Professor Sarah Robertson

Professor Sarah Robertson
 Position NHMRC Ext-Funded Rsch Fellow E
 Org Unit Medical Sciences
 Email sarah.robertson@adelaide.edu.au
 Telephone +61 8 8313 4094
 Location Floor/Room 6 ,  Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences ,   North Terrace
  • Awards & Achievements

    ·         Mentorship Award, US Society for Reproductive Investigation (2020)

    ·         Elected Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (2016)

    ·         Elected Fellow, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science (2015)

    ·         Louis Waller Lecturer, Victorian Assisted Reproduction Treatment Authority (2015)

    ·         Raymond O. Berry Memorial Lecture, Texas A&M University (2014)

    ·         Founder's Lecturer, Society for Reproductive Biology (2013)

    ·         Senior Investigator Award of the European Society for Reproductive Immunology (2013)

    ·         AWT Edwards Orator, Australian Health and Medical Research Congress (2012)

    ·         Robinson Institute Director's Award (2012)

    ·         NHMRC Academy Member (2011-)

    ·         Fellow of the Society for Reproductive Biology (2011-)

    ·         Society for Reproductive Biology RCRH Award for Excellence in Reproductive Biology Research (2008)

    ·         Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Research Supervision from the School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide (2011)

    ·         Award for Outstanding Mentorship of ECRs from the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide (2008)

    ·         J Christian Herr Award of the American Society for Reproductive Immunology for Excellence in Reproductive Immunology Research (2005)

    ·         Young Tall Poppy Science Award of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (2000)

     

    Current Positions

    • Director, Robinson Research Institute (2013-)
    • Professor, Adelaide Medical School (2010-)
    • Research Leader, Reproductive Immunology Research Group (1993-)
    Previous Positions

    • NHMRC Principal Research Fellow (2010-2013)
    • Co-Director, Research Centre for Reproductive Health (2008-2013)

    Professional Appointments

    • Board member, Assoc Australian Medical Research Institutes (2020-)

    • Member, Ramaciotti Foundations Scientific Advisory Committee (2020-)

    • Scientific Review Panel, Hudson Medical Research Institute, Melbourne (2020-)

    • Council member, International Society for Immunology of Reproduction (2020-)

    • Chair, Australian Academy of Science Selection Committee SC7 (2019-)
    • Member, Awards Committee of the Society for the Study of Reproduction (2019-)

    • Member, Maternal Neonatal Gynaecology Community of Practise, WCH SA (2015- )

    • Board member, Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation (2014-)

    • Member, Your Fertility Coalition (VARTA, Vic) Steering Committee (2013- )

    Past Appointments

    • Chair, NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies GRP (2019) 
    • Member and Chair, AAHMS SA/NT Election Committee (2016-2018)

    • Panel Member, NHMRC Investigator Grants GRP (2019) 
    • Panel Member, NHMRC Senior Research Fellowships GRP (2017, 2018) 
    • Secretary-General, International Society for Immunology of Reproduction (2017-2019)
    • Board member, Women's and Children's Hospital Research Institute (2014-2019)
    • Conference Chair, Inflammation in Reprod, Pregnancy & Development, ICI Satellite (2015-16)
    • Chair, Nominations Committee of the Society for the Study of Reproduction (2013-2014)
    • Representative for ISIR on International Union of Immunological Societies (2012-2016)
    • Chair, XI International Congress for Reproductive Immunology (2009-2010)
    • Board member, Bio Innovation SA (2001-2010)
    • Conference Chair, International Congress on Reproductive Immunology (2009-2011)
    • Treasurer, Society for Reproductive Biology (2006-2009)
    • Advisory Board member, Mater Medical Research Institute (2008-2009)
    • Member, NHMRC Council (2003-2006)
    • Member of the Research Committee of the NHMRC (2003-2006)

    Editorial Roles

    • Board of Consulting Editors, Journal of Clinical Investigation (2015-ongoing)
    • Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Reproductive Immunology (2009-2013)
    • Editorial Board member, Journal of Reproductive Immunology (2003-ongoing)
    • Editorial Board member,  Clinical & Translational Immunology (2018-ongoing)
    • Editorial Board member,  Endocrinology (2017-2019)
    • Editorial Board member,  Immunology and Cell Biology (2016-ongoing)
    • Editorial Board member, Reproduction (2008-2012)
    • Editorial Board member,  Biology of Reproduction (2005-2009)
    • Editorial Board member, Molecular Human Reproduction (2002-2008)
  • Research Interests

    Research in the Reproductive Immunology group centres on three related themes:
    • Immune control of female reproductive investment and function
    • Pregnancy tolerance and its impact on embryo implantation, placental development, and pregnancy and offspring outcomes
    • Male seminal fluid factors that influence female pregnancy tolerance

    Research projects

    1. Role of male seminal fluid factors in female immune priming

    We are interested in the female response to insemination, and its significance in fertility and reproductive health. Seminal fluid has a profound effect on the female tract immune environment and is a key factor in establishing local immune adaptations that allow receptivity to pregnancy. This is mediated by male transplantation antigens and immune-regulatory factors that promote generation of regulatory T cells. Importantly the immune changes induced by seminal fluid are critical for fertility and pregnancy health, and can also impact sexually transmitted infection, and potentially conditions including infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and endometriosis. We focus on defining the molecular identity of sperm and seminal plasma signalling molecules, and characterising the immune response  elicited in female tissues. The physiological consequences of the female tract response for fertility and embryo development, as well as infection and immune defence, are studied.

    2. The immune response to conception and pregnancy

    Certain types of immune cells are essential for female immune tolerance of implantation and pregnancy, or can suppress implantation and pregnancy under soem circumstances. Uterine macrophages and dendritic cells are master regulators of tolerance, through generating regulatory T cells that suppress inflammation, prevent maternal immune rejection of the conceptus, and facilitate robust placental development. Our projects use mouse models to investigate the functions and behavior of regulatory T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells in unique mechanisms for generating tolerance at the outset of pregnancy. Additionally, these cells have tissue remodelling functions and communicate within cell networks to impact endometrial receptivity for decidualisation and embryo implantation. Specific immune-regulatory agents including cytokines, microRNAs and TLR ligands contribute to these events and their significance is being evaluated in genetic mouse models.

    3. Seminal fluid and reproductive health in women

    In women, seminal fluid induces cellular changes and an induction of inflammatory cytokines similar to the response in mice and other animals. The cytokine and chemokine regulation of the cervical and uterine response in women can be modelled in in vitro experiments. We are identifying the active signalling factors in human seminal fluid, and investigating how these impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes in the human IVF setting. We are also examining the relationship between the seminal fluid content of individual signalling components, fertility and health status, and age and lifestyle factors in men. This work has potential to deliver new immune-based diagnostics and treatment interventions for male infertility.

    4. Cytokine regulation of embryo development

    Cytokines originating from the maternal oviduct and uterine epithelium act to regulate the development of the embryo as it traverses the reproductive tract prior to implantation. Cytokines modulate gene expression, and cell survival and differentiation, to synchronise embryo growth and development with uterine receptivity. Some years ago we discovered an important role for GM-CSF in promoting blastocyst development, implantation and placental formation, to ultimately affect fetal growth and offspring health after birth. In humans, we showed GM-CSF suppresses cell stress and promotes development of healthy blastocysts. In partnership with Origio A/S, we conducted clinical trials in IVF patients to show GM-CSF improves implantation success especially after prior miscarriage. Our work resulted in the product Embryogen, now sold in 50 countries worldwide. Our current studies are exploring how specific maternal tract cytokines exert both positive and negative effects on preimplantation embryos, to program implantation competence, fetal development and health of offspring after birth.

     

    Reproductive Immunology Research Group

    Professor Sarah Robertson, PhD: Research Leader

    David Sharkey, PhD: Research Associate

    John Schjenken, PhD: Research Associate

    Lachlan Moldenhauer, PhD: Senior Research Associate

    Peck-Yin Chin (Loretta), PhD: Post-Doctoral Fellow

    Kerrilyn Diener, PhD: NHMRC Early Career Fellow

    Camilla Dorian, BSc: Laboratory Manager

    Ricky Matias, BSc (Hons); Research Officer

    Jasmine Wilson, BSc; Research Officer (part-time)

    Students

    Ella Green, BSc; PhD Student

    Dexter Chan, BSc; PhD Student 

    Holly Groome, BSc; PhD Student

    Shanna Hosking, BSc; PhD Student

    Tara Crawford, BMSc; PhD Student

    Jessica Walker, BSc; Hons Student

    Hannah Lyons, BSc; Hons Student

    Key collaborators

    Dr Alison Care, PhD: Heart Foundation Fellow

    A/Prof Louise Hull, MBBS, PhD: Clinical Lecturer

    Prof Simon Barry, PhD: WCHN Senior Hospital Scientist

    A/Prof Wendy Ingman, PhD: CALHN Senior Research Fellow

  • Research Funding

    Our work is funded by:

    • NHMRC Project Grants
    • NHMRC Fellowship (Sarah Robertson)

    • GAPPS / Gates Foundation
    • Canadian Institutes of Health Research

  • Publications

     

    Publications and citation metrics as listed on Google Scholar

    Publications and citation metrics as listed on ISI Web of Knowledge 

    Selected publications (2005-2020) from 207 refereed articles, reviews and book chapters published since 1990:

    Wahid HH, Chin PY, Sharkey DJ, Diener KR, Hutchinson MR, Rice KC, Moldenhauer LM, Robertson SA (2020) Toll-like receptor-4 antagonist (+)-naltrexone protects against cPAF-induced preterm labour in mice. American Journal of Pathology (in press)

    Robertson SA, Hutchinson MR, Rice KC, Chin PY, Moldenhauer LM, Styark MJ, Olson DM, Keelan JA (2020). Targeting Toll-like receptor-4 to tackle preterm birth and fetal inflammatory injury. Clinical and Translational Immunology (in press)

    Schjenken JE, Moldenhauer LM, Zhang B, Care AS, Groome HM, Chan HY, Hope CM, Barry SC, Robertson SA (2020) MicroRNA miR-155 is required for expansion of regulatory T cells to mediate robust pregnancy tolerance in mice. Mucosal Immunology (in press)

    Robertson SA, Schjenken JE (2020). The female response to seminal fluid. Physiological Reviews (in press).

    Moldenhauer LM, Schjenken JE, Hope CM, Green ES, Zhang B, Eldi P, Hayball JD, Barry SC, Robertson SA (2019) Thymus-derived regulatory T cells exhibit Foxp3 epigenetic modification and phenotype attenuation after mating in mice, Journal of Immunology 203(3): 647-657.

    Chin PY, Dorian C, Sharkey DJ, Hutchinson MR, Rice KC, Moldenhauer LM, Robertson SA (2019) Toll-like receptor-4 antagonist (+)-naloxone confers sexually dimorphic protection from inflammation-induced fetal programming in mice. Endocrinology. 160(11): 2646-2662.

    Nisenblat V, Sharkey DJ, Wang Z, Evans SF, Healey M, Ohlsson Teague EMC, Print CG, Robertson SA, Hull ML (2019) Plasma microRNAs display limited potential as diagnostic tools for endometriosis. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 104(6): 1999-2022.

    Robertson SA (2019). Preventing preeclampsia by silencing sFlt-1? (invited commentary). The New England Journal of Medicine, 380(11): 1080-1082.

    Panir K, Schjenken JE, Robertson SA, Hull ML (2018). Non-coding RNAs in endometriosis: a narrative review. Human Reproduction, 24(4) 497-515.

    Care AS, Bourque SL, Morton JS, Hjartarson EP, Robertson SA, Davidge ST (2018) Reduction in regulatory T cells in early pregnancy causes uterine artery dysfunction in mice. Hypertension, 72(1): 177-187.

    Mincham KT, Scott NM, Lauzon-Joset JF, Leffler J, Larcombe AN, Stumbles PA, Robertson SA, Pasquali C, Holt PG, Strickland DH (2018) Transplacental immune modulation with a bacterial-derived agent protects against allergic airway inflammation. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 128(11): 4856-4869.

    Sharkey DJ, Glynn DJ, Schjenken JS, Tremellen KP, Robertson SA (2018). Interferon-gamma inhibits seminal plasma induction of colony stimulating factor 2 in mouse and human reproductive tract epithelial cells. Biology of Reproduction, 99(3): 514-526.

    Schumacher A, Sharkey DJ, Robertson SA, Zenclussen AC (2018). Immune cells at the fetomaternal interface: how the microenvironment modulates immune cells to foster fetal development. Journal of Immunology, 201(2) 325-334.

    Brown HM, Green ES, Tan TCY, Gonzalez MB, Rumbold AR, Hull ML, Norman RJ, Packer NH, Robertson SA, Thompson JG (2018). Periconception onset diabetes is associated with embryopathy and fetal growth retardation, reproductive tract hyperglycosylation and impaired immune adaptation to pregnancy. Scientific Reports 8, Article number: 2114

    Robertson SA, Care AS, Moldenhauer LM (2018). Regulatory T cells in embryo implantation and the immune response to pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Investigation 128(10): 4224-4235.

    Moldenhauer LM, Diener KR, Hayball JD, Robertson SA (2017). An immunogenic phenotype in paternal antigen-specific CD8+ T cells at embryo implantation elicits later fetal loss in mice. Immunology and Cell Biology, 95(8): 705-715.

    Sharkey DJ, Tremellen KP, Briggs NE, Dekker GA, Robertson SA (2017). Seminal plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon-γ (IFNG) and CXC motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) fluctuate over time within men. Human Reproduction, 32(7): 1373-1381.

    Sun X, Glynn DJ, Hodson LJ, Huo C, Britt K, Thompson EW, Woolford L, Evdokiou A, Pollard JW, Robertson SA, Ingman WV (2017). CCL2-driven inflammation increases mammary gland stromal density and cancer susceptibility in a transgenic mouse model. Breast Cancer Research, 19(1), Article number: 4

    Sharkey DJ, Tremellen KP, Briggs NE, Dekker GA, Robertson SA (2016). Seminal plasma transforming growth factor-β, activin A and follistatin fluctuate within men over time. Human Reproduction, 31(10): 2183-2191.

    Robertson SA, Sharkey DJ (2016). Seminal fluid and fertility in women. Fertility and Sterility, 106(3): 511-519.

    Gomez-Lopez N, Olson DM, Robertson SA (2016). Interleukin-6 controls uterine Th9 cells and CD8+ T regulatory cells to accelerate parturition in mice. Immunology and Cell Biology, 94: 79-89.

    Sharkey DJ, Schjenken JE, Mottershead DG, Robertson SA. (2015). Seminal fluid factors regulate activin A and follistatin synthesis in female cervical epithelial cells. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 417: 178-190.

    Prins JR, Zhang B, Schjenken JE, Guerin LR, Barry SC, Robertson SA (2015). Unstable Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and altered dendritic cells are associated with susceptibility to lipopolysaccharide-induced pregnancy loss in IL10 deficient mice. Biology of Reproduction, 93: 95-102

    Schjenken JE, Glynn DJ, Sharkey DJ, Robertson SA (2015). TLR4 signaling is a major mediator of the female tract response to seminal fluid in mice. Biology of Reproduction 93: 68-76

    Wahid HH, Dorian C, Chin PY, Hutchinson MR, Rice KC, Olson DM, Moldenhauer LM, Robertson SA (2015). Toll-like receptor 4 is an essential upstream regulator of on-time parturition and perinatal viability in mice. Endocrinology 156: 3828-41

    Gomez-Lopez N, Olson DM, Robertson SA (2015). Interleukin-6 controls uterine Th9 cells and CD8+ T regulatory cells to accelerate parturition in mice. Immunology and Cell Biology, 94(1):79-89.

    Schjenken JE and Robertson SA (2015). Seminal fluid signaling in the female reproductive tract: implications for reproductive outcome and offspring health. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 868: 127-58.

    Bromfield JJ, Schjenken JE, Chin PY, Care AS, Jasper MJ, Robertson SA (2014). Maternal tract factors contribute to paternal seminal fluid impact on metabolic phenotype in offspring. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 111(6): 2200-2205.

    Hodson LJ, Chua AC, Evdokiou A, Robertson SA, Ingman WV (2013). Macrophage phenotype in the mammary gland fluctuates over the course of the estrous cycle and is regulated by ovarian steroid hormones. Biology of Reproduction 89: 65, 1-8.

    Care AS, Diener KR, Jasper MJ, Brown HM, Ingman WV, Robertson SA (2013) Macrophages regulate corpus luteum development during embryo implantation in mice. Journal of Clinical Investigation 123(8):3472-87.

    Fung KY, Mangan NE, Cumming H, Horvat JC, Mayall JR, Stifter S, De Weerd N, Roisman LC, Rossjohn J, Robertson SA, Schjenken JR, Parker B, Gargett C, Nguyen HPT, Carr DJ, Hansbro PM, Hertzog PJ (2013) Interferon epsilon is a novel, innate cytokine that protects the reproductive tract from viral and bacterial infection. Science 339: 1088-1092.

    Ziebe S, Loft A, Povlsen BB, Erb K, Agerholm I, Aasted M, Gabrielsen A, Hnida C, Zobel DP, Munding B, Bendz SH, Robertson SA. (2013) A randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in embryo culture medium for in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility, 99(6):1600-1609.

    Sun X, Robertson SA, Ingman WV (2013) Regulation of epithelial cell turnover and macrophage phenotype by epithelial cell-derived transforming growth factor beta1 in the mammary gland. Cytokine, 61(2):377-88.

    Sharkey DJ, Macpherson AM, Tremellen KP, Mottershead DG, Gilchrist RB, Robertson SA (2012). TGF-beta mediates proinflammatory seminal fluid signaling in human cervical epithelial cells. Journal of Immunology. 189:1024-1035.

    Sharkey DJ, Tremellen KP, Jasper MJ, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Robertson SA (2012). Seminal fluid induces leukocyte recruitment and cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression in the human cervix after coitus. Journal of Immunology 188, 2445-2454.

    Hull ML, Johan MZ, Hodge WL, Robertson SA, Ingman WV (2012). Host-derived TGFB1 deficiency suppresses lesion development in a mouse model of endometriosis. American Journal of Pathology 180, 880-887.

    Prins JR, Gomez-Lopez N, Robertson SA (2012). Interleukin-6 in pregnancy and gestational disorders. Journal of Reproductive Immunology 95, 1-14.

    Aitken RJ, Jones KT, Robertson SA (2012). Reactive oxygen species and sperm function--in sickness and in health. Journal of Andrology 33:1096-1106

    Nakamura H, Jasper MJ, Hull ML, Aplin JD, Robertson SA (2012). Macrophages regulate expression of alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase genes in human endometrial epithelial cells. Molecular Human Reproduction 18, 204-215.

    Robertson SA (2012) Regulatory T cells in the corpus luteum - new players in fertility control? Biology of Reproduction 86, 26.

    Guerin LR, Bromfield JJ, Prins JR, Moldenhauer LM, Hayball JD, Robertson SA (2011). Seminal fluid regulates accumulation of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in the pre-implantation mouse uterus through both expanding the FOXP3+ cell pool and CCL19-mediated recruitment. Biology of Reproduction 85: 397-408

    O'Leary S, Armstrong DT, Robertson SA (2011) Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) in porcine seminal plasma. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 23: 748-758

    Robertson SA, Chin PY, Glynn DJ, Thompson JG (2011) Peri-conceptual cytokines--setting the trajectory for embryo implantation, pregnancy and beyond. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 66 Suppl 1:2-10

    Wu Y, Lousberg EL, Moldenhauer LM, Hayball JD, Robertson SA, Coller JK, Watkins LR, Somogyi AA, Hutchinson MR (2011) Attenuation of microglial and IL-1 signaling protects mice from acute alcohol-induced sedation and/or motor impairment. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Suppl 1: S155-64

    Jasper MJ, Care AS, Sullivan B, Ingman WV, Aplin JD, Robertson SA (2011). Macrophage-derived LIF and IL1B regulate alpha(1,2)fucosyltransferase 2 (Fut2) expression in mouse uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy. Biology of Reproduction 84: 179–188

    Lousberg EL, Diener KR, Fraser CK, Phipps S, Foster PS, Chen W, Uematsu S, Akira S, Robertson SA, Brown MP, Hayball JD (2011). Antigen-specific T-cell responses to a recombinant fowlpox 1 virus are dependent on MyD88 and IL-18 and independent of TLR7- and TLR9-mediated innate immune recognition. Journal of Virology 85: 3385-96

    Chua AC, Hodson LJ, Moldenhauer LM, Robertson SA, Ingman WV (2010) Dual roles for macrophages in ovarian cycle-associated development and remodelling of the mammary gland epithelium. Development 137: 4229-38

    Moldenhauer LM, Keenihan SN, Hayball JD and Robertson SA (2010) GM-CSF is an essential regulator of antigen presenting competence in uterine dendritic cells during early pregnancy in mice. Journal of Immunology 185: 7085-96

    Moldenhauer LM, Hayball JD, Robertson SA (2010) Utilising T cell receptor transgenic mice to define mechanisms of maternal T cell tolerance in pregnancy. Journal of Reproductive Immunology  87: 1-13

    Robertson SA, Christiaens I, Dorian C, Zaragoza DB, Care AS, Schuurmans A, Olson DM (2010) Interleukin-6 is an essential determinant of on-time parturition in the mouse. Endocrinology 151: 3996-4006

    Lloyd ML, Papadimitriou JM, O’Leary S, Robertson SA, Shellam GR (2010) Immunoglobulin to zona pellucida 3 mediates ovarian damage and infertility after contraceptive vaccination in mice.  Journal of Autoimmunity 35: 77-85

    Robertson SA (2010) Immune regulation of conception and embryo implantation-all about quality control? Journal Reproductive Immunology 85: 51-57

    Ingman WV, McGrath LM, Breed WG, Musgrave IF, Robker RL, Robertson SA (2010) The mechanistic basis for sexual dysfunction in male transforming growth factor beta1 null mutant mice. Journal Andrology 31: 95-107.

    Robertson SA, Guerin LR, Moldenhauer LM, Hayball JD (2009). Activating T regulatory cells for tolerance in early pregnancy - the contribution of seminal fluid. Journal Reproductive Immunology 83(1-2):109-16.

    Chin PY, Macpherson AM, Thompson JG, Lane M, Robertson SA (2009). Stress response genes are suppressed in mouse preimplantation embryos by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).Human Reproduction 24(12):2997-3009.

    Ingman WV, Robertson SA (2009). The essential roles of TGFB1 in reproduction. Cytokine Growth Factor Review 20(3):233-9.

    Moldenhauer LM, Diener KR, Brown MP, Hayball JD, Robertson SA (2009) Cross-presentation of male seminal fluid antigens elicits T cell activation to initiate the female immune response to pregnancy. Journal of Immunology 182(12):8080-93.

    Guerin L, Prins J, Robertson SA (2009) Regulatory T cells and immune tolerance in pregnancy – a new target for infertility treatment?  Human Reproduction Update 15(5):517-35.

     

    Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Macpherson AM, Roberts CT, Robertson SA  (2009) Csf2 null mutation alters placental gene expression and trophoblast glycogen cell and giant cell differentiation in mice. Biology of Reproduction 81(1):207-21.

     

    Robertson SA, Guerin LR, Bromfield JJ, Branson KM, Ahlström AC, Care AS (2009) Seminal fluid drives expansion of the CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cell pool and induces tolerance to paternal alloantigens in mice. Biology of Reproduction 80(1):1036-45.

     

    Ohlsson Teague EMC, Van der Hoek KH, Van der Hoek MB, Perry N, Wagaarachchi P, Robertson SA, Print CG, Hull ML (2009). MicroRNA-regulated pathways associated with endometriosis. Molecular Endocinology 23: 265-275

     

    O’Leary S, Lloyd M, Shellam GR, Robertson SA (2008). Immunization with recombinant murine cytomegalovirus expressing murine zona pellucida 3 causes permanent infertility in BALB/c mice due to follicle depletion and ovulation failure. Biology of Reproduction 79: 849-860.

     

    Ingman WI, Robertson SA (2008) The effect of TGFb1 null mutation on mammary gland development in mice – systemic and epithelial effects. Biology of Reproduction 79: 711-717.

     

    Robertson SA (2007) GM-CSF regulation of embryo development and pregnancy Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews 18: 287-298.

     

    Ingman WI, Robertson SA (2007) TGFb1 null mutation causes infertility in male mice associated with testosterone deficiency and sexual dysfunction. Endocrinology 148(8): 4032-4043.

     

    Sharkey DJ, Macpherson AM, Tremellen KP, Robertson SA (2007) Seminal plasma differentially regulates inflammatory cytokine gene expression in human cervical and vaginal epithelial cells.  Molecular Human Reproduction 13: 491-501.

     

    Jasper MJ, Tremellen KP and Robertson SA (2007) Reduced endometrial IL-6 expression in recurrent miscarriage. Journal of Reproductive Immunology 73: 74-84.

     

    Robertson SA, Skinner RJ, Care AS (2007) Interleukin-10 regulates inflammatory cytokine synthesis to protect against LPS-induced abortion and fetal growth restriction in mice. Biology of Reproduction 76:738-48.

     

    Ingman WI, Robker RL, Woittiez K, Robertson SA (2006) Null mutation in TGFb1 disrupts ovarian function causing impaired folliculogenesis, oocyte incompetence and early embryo arrest. Endocrinology 147: 835-45.

     

    Jasper MJ, Tremellen KP and Robertson SA (2006) Primary unexplained infertility is associated with reduced expression of the T-regulatory cell transcription factor Foxp3 in endometrial tissue. Molecular Human Reproduction 12: 301-8.

     

    O’Leary S, Jasper MJ, Robertson SA and Armstrong DT (2006) Seminal plasma regulates ovarian progesterone production, leukocyte recruitment and follicular cell responses in the pig. Reproduction 132: 147-58.

     

    Robertson SA, Care AS, Skinner RJ (2006) Essential role for interleukin-10 in resistance to LPS-induced preterm labour in mice. Journal of Immunology 177: 4888-96.

     

    Sjoblom C, Roberts CT, Wikland M, Robertson SA (2005) GM-CSF alleviates adverse consequences of embryo culture on placental morphogenesis and fetal growth.  Endocrinology 146: 2142-53.

     

    Robertson SA (2005) Seminal plasma and male factor signalling in the female reproductive tract.  Cell and Tissue Research 322:43-52.

     

    Patents

     

    Robertson SA and Tremellen KP (1998), Luminis Pty Ltd (owner). IPN WO 98/39021 “Treatment and diagnosis of infertility using TGFß”. International Publication Date 11 September 1998. Claiming priority from PO5508 dated 6 March 1997.

     

    Robertson SA, Sjöblom C and Wikland MF (1999), Luminis Pty Ltd and Fertilitetscentrum AB (co-owners) IPN WO 99/67364 “Method and medium for in vitro culture of human embryos”. International Publication Date 29 December 1999.  Claiming priority from PP4212 dated 19 June 1998.

     

    Robertson SA, Sharkey D, Glynn D and Tremellen KP (2003), University of Adelaide (owner). IPN WO 2004/026333 “Treatment and diagnosis of an infertility condition by measuring or inhibiting interferong” filed 20 Sept 2003, International Publication Date 1 April 2004.  Claiming priority from PP2002951531 filed 20 Sept 2002.

     

     

     

  • Media Expertise

    CategoriesMedicine & Medical Research, Fertility & Reproduction
    Expertisereproductive biology and function; infertility (implantation failure, recurrent spontaneous abortion, uterine receptivity); embryo (in vitro culture, growth factors, IVF); Pregnancy (immunology of pregnancy, early pregnancy, embryo implantation, insemination and pregnancy, animal models)
    NotesAlt phone: (08) 8313 8166 or (08) 8313 5100

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Entry last updated: Tuesday, 29 Mar 2022

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