Dr Matthew Stephenson

Biography/ Background

My background is in cellular and molecular biology research.  I have a Bachelor of Biotechnology degree with Honours from the University of Adelaide and a PhD in Medical Science from the University of Queensland.  For my PhD I worked on a research project investigating glucose metabolism in the liver.  This included studying causes of insulin resistance within the liver and identifying potential mechanisms for improving insulin sensitivity.  The aim of this research was to gain further insight into the involvement of the liver in obesity-related conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, and to identify possible therapeutic targets within hepatocytes which may assist in developing improved treatments for these conditions.

 

After completing my PhD I worked as a Senior Research Scientist in the Transplantation Immunology Laboratory at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.  The research projects I worked on focussed largely on strategies to improve the success of kidney transplantation.  My research studies looked at modulating specific components of the immune system to reduce the likelihood of organ rejection.  I investigated non-invasive molecular methods to monitor acute graft rejection in kidney transplant recipients, with potential to provide early warning prior to biopsy.  In addition, I was involved in research into pancreatic islet transplantation.  Human trials of this procedure have shown great success in the treatment of patients with Type 1 diabetes, with many patients becoming insulin-independent or significantly reducing their insulin requirements.

 

I am currently working as a Research Fellow at the Joanna Briggs Institute, contributing to evidence-based healthcare as a member of the Translation Science team.  A major focus of my research is in the field of tropical and infectious diseases. I am passionate about medical science and the translation of high quality research into positive improvements in healthcare practice and patient outcomes.

Qualifications

PhD (Medical Science) - The University of Queensland

BBiotech (Hons) - The University of Adelaide

Research Funding

Kireta S, Eng HS, Stephenson MD, Jessup C, Bennett GD, Russ GR, Coates PT. The role of HLA antibodies in transplant glomerulopathy. TSANZ-Amgen Research Grant 2010, $50,000.

 

Stephenson MD, Kireta S, Coates PT. Role of mesangial cells in transplant glomerulopathy. TQEH Research Foundation Small Grant 2009, $10,000.

Publications

Refereed journal articles:

 

Rogers NM, Stephenson MD, Kitching AR, Horowitz JD, Coates PT. Amelioration of renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury by liposomal delivery of curcumin to renal tubular epithelial and antigen-presenting cells. Br J Pharmacol. 2012 May;166(1):194-209.

 

Richards AA, Colgrave ML, Zhang J, Webster J, Simpson F, Preston E, Wilks D, Hoehn KL, Stephenson MD, Macdonald GA, Prins JB, Cooney GJ, Xu A, Whitehead JP. Sialic acid modification of adiponectin is not required for multimerization or secretion but determines half-life in circulation. Mol Endocrinol. 2010 Jan;24(1):229-39.

 

Abstracts:

 

Kireta S, Stephenson MD, Rojas DM, Bennett GD, Coates PT.  Effect of alloantibodies on human mesangial cells: Implication for transplant glomerulopathy. Nephrology 2011;16(Suppl. 1):54.

 

Stephenson MD, Cooke D, Kireta S, Drogemuller C, Kitching AR, Coates PT.  Do urinary dendritic cell markers CD209 and CD83 correlate with renal allograft rejection? A pilot study.  Nephrology 2010;15(Suppl. 4):40.

 

Stephenson MD, Chen J, Russell C, Bennett GD, Coates PT.  Successful kidney transplantation in a highly sensitised recipient: ability of combined liver transplant to deplete donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies.  Nephrology 2010;15(Suppl. 4):41.

 

Rogers NM, Stephenson MD, Coates PT.  Liposomal curcumin ameliorates renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting NFκB and reducing oxidative stress.  Nephrology 2010;15(Suppl. 4):27.

 

Stephenson MD, Bridle KR, Whitehead JP, Macdonald GA.  Optimising conditions for assessing glucose output from isolated rat hepatocytes in response to insulin.  Gastroenterol Hepatol 2005;20(Suppl. 1):A77.

 

Conference presentations:

Stephenson MD (invited speaker). Combined renal and liver transplant in the highly sensitised patient. Transplant Nurses’ Association Annual Conference 2011 (Adelaide).

 

Stephenson MD, Cooke D, Kireta S, Drogemuller C, Kitching AR, Coates PT. Do urinary dendritic cell markers CD209 and CD83 correlate with renal allograft rejection? A pilot study. Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Meeting 2010 (Perth).

 

Stephenson MD, Chen J, Russell C, Bennett GD, Coates PT. Successful kidney transplantation in a highly sensitised recipient: ability of combined liver transplant to deplete donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies. Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Meeting 2010 (Perth).

 

Stephenson MD, Chen J, Russell C, Bennett GD, Coates PT. Successful depletion of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) by combined liver and kidney transplantation in a highly sensitised renal allograft recipient. Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand Meeting 2010 (Canberra).

 

Stephenson MD, Cooke D, Drogemuller C, Kitching AR, Coates PT. Urinary dendritic cell markers DC-SIGN (CD209) and CD83 do not correlate with renal allograft rejection: A pilot study. Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand Meeting 2010 (Canberra).

 

Kireta S, Stephenson MD, Bennett GD, Coates PT. Anti-HLA antibodies signal via pAkt in human mesangial cells and induce expression of the mesangial matrix control gene megsin. Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand Meeting 2010 (Canberra).

 

Rogers NM, Stephenson MD, Kireta S, Coates PT. Liposomal curcumin ameliorates renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury via NFκB inhibition and anti-oxidant pathways. Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand Meeting 2010 (Canberra).

 

Kireta S, Stephenson MD, Bennett GD, Coates PT. Propagation and characterisation of human mesangial cells and the effect of anti-HLA antibodies on pAkt signalling: Implication for transplant glomerulopathy. Australasian Society for Immunology Meeting 2011 (Adelaide).

 

Kireta S, Stephenson MD, Bennett GD, Coates PT. Upregulation of mesangial matrix specific gene megsin and pAkt activation by anti-HLA antibodies in human mesangial cells: Implication for transplant glomerulopathy. The Transplantation Society Meeting 2010 (Vancouver, Canada).

 

Stephenson MD, Bridle KR, Whitehead JP, Macdonald GA. Optimising conditions for assessing glucose output from isolated rat hepatocytes in response to insulin. Australian Gastroenterology Week 2005 (Brisbane).

 

Entry last updated: Thursday, 3 Jan 2013