Hamilton Laboratory

Research Overview

The main focus of our current research is the control of the development of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage and the function of this lineage in inflammatory disease. More specifically it involves (i) animal models of inflammation and pain, e.g. arthritis, with particular reference to the effects of GM-CSF and CSF-1 on disease progression and pain, (ii) an analysis of the signal transduction pathways involved in the action of the CSFs and (iii) characterization of monocyte/macrophage subphenotypes. Several potential targets for drug intervention have arisen from this work and our discoveries have impacted on clinical medicine and have led to commercial return.  Our work has specific relevance to arthritic disease, in particular, but also has wide implication for many aspects of inflammation and pathology, and therefore for many diseases.

Staff

    Laboratory Head

    Professor John Hamilton, Department of Medicine, UoM.

    Senior Scientist

    Dr Kevin Ming-Chin Lee, Research Fellow, UoM

    Postdoctoral Fellow

    Dr Tanya Lupancu, Research Fellow

    PhD student

    Ms Mahtab Eivazitork

    Clinical Affiliates

    Prof. Richard de Steiger, Victor Smorgon Chair of Surgery (Epworth)

    A/Prof. Keith Lim, Head of Rheumatology Unit (Western Health)

    Dr. Cecil Hor, Rheumatologist (Western Health)

    Dr. Matthew Jiang, Rheumatologist (Western Health)

    Dr. Ju Ann Tan, Rheumatologist (Western Health)

Collaborators

A/Prof Adrian Achuthan, Department of Medicine, UoM

Dr. Daniel Poole, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University.

Dr. Nicholas Veldhuis, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University.

Prof. Matthew Watt, Head of Department Anatomy and Physiology, UoM

Dr. Stacey Keenan, Research Fellow, UoM

Prof. Andrew Murphy, Head of Haematopoiesis and Leukocyte Biology, Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute

Funding

  • IL-23 in pain

Prof. John Hamilton, Dr Kevin Ming-Chin Lee, Dr. Adrian Achuthan

Industry

2021-present

2 years; $690,000 AUD

  • LEX34425 Cytokines and pain

Prof. John Hamilton, Dr Kevin Ming-Chin Lee, Dr. Adrian Achuthan,

Industry

2019-present

4 years; $1.5 million AUD