity. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A, 87A (3), 719-727. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.31781

Engineering tissue tubes using novel multilayered scaffolds in the rat peritoneal cavity

2008

Conference Publication

Protective effects of C5a receptor antagonism in a mouse model of atherosclerosis

Manthey, Helga, Thomas, Anita, Taylor, Stephen, Woodruff, Trent, Moore, Tyson, Shiels, Ian and Rolfe, Barbara (2008). Protective effects of C5a receptor antagonism in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. ICW Basel, XXII International Complement Workshop, Basel, Switzerland, 28 September - 2 October 2008. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.08.167

Protective effects of C5a receptor antagonism in a mouse model of atherosclerosis

2008

Journal Article

The peritoneal cavity as a bioreactor for tissue engineering visceral organs: bladder, uterus and vas deferens

Campbell, Gordon R., Geoffrey Turnbull, Xiang, Lina, Haines, Michael, Shannon Armstrong, Rolfe, Barbara E. and Campbell, Julie H. (2008). The peritoneal cavity as a bioreactor for tissue engineering visceral organs: bladder, uterus and vas deferens. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 2 (1), 50-60. doi: 10.1002/term.66

The peritoneal cavity as a bioreactor for tissue engineering visceral organs: bladder, uterus and vas deferens

2007

Conference Publication

Surface protein regulators of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell morphology

Clark, Sharon F., Cao, Yang, Croll, Tristan, Jahnke, Sani, Dyne, Al, Rolfe, Barbara, Brooke, Gary, Atkinson, Kerry, Campbell, Julie and Cooper-White, Justin (2007). Surface protein regulators of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell morphology. International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting, Cairns, Qld, Australia, 17-20 June, 2007.

Surface protein regulators of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell morphology

2007

Conference Publication

Does C5a have a role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis?

Manthey, H., Taylor, S., Shiels, I. and Rolfe, B. (2007). Does C5a have a role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis?. XXI International Complement Workshop, Beijing, China, 22-26 October 2006. Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2006.07.154

Does C5a have a role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis?

2007

Conference Publication

Inhibition of myofibroblast differentiation by silencing transforming growth factor beta receptor

Chau, Yu-Qian, Zhang, Bing, Rolfe, Barbara, Wei, Ming and Campbell, Julie (2007). Inhibition of myofibroblast differentiation by silencing transforming growth factor beta receptor. Annual Congress of the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, De Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 27-30 October, 2007. NEW ROCHELLE: MARY ANN LIEBERT INC.

Inhibition of myofibroblast differentiation by silencing transforming growth factor beta receptor

2006

Journal Article

Mechanics of cellular adhesion to artificial artery templates

Knoner, Gregor, Rolfe, Barbara E., Campbell, Julie H., Parkin, Simon J., Heckenberg, Norman R. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2006). Mechanics of cellular adhesion to artificial artery templates. Biophysical Journal, 91 (8), 3085-3096. doi: 10.1529/biophysj.105.076125

Mechanics of cellular adhesion to artificial artery templates

2006

Conference Publication

The peritoneal cavity as a bioreactor for tissue engineered arteries

Campbell, Julie H., Mooney, Jane, Le, Sarah, Walker, Philip, Zhang, Bing, Rolfe, Barbara and Campbell, Gordon R. (2006). The peritoneal cavity as a bioreactor for tissue engineered arteries. XIVth International Vascular Biology Meeting, Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands, 6-10 June 2006. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.vph.2006.08.128

The peritoneal cavity as a bioreactor for tissue engineered arteries

2006

Journal Article

Antifibrotic activity of an inhibitor of group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) in young spontaneously hypertensive rats

Levick, Scott, Loch, David, Rolfe, Barbara, Reid, Robert C., Fairlie, David P., Taylor, Stephan M. and Brown, Lindsay (2006). Antifibrotic activity of an inhibitor of group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) in young spontaneously hypertensive rats. Journal of Immunology, 176 (11), 7000-7007. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.11.7000

Antifibrotic activity of an inhibitor of group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) in young spontaneously hypertensive rats

2006

Journal Article

Engineering tissue tubes using novel multilayered scaffolds in the rabbit and rat peritoneal cavity

Cao, Yang, Zhang, Bing, Croll, Tristan I., Rolfe, Barbara E., Campbell, Julie H., Campbell, Gordon R., Martin, Darren J. and Cooper-White, Justin J. (2006). Engineering tissue tubes using novel multilayered scaffolds in the rabbit and rat peritoneal cavity. Tissue Engineering, 12 (4), 1020-1021.

Engineering tissue tubes using novel multilayered scaffolds in the rabbit and rat peritoneal cavity

2006

Journal Article

Cholestanol: A serum marker to guide LDL cholesterol-lowering therapy

Hoenig, Michel R., Rolfe, Barbara E. and Campbell, Julie H. (2006). Cholestanol: A serum marker to guide LDL cholesterol-lowering therapy. Atherosclerosis, 184 (2), 247-254. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.09.007

Cholestanol: A serum marker to guide LDL cholesterol-lowering therapy

2006

Journal Article

Life and death in developing myofibroblast capsules

Le, S., Rolfe, B. E., Campbell, G. R. and Campbell, J. H. (2006). Life and death in developing myofibroblast capsules. Cytometry Part A, 69A (5), 419-419. doi: 10.1002/cyto.a.20264

Life and death in developing myofibroblast capsules

2006

Journal Article

Growth factor regulation of myofibroblast differentiation

Rolfe, B. E., Zhang, B., Wigan, M. P., Pearson, K., Chen, Y., Pantarat, S., Campbell, J. H., Jahnke, S, Chau, Y. and Campbell, G. R. (2006). Growth factor regulation of myofibroblast differentiation. Cytometry Part A, 69A (5), 423-424.

Growth factor regulation of myofibroblast differentiation

2006

Journal Article

Monocytes/macrophages and foreign body encapsulation in the peritoneal cavity

Mooney, J. E., Rolfe, B. E., Zhang, B., Sester, P., Campbell, J. H. and Campbell, G. R. (2006). Monocytes/macrophages and foreign body encapsulation in the peritoneal cavity. Cytometry Part A, 69A (5), 421-421.

Monocytes/macrophages and foreign body encapsulation in the peritoneal cavity

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Developing novel peptide tracers for improving immunotherapy outcomes
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Understanding production and application of alpha emitting radionuclides
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals
    ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022
    To determine the immunogenic response to repeated dosing of extracellular vesicles (EVs or exosomes) in mice
    Exopharm
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Complement C5aR1: A novel therapeutic target for brain cancer
    Brain Cancer Innovation Project Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Brightfield and Fluorescent High Speed and Throughput Slide Scanner for biological, medical, materials science, and agricultural applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Harnessing the Innate Immune System to Target Cancer: A Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Solid Tumours
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    A Pharmacology Screening Facility to Accelerate Drug Discovery and Development
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Targeting the Complement Cascade: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Metastatic Melanoma
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A state-of-the-art spinning disc confocal microscope for high speed imaging of live cells and super resolution microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Complement C3a receptor, a novel therapeutic target for melanoma
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Development of a rapid ex vivo screening assay for immunotoxicity of nanoparticles
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Macrophages: A therapeutic target in peritoneal dialysis-induced fibrosis? (NHMRC Project Grant administered by Wesley Research Institute)
    Wesley Merdical Research
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Therapeutic modulation of the innate immune complement system as a new and adjunct therapy to treat a wide variety of cancers
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Establishment of a centralised live animal imaging fluorescence/bio-luminescence suite
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Cellular Mechanisms of Peritoneal Sclerosis
    Wesley Merdical Research
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Origin of cells in the 'artificial' artery grown in the peritoneal cavity
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Vascular smooth muscle cells of bone marrow origin - mechanisms of differentiation.
    National Heart Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    Human leukaemia factor as an anti-atherogenic agent
    Prince Charles Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Non-lipid-lowering effects of statins: are they all beneficial?
    Perpetual Trustee Company Limited
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Leukaemia inhibitory factor: cellular mechanisms of action in the artery wall
    Perpetual Trustee Company Limited
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Leukaemia inhibitory factor: cellular mechanisms of action in the artery wall
    Ronald Geoffrey Arnott Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2001
    The signalling protein Rho as a regulator of smooth muscle cell phenotype: its role in atherogenesis
    National Heart Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 1999
    Human leukaemia inhibitory factor as a potential inhibitor of restenosis
    Prince Charles Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Human Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (hLIF): A Potential Anti-Atherosclerotic/Anti-Restenotic Agent
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Regulation of smooth muscle phenotype in atherosclerosis
    Ramaciotti Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 1999
    The Smooth Muscle Cell Cytoskeleton and its Role in Cell Phenotypic Change and AtherogenesisAN
    National Heart Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Alterations in the distribution of structural proteins associated with smooth muscle cell phenotypic change.
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1998
    T-lymphocytes and atherogenesis.
    National Heart Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Equipment - Changes in smooth muscle proliferation and function in artherosclerosis
    Ramaciotti Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Non-immunological influences of T-cells in atherogenesis
    Mayne Bequest Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe is:
Available for supervision

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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 Brain Cancer

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

Enquiries

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