Monash Haematology Journal Club: “'Impact of innate immune dysfunction in β-thalassaemia’”, 5 July

Wednesday 5 July, 7.30am Breakfast & 7.45am Presentation

Monash Medical Centre, Level 2 - Lecture Theatre 3

Presenter: Dr Jim Vadolas  

Laboratory Head, Cell and Gene Therapy Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital & The University of Melbourne, Australia.

Jim Vadolas heads a research group investigating inherited red blood cell disorders at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. After receiving his PhD at the University of Melbourne, Jim undertook postdoctoral studies at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. There he established several unique cell-based assay systems and clinically relevant animal models of β-thalassaemia. Having received an NHMRC R.D. Wright Fellowship in 2005, he focused on the development of novel genomic tools, to better understand the pathophysiology of β-haemoglobinopathies. These innovations enabled investigations that provided important insights into the epigenetic mechanism(s) involved in globin gene regulation throughout development and disease. A major aspect of his research is the development and evaluation of genetic-based approaches to precisely edit the human genome in order to demonstrate proof of concept for alternative therapeutic strategies. More recently, his team’s expertise in β-haemoglobinopathies has enabled him to establish a new research program focusing on the innate immune dysfunction in β-thalassaemia, which represents a significant risk factor for disease-associated morbidity and mortality.

Jim Vadolas is currently Vice President of the Australasian Gene and Cell Therapy Society, and has served as Committee Member and Vice President of the Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of Australia from 2005-2017.