Team
Reports and Findings
Developing an Online Tool to Promote Safe Sun Behaviors With Young Teenagers as Co-researchers
Despite education about the risks of excessive sun exposure, teenagers in Australia are sun-seeking, with sunburn common in summer. Conversely, some regular (time-limited) exposure to sunlight (that avoids sunburn) is necessary for vitamin D and healthy bones and other molecules important for immune and metabolic health. New interventions are thus required to better support teenagers to make healthy and balanced decisions about their sun behaviors.
Published research Vitamin D and Sunlight Inflammation Cardiometabolic Sunhealth Subsite: CliniKids Schools & CommunitiesCirculating Memory B Cells in Early Multiple Sclerosis Exhibit Increased IgA+ Cells, Globally Decreased BAFF-R Expression and an EBV-Related IgM+ Cell Signature
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that results in demyelination of axons, inefficient signal transmission and reduced muscular mobility. Recent findings suggest that B cells play a significant role in disease development and pathology. To further explore this, B cell profiles in peripheral blood from 28 treatment-naive patients with early MS were assessed using flow cytometry and compared to 17 healthy controls.
Published research Pregnancy and Early Life Immunology InflammationSex-Specific Environmental Impacts on Initiation and Progression of Multiple Sclerosis
The immunological mechanisms that contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) differ between males and females. Females are 2-3 times more likely to develop MS compared to males, however the reason for this discrepancy is unknown. Once MS is established, there is a more inflammatory yet milder form of disease in females whereas males generally suffer from more severe disease and faster progression, neural degradation, and disability.
Published research Pregnancy and Early Life Immunology Inflammation Cardiometabolic SunhealthChanges in serum neurofilament light chain levels following narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in clinically isolated syndrome
To determine whether serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels are suppressed in patients with the clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) following narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (UVB-PT).
Published research Inflammation