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)

61 - 80 of 122 works

2005

Journal Article

Tissue-engineered blood vessels: Alternative to autologous grafts?

Hoenig, Michel R., Campbell, Gordon R., Rolfe, Barbara E. and Campbell, Julie H. (2005). Tissue-engineered blood vessels: Alternative to autologous grafts?. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 25 (6), 1128-1134. doi: 10.1161/01.ATV.0000158996.03867.72

Tissue-engineered blood vessels: Alternative to autologous grafts?

2005

Journal Article

Rho and vascular disease

Rolfe, B. E., Worth, N. F., World, C. J., Campbell, J. H. and Campbell, G. R. (2005). Rho and vascular disease. Atherosclerosis, 183 (1), 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.04.023

Rho and vascular disease

2005

Conference Publication

Artifical arteries from cells of bone marrow origin

Campbell, J. H., Efendy, J., Chue, W., Daly, C., Mooney, J., Zhang, B., Rolfe, B., Walker, P. and Campbell, G. R. (2005). Artifical arteries from cells of bone marrow origin. Vascular 2005, Sydney, 9-14 Sep, 2005.

Artifical arteries from cells of bone marrow origin

2004

Journal Article

Rho expression and activation in vascular smooth muscle cells

Worth, N. F., Campbell, G. R., Campbell, J. H. and Rolfe, B. E. (2004). Rho expression and activation in vascular smooth muscle cells. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton, 59 (3), 189-200. doi: 10.1002/cm.20036

Rho expression and activation in vascular smooth muscle cells

2004

Journal Article

THE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS OF LIF ON THE VASCULATURE

World, Cameron, Rolfe, Barbara and Campbell, Julie (2004). THE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS OF LIF ON THE VASCULATURE. Cardiovascular Pathology, 13 (3), 61. doi: 10.1016/j.carpath.2004.03.179

THE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS OF LIF ON THE VASCULATURE

2004

Conference Publication

Rho and smooth muscle cell phenotype

Worth, N.F., Rolfe, B.E., Campbell, J.H. and Campbell, G.R. (2004). Rho and smooth muscle cell phenotype. Thirteenth International Symposium on Atherosclerosis, Kyoto, Japan, 27 September - 3 October 2003. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/S0531-5131(03)01863-6

Rho and smooth muscle cell phenotype

2004

Journal Article

The effects of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on neointimal formation in injured arteries

World, C.J., Merrilees, M.J., Beaumont, B., Campbell, G. R., Campbell, J. H. and Rolfe, B. E. (2004). The effects of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on neointimal formation in injured arteries. Biomedical Research, 15 (2), 169-175.

The effects of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on neointimal formation in injured arteries

2003

Journal Article

Rho and smooth muscle cell phenotype

Worth, N. F., Rolfe, B. E., Campbell, J. H. and Campbell, G. R. (2003). Rho and smooth muscle cell phenotype. International Congress Series, 1262 (C), 111-114. doi: 10.1016/S0531-5131(03)01863-6

Rho and smooth muscle cell phenotype

2003

Conference Publication

Rho and smooth muscle cell phenotype

Worth, N. F., Rolfe, B. E. and Campbell, G. R. (2003). Rho and smooth muscle cell phenotype. 13th International Atherosclerosis Symposium, Kyoto, Japan, 28 September - 2 October 2004. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S1567-5688(03)90774-4

Rho and smooth muscle cell phenotype

2003

Journal Article

Leukaemia inhibitory factor retards the progression of atherosclerosis

Rolfe, Barbara E., Stamatiou, Steve, World, Cameron J., Brown, Lindsay, Thomas, Anita C., Bingley, John A., Worth, Nathalie F. and Campbell, Julie H. (2003). Leukaemia inhibitory factor retards the progression of atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular Research, 58 (1), 222-230. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6363(02)00832-5

Leukaemia inhibitory factor retards the progression of atherosclerosis

2001

Conference Publication

A role for Rho in smooth muscle phenotypic regulation

Worth, N. F., Campbell, G. R. and Rolfe, B. E. (2001). A role for Rho in smooth muscle phenotypic regulation. 6th Saratoga International Conference on Atherosclerosis, Tokyo, Japan, 3-6 April 2001. Malden, MA United States: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03955.x

A role for Rho in smooth muscle phenotypic regulation

2001

Journal Article

Regulation of LIF receptor expression in vascular smooth muscle

World, C., Rolfe, B. E. and Campbell, J. H. (2001). Regulation of LIF receptor expression in vascular smooth muscle. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 947 (1), 323-328. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03956.x

Regulation of LIF receptor expression in vascular smooth muscle

2001

Conference Publication

The signal attenuating effects of LIF treated vascular smooth muscle cells as a means of inhibiting hyperplasia

World, C., Rolfe, B. E. and Campbell, J. H. (2001). The signal attenuating effects of LIF treated vascular smooth muscle cells as a means of inhibiting hyperplasia. Australian Vascular Biology Society 9th Annual Scientific Meeting, Noosa Qld, 30 August - September 2, 2001.

The signal attenuating effects of LIF treated vascular smooth muscle cells as a means of inhibiting hyperplasia

2001

Journal Article

Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation in culture is associated with reorganisation of contractile and cytoskeletal proteins

Worth, N. F., Rolfe, B. E., Song, J. and Campbell, G. R. (2001). Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation in culture is associated with reorganisation of contractile and cytoskeletal proteins. Cell Motility And The Cytoskeleton, 49 (3), 130-145. doi: 10.1002/cm.1027

Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation in culture is associated with reorganisation of contractile and cytoskeletal proteins

2001

Conference Publication

Rho as a regulator of smooth muscle phenotype

Rolfe, B. E., Worth, N.F. and Campbell, G. R. (2001). Rho as a regulator of smooth muscle phenotype. COMBIO, Canberra, October 2001.

Rho as a regulator of smooth muscle phenotype

2001

Conference Publication

Attenuation of smooth muscle proliferation by leukaemia inhibitory factor involves the activation of negative feed-back regulators

World, C., Rolfe, B. E. and Campbell, J. H. (2001). Attenuation of smooth muscle proliferation by leukaemia inhibitory factor involves the activation of negative feed-back regulators. COMBIO, Canberra, October 2001.

Attenuation of smooth muscle proliferation by leukaemia inhibitory factor involves the activation of negative feed-back regulators

2001

Journal Article

Reorganization of structural proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells grown in collagen gel and basement membrane matrices (Matrigel): A comparison with their in situ counterparts

Song, J., Rolfe, B. E., Hayward, I. P., Campbell, G. R. and Campbell, J. H. (2001). Reorganization of structural proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells grown in collagen gel and basement membrane matrices (Matrigel): A comparison with their in situ counterparts. Journal of Structural Biology, 133 (1), 43-54. doi: 10.1006/jsbi.2001.4327

Reorganization of structural proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells grown in collagen gel and basement membrane matrices (Matrigel): A comparison with their in situ counterparts

2001

Conference Publication

Smooth muscle, the cytoskeleton and cell signalling

Worth, N.F., Rolfe, B. E. and Campbell, G. R. (2001). Smooth muscle, the cytoskeleton and cell signalling. Australian Vascular Biology Society 9th Scientific Annual Meeting, Noosa, Qld, 30 August - 2 September 2001.

Smooth muscle, the cytoskeleton and cell signalling

2001

Conference Publication

A role for Rho in smooth muscle phenotypic regulation

Campbell, G. R., Worth, N. F. and Rolfe, B. E. (2001). A role for Rho in smooth muscle phenotypic regulation. Australian Vascular Biology Society, Noosa, Queensland, Australia, Ausgust, 2001. New York: The Academy.

A role for Rho in smooth muscle phenotypic regulation

2000

Journal Article

ICAM-1expression by vascular smooth muscle cells is phenotype-dependent

Rolfe, B. E., Muddiman, J. D., Smith, N. J., Campbell, G. R. and Campbell, J. H. (2000). ICAM-1expression by vascular smooth muscle cells is phenotype-dependent. Atherosclerosis, 149 (1), 99-110. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9150(99)00322-6

ICAM-1expression by vascular smooth muscle cells is phenotype-dependent

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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