Mr Tony Rothkirch
Senior Technical Officer
Research Facilities and Infrastructure
- Email:tony.rothkirch@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4921 7813
Career Summary
Biography
Environmental Science and Management
Keywords
- Analytical Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- GC-MS
- Gas Chromatography
- HPLC
- ICP-MS
- Laser Ablation
- Liquid Chromatography
- Mass Spectrometry
Languages
- English (Mother)
- German (Working)
Professional Experience
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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1/7/2013 - | Professional Officer | The University of Newcastle - Research and Innovation Division Analytical and Biomolecular Research Facility (ABRF) - Research Services Australia |
1/7/2008 - 30/11/2008 | Professional Officer | The University of Newcastle - Research Division Advanced Mass Spectrometry Unit (AMSU) - Research Services Australia |
1/1/2008 - 20/11/2008 | Scientific Research Officer | The University of Newcastle - Newcastle Innovation (NI) Australia |
1/7/2007 - 31/12/2007 | Scientific Research Officer | The University of Newcastle Research Associates Ltd. (TUNRA) Australia |
1/7/2005 - 31/12/2008 | Research Assistant & Laboratory Manager | The University of Newcastle - Faculty of Science and Information Technology Molecular Structure & Detection Group (MSDG) - Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences Australia |
1/7/2002 - 30/6/2005 | Research Assistant | The University of Newcastle - Faculty of Science and Mathematics Molecular Structure and Detection Group (MSDG) - Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Australia |
1/7/2001 - 30/6/2002 | Research Assistant in Neurobiology | The University of Newcastle - Faculty of Science and Mathematics Bioanalytical Research Group (BRG) - Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Australia |
1/2/1995 - 31/3/1995 | Laboratory Assistant | Commercial Minerals Ltd. (Sandgate, NSW) Australia |
1/10/1992 - 31/10/1992 | Laboratory Assistant | Envirosciences Pty. Ltd. (Carrington, NSW) Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (11 outputs)
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2014 |
Aitken RJ, Finnie JM, Muscio L, Whiting S, Connaughton HS, Kuczera L, et al., 'Potential importance of transition metals in the induction of DNA damage by sperm preparation media', Human Reproduction, 29 2136-2147 (2014) [C1] STUDY QUESTION: What are the mechanisms by which the preparation of spermatozoa on discontinuous density gradients leads to an increase in oxidative DNA damage? SUMMARY ANSWER: Th... [more] STUDY QUESTION: What are the mechanisms by which the preparation of spermatozoa on discontinuous density gradients leads to an increase in oxidative DNA damage? SUMMARY ANSWER: The colloidal silicon solutions that are commonly used to prepare human spermatozoa for assisted reproduction technology (ART) purposes contain metals in concentrations that promote free radical-mediated DNA damage. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Sporadic reports have already appeared indicating that the use of colloidal silicon-based discontinuous density gradients for sperm preparation is occasionally associated with the induction of oxidative DNA damage. The cause of this damage is however unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This study comprised a series of experiments designed to: (i) confirm the induction of oxidativeDNA damage in spermatozoa prepared on commercially available colloidal silicon gradients, (ii) compare the levels of damage observed with alterative sperm preparation techniques including an electrophoretic approach and (iii) determine the cause of the oxidative DNA damage and develop strategies for its prevention. The semen samples employed for this analysis involved a cohort of >50 unselected donors and at least three independent samples were used for each component of the analysis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The setting was a University biomedical science laboratory. The major techniques employed were: (i) flow cytometry to study reactive oxygen species generation, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, (ii) computeraided sperm analysis to measure spermmovement and (iii) inductively coupled mass spectrometry to determine the elemental composition of sperm preparation media. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Oxidative DNA damage is induced in spermatozoa prepared on PureSperm® discontinuous colloidal silicon gradients (P < 0.001 versus repeated centrifugation) because this medium contains metals, particularly Fe, Al and Cu, which are known to promote free radical generation in the immediate vicinity of DNA. This damage can be significantly accentuated by reducing agents, such as ascorbate (P < 0.001) and inhibited by selective chelation (P < 0.001). This problem is not confined to PureSperm®; analysis of additional commercial sperm preparation media revealed that metal contamination is a relatively constant feature of such products. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: While the presence of metals, particularly transition metals, may exacerbate the levels of oxidative DNA damage seen in human spermatozoa, the significance of such damage has not yet been tested in suitably powered clinical trials. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The results explain why the preparation of spermatozoa on discontinuous colloidal silicon gradients can result in oxidative DNA damage. The results are of immediate relevance to the development of safe, effective protocols for the preparation of spermatozoa for ART purposes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The studywas funded by the Australian Health and Medical ResearchCouncil. One of the authors (R.J.A.) has had a consultantship with a biotechnology company, NuSep, interested in the development of electrophoretic methods of sperm preparation. He has no current financial interest in this area. None of the other authors have a conflict of interest to declare.
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2011 |
Dunstan RH, Ho P-H, Adams MC, Rothkirch TB, Roberts TK, 'Opioid peptide digestion by newly isolated potential probiotic bacteria from foods', Journal of Science and Technology, 49 161-168 (2011)
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2011 |
Dunstan RH, Sparkes DL, MacDonald MM, Roberts TK, Wratten C, Kumar M, et al., 'Altered amino acid homeostasis and the development of fatigue by breast cancer radiotherapy patients: A pilot study', Clinical Biochemistry, 44 208-215 (2011) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2008 |
Evans CA, Dunstan RH, Rothkirch TB, Roberts TK, Reichelt KL, Cosford RE, et al., 'Altered amino acid excretion in children with autism', Nutritional Neuroscience, 11 9-17 (2008) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2007 |
Shah V, Dunstan RH, Geary PM, Coombes PJ, Roberts TK, Rothkirch TB, 'Comparisons of water quality parameters from diverse catchments during dry periods and following rain events', Water Research, 41 3655-3666 (2007) [C1]
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2007 |
Niblett SH, King KE, Dunstan RH, Clifton-Bligh P, Hoskin LA, Roberts TK, et al., 'Hematologic and urinary excretion anomalies in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome', Experimental Biology and Medicine, 232 1041-1049 (2007) [C1]
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2007 |
Shah V, Dunstan RH, Geary PM, Coombes PJ, Roberts TK, Rothkirch TB, 'Bacterial source tracking from diverse land use catchments by sterol ratios', Water Research, 41 3667-3674 (2007) [C1]
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2006 |
Geary PM, Shah V, Dunstan RH, Coombes PJ, Rothkirch TB, 'Tracing faecal contributions from on-site wastewater systems', Water, 33 48-51 (2006) [C1]
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2000 |
Dunstan RH, McGregor NR, Roberts TK, Butt HL, Niblett SH, Rothkirch TB, 'The development of laboratory-based tests inchronic pain fatigue. 1. Muscle catabolism and coagulase negative staphylococci which produce membrane damaging toxins', JOURNAL OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, 7, NO. 2 53-57 (2000) [C1]
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2000 |
Dunstan RH, McGregor NR, Roberts TK, Butt H, Niblett S, Rothkirch T, 'The development of laboratory-based tests in chronic pain and fatigue: 1. Muscle catabolism and coagulase negative staphylococci which produce membrane damaging toxins', Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 7 23-27 (2000) Background: The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) requires the exclusion of other known fatigue-related diseases because the core symptoms of CFS represent a general hos... [more] Background: The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) requires the exclusion of other known fatigue-related diseases because the core symptoms of CFS represent a general host response to many well-defined diseases. The patient set derived by this process is heterogeneous in their polysymptomatic presentation and has proved very difficult to study clinically and scientifically. Objectives: To investigate the alterations in urine excretion and microbiology in patients with CFS. Results: CFS patients had multiple anomalies in their amino and organic acid homeostasis. Sub-groups of CFS patients could be delineated on the basis of their urine excretion and their symptom presentation. The most common feature was an active muscle catabolism resulting in a depletion of amino acids and associated organic and keto-acids. The extent of muscle catabolism was directly correlated to pain severity. The carriage of toxin-producing coagulase negative staphylococci (MDT-CoNS) was strongly correlated with the catabolic response and pare severity. Conclusions: An hypothesis has been constructed where an occult pathogen, such as MDT-CoNS, may be an aetiological agent contributing to the sustenance of a chronic fatigue/pain disorder, a comorbid pathogen. Urine analysis offers an opportunity for assessment of muscle catabolism and sub-classification of chronic fatigue patients leading to a number of management options. The detection of MDT-CoNS identifies potentially treatable agents that contribute to the fatigue and pain condition.
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2000 |
Dunstan RH, McGregor NR, Butt HL, Roberts TK, Klineberg IJ, Niblett SH, et al., 'Characterization of differential amino acid homeostasis amongst population subgroups: A basis for determining specific amino acid requirements', JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE, 10 211-223 (2000) [C1]
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Show 8 more journal articles |
Conference (4 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2007 |
Bromley AR, Dunstan RH, Roberts TK, Rothkirch TB, Kiernan HL, Hodgson DM, 'Early life determinants of the effects of anandamide on circulating amino acids and corticosterone levels in adulthood', Early Human Development, Perth (2007) [E3]
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2005 |
Geary PM, Shah V, Dunstan RH, Coombes PJ, Rothkirch TB, 'Bacterial source tracking methods to distinguish between fecal contributions from on-site wastewater systems', On-Site 05 Conference : performance assessment for on-site systems: regulation, operation, and monitoring, Armidale, NSW (2005) [E3]
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2005 |
Geary PM, Shah V, Dunstan RH, Coombes PJ, Rothkirch TB, 'Bacterial Source Tracing Methods to Distinguish Between Faecal Contributions from On-Site Wastewater Systems', Proceedings of the Performance Assessment for On-Site Systems: Regulation, operation and monitoring conference, University of New England, Armidale, Australia (2005) [E1]
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2003 |
Bromley AR, Roberts TK, Dunstan RH, Rothkirch TB, Kiernan HL, Hodgson DM, 'Prenatal exposure to LPS Alters Development of the Endocannabinoid System in the Rodent', The Endocrine Society of Australia Proceedings 2003, Melbourne, Victoria (2003) [E3]
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Show 1 more conference |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 1 |
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Total funding | $2,500 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20191 grants / $2,500
Rare Earth Element (REE) Analysis in Coal Tailings$2,500
Funding body: MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd
Funding body | MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd |
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Project Team | Doctor Dusan Ilic, Mr Tony Rothkirch, Professor Kenneth Williams |
Scheme | Small Research Consultancy |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | G1901534 |
Type Of Funding | C3100 – Aust For Profit |
Category | 3100 |
UON | Y |
Mr Tony Rothkirch
Position
Senior Technical Officer
Central Analytical Facilities (CAF)
Research Facilities and Infrastructure
Research and Innovation Division
Contact Details
tony.rothkirch@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 4921 7813 |
Fax | (02) 4921 7299 |
Links |
Research Networks Research Networks |
Office
Room | LS4.50 |
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Building | Life Sciences Building |
Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |