Dr Bridget Southwell

contact details

Dr Bridget Southwell
Surgical Research
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Royal Children's Hospital
Flemington Road
Parkville Victoria 3052

T +61 3 9345 5069
E bridget.southwell@mcri.edu.au

biography

Dr Bridget Southwell has BSC (Hons) and MSc in developmental neuroscience (Zoology Department, Uni Melbourne), a PhD in Biochemistry (Uni Melbourne) and Postdoctoral training in enteric neuroscience with Prof John Furness and Prof Joel Bornstein in Melbourne, Australia. She is an expert in immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy and tachykinin and muscarinic receptors in the intestine. She is a Senior Research Fellow with the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and a Fellow with the American Gastroenterological Association.

In 2000, she moved from studying animals in a University Department and began clinical studies at MCRI. She heads a multidisciplinary group of staff and students performing both laboratory and clinical research. She has published over 100 papers. Together with Prof John Hutson, (Professor of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne and Urology Department, Royal Childrens Hospital), she leads studies on the bowel and testis.

achievements

International Neurogastroenterology and Motility Societies, Young Investigator Award
Joint International Neurogastroenterology and Motility Societies, Top 10% of abstracts
NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (SRFA)
Paediatric Basic Research Award, International Foundation for Functional GI Disorders
Gastroenterology Society of Australia, Researcher on the Move Award
Gastroenterology Society of Australia, Rising Star Award
Fellowship, Gastroenterology Society of Australia
Boston Scientific/ Gastroenterology Society of Australia Prize
Novartis Neurogastroenterology Award for Excellence in Research and Presentation- Big Brain/Little Brain Meeting.
International Travel Award, American Gastroenterology Association
Melbourne University Postgraduate Scholarship

research focus & interest

Structure and development of the enteric nervous system (1995-2011). Basic Science. Distribution and activation of receptors within the gastrointestinal tract. (18 papers, 1 book chapter). Developed methods for quantitative confocal analysis of receptor trafficking in neurons and for determining the location of receptors on neurons, muscle and interstitial cells within the gut. Mapped location of all three tachykinin receptors in guinea-pig and rat intestine. Mapped location of Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors 1-3 in rat, guinea pig and human intestine. Development of the enteric nervous system (3 papers) and Interstitial cells of Cajal (4 papers).

Defects in colonic motility in children (2001-2011). Focusing on neuromuscular transmission and defects in gut motility in children. Collaborating closely with clinical Gastroenterologists and Surgeons in multidisciplinary studies of paediatric chronic constipation: symptoms, aetiology and treatments. Applying both lab-based quantitative immunohistochemical methods and new clinical techniques to understand defects leading to chronic treatment-resistant constipation in children. (27 papers, 5 reviews, 1 book chapter).

Molecular events in the gubernaculum and descent of the testis (2005-2011). The gubernaculum is essential to testicular descent. This organ responds to cues from nerves and hormones and pulls the testes down into the scrotum. These studies focus on identifying molecules involved in the steps of descent. This research draws on previous embryological studies and knowledge of immunohistochemistry and receptor biology. (14 papers, 1 review).

Plasma proteins. (1990-95) Phd and first postdoc. Plasma protein synthesis by the liver in different species, especially transthyretin and thyroxine transport from blood to brain. (15 papers).

publications

King SK, Catto-Smith AG, Stanton MP, Sutcliffe JR, Simpson D, Cook I, Dinning P, Hutson JM, Southwell BR. 24-Hour colonic manometry in pediatric slow transit constipation shows significant reductions in antegrade propagation. Am J Gastroenterol 2008;103:2083-91.
Jarzebowski AC, McMullin ND, Grover SR, Southwell BR, Hutson JM. The Kelly technique of bladder exstrophy repair: continence, cosmesis and pelvic organ prolapse outcomes. J Urol 2009;182:1802-6.
Jones BC, O'Brien M, Chase J, Southwell BR, Hutson JM. Early hypospadias surgery may lead to a better long-term psychosexual outcome. J Urol 2009;182:1744-9.
Southwell BR. Colon lengthening slows transit: is this the mechanism underlying redundant colon or slow transit constipation? J Physiol 2010;588:3343.
Nation TR, Buraundi S, Farmer PJ, Balic A, Newgreen D, Southwell BR, Hutson JM. Development of the Gubernaculum During Testicular Descent in the Rat. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2011.
van Wunnik BP, Baeten CG, Southwell BR. Neuromodulation for constipation: Sacral and transcutaneous stimulation. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2011;25:181-91.