Team
Computational Biology projects
Featured Research
Transcribed enhancers lead waves of coordinated transcription in transitioning mammalian cells
An atlas of active enhancers across human cell types and tissues
A promoter-level mammalian expression atlas
An integrated encyclopedia of DNA elements in the human genome
Landscape of transcription in human cells
Reports and Findings
Innovation in Informatics to Improve Clinical Care and Drug Accessibility for Rare Diseases in China
In China, there are severe unmet medical needs of people living with rare diseases. Relatedly, there is a dearth of data to inform rare diseases policy. This is historically partially due to the lack of informatics infrastructure, including standards and terminology, data sharing mechanisms and network; and concerns over patient privacy protection.
Published research Computational BiologySearching for a technology-driven acute rheumatic fever test: the START study protocol
The absence of a diagnostic test for acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a major impediment in managing this serious childhood condition. ARF is an autoimmune condition triggered by infection with group A Streptococcus.
Published research Rheumatic Heart Disease Systems Immunology Group A Streptococcal & Rheumatic Heart Disease Computational Biology Systems VaccinologyTumour draining lymph node-generated CD8 T cells play a role in controlling lung metastases after a primary tumour is removed but not when adjuvant immunotherapy is used
Surgical resection of cancer remains the frontline therapy for millions of patients annually, but post-operative recurrence is common, with a relapse rate of around 45% for non-small cell lung cancer. The tumour draining lymph nodes (dLN) are resected at the time of surgery for staging purposes, and this cannot be a null event for patient survival and future response to immune checkpoint blockade treatment. This project investigates cancer surgery, lymphadenectomy, onset of metastatic disease, and response to immunotherapy in a novel model that closely reflects the clinical setting. In a murine metastatic lung cancer model, primary subcutaneous tumours were resected with associated dLNs remaining intact, completely resected or partially resected.
Children's Cancers Published research Cancer Immunotherapy Computational BiologyAdiposity associated DNA methylation signatures in adolescents are related to leptin and perinatal factors
Epigenetics links perinatal influences with later obesity. We identifed differentially methylated CpG (dmCpG) loci measured at 17 years associated with concurrent adiposity measures and examined whether these were associated with hsCRP, adipokines, and early life environmental factors. Genome-wide DNA methylation from 1192 Raine Study participants at 17 years, identified 29 dmCpGs associated with body mass index, 10 with waist circumference and 9 with subcutaneous fat thickness.
Published research Youth Health Diabetes and Obesity Computational Biology