RESEARCHER PROFILE
Professor Ernst J. Wolvetang
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
The University of Queensland
Australia
Professor Ernst Wolvetang obtained his PhD from the University of Amsterdam, continued his post-doctoral training at the Monash Institute for Reproduction and Development, before joining the Australian Stem Cell Centre.
In 2008 he was recruited to the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at The University of Queensland (UQ). He currently heads the Stem Cell Engineering Laboratory and directs the Australian Organoid Facility at UQ as well as the Phenomics Australia NNAT node at UQ.
He is a leader in the derivation, genome editing and disease modelling with human induced pluripotent stem cell and organoids derived from these. Professor Wolvetang is known as our “Mr Organoid” for his trailblazing approach to this exciting field of medical research. He is a pioneer in the field of pluripotent stem cell biology, whose frank and colourful turn of phrase underscores the passion he has for his work.
Professor Wolvetang was among the first to bring the first human embryonic stem cells to Queensland, with his Wolvetang Group at the AIBN now renowned for its work with organoids: growing them, studying them, and using them to try and understand diseases and human development.
Using cutting edge technology, Professor Wolvetang designs and grows organoids both for their own work and for labs across the country, coaxing pluripotent stem cells or tissue samples into 3D structures that mimic the function and architecture of real brains, livers, kidneys, spinal cords, and intestines.
Crucially, Professor Wolvetang says organoids could one day negate the need for animal models, as they can be designed to replicate what is happening inside an individual patient, offering researchers a unique opportunity to study personalised responses to new treatments.
He says this could shave years off the drug development process and – ultimately – the time between diagnosing a problem and delivering the solution.
“Once we demonstrate the power and accuracy of this approach for one genetic disease, it could open the door for testing of other gene therapies for a range of genetic neurological conditions.”, says Professor Wolvetang.
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Cancer survivorship and exercise oncology
Professor Sandra Hayes is the Director of Research at Cancer Council Queensland (CCQ), where she leads a comprehensive cancer research program encompassing cancer epidemiology, prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship.
With a BAppSci (Hons) and a PhD in exercise oncology, Professor Hayes’s expertise lies in quantifying the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on physical and psychosocial wellbeing, quality of life, and survival. She also evaluates innovative supportive care strategies, particularly exercise, to improve post-cancer lives.
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Infections and other lung diseases using models of human lung tissue grown from stem cells
Dr Rhiannon Werder is a Team Leader at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute leading a multidisciplinary team, combining expertise in stem cell biology and immunology, to develop new therapies for lung diseases. Her research centres around induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate respiratory diseases, spanning acute respiratory infections to chronic lung diseases. Using stem cells, Dr Werder’s team creates models of human lung tissue. With these models, Dr Werder is investigating how human-specific pathogens infect different regions of the lung, the ensuing immune responses, and how the lung repairs itself after infections, especially in people with preexisting lung diseases.
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Behavioural science in cancer screening, control and communication
Dr Dodd has an established international reputation as a behavioural scientist in cancer control and communication. Since completing her PhD in 2016, Dr Dodd has been awarded a three-year University of Sydney Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2018-2021) and a three-year Research Fellowship at The Daffodil Centre (current). Dr Dodd is the co-chair of the ‘Strengthening and optimising approaches to cancer prevention, screening, and early detection’ hub at The Daffodil Centre (with more than 130 staff and students).
