Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Dr Baines is a post doctoral researcher in the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Hunter Medical Research Institute, and the Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Disease. Her second 3 year post-doctoral fellowship commenced in January 2012 through The University of Newcastle, and prior to this she received a research fellowship through (2008-11) funded through Xstrata Coal and HMRI. As an early career post doctoral researcher; Dr Baines manages a semi independent molecular mechanisms group within Professor Peter Gibson’s laboratory.
Dr Baines interest in respiratory medicine began when she commenced PhD studies in late 2003 (awarded in 2008), on molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of noneosinophilic asthma, particularly involving neutrophils. Throughout her PhD she was supported with scholarships from The Asthma Foundation of NSW and the Asthma CRC. Dr Baines is committed to furthering a full-time career in medical research. Her research interests surround the role of gene-environment interactions in the development and pathogenesis of respiratory diseases including asthma and COPD. Dr Baines research uses high throughput genomics technologies to understand more about molecular mechanisms, particularly phenotype definition, biomarker identification and the relationship of phenotypes to clinical outcomes and treatment responses. She is also interested in how respiratory disease phenotypes evolve over time, with regard to the impact of medication use such as inhaled corticosteroids and macrolides, and environmental exposures such as diet and microbial infection.
Dr Baines research has led to a number of important contributions to the knowledge base particularly the role of neutrophils and gene expression in asthma and COPD. She has shown that airway neutrophils have an impaired innate immune response in asthma; however blood neutrophils are activated in the neutrophilic phenotype of asthma which is associated with systemic inflammation, a key feature of this phenotype. Dr Baines has defined transcriptional phenotypes of asthma using gene expression profiling of induced sputum and blood, proving the existence of phenotypes as well as the involvement of specific pathways (IL1 and TNF) in the pathogenesis of neutrophilic airway inflammation. Dr Baines has recently identified novel immune genes that are associated with rhinovirus infection of airway epithelial cells in COPD. Since 2009 Dr Baines has published >15 journal articles in highly ranked journals (Thorax, ERJ, JACI), that have been cited 138 times at present. She also has 2 book chapters, 1 Australian Provisional Patent and >38 conference abstracts.
Dr Baines has obtained several awards, including the New and Emerging Researcher Awards in 2011 from the Australian Lung Foundation and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. She has been awarded 7 competitive travel grant awards, including the esteemed Janet Elder Travel Grant in 2011 and the HMRI Pulse Education Prize in 2010.
Dr Baines currently co-supervises 3 PhD students, and was primary supervisor to an honours student who received Class 1 honours in 2012. She is committed to providing a supportive environment for students to grow and learn the skills that will allow them to be successful in their independent research in the future.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle, 13/03/2008
- Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Hons), University of Newcastle, 13/12/2002
- Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, University of Newcastle, 05/12/2001
Research
Research keywords
- Asthma
- COPD
- Epigenetics
- Gene Expression
- Inflammation
- Innate Immunity
- Neutrophils
Research expertise
Katie is a laboratory based researcher with expertise in many laboratory methods, including using molecular techniques to understand more about the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She has particularl interest in using transcriptomics to understand how environmental influences in predisposed individuals can lead to the development of respiratory disease and different phenotypes of disease. She is also particularly interested in the role of inflammatory cells especially neutrophils in asthma and COPD, and the effects of environmental exposures including medications, diet and infection.
Languages
- English
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 110203 | Respiratory Diseases | 100 |
Collaboration
Dr Baines is involved in several successful collaborations, both locally and nationally.
1. Prof Anne Chang, Menzies School of Health and University of Queensland: A new multi-site study investigating airway and systemic markers and mechanisms of Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis in children. Subject of an NHMRC funded grant 2013-2016
2. Dr Manuel Ferreira, University of Queensland: Characterisation of the asthma transcriptome using RNA-seq. Subject of a UQ Collaborative Seed Funding Grant 2012.
3. Dr Brian Oliver and Prof Dominik Hartl, Woolcock Research Institute, University of Sydney, and University of Tubingen, Germany. Neutrophil responses to rhinovirus infection in asthma. Subject of a pending NHMRC grant for 2014.
Local collaborations:
1. Prof Peter Gibson and Dr Jodie Simpson: Markers and Mechanisms of severe asthma inflammatory phenotypes. Subject of a NHMRC grant 2013-2015.
2. Dr Vanessa McDonald and Prof Peter Gibson: Phenotype based management of severe asthma. Funded by HMRI and John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust 2012.
2. Dr Lisa Wood: Effects of diet, including antioxidant withdrawal and fatty acids on gene expression in asthma.
3. A/Prof Peter Wark: Rhinovirus infection and changes in gene expression in primary bronchial epithelial cells in COPD and asthma.
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 24 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $1,567,012 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2013 (5 grants)
Gene Expression Biomarkers Predict Severe Asthma Inflammatory Phenotype, Activation Mechanisms and Treatment Response$449,307
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines, Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Associate Professor Jodie Simpson | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $449,307 | 2013 | 2015 |
| GNo:G1200188 | ||
Protracted bacterial bronchitis: long term outcomes, systemic and airway predictors of recurrence$76,526
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Anne Chang, Professor John Upham, Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Dr Stephanie Yerkovich, Doctor Katie Baines, Dr Sandra Hodge, Mrs Susan Pizzuto, Associate Professor Ian Masters, Dr Helen Buntain | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $76,526 | 2013 | 2016 |
| GNo:G1200534 | ||
BD FACSCanto II Violet Laser (405nm) upgrade including Trigon and 2 photomultiplier tubes (PMTs)$25,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Associate Professor Peter Wark, Doctor Alan Hsu, Doctor Katie Baines, Associate Professor Jodie Simpson, Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Ms Hayley See | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $25,000 | 2013 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1201180 | ||
DP73 Digital colour and monochrome camera + cellSens software + Xcite120 fluorescence lamp illuminator$20,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Paul Foster, Doctor Alan Hsu, Professor Phil Hansbro, Professor Joerg Mattes, Doctor Katie Baines, Associate Professor Jodie Simpson, Professor Rakesh Kumar, Doctor Nicole Hansbro, Doctor Steven Maltby, Doctor Ming Yang, Doctor Gerard Kaiko, Doctor Jay Horvat, Doctor Simon Keely, Mr Andrew Jarnicki, Doctor Michael Fricker | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2013 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1201186 | ||
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand$1,675
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,675 | 2013 | 2014 |
| GNo:G1300405 | ||
2012 (5 grants)
2011 Research Fellowship - PRCARD$333,302
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Fellowship | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $333,302 | 2012 | 2014 |
| GNo:G1200356 | ||
Phenotype based management of severe persistent asthma$34,454
Funding Body: John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust Fund
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Vanessa McDonald, Doctor Katie Baines, Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $34,454 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1200211 | ||
Body plethysmograph respiratory function system$33,076
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Conjoint Associate Professor Peter Wark, Associate Professor Lisa Wood, Associate Professor Jodie Simpson, Doctor Katie Baines, Doctor Vanessa Murphy, Mr Jeffrey Pretto, Emeritus Professor Michael Hensley, Ms Jenny Mackney | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $33,076 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1100973 | ||
Phenotype based management of severe persistent asthma$20,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Vanessa McDonald, Doctor Katie Baines, Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2012 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1101169 | ||
Gene expression markers, mechanisms and steroid response of neutrophilic asthma$15,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Fellowship Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $15,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1200082 | ||
2011 (7 grants)
Transcriptional Phenotyping of COPD and the relationship between neutrophilic airway inflammation, airway infection and activation of proinflammatory pathways$24,000
Funding Body: John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust Fund
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines, Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Associate Professor Jodie Simpson | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $24,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1100635 | ||
Identification of a specific biomarker signature that identifies asthma phenotype
$23,700
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines, Associate Professor Jodie Simpson, Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $23,700 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1001054 | ||
Transcriptional Phenotyping of COPD and the relationship between neutrophilic airway inflammation, airway infection and activation of proinflammatory pathways$20,000
Funding Body: Australian Lung Foundation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Grant-In-Aid for New and Emerging Researchers | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1000976 | ||
Epigenetic changes in infants associated with maternal asthma during pregnancy$10,000
Funding Body: Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Grant-in-aid (supported by Merck Sharp & Dohme) | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1000991 | ||
Lung Function (Spirometry) testing and sputum induction equipment - establishing 3 new clinical workstations. Medgraphics CPFS/d USB spirometer with breezesuite software (x3). Laptop computer (x3). Ul$10,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Associate Professor Jodie Simpson, Associate Professor Lisa Wood, Doctor Katie Baines, Conjoint Associate Professor Peter Wark, Doctor Vanessa Murphy | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1100038 | ||
PULSE Education Prize$4,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| PULSE Education Prize | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $4,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1100342 | ||
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2 - 6 April 2011$1,289
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,289 | 2011 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1100297 | ||
2010 (1 grants)
Real time PCR machine (Mastercycler ep realplex2 from Epprndorf)
$34,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Jodie Simpson, Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Conjoint Associate Professor Peter Wark, Associate Professor Lisa Wood, Doctor Vanessa Murphy, Doctor Robert Scott, Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $34,000 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G1000056 | ||
2009 (1 grants)
Epigenetic regulation of airways inflammation in non-eosinophilic asthma$63,354
Funding Body: Asthma Foundation of New South Wales
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Doctor Katie Baines, Associate Professor Jodie Simpson | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| PhD Scholarships | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $63,354 | 2009 | 2011 |
| GNo:G0189748 | ||
2008 (3 grants)
Molecular mechanisms and treatment of non-eosinophilic asthma$300,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Jodie Simpson, Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $300,000 | 2008 | 2010 |
| GNo:G0188825 | ||
Molecular subtypes of asthma defined by gene expression profiling$9,955
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Early Career Researcher Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $9,955 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189618 | ||
American Thoracic Society, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 16/5/2008 - 21/5/2008$1,700
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,700 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0188599 | ||
2006 (1 grants)
Molecular Pathogenesis of Non-Eosinophilic Asthma$18,837
Funding Body: Asthma Foundation of New South Wales
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Katie Baines, Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| PhD Scholarships | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $18,837 | 2006 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0185985 | ||
2004 (1 grants)
Molecular Pathogensis of Non-Eosinphilic Asthma$37,837
Funding Body: Asthma Foundation of New South Wales
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Professor Rodney Scott, Doctor Katie Baines | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| PhD Scholarships | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $37,837 | 2004 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0183715 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 2 |
|---|---|
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 0.7 |
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2016 | PhD (Medical Biochemistry) | Co-Supervisor | Fatty Acids and the Innate Immune Response |
| 2009 | 2013 | PhD (Medicine) | Co-Supervisor | Epigenetic Regulation of Airway Inflammation in Non-Eosinophilic Asthma |
Dr (Katie) Baines
| Work Phone | (02) 40420090 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 40420046 |
| Katherine.Baines@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | UoN Postdoctoral Fellow Respiratory Medicine School of Medicine and Public Health Faculty of Health and Medicine |
| Office | Room 2109 Level 2 West Wing , Hunter Medical Research Institute, HMRI Building |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/katherine-baines |
