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)

101 - 120 of 122 works

1991

Journal Article

Identification of a Putative Inhibitor of Early-Pregnancy Factor in Mice

Cavanagh, AC, Morton, H, Athanasasplatsis, S, Quinn, KA and Rolfe, BE (1991). Identification of a Putative Inhibitor of Early-Pregnancy Factor in Mice. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 91 (1), 239-248. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0910239

Identification of a Putative Inhibitor of Early-Pregnancy Factor in Mice

1990

Journal Article

Monoclonal-Antibodies to Early-Pregnancy Factor Perturb Tumor-Cell Growth

Quinn, KA, Athanasasplatsis, S, Wong, TY, Rolfe, BE, Cavanagh, AC and Morton, H (1990). Monoclonal-Antibodies to Early-Pregnancy Factor Perturb Tumor-Cell Growth. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 80 (1), 100-108. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1990.tb06448.x

Monoclonal-Antibodies to Early-Pregnancy Factor Perturb Tumor-Cell Growth

1989

Journal Article

Passive-Immunization of Pregnant Mice Against Early-Pregnancy Factor Causes Loss of Embryonic Viability

Athanasasplatsis, S, Quinn, KA, Wong, TY, Rolfe, BE, Cavanagh, AC and Morton, H (1989). Passive-Immunization of Pregnant Mice Against Early-Pregnancy Factor Causes Loss of Embryonic Viability. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 87 (2), 495-502. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0870495

Passive-Immunization of Pregnant Mice Against Early-Pregnancy Factor Causes Loss of Embryonic Viability

1989

Journal Article

Genetically-restricted effector molecules released by human lymphocytes in response to early pregnancy factor.

Rolfe B., Quinn K., Athanasas S., Cavanagh A. and Morton H. (1989). Genetically-restricted effector molecules released by human lymphocytes in response to early pregnancy factor.. Immunology and cell biology, 67 (3), 205-208. doi: 10.1038/icb.1989.31

Genetically-restricted effector molecules released by human lymphocytes in response to early pregnancy factor.

1988

Journal Article

Identification of 2 Suppressor Factors Induced by Early-Pregnancy Factor

Rolfe, BE, Cavanagh, AC, Quinn, KA and Morton, H (1988). Identification of 2 Suppressor Factors Induced by Early-Pregnancy Factor. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 73 (2), 219-225.

Identification of 2 Suppressor Factors Induced by Early-Pregnancy Factor

1987

Journal Article

Ovum Factor and Early-Pregnancy Factor

Morton, H, Rolfe, BE and Cavanagh, AC (1987). Ovum Factor and Early-Pregnancy Factor. Current Topics in Developmental Biology, 23, 73-92.

Ovum Factor and Early-Pregnancy Factor

1987

Journal Article

OVUM factor and early pregnancy factor

Morton, Halle, Rolfe, Barbara E. and Cavanagh, Alice C. (1987). OVUM factor and early pregnancy factor. Current Topics in Developmental Biology, 23 (C), 73-92. doi: 10.1016/S0070-2153(08)60620-1

OVUM factor and early pregnancy factor

1985

Conference Publication

Early-Pregnancy Factor - a Suppressor Releasing Hormone

Rolfe, BE, Cavanagh, AC, Quinn, KA and Morton, H (1985). Early-Pregnancy Factor - a Suppressor Releasing Hormone. NEW YORK: WILEY-LISS.

Early-Pregnancy Factor - a Suppressor Releasing Hormone

1984

Journal Article

Modified rosette inhibition test with mouse lymphocytes for detection of early pregnancy factor in human pregnancy serum

Rolfe, Barbara, Cavanagh, Alice, Forde, Caron, Bastin, Fern, Chen, Christopher and Morton, Halle (1984). Modified rosette inhibition test with mouse lymphocytes for detection of early pregnancy factor in human pregnancy serum. Journal of Immunological Methods, 70 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1016/0022-1759(84)90383-1

Modified rosette inhibition test with mouse lymphocytes for detection of early pregnancy factor in human pregnancy serum

1984

Conference Publication

Detection of An Epf-Like Substance in Sera of Patients with Testicular Germ-Cell Tumors

Gardiner, RA, Morton, H, Cavanagh, AC and Rolfe, BE (1984). Detection of An Epf-Like Substance in Sera of Patients with Testicular Germ-Cell Tumors. OXFORD: BLACKWELL SCIENCE LTD.

Detection of An Epf-Like Substance in Sera of Patients with Testicular Germ-Cell Tumors

1983

Other Outputs

Early pregnancy factor : immunological, biochemical and clinical aspects

Rolfe, Barbara (1983). Early pregnancy factor : immunological, biochemical and clinical aspects. PhD Thesis, School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2014.580

Early pregnancy factor : immunological, biochemical and clinical aspects

1983

Journal Article

Detection of An Early-Pregnancy Factor-Like Substance in Sera of Patients with Testicular Germ-Cell Tumors

Rolfe, BE, Morton, H, Cavanagh, AC and Gardiner, RA (1983). Detection of An Early-Pregnancy Factor-Like Substance in Sera of Patients with Testicular Germ-Cell Tumors. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 3 (2), 97-100. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1983.tb00223.x

Detection of An Early-Pregnancy Factor-Like Substance in Sera of Patients with Testicular Germ-Cell Tumors

1983

Journal Article

Early-Pregnancy Factor Is An Immunosuppressive Contaminant of Commercial Preparations of Human Chorionic-Gonadotropin

Rolfe, BE, Morton, H and Clarke, FM (1983). Early-Pregnancy Factor Is An Immunosuppressive Contaminant of Commercial Preparations of Human Chorionic-Gonadotropin. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 51 (1), 45-52.

Early-Pregnancy Factor Is An Immunosuppressive Contaminant of Commercial Preparations of Human Chorionic-Gonadotropin

1982

Journal Article

Detection of Fetal Wastage

Rolfe, BE (1982). Detection of Fetal Wastage. Fertility and Sterility, 37 (5), 655-660. doi: 10.1016/S0015-0282(16)46278-3

Detection of Fetal Wastage

1982

Conference Publication

Production of An Epf-Like Substance by Male Germ-Cell Tumors

Rolfe, BE, Morton, H, Cavanagh, AC and Gardiner, R (1982). Production of An Epf-Like Substance by Male Germ-Cell Tumors. COPENHAGEN: MUNKSGAARD INT PUBL LTD.

Production of An Epf-Like Substance by Male Germ-Cell Tumors

1982

Journal Article

Ovum Factor - a 1st Signal of Pregnancy

Cavanagh, AC, Morton, H, Rolfe, BE and Gidleybaird, AA (1982). Ovum Factor - a 1st Signal of Pregnancy. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2 (2), 97-101. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1982.tb00093.x

Ovum Factor - a 1st Signal of Pregnancy

1982

Journal Article

Rosette inhibition test: A multicentre investigation of early pregnancy factor in humans

Morton, Halle, Tinneberg, Hans-Rudolf, Rolfe, Barbara, Wolf, Marianne and Mettler, Lilo (1982). Rosette inhibition test: A multicentre investigation of early pregnancy factor in humans. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 4 (5), 251-261. doi: 10.1016/0165-0378(82)90001-8

Rosette inhibition test: A multicentre investigation of early pregnancy factor in humans

1982

Conference Publication

Early-Pregnancy Factor in Pre-Implantation Pregnancy

Morton, H, Rolfe, BE and Cavanagh, AC (1982). Early-Pregnancy Factor in Pre-Implantation Pregnancy. COPENHAGEN: MUNKSGAARD INT PUBL LTD.

Early-Pregnancy Factor in Pre-Implantation Pregnancy

1980

Journal Article

Early pregnancy factor: tissues involved in its production in the mouse

Morton, H., Rolfe, B. E., McNeill, L., Clarke, P., Clarke, F. M. and Clunie, G. J. A. (1980). Early pregnancy factor: tissues involved in its production in the mouse. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2 (2), 73-82. doi: 10.1016/0165-0378(80)90044-3

Early pregnancy factor: tissues involved in its production in the mouse

1980

Journal Article

Partial Characterization of Early-Pregnancy Factor in the Sheep

Clarke, FM, Morton, H, Rolfe, BE and Clunie, Gja (1980). Partial Characterization of Early-Pregnancy Factor in the Sheep. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2 (3), 151-162. doi: 10.1016/0165-0378(80)90033-9

Partial Characterization of Early-Pregnancy Factor in the Sheep

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 Solid Tumors

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Harnessing the Innate Immune System to Target Cancer: A Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Brain Cancer

    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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