Overview
Background
I lead a research program with extensive expertise in immunology, particularly in natural killer (NK) cells, focused on developing innovative approaches for treating hard-to-cure diseases like metastatic cancers. Our mission is to improve patient outcomes and extend lives. My research group is based at the Translational Research Institute (TRI).
My dedication to my field has been recognized through numerous peer-reviwed grants as sole-CI or CIA/Principal Investigator, including a NHMRC ECF Peter Doherty Fellowship, an NHMRC Project Grant, an US DoD, a MRFF EMCR among others. Since 2009, I've amassed an impressive portfolio of 96 publications in renowned journals like Blood, Cell Death Dis, JEM, PNAS, Nat Comms, and Nat Immunol with an H-index = 40. My body of work and contributions have been acknowledged with awards such as the 2019 Researcher of the Year by CCA, 2020 QLD Young Tall Poppy Science, 2020 UQ Frazer Institute's Rising Star, 2022 Frazer Institute's Mentor of the Year, 2023 Translational Research Institute - Connecting with the Clinic among others. Recognized as an international leader in my field, I've been instrumental in identifying novel regulators of our immune functions, and developing NK cell-based immunotherapies.
At present, I am a Group Leader / Principal Research Fellow & Associate Professor with the University of Queensland's Frazer Institute. Here, I lead a high-performing research team with a keen focus on developing and innovating immunotherapy approaches for a spectrum of diseases.
Availability
- Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Institution to be confirmed
Research interests
-
NK cells
Overview: Natural Killer (NK) cells are a crucial component of the innate immune system, recognized for their ability to target and destroy cancerous or infected cells without prior sensitization. Their unique capability to distinguish between healthy and abnormal cells makes them pivotal in immunological defenses and cancer immunosurveillance. Current research: My current research focuses on unraveling the complex interactions of NK cells within various disease environments. We are investigating how NK cells respond to different cancer types, particularly in the context of hard-to-cure solid cancers (e.g. pediatric sarcomas). Our recent findings suggest novel pathways through which NK cells can be modulated to enhance their cytotoxicity against tumor cells. We are also exploring the impact of the tumor microenvironment on NK cell function, hypothesizing that certain microenvironmental factors might inhibit their activity and how this can be counteracted. Future directions: Looking forward, our goal is to develop strategies to boost NK cell efficacy in cancer therapy. This includes genetic engineering of NK cells to enhance their tumor-targeting capabilities and the identification of new biomarkers for predicting patient response to NK cell-based therapies. Our ultimate aim is to leverage NK cells' natural abilities to create more effective and less toxic cancer treatments.
-
Systems immunology and checkpoint discovery
Explanation of systems immunology: Systems immunology integrates computational and experimental approaches to understand the immune system's complexity. By analyzing vast datasets, we can decipher the intricate network of cellular interactions and molecular pathways that govern immune responses in diseases ranging from viral infections to cancer. Immunomodulation and disease environments: Our research in systems immunology focuses on understanding how immunomodulation varies across different disease states. We are particularly interested in how immune checkpoints, which are regulatory pathways crucial to maintaining self-tolerance and preventing autoimmunity, can be exploited or inhibited in disease contexts. For instance, we are exploring how tumor cells evade immune surveillance by manipulating these checkpoints. Impact of Research: This research holds significant promise for unveiling new therapeutic targets and developing personalized medicine approaches. Understanding these complex immune interactions can lead to the discovery of novel treatments that precisely modulate the immune system to combat various diseases effectively.
-
Development of tailored immunotherapies
Introduction to tailored immunotherapies: Tailored immunotherapies represent a revolutionary approach in medicine, offering treatments that are specifically designed to match an individual's unique immune profile. This personalized approach is particularly crucial in treating hard-to-cure diseases, where standard therapies often fall short. From antibody discovery to development: My team is actively engaged in the discovery and development of novel antibodies. We focus on identifying antibodies that can specifically target and modulate key components of the immune system. The journey from discovery to development involves extensive research to ensure efficacy and safety, with a keen focus on creating therapies that can be personalized for individual patients. Cellular immunotherapies: Our work in cellular immunotherapies involves engineering immune cells, such as T-cells and NK cells, to better recognize and attack cancer cells. We are exploring various techniques, including CAR-NK cell therapy, to enhance these cells' ability to fight cancer more effectively. Real-world applications: The potential real-world applications of our research are vast. For example, our work in antibody development could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases or cancer. Similarly, our advancements in cellular therapies could revolutionize the way we treat various forms of cancer, offering hope to patients with previously untreatable conditions.
Works
Search Professor Fernando Guimaraes’s works on UQ eSpace
2009
Journal Article
Genome size evaluation in tetraodontiform fishes from the neotropical region
Noleto, Rafael Bueno, de Fonseca Souza Guimarães, Fernando, Paludo, Katia Sabrina, Vicari, Marcelo Ricardo, Artoni, Roberto Ferreira and Cestari, Marta Margarete (2009). Genome size evaluation in tetraodontiform fishes from the neotropical region. Marine Biotechnology, 11 (6), 680-685. doi: 10.1007/s10126-009-9215-0
2009
Journal Article
Establishment of experimental conditions for preserving samples of fish blood for analysis with both comet assay and flow cytometry
Ramsdorf, Wanessa A., Guimarães, Fernando de S.F., Ferraro, Marcos V.M., Gabardo, Juarez, Trindade, Edvaldo da Silva and Cestari, Marta Margarete (2009). Establishment of experimental conditions for preserving samples of fish blood for analysis with both comet assay and flow cytometry. Mutation Research - Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 673 (1), 78-81. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2008.11.010
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Which tumour immunosuppressive pathways prevent natural killer cell activation?
Background: Despite advances in treatment and earlier detection, cancer is still a main cause of cancer death worldwide. Natural killer (NK) cells are circulating innate lymphocytes that naturally protect against tumor spread (metastasis), and recently showed by our group as dysfunctional in the tumour microenvironment (TME) established by cancers at distant organs for future metastatic spread. Yet, despite knowing that NK cells do control cancer metastasis, our knowledge of how cancer cells evade NK cell control is still very poor. This project aims to examine several immune suppressive pathways that cancers likely manipulate to avoid NK cells and spread. These include factors the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily that are elevated in the tumor environment. These molecules have great potential to suppress the normally high killing and anti-metastatic activity mediated by NK cells, but to date we still need to elucidate how relatively important each pathway might be.
Proposed research program: The intrinsic NK cell function under suppressive factors stimulation will be assessed with NK cells purified from mouse spleen (wild type) by cell sorter, and in vitro challenge with activating cytokines and suppressive factors. Aim-1: Which suppressive factor is a major inhibitor of NK cell killing activity? This aim will be screened by killing activity of NK cells versus target tumour cells in co-culture systems. Aim-2: Which suppressive factor is a major inhibitor of NK cell cytokine secretion? This aim will assess NK cell cytokine production by intracellular cytokine (e.g. IFN-gamma) staining (flow cytometry) and secreted IFN-gamma, among others, from culture supernatants (ELISA); Aim-3: What is the cellular signalling status under suppressive conditions? The identification of altered cellular signalling will be screened by intracellular staining of phosphorylated signalling molecules (phosphor(p)-AKT, p-ERK1/2, p-p38, p-phospholipase C-gamma2, p-phosphotyrosine, p-SMAD2,3, p-STAT4, p-STAT5 and p-ZAP70 (PhosphoFlow).
These experimental tools will determine which is the most important suppressive pathway in inhibiting NK cell functions. Information we obtain from this work will allow us to design rationale approaches to increase NK cell function in personalised immunotherapy approaches.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing the power of iPSC-NK cells for cancer immunotherapy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Simpson, Dr Mathew Jones
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of natural killer cells with enhanced tumoricidal functions using CRISPR homology-directed repair-mediated gene editing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz, Dr Allie Lam
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancement of Natural Killer cell function for therapeutic targeting and elimination of solid cancers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Simpson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reversing tumour necrosis factor-mediated immunosuppression to boost immunity against experimental CD19+ blood cancers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Colm Keane, Dr Allie Lam
-
Doctor Philosophy
Comprehensive characterisation of tumour microenvironment and therapeutic insights into paediatric cancers through multi-omics profiling
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Barbour, Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancement of Natural Killer cell function for therapeutic targeting and elimination of solid cancers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Simpson
-
Master Philosophy
Spatial multi-omics to study hard-to-cure lung infections
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ahmed Mehdi, Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe
-
Doctor Philosophy
KIR-mismatched NK-cells graft-versus-paediatric sarcoma effect
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Wayne Nicholls
-
Master Philosophy
Spatial multi-omics to study hard-to-cure lung infections
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ahmed Mehdi, Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe
-
Doctor Philosophy
Immune regulation through bi-directional interactions between subsets of Natural Killer cells and Dendritic cells.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Barbour, Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe
-
Doctor Philosophy
KIR-mismatched NK-cells graft-versus-paediatric sarcoma effect
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Wayne Nicholls
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of antibody-drug conjugates against hard-to-cure solid cancers
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Key Epithelial Cells Following Lung Infection
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Key Epithelial Cells Following Lung Infection
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of immune responses to novel and standard therapies in DLBCL
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joshua Tobin, Associate Professor Colm Keane
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising cytotoxic T cell fates in allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Key Epithelial Cells Following Lung Infection
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz
-
Doctor Philosophy
The role of innate cells in shaping the tumour environment.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz, Dr M. Zeeshan Chaudhry
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of immune responses to novel and standard therapies in DLBCL
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joshua Tobin, Associate Professor Colm Keane
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating immunosuppression and immunotherapy in bacterial infection
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Timothy Wells
-
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes directly for media enquiries about:
- Cancer research
- Immunotherapy
- Natural Killer cells
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: