Dr Dylan Kiltschewskij
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy
- Email:dylan.kiltschewskij@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4921 8748
Career Summary
Biography
Dylan Kiltschewskij is a postdoctoral research fellow in Professor Murray Cairns’ complex disorder group. He obtained a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with First Class Honours from The University of Newcastle in 2015 and has since completed his PhD in Medical Genetics. Dylan’s research aims to explore and characterise the nexus between fundamental neuroscience, genetics and psychiatric disorders through implementation of multidimensional high-throughput molecular techniques, systems biology and statistical genetics.
Dylan’s present work is focussed on leveraging large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to infer the effect of biochemical exposures on brain structure to identify putative relationships relevant to psychiatric disorders and explore potential drug repurposing opportunities. Dylan is also currently utilizing DNA methylation signals in conjunction with genetic data to refine the identification of individuals with a high burden of genetic and epigenetic risk for schizophrenia, as well as severe cognitive subtypes. Since joining the Cairns lab as an Honours student, Dylan has additionally conducted and published studies exploring the mechanistic basis of microRNA and other noncoding RNAs in neuronal cells by employing a range of RNA sequencing methods, including mRNA-Seq, small RNA-Seq, Ribosome Profiling and Poly(A)-tail sequencing. Collectively, these studies have enabled Dylan to develop expertise in a range of experimental, bioinformatic and statistical techniques, as well as a passion for scientific communication via conferences and social media.
Dylan is proficient in a wide range of laboratory and computational research skills, including:
- Next-generation RNA sequencing, including multiple library preparation methods and bioinformatic analysis pipelines
- Analysis of gene expression data
- Profiling of small RNA-mRNA interactions
- Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS)
- Mendelian Randomisation
- Polygenic and epigenetic risk scoring
- Tissue culture techniques
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Bioinformatics
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
- Noncoding RNA
- Psychiatric disorders
- Statistical genetics
- Systems biology
- Transcriptomics
Languages
- English (Mother)
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
---|---|---|
310504 | Epigenetics (incl. genome methylation and epigenomics) | 25 |
310204 | Genomics and transcriptomics | 50 |
310505 | Gene expression (incl. microarray and other genome-wide approaches) | 25 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University of Newcastle School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Australia |
Awards
Award
Year | Award |
---|---|
2016 |
Australian Postgraduate Award Australian Federal Government |
2016 |
Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship and Research Training Program Tuition Fee Offset Australian Federal Government |
2015 |
Faculty of Health and Medicine Medal for outstanding academic achievement Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle |
2014 |
ADInstruments Prize for Human Structure and Function School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
2014 |
Australian Soceity of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Prize for Biomedical Science School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
2014 |
Life Technologies Prize for Cellular and Molecular Science School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
2014 |
Faculty of Health and Medicine Medal for outstanding academic achievement Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (12 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
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2024 |
Kiltschewskij DJ, Reay WR, Geaghan MP, Atkins JR, Xavier A, Zhang X, et al., 'Alteration of DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Scores Associated With Features of Schizophrenia and Common Variant Genetic Risk.', Biological psychiatry, 95 647-661 (2024) [C1]
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2024 |
Reay WR, Kiltschewskij DJ, Di Biase MA, Gerring ZF, Kundu K, Surendran P, et al., 'Genetic influences on circulating retinol and its relationship to human health', Nature Communications, 15
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2023 |
Barnett MM, Reay WR, Geaghan MP, Kiltschewskij DJ, Green MJ, Weidenhofer J, et al., 'miRNA cargo in circulating vesicles from neurons is altered in individuals with schizophrenia and associated with severe disease.', Sci Adv, 9 eadi4386 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Kiltschewskij DJ, Harrison PF, Fitzsimmons C, Beilharz TH, Cairns MJ, 'Extension of mRNA poly(A) tails and 3'UTRs during neuronal differentiation exhibits variable association with post-transcriptional dynamics.', Nucleic Acids Res, 51 8181-8198 (2023) [C1]
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2022 |
Marin FR, Dávalos A, Kiltschewskij D, Crespo MC, Cairns M, Andrés-León E, Soler-Rivas C, 'RNA-Seq, Bioinformatic Identification of Potential MicroRNA-Like Small RNAs in the Edible Mushroom Agaricus bisporus and Experimental Approach for Their Validation', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23 (2022) [C1] Although genomes from many edible mushrooms are sequenced, studies on fungal micro RNAs (miRNAs) are scarce. Most of the bioinformatic tools are designed for plants or animals, bu... [more] Although genomes from many edible mushrooms are sequenced, studies on fungal micro RNAs (miRNAs) are scarce. Most of the bioinformatic tools are designed for plants or animals, but the processing and expression of fungal miRNAs share similarities and differences with both kingdoms. Moreover, since mushroom species such as Agaricus bisporus (A. bisporus, white button mushroom) are frequently consumed as food, controversial discussions are still evaluating whether their miRNAs might or might not be assimilated, perhaps within extracellular vesicles (i.e., exosomes). Therefore, the A. bisporus RNA-seq was studied in order to identify potential de novo miRNA-like small RNAs (milRNAs) that might allow their later detection in diet. Results pointed to 1 already known and 37 de novo milRNAs. Three milRNAs were selected for RT-qPCR experiments. Precursors and mature milRNAs were found in the edible parts (caps and stipes), validating the predictions carried out in silico. When their potential gene targets were investigated, results pointed that most were involved in primary and secondary metabolic regulation. However, when the human transcriptome is used as the target, the results suggest that they might interfere with important biological processes related with cancer, infection and neurodegenerative diseases.
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2022 |
Reay WR, Kiltschewskij DJ, Geaghan MP, Atkins JR, Carr VJ, Green MJ, Cairns MJ, 'Genetic estimates of correlation and causality between blood-based biomarkers and psychiatric disorders', SCIENCE ADVANCES, 8 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Kiltschewskij DJ, Reay WR, Cairns MJ, 'Evidence of genetic overlap and causal relationships between blood-based biochemical traits and human cortical anatomy', TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY, 12 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Aparecida Nedel Pertile R, Kiltschewskij D, Geaghan M, Barnett M, Cui X, Cairns MJ, Eyles D, 'Developmental vitamin D-deficiency increases the expression of microRNAs involved in dopamine neuron development', Brain Research, 1789 (2022) [C1] Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with abnormal dopamine (DA) signalling and disruptions in early brain development. We have shown that developmental vitam... [more] Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with abnormal dopamine (DA) signalling and disruptions in early brain development. We have shown that developmental vitamin D-deficiency (DVD-deficiency) increases the risk of schizophrenia in offspring and impairs various aspects of brain development in rodents, particularly that of DA neurons, however the molecular basis of these impairments remains unclear. Here, we explore whether small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved. miRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally via translational repression and destabilisation of mRNA. While dysregulation of multiple miRNAs has been reported in post-mortem brain of patients with schizophrenia, the biological pathways affected by these small RNAs are not clear. Here we identified differential expression of 18 miRNAs in DA neurons isolated from DVD-deficient embryos. Three miRNAs were selected for further functional studies of dopaminergic neuron differentiation based on their interactions with transcripts involved in neuronal maturation. In particular, we show upregulation of miR-181c-5p suppresses neurite outgrowth of dopaminergic neurons. These findings provide further evidence that an environmental risk factor for schizophrenia ¿ DVD-deficiency ¿ disrupts the development of DA neurons and suggests increased miRNA expression may be one possible mechanism. This disruption potentially underlies the long-term alterations in DA mediated brain function in DVD-deficient offspring, and by inference in schizophrenia.
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2020 |
Kiltschewskij DJ, Geaghan MP, Cairns MJ, 'Characterising the Transcriptional and Translational Impact of the Schizophrenia-Associated miR-1271-5p in Neuronal Cells', CELLS, 9 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Kiltschewskij DJ, Cairns MJ, 'Transcriptome-wide analysis of interplay between mrna stability, translation and small RNAs in response to neuronal membrane depolarization', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21 1-23 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Mahmoudi E, Kiltschewskij D, Fitzsimmons C, Cairns MJ, 'Depolarization-Associated CircRNA Regulate Neural Gene Expression and in Some Cases May Function as Templates for Translation', CELLS, 9 (2020) [C1]
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2019 |
Kiltschewskij D, Cairns MJ, 'Temporospatial guidance of activity-dependent gene expression by microRNA: mechanisms and functional implications for neural plasticity.', Nucleic acids research, 47 533-545 (2019) [C1]
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Show 9 more journal articles |
Conference (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2019 |
Geaghan M, Kiltschewskij D, Atkins J, Cairns M, 'INVESTIGATING THE FUNCTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SCHIZOPHRENIA-ASSOCIATED DYSREGULATION OF MIR-1271-5P EXPRESSION', EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, Los Angeles, CA (2019)
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Preprint (3 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2021 |
Reay W, Kiltschewskij D, Geaghan M, Atkins J, Carr V, Green M, Cairns M, 'Genetic estimates of correlation and causality between blood-based biomarkers and psychiatric disorders (2021)
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2021 |
Kiltschewskij D, Reay W, Cairns M, 'Causal effect of C-reactive protein and vitamin D on human cerebral anatomy observed among genetically correlated biomarkers in blood (2021)
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2021 |
Marin F, Dávalos A, Kiltschewskij-Brown D, Crespo M, Cairns M, Andres-Leon E, Soler-Rivas C, 'RNA-seq, bioinformatic identification of potential MicroRNA-Like Small RNAs in the edible mushroom
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Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 7 |
---|---|
Total funding | $39,000 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
Highlighted grants and funding
Utilising Epigenetic Risk for Schizophrenia as a Platform for Precision Medicine$10,000
Funding body: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle
Funding body | School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Dylan Kiltschewskij, Dr William Reay, Prof Murray Cairns |
Scheme | College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing 2022 Strategic Research Pilot Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
CBMHR 2021 Seed Funding Grant$10,000
Funding body: Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research
Funding body | Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Dylan Kiltschewskij, Mr William Reay, Professor Murray Cairns |
Scheme | Project Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20224 grants / $23,000
Utilising Epigenetic Risk for Schizophrenia as a Platform for Precision Medicine$10,000
Funding body: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle
Funding body | School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Dylan Kiltschewskij, Dr William Reay, Prof Murray Cairns |
Scheme | College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing 2022 Strategic Research Pilot Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Utilising Epigenetic Risk for Schizophrenia as a Platform for Precision Medicine$10,000
Funding body: HMRI Precision Medicine Research Program
Funding body | HMRI Precision Medicine Research Program |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Dylan Kiltschewskij, Dr William Reay, Prof Murray Cairns |
Scheme | 2022 Pilot Grant Scheme |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Precision Medicine Research Program Travel Support Grant$1,500
Funding body: HMRI Precision Medicine Research Program
Funding body | HMRI Precision Medicine Research Program |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Dylan Kiltschewskij |
Scheme | 2022 Travel Support Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Precision Medicine Research Program Publication Support Grant$1,500
Funding body: HMRI Precision Medicine Research Program
Funding body | HMRI Precision Medicine Research Program |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Dylan Kiltschewskij |
Scheme | 2022 Publication Support Scheme |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20211 grants / $10,000
CBMHR 2021 Seed Funding Grant$10,000
Funding body: Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research
Funding body | Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Dylan Kiltschewskij, Mr William Reay, Professor Murray Cairns |
Scheme | Project Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20201 grants / $1,000
CBMHR Publication Support Grant$1,000
Funding body: Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research
Funding body | Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research |
---|---|
Scheme | CBMHR Publication Support Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20181 grants / $5,000
CBMHR Infrastructure Grant$5,000
Funding body: Infrastructure grant, Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health
Funding body | Infrastructure grant, Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health |
---|---|
Scheme | Infrastructure Grant, Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Dr Dylan Kiltschewskij
Position
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Molecular Neurobiology
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
dylan.kiltschewskij@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 4921 8748 |
Mobile | 0434 4996 81 |
Office
Room | MS616 |
---|---|
Building | Medical Sciences |
Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |