research

hormone research

summary

The Centre for Hormone Research at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute interacts closely with the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Royal Children's Hospital.

Our research is informed by the clinical needs of the children and families seen at the hospital, namely diabetes, sexual development , growth and healthy bones.

Our work in hormone research has an emphasis on growth and growth factors, healthy bones, and clinical research aspects of sexual development and puberty. See more about diabetes research here.

group leader(s)

George Werther  Professor George Werther
  Hormone Research
  Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
  Royal Children's Hospital
  Flemington Road
  Parkville Victoria 3052

  T +61 3 9345 5951
  E george.werther@rch.org.au

  group leader biography

 

 

 

 

Vince Russo  Dr Vince Russo
  Hormone Research
  Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
  Royal Children's Hospital
  Flemington Road
  Parkville Victoria 3052

  T +61 3 9345 7931
  F +61 3 9347 7763
  E vince.russo@mcri.edu.au

  group leader biography

current research projects

Project 1: Healthy Bones - the prediction and prevention of osteoporosis in early life

We are utilising our recently established bone densitometry system to screen 'at risk' children for early signs of bone mineral loss - the forerunner to osteoporosis in later life.  We are undertaking treatment trials using bisphosphonates and vitamin D metabolites in various bone disorders in children, including osteogenesis imperfecta, steroid induced osteoporosis and immobilization osteoporosis

Project 2: Sex and psychology - the determinants of gender and sexuality

The impact of disorders of sexual development and gender identity has potential profound effects throughout life, and our studies aim to document and more effectively manage these issues.

The Murdoch Childrens Sex Study Group is following up all patients treated at this hospital for sexual ambiguity over the past 30 years; a parallel study in Lucknow, India will examine the importance of the cultural context in management of intersex disorders.  Another study looks at the relationship in females with Turner's syndrome between the parental origin of the single X chromosome and certain psychological and physical traits.

team members

  • Walid Azar - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Leon Bach - HONORARY RSEARCH FELLOW
  • Penny Campbell - Research Assistant
  • Mindy Chao - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Samantha Francis-Pester - Study Coordinator
  • Ronda Greaves - Honorary Research Fellow
  • Sandra Higgins - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Lee-Ann Jones - Administrative Assistant
  • Sue Kantor - RESEARCH AFFILIATE
  • Winnie Li - Visiting Masters Student
  • Elizabeth Loughlin - RESEARCH AFFILIATE
  • Orla Neylon - Clinical Research Fellow
  • Janne Pitkin - Research Assistant
  • Matthew Sabin - HONORARY RESEARCH FELLOW
  • Peter Simm - HONORARY FELLOW
  • Garry Warne - HONORARY RESEARCH FELLOW
  • Jarod Wong - Clinical Research Fellow
  • Steven Yau - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Margaret Zacharin - HONORARY RESEARCH FELLOW
  • Snezana Zivkovic - Research Assistant

publications

  • Andreucci E., Aftimos S., Alcausin M., Haan E., Hunter W., Kannu P., Kerr B., McGillivray G., Gardner RJM., Patricelli MG., Sillence D., Thompson E., Zacharin M., Zankl A., Lamande SR., Savarirayan R. TRPV4 related skeletal dysplasias: a phenotypic spectrum highlighted byclinical, radiographic, and molecular studies in 21 new families. ORPHANET JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 6 (2011) PubMed
  • Azar WJ., Azar SH., Higgins S., Hu JF., Hoffman AR., Newgreen DF., Werther GA., Russo VC. IGFBP-2 Enhances VEGF Gene Promoter Activity and Consequent Promotion of Angiogenesis by Neuroblastoma Cells. ENDOCRINOLOGY 152 (9) (2011) PubMed
  • Biebermann H., Winkler F., handke D., Teichmann A., Gerling B., Cameron F., Eichhorst J., Gruters A., Wiesner B., Kuhmen P., Krude H., Kleinau G. New pathogenic thyrtropin receptor mutations decipher differentiated activity switching at a conserved helix 6 motif of family A GPCR. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (2011) PubMed
  • Galgardo J., Hunt LP., Lightman SL., Sabin MA., Bergh C., Sodersten P., Shield JP. Normalizing eating behavior reduces body weight and improves hormonal secretion in obese adolescents. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (2011) PubMed
  • Gillam LH., Hewitt JK., Warne GL. Ethical principles: An essential part of the process in disorders of sex development care. Hormone Research in Paediatrics 76 (5) : 367 - 368(2011) PubMed
  • Juonala M., Magnussen CG., Berenson GS., Venn A., Burns TL., Sabin MA., Srinivasan SR., Daniels SR., Davis PH., Chen W., Sun C., Cheung M., Viikari JSA., Dwyer T., Raitakari OT. Childhood Adiposity, Adult Adiposity, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors. NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 365 (20) : 1876 - 1885(2011)
  • Koves IH., Russo VC., Higgins S., Mishra A., Pitt J., Cameron FJ., Werther GA. An In Vitro Paradigm for Diabetic Cerebral Oedema and its Therapy: A Critical Role for Taurine and Water Channels. Neurochemical Research 37 (1) : 182 - 192(2011) PubMed
  • Raile K., O'Connell M., Galler A., Werther G., Kuhnen P., Krude H., Blankenstein O. Diabetes caused by insulin gene (INS) deletion: clinical characteristics of homozygous and heterozygous individuals. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY 165 (2) : 255 - 260(2011) PubMed
  • Sabin MA., Magnussen CG., Juonala M., Cowley MJ., Shield JP. The role of pharmacotherapy in the prevention and treatment of paediatric metabolic syndrome - Implications for long-term health "Part of a series on Pediatric Pharmacology, guest edited by Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Emilio Clementi, and Massimo Molteni". Pharmacological Research (2011) PubMed
  • Sabin MA., Russo VC., Azar WJ., Yau SW., Kiess W., Werther GA. IGFBP-2 at the interface of growth and metabolism--implications for childhood obesity. [Review]. Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews 8 (4) : 382 - 393(2011)
  • Sabin MA., Werther GA., Kiess W. Genetics of obesity and overgrowth syndromes. BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM 25 (1) : 207 - 220(2011) PubMed
  • Sabin MA., Yau SW., Russo VC., Clarke IJ., Dunshea FR., Chau J., Cox M., Werther GA. Dietary Monounsaturated Fat in Early Life Regulates IGFBP2: Implications for Fat Mass Accretion and Insulin Sensitivity. Obesity (Silver Spring) 19 : 2374 - 2381(2011) PubMed
  • Simm PJ., Russo VC., Werther GA. The effect of selective oestrogen receptor antagonists in an in vitro model of growth plate chondrogenesis. Endocrine 40 (1) : 27 - 34(2011) PubMed
  • Warne GL., Mann A. Ethical and legal aspects of management for disorders of sex development. JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH 47 (9) : 661 - 663(2011) PubMed
  • White S., Ohnesorg T., Notini A., Roeszler K., Hewitt J., Daggag H., Smith C., Turbitt E., Gustin S., van den Bergen J., Miles D., Western P., Arboleda V., Schumacher V., Gordon L., Bell K., Bengtsson H., Speed T., Hutson J., Warne G., Harley V., Koopman P., Vilain E., Sinclair A. Copy Number Variation in Patients with Disorders of Sex Development Due to 46,XY Gonadal Dysgenesis. PLOS ONE 6 (3) (2011) PubMed
  • Wilson R., Norris EL., Brachvogel B., Angelucci C., Zivkovic S., Gordon L., Bernardo BC., Stermann J., Sekiguchi K., Gorman JJ., Bateman JF. Changes in the Chondrocyte and Extracellular Matrix Proteome during Post-natal Mouse Cartilage Development. Molecular and cellular proteomics (2011) PubMed
  • Zacharin M., Bajpai A., Chow CW., Catto-Smith A., Stratakis C., Wong MW., Scott R. Gastrointestinal polyps in McCune Albright syndrome. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS 48 (7) : 458 - 461(2011) PubMed