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Honorary Professor John Upham
Honorary Professor

John Upham

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Overview

Background

John Upham is a clinical scientist and physician with longstanding research interests in the immunological basis of asthma and chronic lung disease, the role of dendritic cells in allergy and virus infections of the lung, and the development of novel approaches to severe asthma treatment.

John is highly influential in his field, with > 195 publications, > 5,400 citations and an H index of 46. Since 2009, he has 112 publications (1st/senior author on 45%) with a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 2.03. Moreover, 21.5% of publications are in the top 10% of most-cited publications worldwide (field-weighted). His publications have been cited in >20 different subject areas, demonstrating translation to fields other than Medicine. His research has international reach with citations in 80 countries (Scopus Dec 2018).

In the last 10 years, he has secured over $24 million in research funding. John has been awarded 8 NHMRC Project grants (4 as CIA in the last 5 years), 2 NHMRC CRE (“Closing the gap in Indigenous Lung Health” and “Severe Asthma”), and 1 NHMRC Development Grant. He currently holds NHMRC grants of $7.5 million, including $2.96 million as CIA. John was regularly an invited (9x), plenary (3x) and Chair (9x) at national and international conferences in the last 5 years. In recognition of his international standing and influence in the field, he was elected Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (2004) and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (2015).

Availability

Honorary Professor John Upham is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia

Research interests

  • Immune function and susceptibility to virus infections in asthma and COPD

  • Plasmacytoid dendritic cells

    Type I interferon production Immune regulation

  • Severe asthma: towards evidence-based assessment and management

  • Innate immunity and bacterial infections of the lungs

    Bronchiectasis and chronic suppurative lung disease in children Lung health in Indigenous children

  • Allergy and immune tolerance

Research impacts

John is currently the President (2021-22) of the Thoracic Society of Australia and Zealand and is a key member of the NHMRC funded Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Asthma Treatable Traits. He has played a leadership role in organising and co-chairing three recent national symposia on severe asthma to facilitate research collaboration, build research and clinical capacity, and improve models of care for severe asthma. He has been a member of multiple advisory boards to pharmaceutical companies, both international and national (AstraZeneca, GSK, Novartis, Nycomed, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Mundipharma, Menarini), and has provided advice to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. His research has provided new treatment options for severe asthma, and guided the appropriate length of antibiotic treatment for Indigenous children with pneumonia, protracted bacterial bronchitis and bronchiectasis. John's research will inform best use of influenza vaccination in COPD, and guide the use of conjugate vaccines to improve immunity to Haemophilus in Indigenous children. He contributed to Clinical Practice Guidelines for the use of omalizumab and mepolizumab in Australia and he was part of the working group that prepared a web-based Severe Asthma Toolkit for the Severe Asthma CRE.

Works

Search Professor John Upham’s works on UQ eSpace

381 works between 1983 and 2025

181 - 200 of 381 works

2016

Conference Publication

LSC Abstract - Punching above their weight: Plasmacytoid dendritic cells play a critical role in regulating rhinovirus induced gene expression pathways

Upham, John, Xi, Camilla, Pena, Olga and Bosco, Anthony (2016). LSC Abstract - Punching above their weight: Plasmacytoid dendritic cells play a critical role in regulating rhinovirus induced gene expression pathways. ERS International Congress 2016, London, United Kingdom, 3-7 September, 2016. Lausanne, Switzerland: European Respiratory Society. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.PP236

LSC Abstract - Punching above their weight: Plasmacytoid dendritic cells play a critical role in regulating rhinovirus induced gene expression pathways

2016

Conference Publication

Uncoupling of the Pdc-Treg Crosstalk During Early-Life Pneumovirus Infection Underlies Long-Lived Treg Dysfunction and Asthma Development

Lynch, J., Rogers, M., Lane, K., Werder, R., Loh, Z., Diener, K., Hayball, J., Hill, G., Haque, A., Spann, K., Mazzone, S., Upham, J. and Phipps, S. (2016). Uncoupling of the Pdc-Treg Crosstalk During Early-Life Pneumovirus Infection Underlies Long-Lived Treg Dysfunction and Asthma Development. International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Melbourne Australia, Aug 21-26, 2016. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL. doi: 10.1111/resp.12755_3

Uncoupling of the Pdc-Treg Crosstalk During Early-Life Pneumovirus Infection Underlies Long-Lived Treg Dysfunction and Asthma Development

2015

Journal Article

Rhinovirus stimulated IFN-α production: how important are plasmacytoid DCs, monocytes and endosomal pH?

Xi, Yang, Finlayson, Arvid, White, Oliva J., Carroll, Melanie L. and Upham, John W. (2015). Rhinovirus stimulated IFN-α production: how important are plasmacytoid DCs, monocytes and endosomal pH?. Clinical and Translational Immunology, 4 (10) e46, e46. doi: 10.1038/cti.2015.27

Rhinovirus stimulated IFN-α production: how important are plasmacytoid DCs, monocytes and endosomal pH?

2015

Journal Article

Influenza epidemiology in adults admitted to sentinel Australian hospitals in 2014: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN)

Cheng, Allen C., Holmes, Mark, Senenayake, Sanjaya, Dwyer, Dominic E., Hewagama, Saliya, Korman, Tony, Irving, Louis, Brown, Simon, Waterer, Grant, Hunter, Cameron, Friedman, N. Deborah, Wark, Peter, Simpson, Graham, Upman, John, Bowler, Simon, Macartney, Kristine, Blyth, Christopher, Kotsimbos, Tom and Kelly, Paul (2015). Influenza epidemiology in adults admitted to sentinel Australian hospitals in 2014: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN). Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report, 39 (3), E355-E360.

Influenza epidemiology in adults admitted to sentinel Australian hospitals in 2014: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN)

2015

Journal Article

Increased peripheral blood pro-inflammatory/cytotoxic lymphocytes in children with bronchiectasis

Hodge, G., Upham, J. W., Chang, A. B., Baines, K. J., Yerkovich, S. T., Pizzutto, S. J. and Hodge, S. (2015). Increased peripheral blood pro-inflammatory/cytotoxic lymphocytes in children with bronchiectasis. PLoS One, 10 (8) e0133695, e0133695. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133695

Increased peripheral blood pro-inflammatory/cytotoxic lymphocytes in children with bronchiectasis

2015

Journal Article

High pulmonary levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in children with chronic suppurative lung disease are associated with low systemic IFN-γ production in response to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae

Pizzutto, Susan J., Upham, John W., Yerkovich, Stephanie T. and Chang, Anne B. (2015). High pulmonary levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in children with chronic suppurative lung disease are associated with low systemic IFN-γ production in response to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae. PLoS One, 10 (6) e0129517, e0129517-e0129517. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129517

High pulmonary levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in children with chronic suppurative lung disease are associated with low systemic IFN-γ production in response to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae

2015

Journal Article

Acute exercise is associated with reduced exhaled nitric oxide in physically inactive adults with asthma

Scott, Hayley A., Latham, Jennifer R., Callister, Robin, Pretto, Jeffrey J., Baines, Katherine, Saltos, Nick, Upham, John W. and Wood, Lisa G. (2015). Acute exercise is associated with reduced exhaled nitric oxide in physically inactive adults with asthma. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 114 (6), 470-479. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2015.04.002

Acute exercise is associated with reduced exhaled nitric oxide in physically inactive adults with asthma

2015

Journal Article

Glycopyrronium once-daily significantly improves lung function and health status when combined with salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD: The GLISTEN study - a randomised controlled trial

Frith, Peter A., Thompson, Philip J., Ratnavadivel, Rajeev, Chang, Catherina L., Bremner, Peter, Day, Peter, Frenzel, Christina, Kurstjens, Nicol, Waddell, Ainslie, Daniel, Alexander, Khoussousi, Alireza, Springfield, Andrew, Veale, Andrew, Graham, Anthony Neil, Gallagher, Brad, Pande, Braj Raj, O'Kane, Brendan, Jones, Christopher, Baldi, Claudio, Helm, Colin, O'Dochartaigh, Conor, Chambers, Daniel, Quinn, Dean, Yull, Derek, Karthigesu, Dhanalakshi, Then, Edward, Graham, Frank, Faigenbaum, Fred, Geddam, Geetha ... Hess, Zofia (2015). Glycopyrronium once-daily significantly improves lung function and health status when combined with salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD: The GLISTEN study - a randomised controlled trial. Thorax, 70 (6), 519-527. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206670

Glycopyrronium once-daily significantly improves lung function and health status when combined with salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD: The GLISTEN study - a randomised controlled trial

2015

Conference Publication

HIGH PULMONARY EXPRESSION OF IL-6 AND IL-1BETA IN CHILDREN WITH SUPPURATIVE LUNG DISEASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPAIRED RECALL RESPONSES TO H. INFLUENZAE

Pizzutto, S. J., Upham, J. W., Yerkovich, S. T. and Chang, A. B. (2015). HIGH PULMONARY EXPRESSION OF IL-6 AND IL-1BETA IN CHILDREN WITH SUPPURATIVE LUNG DISEASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPAIRED RECALL RESPONSES TO H. INFLUENZAE. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

HIGH PULMONARY EXPRESSION OF IL-6 AND IL-1BETA IN CHILDREN WITH SUPPURATIVE LUNG DISEASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPAIRED RECALL RESPONSES TO H. INFLUENZAE

2015

Journal Article

IgE+ B cells are scarce, but allergen-specific B cells with a memory phenotype circulate in patients with allergic rhinitis

Wong, K.J, Timbrell, Victoria L., Xi, Y, Upham, J.W, Collins, A.M and Davies, J.M (2015). IgE+ B cells are scarce, but allergen-specific B cells with a memory phenotype circulate in patients with allergic rhinitis. Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 70 (4), 420-428. doi: 10.1111/all.12563

IgE+ B cells are scarce, but allergen-specific B cells with a memory phenotype circulate in patients with allergic rhinitis

2015

Conference Publication

Immune Responses to Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae in Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis

Upham, J., Chen, A., Carroll, M., Petsky, H., Pizzutto, S., Yerkovich, S., Baines, K., Simpson, J., Gibson, P., Hodge, G., Hodge, S. and Chang, A. (2015). Immune Responses to Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae in Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis. Thoracic Society Australia New Zealand Australian New Zealand Society Respiratory Science Annual Scientific Meeting 2015, Queensland Australia, Mar 27-Apr 01, 2015. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Immune Responses to Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae in Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis

2015

Conference Publication

Sputum and Serum Periostin Levels Are Associated With, But Do Not Predict Sputum Eosinophil Proportion in Severe Asthma

Simpson, J., Yang, I. A., Upham, J. W., Reynolds, P. N., Hodge, S., James, A. L., Jenkins, C., Peters, M. J., Jia, G., Holweg, C. T. J. and Gibson, P. G. (2015). Sputum and Serum Periostin Levels Are Associated With, But Do Not Predict Sputum Eosinophil Proportion in Severe Asthma. Thoracic Society Australia New Zealand Australian New Zealand Society Respiratory Science Annual Scientific Meeting 2015, Queensland Australia, Mar 27-Apr 01, 2015. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Sputum and Serum Periostin Levels Are Associated With, But Do Not Predict Sputum Eosinophil Proportion in Severe Asthma

2015

Conference Publication

AEROALLERGEN-INDUCED IL-33 PREDISPOSES TO RESPIRATORY VIRUS-INDUCED ASTHMA BY DAMPENING TYPE I AND III INTERFERON PRODUCTION

Werder, R., Lynch, J., Simpson, J., Loh, Z., Zhang, , Spann, K., Sly, P., Mazzone, S., Upham, J. and Phipps, S. (2015). AEROALLERGEN-INDUCED IL-33 PREDISPOSES TO RESPIRATORY VIRUS-INDUCED ASTHMA BY DAMPENING TYPE I AND III INTERFERON PRODUCTION. Thoracic Society Australia New Zealand Australian New Zealand Society Respiratory Science Annual Scientific Meeting 2015, Queensland Australia, Mar 27-Apr 01, 2015. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

AEROALLERGEN-INDUCED IL-33 PREDISPOSES TO RESPIRATORY VIRUS-INDUCED ASTHMA BY DAMPENING TYPE I AND III INTERFERON PRODUCTION

2015

Conference Publication

PDC EXPANSION OF NTREG LIMITS SEVERE PNEUMOVIRUS-INDUCED BRONCHIOLITIS AND ATTENUATES THE ONSET OF VIRUS-PROVOKED ASTHMA

Lynch, J., Rogers, M., Lane, K., Werder, R., Loh, Z., Diener, K., Hayball, J., Hill, G., Haque, A., Spann, K., Mazzone, S., Upham, J. and Phipps, S. (2015). PDC EXPANSION OF NTREG LIMITS SEVERE PNEUMOVIRUS-INDUCED BRONCHIOLITIS AND ATTENUATES THE ONSET OF VIRUS-PROVOKED ASTHMA. Thoracic Society Australia New Zealand Australian New Zealand Society Respiratory Science Annual Scientific Meeting 2015, Queensland Australia, Mar 27-Apr 01, 2015. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

PDC EXPANSION OF NTREG LIMITS SEVERE PNEUMOVIRUS-INDUCED BRONCHIOLITIS AND ATTENUATES THE ONSET OF VIRUS-PROVOKED ASTHMA

2015

Conference Publication

A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Survey of Allergic Sensitisation to Subtropical and Temperate Grass Pollens

Davies, Janet M., Solley, Graham O., Smith, William B., McLean-Tooke, Andrew, van Nunen, Sheryl A., Smith, Peter Kenneth, Timbrell, Victoria L., Upham, John W. and Langguth, Daman (2015). A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Survey of Allergic Sensitisation to Subtropical and Temperate Grass Pollens. Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Allergy-Asthma-and-Immunology (AAAAI), Houston Tx, Feb 20-24, 2015. NEW YORK: MOSBY-ELSEVIER. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.12.1396

A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Survey of Allergic Sensitisation to Subtropical and Temperate Grass Pollens

2015

Journal Article

Improving immunity to Haemophilus influenzae in children with chronic suppurative lung disease

Pizzutto, Susan J., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Upham, John W., Hales, Belinda J., Thomas, Wayne R. and Chang, Anne B. (2015). Improving immunity to Haemophilus influenzae in children with chronic suppurative lung disease. Vaccine, 33 (2), 321-326. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.11.024

Improving immunity to Haemophilus influenzae in children with chronic suppurative lung disease

2015

Journal Article

Anti-inflammatory deficiencies in neutrophilic asthma: reduced galectin-3 and IL-1RA/IL-1 beta

Gao, Peng, Gibson, Peter G., Baines, Katherine J., Yang, Ian A., Upham, John W., Reynolds, Paul N., Hodge, Sandra, James, Alan L., Jenkins, Christine, Peters, Matthew J., Zhang, Jie and Simpson, Jodie L. (2015). Anti-inflammatory deficiencies in neutrophilic asthma: reduced galectin-3 and IL-1RA/IL-1 beta. Respiratory Research, 16 (5) 5, 5. doi: 10.1189/s12931-014-0163-5

Anti-inflammatory deficiencies in neutrophilic asthma: reduced galectin-3 and IL-1RA/IL-1 beta

2015

Journal Article

PBB: definition, mechanisms, and treatment

Chang, Anne B., Grimwood, Keith, Gibson, Peter G. and Upham, John W. (2015). PBB: definition, mechanisms, and treatment. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 3 (10), 743-744. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(15)00243-X

PBB: definition, mechanisms, and treatment

2015

Conference Publication

Sputum And Serum Periostin Levels Are Associated With, But Do Not Predict Sputum Eosinophil Proportion In Severe Asthma

Simpson, J., Yang, I. A., Upham, J. W., Reynolds, P. N., Hodge, S., James, A. L., Jenkins, C. R., Peters, M. J., Jia, G., Holweg, C. T. and Gibson, P. G. (2015). Sputum And Serum Periostin Levels Are Associated With, But Do Not Predict Sputum Eosinophil Proportion In Severe Asthma. International Conference of the American-Thoracic-Society (ATS), Denver Co, May 15-20, 2015. NEW YORK: AMER THORACIC SOC.

Sputum And Serum Periostin Levels Are Associated With, But Do Not Predict Sputum Eosinophil Proportion In Severe Asthma

2015

Conference Publication

Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis (PBB) in children: natural history and risk factors for bronchiectasis

Wurzel, D., Marchant, J., Yerkovich, S., Upham, J., Petsky, H. and Chang, A. (2015). Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis (PBB) in children: natural history and risk factors for bronchiectasis. Thoracic Society Australia New Zealand Australian New Zealand Society Respiratory Science Annual Scientific Meeting 2015, QLD, Australia, 27 March – 1 April 2015. doi: 10.1111/resp.12494

Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis (PBB) in children: natural history and risk factors for bronchiectasis

Funding

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2028
    Minimising Oral Corticosteroid use in Asthma using Treatable Traits (2021 MRFF Chronic Respiratory Conditions grant Administering Institution University of Newcastle)
    University of Newcastle
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Centre of Research Excellence in Asthma Treatable Traits (CREATT) (administered by University of Newcastle)
    University of Newcastle
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Diagnostic utility of tests of latent tuberculosis in immune compromised contacts exposed to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (2021 Metro South SERTA Novice Researcher Grant administered by MSHHS)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Reducing acute severe respiratory events in health care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic with OM85
    NHMRC MRFF Coronavirus Research Response
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Understanding how azithromycin prevents exacerbations in severe asthma
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Anti-viral immune dysfunction in severe asthma varies across inflammatory phenotypes
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Multicentre randomised controlled trial on duration of antibiotics for children with chronic wet cough - (Children's Hospital Foundation grant administered by QUT)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Abberant immune responses to viruses in severe asthma: what role does IL-33 play? (Seed Grant awarded by NHMRC CCRE in Severe Asthma APP1078579 administered by the University of Newcastle)
    University of Newcastle
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2022
    A multi-centre double-blind RCT on community-acquired pneumonia in Indigenous children and a developing country (NHMRC Project Grant administered by Menzies School of Health Research)
    Menzies School of Health Research
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Improving asthma through lifestyle interventions: how much exercise is best?
    Asthma Australia Incorporated
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Using influenza vaccination to understand and improve anti-viral immunity in COPD
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2020
    National Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Severe Asthma (NHMRC CRE administered by the University of Newcastle)
    University of Newcastle
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Anti-viral immunity in asthma: a detailed assessment of TLR7 function and the regulation of interferon a/B synthesis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Protracted bacterial bronchitis: long term outcomes, systemic and airway predictors of recurrence (NHMRC Project Grant administered by Menzies)
    The Menzies Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    Centre of Research Excellence in Lung Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children (NHMRC CRE administered by Menzies School of Health Research)
    Menzies School of Health Research
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Defective toll-like receptor 7 signalling in plasmacytoid dendritic cells underlies the inception of virus-associated asthma
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Influenza vaccination and asthma
    Asthma Foundation of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Microbial immunity in a large population of adult asthmatics with suboptimal disease control
    PA Research Foundation Private Practice Trust Fund Research Support Grants
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    The airway epithelium in paediatric respiratory diseases
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Allergic sensitization to grass pollens in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma in subtropical regions of Australia (Year 2)
    Asthma Foundation of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Understanding immune responses to influenza vaccination in people with asthma
    Asthma Foundation of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Development of the major Bahia grass pollen allergen, Pas n 1, as an immunodiagnostic test for subtropical grass pollen allergy
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Protracted bacterial bronchitis in children: what is the natural history and role of innate immunity dysfunction?
    Financial Markets Foundation for Children
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Allergic sensitization to grass pollens in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma in subtropical regions of Australia
    Asthma Foundation of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Allergy to subtropical grass pollens in Australia: IgE cross-reactivity between subtropical and temperate grass pollens
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Antiviral innate immunity in asthma: why are some people with asthma susceptible to virus infections?
    Asthma Foundation of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Prevention of allergic asthma through induction of tolerance in allergen-sensitised T cells
    Asthma Foundation of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2015
    The AMAZES Study: Asthma and Macrolides: the AZithromycin Efficacy and Safety study (NHMRC Project Grant administered by University of Newcastle)
    University of Newcastle
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Anti-viral immunity in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    Princess Alexandra Hospital R&D Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Antiviral innate immunity in asthma: why are some people with asthma susceptible to virus infections?
    Asthma Foundation of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship
    NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Protracted bronchitis in children: what is the natural history and role of innate immunity dysfunction?
    Royal Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2007
    NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship
    NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2011
    Developmental aspects of respiratory inflammation, allergy and asthma (UWA_lead institution)
    University of Western Australia
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Honorary Professor John Upham is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Immune dysregulation in asthma and host defence against respiratory viruses

    Our program of translational research is focussed on the study of immune function and dysfunction in asthma, and host defence against respiratory viruses, especially human rhinoviruses. We are interested in the mechanisms leading to excessive airway inflammation in asthma, and why people with asthma are unusually susceptible to asthma attacks during respiratory viral infections. Our aim is to discover new therapeutic targets in severe asthma.

    Research Projects

    • The function of key immune cells such as antigen presenting cells and NK cells
    • The role of polarizing cytokines such as IL-33, IL-25 and TSLP in altering host defence against viruses.
    • How macrolide antibiotics alter immune function

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Honorary Professor John Upham directly for media enquiries about:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Dendritic cells
  • Immunity
  • Lung infections
  • Lungs - virus infections
  • Virus infections of the lung

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For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au