Professor
Suresh Mahalingam
BScHons, FAAM
I am a viral immunologist, with a particular interest in the pathogenesis and treatment of viral-induced inflammatory diseases.
Affiliations
- Institute for Glycomics
Overview
Current Work
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I have an international reputation in viral immunology, focussing on virus-host relationships, with the aim of developing new therapies. I am internationally recognised for my arbovirus work. The core research activities in my laboratory are in-depth investigations of viral diseases, their pathogenesis, treatment and prevention and virus-host interactions, including the role of soluble mediators, cell subsets and viral factors in virus-induced disease. My laboratory has a major focus on commercial translation with recent patents and licenses: i. Recent work from my lab (with Dr Lara Herrero) showing that pentosan can protect against cartilage damage has led to licensing of that discovery to an Australian biotech company (Paradigm BioPharmaceuticals). ii. We have developed new antivirals against dengue virus. Biotron Ltd has taken exclusive license to IP on our antiviral agents for dengue virus. iii. We (with Dr Adam Taylor) have recently developed and patented a vaccine candidate for chikungunya virus. iv. We have developed a vaccine for Zika virus, preclinical testing are presently underway. |
News
Expertise Keywords
- Antiinflammatory drugs
- Antiviral drugs
- Chikungunya virus
- Dengue virus
- Emerging viruses
- Human metapneumovirus
- Immunology
- Inflammation
- Mosquito borne viruses
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Ross River virus
- Vaccines
- Zika virus
Subject Area Codes
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Rheumatology and Arthritis
- Virology
Country Affiliations
- Brazil
- China
- Estonia
- India
- Singapore
- United Kingdom
- United States
Research Publications and Outputs
Recent Publications
Publications: 89 (Other: 89)
Funded Griffith Research
- (2019). Arbovirus-Induced Inflammatory Disease: Mechanisms and Approaches to Therapy
- (2019). Liposome delivery of a chikungunya virus vaccine candidate: a solution to vaccine production bottlenecks
- (2018). Live cell imaging system for infectious agent research
- (2017). A world-class bioanalytical facility: Circular dichroism spectrophotometer, surface plasmon resonance and enhanced protein production and pruification
- (2017). Lattice light sheet microscopy for imaging biology in real space and time
- (2016). Enabling world-class glycobiological research through the incorporation of enterprise standard equipment.
- (2016). Novel insights into the Pathobiology of Alphavirus Infections
- (2015). Arbovirus activation and modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome
- (2015). Improving treatment strategies for chronic alphaviral arthritic diseases
- (2014). New insights into viral inflammatory disease mechanisms and approaches to therapy
- (2013). Deciphering the mechanism of mosquito borne viral diseases; working towards identifying markers for disease severity
- (2013). Identification of markers of transmission for mosquito-borne virus disease
- (2013). Infrastructure for PC3 Facilities for Human (Bacterial and Viral) Pathogen Research
- (2013). Infrastructure for PC3 Facilities for Human (Bacterial and Viral) Pathogen Research
- (2013). Inhibition of IFN-α/β by Human Metapneumovirus and the Induction of Inflammation
- (2013). Integration of Chikungunya research (ICRES)
- (2013). Novel Insights into the Pathobiology of Alphavirus Infections
- (2012). How pathogenic strains of Ross River virus cause disease
- (2012). Integrative Approaches to Combating Chikungunya Chronic Disease
- (2012). Microscope component and analysis upgrades - Griffith Imaging and Image Analysis Facility
- (2011). Integrated Chikungunya Research
- (2011). The role of innate inflammatory responses in viral arthritis
- (2010). Togavirus tropism for bones, joints, and central nervous system.
- (2009). Mechanisms of Chikungunya virus disease: mouse model, virulent and fitness determinants and the development of novel therapeutics
- (2009). Mosquito-borne viruses - how they cause disease and novel approaches to prevention.
- (2009). Ross River virus - identification of virulence determinants in clinical isolates from across Australia
- (2008). Novel insights into the mechanisms of how viruses cause arthritis/arthralgia
- (2008). RNAi therapeutic intervention of human viral respiratory disease.
- (2007). Novel strategies in the design and development of antivirals against dengue virus
- (2007). The Biology of arbovirus virulence and fitness in the arthropod and vertebrate hosts in vivo
Engagement and Impact
Learning and Teaching
Current and Past Courses
Research by Higher Degree Supervision or Scholarship
Supervision Overview
Supervised a number of successful higher degree scholars (10 completed; 8 PhD students have completed in 2004-2016), most of whom have continued with a career in science. Nine of my fifteen Honours students obtained HI (2 University Medalist). Mentored 4 postdoctoral fellows, including a NHMRC CDA2, 4 Peter Doherty, 1 ARC APDI, 1 ARC DECRA and 4 other postdoctoral fellows.
Theses Supervised at Griffith
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(2016) Dengue Virus Infection of Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
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(2016) Novel Approaches in the Treatment of Virus- Induced Inflammatory Disease Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
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(2015) Deciphering the Role of Macrophage Subsets and Macrophage-Derived Factors During Arthrogenic Alphaviral Infection Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
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(2015) The Interplay between Alphaviral Infection and Inflammatory Arthritis Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
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(2016) Ross River Virus Interaction with the Type I IFN Pathways Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Background
Bio
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I am a viral immunologist, with a particular interest in the pathogenesis and treatment of viral-induced inflammatory diseases. I am presently a NHMRC Senior Research Fellow and Professor and Principal Research Leader at the Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University. Perhaps my greatest achievement has been the large body of work over 10 years identifying mechanisms in alphavirus musculoskeletal disease. My contribution to fundamental research is complemented by clinical and translational ‘spin-offs’ supported by highly productive collaborations with clinician-scientists and commercial partners. He is actively engaged in commercialization projects to develop anti-inflammatory drugs, antivirals and vaccines through research option agreements with Biotech and Pharma. He has received numerous awards and honours from major Australian funding and research bodies. He was made Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology for his contributions to the field of virology. |
Education and Training
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BScHons Bachelor Of Science With Honours, National University of Malaysia - 1992
Academic experience
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NHMRC Fellow, Australian National University 2000 - 2002
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NHMRC Fellow, University of Wollongong 2003 - 2004
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Professor, University of Canberra 2005 - 2010
Awards and Honours
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Career Development Award (Level 2), NHMRC 2009 - 2009
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R. Douglas Wright Fellowship, NHMRC 2004 - 2008
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ScienceNOW Young scientist, Fresh Science 2001 - 2001
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NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellowship, NHMRC 2000 - 2003
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Ann Woolcock Fellowship, Australian Respiratory Council 2000 - 2000
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PhD Scholarship, Australian National University 1994 - 1998
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John Crawford International PhD Scholarship, Australian Government 1994 - 1998
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Postgraduate Research Fellowship, University of Malaya 1993 - 1994
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One of three finalists - UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research, Australian Museum 2005 - 2005
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Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology 2016 -
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Member for Virology, Faculty 1000 2016 -
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Senior Research Fellowship, NHMRC 2014 -
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Young Tall Poppy Award, Australian Institute for Policy and Science 2004 - 2004
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Future Fellowship, ARC 2009 - 2013
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Undergraduate Scholarship, Malaysian Government 1988 - 1992
Professional experience
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Grant Review Panel, Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education 2013 - 2014
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ACT Convenor, ACT Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR). 2008 - 2009
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Biotechnology Advisory Board to the ACT Government (Ausbiotech), ACT Government 2005 - 2010
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International Advisory Board, EU Runemerge program - Centre for Research and Intelligence on Emerging Diseases in the Indian Ocean 2011 - 2013
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International PhD Advisor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, China 2016 -
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National Tall Poppy Ambassador, Queensland Tall Poppy Ambassador 2005 - 2010
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Queensland Tall Poppy Ambassador, Australian Institute for Policy and Science 2011 -
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Board of Directors, Australian Institute for Policy and Science 2015 -
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Virology Chair - Special Interest Group, Australian Society for Microbiology 2011 -
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Deputy Director, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance (QTHA) 2013 - 2015
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Grant Review Panel (Microbiology/Virology), NHMRC 2011 - 2014
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Grant Review Panel (Microbiology/Virology), NHMRC 2011 - 2014
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Grant Review Panel (Inflammation), NHMRC 2007 - 2009
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Assigners Academy, NHMRC 2015 -
Editorial roles
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Editorial board member, Microbes and Infection 2007 -
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Editorial board member, Virus Disease 2013 -
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Editorial board member, Viral Immunology 2015 -
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Editorial board member, Virology Journal 2013 - 2015
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Section Editor, Virology Journal 2015 -
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Editorial board member, Journal of General Virology 2015 -
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Editorial board member, Journal of Virology 2016 -
Professional memberships
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FAAM Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology 2016 -
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Member, Australian Rheumatology Association 2015 -
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Member, Australian Virology Society 2005 -
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Member, American Society for Microbiology 2009 -
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ACT Convenor, Australian Society for Medical Research 2008 - 2009
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Member, National Association of Research Fellows (NARF, NHMRC Inc) 2004 -
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Member, Asia Pacific Society for Medical Virology 2003 -
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Member, Australian Society for Microbiology 2005 -
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AusBiotech Member, Australian Biotechnology (AusBiotech) 2005 - 2010
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TSANZ Member, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand 2000 - 2002
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Member, American Society for Leukocyte Biology 2002 - 2004
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Member, Australian Society for Immunology 1995 - 2002
Government representation roles
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Biotechnology Advisory Board, ACT Government 2005 - 2010