Dr Stuart Brierley

Biography/ Background

- NHMRC CAREER DEVELOPMENT FELLOW (2013-2016).

- Head of the Visceral Pain Research Group, Nerve-Gut Research Laboratory, Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide.

- South Australian State Representative of the Australasian Neuroscience Society.

- Secretary for Local Organizing Committee of the Australasian Neuroscience Society Meeting, Adelaide 2014. 

- Chair of the Enteric Nervous System Meeting Organizing Committee, Adelaide 2012.

- 2011 South Australian Tall Poppy.

- Member of the Early Career Researcher Advisory Board to the Premier of SA's Science and Research Council.

- Node leader for the Adelaide Centre For Neuroscience Research.                                           

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science, Honours (1st Class), PhD

Awards & Achievements

MAJOR AWARDS:

2012: NHMRC Career Development Fellowship.

2011: South Australian 2011 Tall Poppy Science Awards.

2011: Invitation to the NHMRC 75th Anniversary Symposium, Canberra.

2007: NHMRC Australian Biomedical Fellowship.

2006: Hanson Institute New Investigator Award for Basic Research.

2005: GSK Research Young Investigator Award in the Biology of Functional Bowel Disorders. 

Teaching Interests

Research opportunities ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR MOTIVATED, OUTSTANDING APPLICANTS for Honours, MSc and PhD POSITIONS:

 1) TRP channels: Critical targets for the treatment of chronic visceral pain.

 This project will investigate TRP channels in colonic sensory neurons, determine their mechano and chemosensory properties, and how their function changes across acute and chronic pain models. We will determine how TRP expression is altered in tissue from human patients with chronic visceral, thereby linking TRP levels with symptoms. Project funded by NHMRC Australia.

 

2) Other Projects:
 Several additional projects are available that we are happy to discuss with potential HDR students. These projects focus on other pain targets and are also funded by NHMRC Australia. Contact: stuart.brierley@adelaide.edu.au for details.

Techniques that students will perform include: electrophysiological afferent fibre recordings, patch clamp recordings, neuronal labeling, laser capture microdissection, QRT-PCR, tissue collection.

Research Interests

Molecular mechanisms of ABDOMINAL pain: CAUSES AND CURES.

For most people pain normally serves as an alarm that is activated in response to tissue damage. However, for people who suffer from chronic or long term pain, it does not subside and can in fact worsen over time. Clinically, chronic pain is a major unresolved worldwide problem. Dr Brierley's research focuses on pain arising from the gut with particular emphasis on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In Australia IBS effects up to 15% of the population and although chronic pain is debilitating and significantly reduces a patient's quality of life there is no effective treatment. This research determines the mechanisms responsible for detecting painful events in the gut and how they change during acute and chronic conditions. It is clear that certain mechanisms are reprogrammed during chronic pain, which fail to "reset" back to normal. Overall, understanding how these mechanisms are changed is the first step in finding new therapeutic treatments for gut based pain.

Key aspects of gut based pain are discussed in Dr Brierley’s talk at the “Research Tuesday” free public seminar series at the University of Adelaide.  Please see link below. 

http://blogs.adelaide.edu.au/researchtuesdays/2012/01/19/get-your-stomach-in-mint-condition/

Research Funding

1) NHMRC AUSTRALIA:

i) Current:

2013-2015: NHMRC Project Grant #APP1049928. Chief Investigators: Prof David Adams, Dr Stuart M. Brierley, Prof David Craik. “Alpha-conotoxin modulation of gastrointestinal function in health and disease”.

2013-2015: NHMRC Project Grant #APP1049682. Chief Investigators: Prof Nigel Bunnett, Dr Graeme Cottrell, Dr Stuart M. Brierley. “Mechanisms of protease-driven visceral pain”.

2012-2014: NHMRC Project Grant #APP1023972. Chief Investigators: A/Prof Amanda Page, Prof L. Ashley Blackshaw, Prof Gary Wittert, Dr Stuart M. Brierley. “The role of adipokines in modulation of gastric vagal afferent satiety signals” .

2011-2013: NHMRC Project Grant #1008100. Chief Investigators:  Dr Stuart M. Brierley, Prof L. Ashley Blackshaw, A/Prof Grigori Y. Rychkov. "Ion channels underlying inflammatory and post-inflammatory visceral mechanical hypersensitivity."

 

ii) Previous:

2010-2012: NHMRC Project Grant #626960. Chief Investigators: Dr Stuart M. Brierley, Prof L. Ashley Blackshaw, Prof Gerald Holtmann. "Viscerosensory neuroimmune interactions".

2008-2010: NHMRC Project Grant #508103. Chief Investigators: Prof L. Ashley Blackshaw, Dr Stuart M. Brierley, Dr Grigori Y. Rychkov, Prof Gerald Holtmann. "Transient receptor potential channels (TRPs) as transducers and targets in primary visceral afferents".

2006-2008: NHMRC Project Grant #399324. Chief Investigators: Prof L. Ashley Blackshaw, Prof Simon Brookes, Dr Stuart M. Brierley, Dr Amanda J Page “How does inflammation of the gut change its sensory innervation?”

2004-2006: NHMRC Project Grant #298942. Chief Investigators: A/Prof L. Ashley Blackshaw, Dr Amanda J Page, Dr Stuart M. Brierley. “Mechanisms of mechanotransduction in primary visceral afferents”.

 

2) INDUSTRY FUNDING:

Several current programs focus on novel treatments for the relief of chronic abdominal pain in different subsets of IBS patients.

 

3) FELLOWSHIPS: 

2013-2016: Dr Stuart M. Brierley, NHMRC Career Development Fellowship.

2008-2012: Dr Stuart M. Brierley, NHMRC Australian Biomedical Fellowship.

 

4) LOCAL COMPETATIVE FUNDING:

2012: University of Adelaide, NHMRC Equipment Grant. Chief Investigators: A/Prof Amanda Page, Prof Gary Wittert, A/Prof Leonie Heilbronn, Dr Stuart M. Brierley, Prof  Bernard Baune, Dr Tanya Little, Dr Natalie Thompson, Dr Richard Young, Dr Julie Bowne. “Metabolic and behavioural analysis of rodents in health and obesity”.

2011: Faculty of Health Science, New Investigator Establishment Grant, University of Adelaide. Dr Stuart M. Brierley (Sole Chief Investigator). “Determining why nociceptors fail to reset in chronic pain”.

2008: University of Adelaide Equipment Grant. Chief Investigators: Dr Grigori Rychkov, Dr Simon Koblar, A/Prof Stan Kronthos, Prof Sharad Kumar, Prof Ashley Blackshaw, Dr Stuart M. Brierley, Dr David Wilson, A/Prof J Beltrame, Dr Dan Peet. “Patch clamping and imaging cells in tissue slices”.

2007: Royal Adelaide Hospital/IMVS Clinical Project Grant Clinical Project Grant.  Chief Investigators: Dr Tobias Liebgrets, Dr Birgit Adam, Prof Gerald Holtmann, Dr Alex Roth, Dr Stuart M. Brierley, Dr Andrew Ruskiewicz.  “Association of mucosal and peripheral T cell activation with symptom pattern and co-morbidity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome”.

Publications

i) PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES: 

1). Kentish SJ, O'Donnell TA, Isaacs NJ, Young RL, Li H, Harrington AM, Brierley SM, Wittert GA, Blackshaw LA, Page AJ. (2012). Gastric vagal afferent modulation by leptin is influenced by food intake status. J Physiol. 2012 Dec 24. [Epub ahead of print]. ERA Rating: A*.

 

2). Hughes PA, Harrington AM, Castro J, Liebregts T, Adam B, Grasby DJ, Issacs NJ, Maldeniya L, Martin CM, Persson J, Andrews JM, Holtmann GJ, Blackshaw LA and Brierley S.M. (2012). Sensory neuro-immune interactions differ between IBS subtypes. Gut. Jul 27. [Epub ahead of print]. ERA Rating: Gut: A*.

 

3). Boakye PA, Brierley S.M, Pasilis SP, Balemba OB. (2012). Garcinia buchananii bark extract is an effective anti-diarrheal remedy for lactose-induced diarrhea. J Ethnopharmacol. Jul 13;142(2):539-47. ERA rating: B.

 

4). Harrington AM, Brierley S.M, Isaacs NJ, Hughes PA, Castro J and Blackshaw LA. (2012). Sprouting of colonic afferent central terminals and increased spinal MAP kinase expression in a mouse model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Journal of Comparative Neurology. Jul 1;520(10):2241-55. (Faculty 1000 nominated publication). ERA Rating: A*.

 

5). Boakye PA, Stenkamp-Strahm C, Bhattarai  Y, Heckman MD, Brierley S.M, Pasilis SP and Balemba OB. (2012). 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors contribute to the anti-motility effects of Garcinia buchananii bark extract in the guinea-pig distal colon. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, Jan;24(1):e27-40, Epub 2011 Nov 10. ERA rating: B.

 

6). Brierley S.M, Castro J, Harrington AM, Hughes PA, Page AJ, Rychkov GY and Blackshaw LA. (2011). TRPA1 contributes to specific mechanically activated currents and sensory neuron mechanical hypersensitivity. Journal of Physiology. 2011 Jul 15;589(Pt 14):3575-93. Epub 2011 May 9. ERA Rating: Journal of Physiology: A*.

 

7). Harrington AM, Hughes PA, Martin CM, Yang J, Castro J, Isaacs NJ, Blackshaw LA and Brierley S.M. (2011). A novel role for TRPM8 in visceral afferent function. Pain. 152(7):1459-68 (IF: 5.371). ERA Rating: Pain A*.

 

8). Liebregts T, Adam B, Bredack C, Gururatsakul M, Pilkington KR, Brierley S.M, Blackshaw LA, Gerken G, Talley NJ & G Holtmann. (2011). Small bowel homing T cells are associated with symptoms and delayed gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia. American Journal of Gastroenterology. Jun;106(6):1089-98. Epub 2011 Jan 18. (IF: 6.012). ERA Rating: A.

 

9). Brierley S.M, Hughes PA, Page, AJ, Kwan K, Martin CM, O’Donnell TA , Cooper NJ, Harrington AM, Adam B, Liebregts T, Holtmann G, Corey DP, Rychkov GY & Blackshaw LA. (2009). TRPA1 mediates mechanotransduction in sensory neurons and is modulated by algesic stimuli. Gastroenterology. Dec;137(6):2084-2095.e3. Epub 2009 Jul 24. (IF: 12.1). (Faculty 1000 nominated publication). ERA Rating: A*.

 

10). *Hughes P.A, *Brierley S.M, Martin C.M, Brookes SJH, Linden D.R & Blackshaw L.A. (2009). Post-inflammatory colonic afferent sensitization: different subtypes, different pathways, and different time-courses. Gut. Oct;58(10):1333-41. Epub 2009 Mar 25. (* Equal first authorship). (IF: 10.015). ERA Rating: A*.

 

11). Young RL, Sutherland K, Pezos N, Brierley S.M, Horowitz MK, Rayner CK & Blackshaw LA. (2009). Expression of taste receptor molecules in the upper gastrointestinal tract in humans with and without type 2 diabetes. Gut. 2009 Mar;58(3):337-46. Epub 2008 Nov 27. (IF: 10.015). ERA Rating: A*.

 

12). Hughes PA, Brierley S.M, Martin CM, Liebregts T, Adam B, Persson J, Holtmann G & LA Blackshaw (2008) TRPV1-expressing sensory fibres and IBS: links with immune function. Gut. Mar;58(3):465-6. (IF: 10.015). ERA Rating: A*.

 

13). Brierley S.M, Page AJ, Hughes PA, Adam B, Liebregts T, Cooper N.J, Holtmann G, Liedtke W & L.A Blackshaw (2008). A selective role for TRPV4 ion channels in visceral sensory pathways. Gastroenterology. Jun;134(7):2059-69. [Epub ahead of print] Jan 31; (IF: 13.1). ERA Rating: A*.

 

14). Sipe W, Brierley S.M, Martin CM, Phillis BD, Spreadbury I, Grady E.F, Liedtke W, Vanner S, Blackshaw L.A, & NW Bunnett. (2008). Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 Mediates Protease Activated Receptor 2-Induced Sensitization of Colonic Afferent Nerves and Mechanical Hyperalgesia. American Journal of Physiology, GI and Liver Physiology. May;294(5): G1288-98. Epub 2008 Mar 6. (IF: 3.681). ERA Rating: A.

 

15). Lindström E, Brusberg M, Hughes P.A, Martin C.M, Brierley S.M, Phillis B.D, Martinsson R, Abrahamsson C, Larsson H, Martinez V & L.A Blackshaw. (2007). Involvement of metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor in visceral pain. Pain. Jul 15;137(2):295-305. Epub 2007 Oct 15. (IF: 4.309). ERA Rating: A*.

 

16). Page A.J, Slattery J.A, Brierley S.M, Jacoby A.S & L.A Blackshaw (2007). Involvement of Galanin receptors 1 and 2 in the modulation of mouse vagal afferent mechanosensitivity. The Journal of Physiology. 583: 675-684 (IF: 4.4). ERA Rating: A*.

 

17). Page AJ, *Brierley S.M, Martin CM, Hughes PA, & L.A Blackshaw (2007). Acid sensing ion channels required for inhibition of afferent mechanosensitivity by benzamil. Pain. Dec 15;133(1-3):150-60. Epub 2007 Apr 27. (IF: 4.309) (* Equal first authorship). ERA Rating: A*.

 

18). Page A.J, Slattery J.A, Milte C, Laker R, O’Donnell  T, Dorian C.L, Brierley S.M, & L.A Blackshaw (2007). Ghrelin selectively reduces mechanosensitivity of upper gastrointestinal vagal afferents. American Journal of Physiology, GI and Liver Physiology. 292(5):G1376-84. (IF: 3.47). ERA Rating: A.

 

19). *Hughes P.A, *Brierley S.M, Young, R.L & L.A Blackshaw (2007). Localization and comparative analysis of acid sensing ion channel (ASIC1, 2 and 3) mRNA expression in mouse colonic sensory neurons within thoracolumbar dorsal root ganglia. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 500, 863-875. (* Equal first authorship). (IF: 3.7). ERA Rating: A*.

 

20). Slattery J.A, Page A.J, Dorian C.L, Brierley S.M, & L.A Blackshaw (2006). Potentiation of vagal afferent mechanosensitivity by ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. The Journal of Physiology, 577(1):295-306. (IF: 4.4). ERA Rating: A*.

 

21). Brierley S.M, Jones III R.C.W, Xu L, Gebhart G.F & L.A Blackshaw (2005). Activation of splanchnic and pelvic colonic afferents by bradykinin in mice. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 17(6) 854-862. (IF: 3.0). ERA rating: B.

 

22). Brierley S.M, Jones III R.C.W, Xu L, Robinson D.R, Hicks G.A, Gebhart G.F & L.A Blackshaw (2005). Differential chemosensory function and receptor expression of splanchnic and pelvic colonic afferents in mice. The Journal of Physiology, 567(1) 267-281. (IF: 4.4). . ERA Rating: A*.

 

23). *Page A.J, *Brierley S.M, Martin C.M, Price M.P, Wemmie J.A, Symonds E, Butler R, & L.A Blackshaw (2005). Different contributions of ASIC channels 1a, 2 and 3 in gastrointestinal mechanosensory function. Gut, 54(10) 1408-1415 (* Equal first authorship). (IF: 7.7). ERA Rating: A*. 

 

24). *Page A.J, *Brierley S.M, Martin C.M, Martinez-Salgado C, Wemmie J.A, Brennan T.J, Symonds E, Omari T, Lewin G.R, Welsh M.J & L.A Blackshaw (2004). The ion channel ASIC1 contributes to visceral but not cutaneous mechanoreceptor function. Gastroenterology, 127, 1739–1747. (* Equal first authorship) (IF: 13.1). ERA Rating: A*.

 

25). Brierley S.M, Jones III R.C.W, Gebhart G.F & L.A Blackshaw (2004). Splanchnic and pelvic mechanosensory afferents signal different qualities of colonic stimuli in mice. Gastroenterology, 127(1), 166-178. (IF: 13.1). ERA Rating: A*.

 

26). Brierley S.M, Nichols K, Grasby D.J and S.A. Waterman. (2001). Neural mechanisms underlying migrating motor complex formation in mouse isolated colon. British Journal of Pharmacology, 132, 507-517. (e**- Of Outstanding Interest (Evaluations come from Current Opinion Journals; IF: 3.889). ERA Rating: A*.

 

  

ii) Invited Reviews (Peer Reviewed):

 

27). Brierley S.M (2012). Guanylate cyclase-C receptor activation: unexpected biology. Current Opinion in Pharmacology. Special edition. 2012 Dec;12(6):632-40. (IF: 7.15).

 

28). Brierley S.M, Kelber O. (2011). Use of natural products in gastrointestinal therapies. Current Opinion in Pharmacology.  Special edition. 2011 Dec;11(6):604-11. Epub 2011 Oct 11. (IF: 7.15).

 

29). Brierley S.M, Hughes P.A, Harrington A.M, Rychkov G.R and L.A Blackshaw (2010). Identifying the Ion Channels Responsible for Signaling Gastro-Intestinal Based Pain. Pharmaceuticals, Special Edition, 3, 2768-2798.

 

30). Brierley S.M. (2010). Molecular basis of mechanosensitivity. Autonomic Neuroscience; Basic and Clinical, Special Edition, Volume 153, Issues 1-2, 16 February 2010, Pages 58-68.

 

31). Blackshaw LA, Brierley S.M & Hughes PA. (2010). TRP channels: new targets for visceral pain. Gut. Jan;59(1):126-35.

 

32). Hughes PA, Brierley S.M & Blackshaw LA. (2009). Post-inflammatory modification of colonic afferent mechano-sensitivity. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology. Oct;36(10):1034-40. Epub 2009 Jun 29.

 

 

iii) Invited Editorials (Peer Reviewed):

 

33). Blackshaw LA, Brierley S.M, Hughes PA, Harrington A.M. (2011). “The hot mustard receptor’s role in gut motor function”. Gastroenterology. 2011 Aug;141(2):423-7. Epub 2011 Jun 22. ERA Rating: A*.

 

34). Brierley S.M (2010). “Visualising vagal afferent neurons and their terminals whilst silencing TRPV1”. Perspectives article. Journal of Physiology. Nov 1;588(Pt 21):4069-70. ERA Rating: A*.

 

35). Brierley S.M (2010). “All ahead stop! How intestinal motility adapts to cope with inflammation induced ulceration”. Perspectives article. Journal of Physiology. Mar 1;588(Pt 5):753-4. ERA rating: A*.

 

36). L.A. Blackshaw & Brierley S.M (2010). “Highlights in Autonomic Neuroscience”. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and  Clinical. Jan 15;152(1-2):1-3. Epub 2009 Dec 4. ERA Rating: C.

 

 

iv) Book Chapters:

 

37). Blackshaw L.A, Brierley S.M, Harrington A.M, and Hughes PA (2013). ‘TRP channels in visceral pain’. The Open Pain Journal. 6,Suppl 1:M4; 23-30.

38).  Hughes P.A, Brierley S.M, Castro J, Harrington AM and Blackshaw LA (2012). “Experimental Models of Colitis”. Arpad Szallasi and Tamás Bíró (eds.), TRP Channels in Drug Discovery: Volume II, Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology, DOI 10.1007/978-1-62703-095-3_23.

 

39). Brierley S.M, Hughes P.A & Harrington A.M, Blackshaw L.A. “Innervation of the Gastrointestinal Tract by Spinal and Vagal Afferent Nerves” . In: LR Johnson (Editor-In-Chief) Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract. 5th edition. Elsevier Academic  press. 2012. pp. 703-732.

 

40). Brierley S.M & Blackshaw L.A, (2006).In: Pasricha J, Willis W, and Gebhart G (eds.) Chronic Abdominal and Visceral Pain: Theory And Practice. The Neurobiology of Visceral Nociceptors. Section II, Chapter 3. Taylor & Francis, New York 

 

41). Brierley S.M, Coldwell J.R, Cooper N.J, Howarth G.S and Blackshaw L.A. (2003). Colonic spinal primary afferents: anatomical, histochemical, mechanosensory and chemosensory subtypes and effects of inflammation. In  G. Holtmann, N. Talley (Eds.) Gastrointestinal inflammation and disturbed gut function. Kluwer, Dordrecht, 2003;120-125.

 

Community Engagement

MEDIA RELEASES:

1). http://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news44321.html

2). http://www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/s/923/index.aspx?sid=923&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=3823&ecid=3823&ciid=21946&crid=0

 

TV INTERVIEWS:

1).  Channel 7 News, Adelaide. April 19th 2011.

 

RADIO INTERVIEWS:

1). ABC 891 Adelaide. “Afternoons with Carole Whitelock”. April 19^th 2011. 1.45PM, Duration: 4.15 mins.

2). ABC 891 Adelaide. “Main news of the day with State News Editor Mr Rick Keegan 19/04/2011 5:06 PM, Duration: 0.43 mins.

3). ABC 891 Adelaide. “Main news of the day with State News Editor Mr Rick Keegan 19/04/2011 6:07 PM, Duration: 0.32 mins.

4). Radio Adelaide. “Breakfast with Jess Wingard”. April 27^th 2011. 7:42 AM, Duration: 6.18 mins.

5). ABC Newcastle. “Mornings with Helen Clare”. April 27^th 2011. 9.12AM, Duration: 9.45 mins. 

6) 3AW Melbourne. “Mornings with Neil Mitchell”. February 24^th 2012. 1045am, duration 5 mins.

 

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES:

1). The Advertiser, Adelaide, Australia “Gutsy pair hailed for their finds”, August 26, 2011.

2). The Advertiser, Adelaide, Australia. “Hanson Institute Award Winners”. 2006.

 

Entry last updated: Friday, 22 Mar 2013