Prof. Joerg Mattes

Biography

My research has focused on the pathogenesis of asthma and respiratory infections. The major sequence of projects undertaken in this area has involved epidemiological studies, clinical studies, studies in mouse models of experimental asthma and rhinovirus infections, and more recently landmark studies on the role of micro(mi)RNAs in asthma. I have recently established the NSW Infant lung function CEntre (NICE) in order to investigate the origins of asthma in early life on a physiological, cellular and molecular level.

I have published in high impact journals [e.g. J Exp Med, Nat Med, JACI, PNAS] that have been cited more than one thousand three hundred times. My H-factor is 20 highlighting the significance of my scientific contributions to the field since 1998. Our work has received several prizes and awards at scientific meetings. Our findings have been presented at major national and international meetings in the past two years (e.g. TSANZ 2011; AAAAI 2009&2010; ATS 2009&2011; ASI 2009&2010; EAACI 2010; 8th Asia Pacific Congress of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology 2010; International Eosinophil Society 2009 and 2011; CIA 2008). I am regular reviewer of international medical journals and national and international grant funding bodies.

I am Head of the Experimental and Translational Respiratory group that employs a wide range of state-of-the-art experimental disease models (e.g. rhinovirus infection in mice, transgenic mouse models), molecular cutting-edge techniques (miRNA arraying, siRNA-mediated inhibition in vivo), ex vivo tissue culture systems (culturing of PBMCs, infection of airway epithelial cells), and infant lung function testing (e.g. the raised-volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression technique). We have successful national and international collaborations that are documented by publications in the highest-ranking medical science journals.

I am a Paediatric Respiratory Physician (FRACP) and was clinically very active throughout my academic career. I was trained at the University Children's Hospital Freiburg, Germany from 1996 to 2005 including a Research Fellowship at the JCSMR, ANU, Canberra from 1999 to 2001. I have completed a M.D. degree in Cardiology (1999, University of Hamburg) and a Doctor habilitatus (2005, University of Freiburg, highest academic qualification in Germany).

Based at the John Hunter Children's Hospital, Newcastle, I now provide specialist services as a Consultant including Paediatric Respiratory, Sleep Medicine, and Cystic Fibrosis outpatient/outreach clinics, inpatient tertiary services, bronchoscopy, non-invasive ventilation, and infant/preschool lung function testing across the entire Northern NSW Child Health Network.

In March 2011 I was appointed as the Chair and Discipline Lead of Paediatrics & Child Health at the University of Newcastle. I am the Course Coordinator for the Women, Children, and Adolescent Course (WACH) of Joint Medical Program Year 4. We have introduced several innovations into the WACH course including clinical skills training sessions in ultrasound, setting-based learning, and online MCQ and OSCE quizzes. We have also established an online platform for script concordance testing as a written assessment tool for clinical decision making in the context of uncertainty.

I am a translational researcher with an internationally recognized expertise in both experimental and clinical Paediatric Respiratory Medicine as well as a scholarly teacher with the vision to promote self-improving health care to children and their families through excellence in research & education.

Qualifications

• Habilitation (European Equiv to Doctor of Sc), University of Freiburg - Germany, 2005
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Hamburg - Germany, 1998

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Research

Research keywords

• Asthma and wheezing
• Immunology
• Infant lung function
• Paediatrics
• Respiratory Diseases
• Rhinovirus

Research expertise

Role of microRNA in antiviral responses, Role of microRNA in the pathogenesis of asthma, Role of TRAIL in allergic airways disease, Asthma in early life.

Languages

• German

Fields of Research

Code	Description	Percentage
110700	Immunology	65
110399	Clinical Sciences Not Elsewhere Classified	25
060499	Genetics Not Elsewhere Classified	10

Centres and Groups

Centre

• Hunter Medical Research Institute
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Asthma & Respiratory Diseases

Group

• Hunter Medical Research Institute - VIVA

Appointments

Health Professional Research Fellowship (Part-time) National Health & Medical Research Council (Australia)

01/12/2007 - 01/12/2011

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Immunology
• Paediatrics
• Respiratory Diseases
• Virology

Teaching interests

• Immunology
• Paediatric Respiratory Diseases
• Virology

Programs

• Medicine: Year 1, 2, 3

Courses

• HUBS2601 - B. Sci
• HUBS3206 - B. Sci