research

Doctor Jim Vadolas

contact details

AJA_6579 Dr Jim Vadolas
Cell & Gene Therapy
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Royal Children's Hospital
Flemington Road
Parkville Victoria 3052
Australia

T +61 3 8341 6232 (Office)
T +61 3 8341 6236 (Lab)
F +61 3 9348 1391
E jim.vadolas@mcri.edu.au

biography

Dr Jim Vadolas completed his PhD at the Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, and postdoctoral training at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with Panos Ioannou and Bob Williamson. In 2005, Jim became group leader of the Cell and Gene Therapy group at the MCRI. He is primarily interested in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for thalassaemia and related haemoglobinopathies. Jim has established an extensive research program that examines novel gene therapy and pharmacological-based strategies, which includes evaluation in animal models and patient-derived stem cells.

Throughout his career he has demonstrated a continued commitment to providing an environment that promotes scientific excellence and the financial opportunity to support and develop national and international undergraduate and postgraduate students as well junior researchers in their scientific careers.

He is currently an Executive Committee member of the Australasian Gene Therapy Society. Jim is also an Executive Committee Member of Thalassaemia Australia where he represents in the interest of thalassaemia patients and families. In addition, Jim is actively involved in community awareness and fundraising campaigns for thalassaemia through the MCRI, Thalassaemia Australia, Thalassaemia Society of NSW and The Greek Conference.

achievements

Awards

  • 2003-2005: Cooleyemia Research Fellowship (USA) (www.cooleysanemia.org).
  • 2005-2009: NHMRC - R D Wright Career Development Award (Aus).

Executive Committee roles

  • Executive Committee member, Australasian Gene Therapy Society, (2005-)
  • Executive Committee member, Thalassaemia Australia (2005-) 
  • Executive Committee member, Greek Legal and Medical Conference (2007-)

 

 

 

research focus & interest

We are investigating possible ways of treating genetic disorders. One method involves gene therapy - introducing 'healthy' copies of genes into a patient's cells. This concept has proved harder to implement than previously thought. For example, the large size of most human genes has necessitated the use of 'stripped-down' versions of these genes. However, minimising the amount of genetic material used can exclude stretches of DNA that would normally control the gene's function.

Safer and more efficient ways of delivering these 'replacement' genes directly to their target cells need to be devised. Research is also required on how to keep the inserted DNA intact and retain its normal functions in the cell. We are very aware of the serious concerns about the safety and effectiveness of gene therapy, and are committed to addressing these issues.

We are also investigating treatments based on cell therapy, and the use of drugs to modify gene expression. In many genetic illnesses, it may even be possible to alter other genes pharmacologically so as to overcome the disease. Our group is developing a number of in vitro and in vivo model systems that can be used to identify and evaluate novel pharmacological agents that can alter the effects of specific gene mutations which cause disease.

publications

2012 Publication

  • Chan KS, Xu J, Wardan H, McColl B, Orkin S, Vadolas J. (2012) Generation of a genomic reporter assay system for analysis of γ- and β-globin gene regulation. FASEB J. Jan 20. [Epub ahead of print] 

2011 Publication

  • Thephinlap, C, Phisalaphong, C, Lailerd, N, Chattipakorn, N, Winichagoon, P, Vadolas, J, Fucharoen, S, B. Porter, J, Srichairatanakool, S. (2011) Reversal of Cardiac Iron Loading and Dysfunction in Thalassemic Mice by Curcuminoids. Medicinal Chemistry 7(1) pp. 62-69.

2010 Publication

  • Chokchaisiri R, Chaneiam N, Svasti S, Fucharoen S, Vadolas J, Suksamrarn A. (2010) Labdane Diterpenes from the Aerial Parts of Curcuma comosa Enhance Fetal Hemoglobin Production in an Erythroid Cell Line. Journal of Natural Products 73(4):724-8.
  • Boonkusol D, Dinnyes A, Faisaikarm T, Sangsuwan P, Pratipnatalang N, Sa-ardrit M, Kengkoom K, Saikhun K, Munkongdee T, Svasti S, Vadolas J, Fucharoen P, Fucharoen, S, Kitiyanant Y. (2010) The effect of embryo cryopreservation on human b -globin gene expression in transgenic mice model. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 22(5):788-95

2009 Publication

  • Hatzistavrou T, Micallef SJ, Ng ES, Vadolas J, Stanley EG, Elefanty AG. (2009) ErythRED, a hESC line enabling identification of erythroid cells. Nat Methods. Sep;6(9):659-62.
  • Srinoun K, Svasti S, Chumworathayee W, Vadolas J, Vattanaviboon P, Fucharoen S, Winichagoon P. (2009) Imbalanced globin chain synthesis determines erythroid cell pathology in thalassemic mice.Haematologica. 2009 Sep;94(9):1211-9.
  • Meerang M, Nair J, Sirankapracha P, Thephinlap C, Srichairatanakool S, Arab K, Kalpravidh R, Vadolas J, Fucharoen S, Bartsch H. (2009) Accumulation of lipid peroxidation-derived DNA lesions in iron overloaded thalassemic mouse livers: Comparison with levels in lymphocytes of thalassemia patients. Int J Cancer. Aug 15;125(4):759-66.
  • Hu R, Buck NE, Khaniani MS, Wood L, Wardan H, Benoist JF, Li L,Vadolas J, Sarsero JP, Ioannou PA, Peters HL. (2009) Gene induction for the treatment of methylmalonic aciduria.J Gene Med.  Apr;11(4):361-9.
  • Zaibak F, Kozlovski J, Vadolas J, Sarsero JP, Williamson R, Howden SE. (2009) Integration of functional bacterial artificial chromosomes into human cord blood-derived multipotent stem cells. Gene Ther. Mar;16(3):404-14.

2008 Publication

  • Voon H., and Vadolas J. (2008) Controlling alpha-globin: a review of alpha-globin expression and its impact on beta-thalassemia. Haematologica. Dec;93(12):1868-76.
  • Voon H., Wardan H., Vadolas J. (2008) siRNA-mediated reductions of. Haematologica. Aug;93(8):1238-42.
  • Howden SE, Voullaire L, Wardan H, Williamson R, Vadolas J. (2008) Site-specific, Rep-mediated integration of the intact beta-globin locus in the human erythroleukaemic cell line K562.Gene Ther. 2008 Oct;15(20):1372-83.

2007 Publication

  • Voon H., Wardan H., Vadolas J. (2007) Co-inheritance of a- and b-thalassaemia in Mice Ameliorates Thalassaemic Phenotype. Blood Cell Mol. and Dis. September- October;39(2):184-188.

 2006 Publication

  • Vadolas J, Nefedov M, Wardan H, Mansooriderakshan S, Voullaire L, Jamsai D, Williamson R, and Ioannou PA. (2006) Humanized b-thalassemia mouse model containing the common IVSI-110 splicing mutation. J Biol Chem. Mar;281(11); 7399-405.
  • Jamsai D, Zaibak F, Vadolas J, Voullaire L, Khongnium W, Fowler KJ, Gazeas S, Peters H, Winichagoon P, Williamson R, Fucharoen S, and Ioannou PA. (2006) A humanized mouse model for HbE/β-thalassemia. Genomics. Sep;88(3):309-15.
  • Howden S, Wardan H, Voullaire L, McLenachan S, Williamson R, Ioannou PA, Vadolas J.(2006) Chromatin-binding regions of EBNA1 protein facilitate the enhanced transfection of Epstein-Barr virus-based vectors. Hum Gene Ther. Aug;17(8):833-44. (Illustration selected for front cover).
  • Incharoen T, Thephinlap C, Srichairatanakool S, Chattipakorn S, Winichagoon P, Fucharoen S, Vadolas J, Chattipakorn N. (2006) Heart rate variability in beta-thalassemic mice. Int J Cardiol. 121, 203-4.