Professor Kate Stacey
Professor

Kate Stacey

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54640

Background

My work focusses on activation of innate immune cells by pathogen products. Following my PhD at UQ on transcriptional regulation in macrophages I went in 1996 to the University of Cambridge on a CJ Martin Fellowship to work in a molecular parasitology laboratory. I returned to the the University of Queensland in where I focussed on immune cell responses to foreign DNA. I was awarded an ARC Future Fellowship in 2009 to move to the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, where I also lecture in immunology.

Availability

Professor Kate Stacey is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Immunology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Recognition of foreign DNA in infections

    Given that the DNA of one organism is structurally similar to another, the fact that DNA can be recognised by the immune system as an indication of infection was initially a surprise. There are at least three systems involved in foreign DNA recognition. Toll-like receptor 9 recognises bacterial or viral DNA being taken up from outside the cell and located within the endosomal system. In this case TLR9 distinguishes self DNA from foreign DNA by recognition of unmethylated CpG sequences which are rare in mammalian DNA. Foreign DNA can also be recognised within the cell cytosol, by two receptors, AIM2 and cGAS. In this case, the basis for recognition is not a foreign DNA structure, but rather an abnormal localisation. AIM2 elicits inflammatory responses to the DNA via inflammasome complex formation, and cGAS induces anti-viral interferon secretion. We study the molecular bases for these pathways of DNA recognition, and their regulation.

  • Pathways of cell death elicited by inflammasomes

    Inflammasomes are large protein complexes which assemble in response to a range of infections, environmental irritants, and other danger signals within the body. Inflammasomes promote release of proteins inducing inflammation, as well as leading to the death of infected cells, as a defensive response. The conventional pathway of inflammasome-induced cell death involves a protease caspase-1, which leads to rapid lysis of the cell. We have recently characterised the parallel activation of caspase-8 by the inflammasome, which leads to a different type of cell death termed apoptosis. The activation of several death pathways may be part of the arms race against pathogens which are trying to subvert these pathways. We are investigating the protein-protein interactions involved in inflammasome formation and caspase activation

  • Innate immune defects in the autoimmune disease lupus

    Autoimmunity arises when the immune system inappropriately attacks the host. Lupus is a condition mediated by antibodies against a range of intracellular proteins and DNA, and leads to damage of a wide range of body tissues. The most serious complications generally arise from deposition of antibody complexes in the kidneys. We propose that imbalance in innate immune responses, such as inflammasome responses, are involved in the initiation of lupus. We are using mouse strains which spontaneously develop lupus-like conditions, as well as patient blood samples, to identify abnormalities in innate immune responses. An experimental approach to inhibiting production of interferon, which is a key driver of lupus, will be trialled.

  • Defence against invading DNA as a fundamental process from insects to vertebrates

    We reason that defence against invading pieces of DNA should be fundamental to the viability of all species. Although evolution can be driven by incorporation of foreign DNA into the genome, accumulation of excessive mutations is likely to be detrimental. The AIM2 protein that elicits cell death in response to foreign DNA in the cytosol is restricted to mammals. We are now investigating novel responses to foreign DNA in insects and birds.

Research impacts

Basic research allows the discovery of the unexpected, which provides the greatest potential long term advances. My laboratory does fundamental research into how the immune system recognises the presence of infections.

Search Professor Kate Stacey’s works on UQ eSpace

113 works between 1991 and 2025
All (113) Journal Article (87) Book Chapter (7) Conference Publication (19)

81 - 100 of 113 works

2005

Journal Article

Interaction between conventional dendritic cells and natural killer cells is integral to the activation of effective antiviral immunity

Andoniou, C. E., van Dommelen, S. L. H., Voigt, V., Andrews, D. M., Brizard, G., Asselin-Paturel, C., Delale, T., Stacey, K. J., Trinchieri, G. and Degli-Esposti, M. A. (2005). Interaction between conventional dendritic cells and natural killer cells is integral to the activation of effective antiviral immunity. Nature Immunology, 6 (10), 1011-1019. doi: 10.1038/ni1244

Interaction between conventional dendritic cells and natural killer cells is integral to the activation of effective antiviral immunity

2005

Conference Publication

Regulation and function of toll-like receptor 9 in macrophages

Sweet, Matthew J., Schroder, Kate, Sester, David P., Trieu, Angela, Rehli, Michael, Risvanathan, Kumar, Stacey, Katryn J. and Hume, David A. (2005). Regulation and function of toll-like receptor 9 in macrophages. 7th World Congress on Inflammation, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 20-24 August 2005. Switzerland: Birkhaeuser Science.

Regulation and function of toll-like receptor 9 in macrophages

2005

Journal Article

LPS regulates a set of genes in primary murine macrophages by antagonising CSF-1 action

Sester, D. P., Trieu, A., Brion, K., Schroder, K., Ravasi, T., Robinson, J. A., McDonald, R. C., Ripoll, V., Wells, C. A., Suzuki, H., Hayashizaki, Y., Stacey, K. J., Hume, D. A. and Sweet, M. J. (2005). LPS regulates a set of genes in primary murine macrophages by antagonising CSF-1 action. Immunobiology, 210 (2-4), 97-107. doi: 10.1016/j.imbio.2005.05.004

LPS regulates a set of genes in primary murine macrophages by antagonising CSF-1 action

2005

Conference Publication

Purified splenic B-cells do not respond to E. coli DNA

Roberts, Tara L., Dann, Jasmyn A., Sweet, Matthew J., Hume, David A., Lenert, Petar and Stacey, Katryn J. (2005). Purified splenic B-cells do not respond to E. coli DNA. 7th World Congress on Inflammation, Melbourne, Australia, 20-24 August 2005. Switzerland: Birkhaeuser Science.

Purified splenic B-cells do not respond to E. coli DNA

2003

Journal Article

The molecular basis for the lack of immunostimulatory activity of vertebrate DNA

Stacey, Katryn J., Young, Greg R., Clark, Francis, Sester, David P., Roberts, Tara L., Naik, Shalin, Sweet, Matthew J. and Hume, David A. (2003). The molecular basis for the lack of immunostimulatory activity of vertebrate DNA. Journal of Immunology, 170 (7), 3614-3620. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.170.7.3614

The molecular basis for the lack of immunostimulatory activity of vertebrate DNA

2002

Book Chapter

Phosphorothioate backbone modification changes the pattern of responses to CpG

Stacey, K. J., Sester, D. P., Naik, S., Roberts, T., Sweet, M. J. and Hume, D. A. (2002). Phosphorothioate backbone modification changes the pattern of responses to CpG. Microbial DNA and host immunity. (pp. 63-77) Totowa, New Jersey: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59259-305-7_6

Phosphorothioate backbone modification changes the pattern of responses to CpG

2002

Journal Article

Colony-stimulating factor-1 suppresses responses to CpG DNA and expression of toll-like receptor 9 but enhances responses to lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophages

Sweet, Matthew J., Campbell, Carol C., Sester, David P., Xu, Damo, McDonald, Rebecca C., Stacey, Katryn J., Hume, David A. and Liew, Foo Y. (2002). Colony-stimulating factor-1 suppresses responses to CpG DNA and expression of toll-like receptor 9 but enhances responses to lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophages. Journal of Immunology, 168 (1), 392-399. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.1.392

Colony-stimulating factor-1 suppresses responses to CpG DNA and expression of toll-like receptor 9 but enhances responses to lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophages

2000

Journal Article

G551D cystic fibrosis mice exhibit abnormal regulation of inflammation in lungs and macrophages

Thomas, Gordon R., Costelloe, E. A., Lunn, D. P., Stacey, K. J., Passey, R., McGlinn, E. C., McMorran, B. J., Ahadizadeh, A., Geczy, C. L., Wainwright, B. J. and Hume, D. A. (2000). G551D cystic fibrosis mice exhibit abnormal regulation of inflammation in lungs and macrophages. The Journal of Immunology, 164 (7), 3870-3877. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.7.3870

G551D cystic fibrosis mice exhibit abnormal regulation of inflammation in lungs and macrophages

2000

Journal Article

Phosphorothioate backbone modification modulates macrophage activation by CpG DNA1

Sester, D. P., Naik, S., Beasley, S. J., Hume, D. A. and Stacey, K. J. (2000). Phosphorothioate backbone modification modulates macrophage activation by CpG DNA1. The Journal of Immunology, 165 (8), 4165-4173. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.8.4165

Phosphorothioate backbone modification modulates macrophage activation by CpG DNA1

2000

Conference Publication

Replication protein A binds preferentially to immunostimulatory oligonucleotides.

Stacey, K. J., Sester, D. P., Murphy, K. M., Sweet, M. J. and Hume, D. A. (2000). Replication protein A binds preferentially to immunostimulatory oligonucleotides.. -, -, -. Bethesda, MD United States: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

Replication protein A binds preferentially to immunostimulatory oligonucleotides.

2000

Journal Article

Macrophage activation by immunostimulatory DNA

Stacey, K. J., Sester, D. P., Sweet, M. J. and Hume, D. A. (2000). Macrophage activation by immunostimulatory DNA. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, 247, 41-58. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-59672-8_3

Macrophage activation by immunostimulatory DNA

2000

Journal Article

Regulation of the urokinase plasminogen activator gene in macrophages by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) is dependent upon the level of cell surface receptor

Fowles, L. F., Stacey, K. J., Marks, D., Hamilton, J. A. and Hume, D. A. (2000). Regulation of the urokinase plasminogen activator gene in macrophages by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) is dependent upon the level of cell surface receptor. Biochemical Journal, 347 (1), 313-320. doi: 10.1042/0264-6021:3470313

Regulation of the urokinase plasminogen activator gene in macrophages by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) is dependent upon the level of cell surface receptor

1999

Journal Article

Immunostimulatory DNA as an adjuvant in vaccination against Leishmania major

Stacey, Katryn J. and Blackwell, Jenefer M. (1999). Immunostimulatory DNA as an adjuvant in vaccination against Leishmania major. Infection and Immunity, 67 (8), 3719-3726. doi: 10.1128/iai.67.8.3719-3726.1999

Immunostimulatory DNA as an adjuvant in vaccination against Leishmania major

1999

Journal Article

The actions of bacterial DNA on murine macrophages

Sester, D. P., Stacey, K. J., Sweet, M. J., Beasley, S. J., Cronau, S. L. and Hume, D. A. (1999). The actions of bacterial DNA on murine macrophages. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 66 (4), 542-548. doi: 10.1002/jlb.66.4.542

The actions of bacterial DNA on murine macrophages

1999

Conference Publication

CpG DNA effects macrophage CSF-1 receptor cell surface expression, proliferation and survival

Sester, D. P., Beasley, S. J., Sweet, M. J., Stacey, K. J. and Hume, D. A. (1999). CpG DNA effects macrophage CSF-1 receptor cell surface expression, proliferation and survival. 15th International Congress for Society for Leukocyte Biology, Churchill College, Cambridge UK, 22-26 September, 1999. Bethesda, Maryland: Society for Leukocyte Biology.

CpG DNA effects macrophage CSF-1 receptor cell surface expression, proliferation and survival

1999

Journal Article

Regulation of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) gene in murine macrophages. Demonstration of a novel pattern of responsiveness to bacterial endotoxin

Costelloe, E. O., Stacey, K. J., Antalis, T. M. and Hume, D. A. (1999). Regulation of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) gene in murine macrophages. Demonstration of a novel pattern of responsiveness to bacterial endotoxin. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 66 (1), 172-183. doi: 10.1002/jlb.66.1.172

Regulation of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) gene in murine macrophages. Demonstration of a novel pattern of responsiveness to bacterial endotoxin

1999

Journal Article

Mechanisms of regulation of the MacMarcks gene in macrophages by bacterial lipopolysaccharide

Chang, S. S., Stacey, K. J., Costelloe, E. O., Aderem, A., Hume, D. A. and Chen, J. (1999). Mechanisms of regulation of the MacMarcks gene in macrophages by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 66 (3), 528-534. doi: 10.1002/jlb.66.3.528

Mechanisms of regulation of the MacMarcks gene in macrophages by bacterial lipopolysaccharide

1999

Conference Publication

Immunostimulatory DNA promotes factor independent survival of macrophages

Sester, D. P., Sweet, M. J., Stacey, K. J. and Hume, D. A. (1999). Immunostimulatory DNA promotes factor independent survival of macrophages. ComBio 99, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast, 27-30 September, 1999. Kent Town, SA: Australian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

Immunostimulatory DNA promotes factor independent survival of macrophages

1999

Journal Article

Bacterial/CpG DNA down-modulates colony stimulating factor-1 receptor surface expression on murine bone marrow-derived macrophages with concomitant growth arrest and factor-independent survival

Sester, D. P., Beasley, S. J., Sweet, M. J., Fowles, L. F., Cronau, S., Stacey, K. J. and Hume, D. A. (1999). Bacterial/CpG DNA down-modulates colony stimulating factor-1 receptor surface expression on murine bone marrow-derived macrophages with concomitant growth arrest and factor-independent survival. Journal of Immunology, 163 (12), 6541-6550.

Bacterial/CpG DNA down-modulates colony stimulating factor-1 receptor surface expression on murine bone marrow-derived macrophages with concomitant growth arrest and factor-independent survival

1998

Journal Article

Persistent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases p42 and p44 and ets-2 phosphorylation in response to colony-stimulating Factor 1/c-fms Signaling

Fowles, Lindsay F., Martin, Michele L., Nelsen, Lori, Stacey, Katryn J., Redd, Douglas, Clark, Ying Mei, Nagamine, Yoshikune, McMahon, Martin, Hume, David A. and Ostrowski, Michael C. (1998). Persistent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases p42 and p44 and ets-2 phosphorylation in response to colony-stimulating Factor 1/c-fms Signaling. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 18 (9), 5148-5156. doi: 10.1128/MCB.18.9.5148

Persistent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases p42 and p44 and ets-2 phosphorylation in response to colony-stimulating Factor 1/c-fms Signaling

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Gut leak and microbiome contribution to severe dengue disease
    NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Mammalian endotoxin: Characterisation of highly inflammatory endogenous material
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2022
    Intestinal barrier integrity in dengue virus infection
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Molecular basis and inhibition of TIR-domain function in Toll-like receptor and neuronal cell-death pathways
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Epifluorescent and live-cell imaging microscopes for the investigation of host-pathogen interactions and for molecular and cellular biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    The core inflammasome as a model for caspase activation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    A conserved pathway of cell death in response to invading DNA
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Dengue virus NS1 protein as a mediator of pathology
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014
    A confocal microscope for investigation of live bacterial and viral pathogens and for molecular cell biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (SRFA): Response of the body to microbes, and development of autoimmunity
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    The dengue virus glycoprotein NS1 binds cholesterol and mediates cellular activation
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Caspase 8 apoptotic signalling induced by the inflammasome
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Combating invading DNA: A process conserved in evolution?
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Transport and innate immune properties of DNA in bacterial nano-sized vesicles (ARC Discovery Project administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Cell culture facilities for studying host-pathogen interactions and immune function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Mass spectrometer for biomolecule discovery, structural analysis and quantification.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Real time cell analysis for biological and drug discovery applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    The mechanism of cell death in response to cytoplasmic DNA, and its role in tumour suppression
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Characterisation of human-specific anti-microbial pathways.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Cytoplasmic DNA as a danger signal for mammalian cells.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    Foreign DNA is a danger signal for mammalian cells
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Cellular Activation and Apoptosis in Response to Foreign Cytoplasmic DNA
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Regulation and Function of TLR9
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    TLR9 And The Response To Foreign DNA
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Mechanisms of macrophage activation by immunostimulatory DNA
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Mechanisms of action of CpG DNA as an activator of macrophage function
    Mayne Bequest Fund
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 2001
    Function of the natural resistance associated macrophage protein (NRAMP)
    NHMRC C J Martin Fellowship
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Kate Stacey is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Molecular analysis of adapter protein interaction with Toll-like receptors

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Parimala Vajjhala

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The contribution of gut bacteria to severe dengue disease

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adriana Pliego Zamora

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Toll-like receptor signalling mechanisms

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Parimala Vajjhala

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structural and functional analysis of TIR domain enzymatic activity

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Parimala Vajjhala, Professor Bostjan Kobe

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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