Dr Natalie Niessen
Program Manager HMRI Infection Research Program
School of Medicine and Public Health
- Email:natalie.niessen@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:0240420867
Career Summary
Biography
Dr Natalie Niessen is a dedicated early career scientist with a passion for advancing medical research. She holds a PhD in Medicine from the University of Newcastle (2021) and has a background in molecular biosciences. Her doctoral research focused on investigating aberrant inflammatory signaling in asthma.
Natalie has extensive expertise in laboratory assays, including Flow Cytometry and other cellular and molecular techniques.
In her current role as Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, she is specialising in Transplant Immunology. Her work focuses on:
- Investigating immune pathways involved in kidney transplantation
- Identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes
- Reducing infections and preventing organ rejection in transplant recipients
Natalie is passionate about medical research, as it enhances the understanding of disease mechanisms and drives improvements in patient care. Her research spans the entire bench-to-bedside spectrum, including:
- Exploring disease pathophysiology
- Identifying biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets
- Investigating the effects of novel and existing drugs on cellular processes, molecular pathways, and disease outcomes
In addition to her postdoctoral role, Natalie works as a Program Manager for the HMRI Infection Research Program, where she has honed her leadership skills and gained extensive experience in:
- Strategic planning and project management
- Financial oversight and budget management
- Team coordination and mentoring junior researchers
She values collaboration and efficiency in the workplace, contributing to a productive research environment while supporting her team's development.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt
- Master of Sceiences - Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt
Keywords
- Asthma
- Immunology
- Inflammation
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
Languages
- German (Mother)
- English (Fluent)
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 320211 | Infectious diseases | 60 |
| 320404 | Cellular immunology | 40 |
Professional Experience
Professional appointment
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 11/8/2022 - | Postdoctoral Research Associate | School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy | University of Newcastle Australia |
| 18/7/2022 - | Program Manager HMRI Infection Research Program | School of Medicine and Public Health | University of Newcastle Australia |
| 24/5/2021 - 17/7/2022 | Clinical Research Assistant | School of Medicine and Public Health | University of Newcastle Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Highlighted Publications
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 |
Niessen NM, Gibson PG, Baines KJ, Barker D, Yang IA, Upham JW, Reynolds PN, Hodge S, James AL, Jenkins C, Peters MJ, Marks GB, Baraket M, Simpson JL, Fricker M, 'Sputum TNF markers are increased in neutrophilic and severe asthma and are reduced by azithromycin treatment', ALLERGY, 76, 2090-2101 (2021) [C1]
|
Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Niessen NM, Fricker M, McDonald VM, Gibson PG, 'T2-low: what do we know? Past, present, and future of biologic therapies in noneosinophilic asthma', ANNALS OF ALLERGY ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY, 129, 150-159 (2022) [C1]
|
Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
Journal article (10 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
Negewo NA, Niessen NM, Baines PJ, Williams EJ, Fibbens N, Simpson JL, McDonald VM, Berthon BS, Gibson PG, Baines KJ, 'Targeted DNase treatment of obstructive lung disease: a pilot randomised controlled trial', Erj Open Research, 11 (2025) [C1]
Background Sputum extracellular DNA (eDNA) is associated with disease severity in asthma and COPD and therefore emerging as a potential therapeutic target. The aim of t... [more] Background Sputum extracellular DNA (eDNA) is associated with disease severity in asthma and COPD and therefore emerging as a potential therapeutic target. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 10 days of recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) treatment of eDNA-high asthma and COPD on sputum eDNA levels, neutrophil-related inflammation, lung function and symptoms. Methods Adults with asthma (n=80) or COPD (n=66) were screened for the presence of high (>20 µg·mL-1) sputum eDNA and those eligible (n=18 asthma, n=17 COPD) were randomised to a two-period crossover controlled trial consisting of daily nebulised rhDNase (2.5 mg/2.5 mL) or placebo (5 mL 0.9% saline) for 10 days, with a 2-week washout period. The primary outcome was sputum eDNA, and secondary outcomes included sputum neutrophil extracellular trap (NET)-related biomarkers, inflammatory cell counts, lung function and respiratory symptoms. Results At screening, high eDNA was associated with significantly higher sputum total cell count, sputum colour score and inflammation (HNP1-3, LL-37 and interleukin-1ß) in both asthma and COPD compared to low eDNA groups. In asthma, participants with high eDNA were older and had poorer lung function and asthma control compared to low eDNA. Administration of nebulised rhDNase significantly reduced sputum eDNA levels in both asthma (median (Q1¿Q3) Pre: 48.4 (22.1¿74.1); Post: 17.0 (5.0¿ 31.0) µg·mL-1; p=0.022) and COPD (median (Q1¿Q3) Pre: 39.3 (36.7¿55.6); Post: 25.4 (11.3¿38.6) µg·mL-1; p=0.044) compared to placebo. Symptoms, lung function and NET biomarkers remained unchanged. In asthma, there was a reduction in banded blood neutrophils (3.2 (0¿7.7) to 0.0 (0.0¿1.5); p=0.044). Conclusion Targeted rhDNase treatment for 10 days effectively reduced sputum eDNA in eDNA-high asthma and COPD.
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| 2025 |
Davidson LA, Niessen NM, Rowlandson M, Myint TM, Trevillian PR, Hibberd AD, Heer MK, Horvat JC, Baines KJ, 'Characterization of BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) in kidney transplant recipients using transcriptomic analysis: a comprehensive scoping review', Pathogens and Disease, 83 (2025) [C1]
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| 2024 |
Isler B, Niessen N, Campbell D, Toms AD, Daneman N, Manning L, Davis JS, 'Addressing important evidence gaps in the management of prosthetic joint infection: clinician attitudes and equipoise', ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, 94, 1211-1213 (2024) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2024 |
Liu Z, Baines KJ, Niessen NM, Heer MK, Clark D, Bishop GA, Trevillian PR, 'Characterizing Foxp3+ and Foxp3- T cells in the homeostatic state and after allo-activation: resting CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs have molecular characteristics of activated T cells', FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY, 15 (2024) [C1]
|
Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Niessen NM, Fricker M, McDonald VM, Gibson PG, 'T2-low: what do we know? Past, present, and future of biologic therapies in noneosinophilic asthma', ANNALS OF ALLERGY ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY, 129, 150-159 (2022) [C1]
|
Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Niessen NM, Gibson PG, Baines KJ, Barker D, Yang IA, Upham JW, Reynolds PN, Hodge S, James AL, Jenkins C, Peters MJ, Marks GB, Baraket M, Simpson JL, Fricker M, 'Sputum TNF markers are increased in neutrophilic and severe asthma and are reduced by azithromycin treatment', ALLERGY, 76, 2090-2101 (2021) [C1]
|
Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Niessen NM, Gibson PG, Simpson JL, Scott HA, Baines KJ, Fricker M, 'Airway monocyte modulation relates to tumour necrosis factor dysregulation in neutrophilic asthma', ERJ OPEN RESEARCH, 7 (2021) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Niessen NM, Baines KJ, Simpson JL, Scott HA, Qin L, Gibson PG, Fricker M, 'Neutrophilic asthma features increased airway classical monocytes', CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, 51, 305-317 (2021) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Fricker M, Qin L, Niessen N, Baines KJ, McDonald VM, Scott HA, Simpson JL, Gibson PG, 'Relationship of sputum mast cells with clinical and inflammatory characteristics of asthma', CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, 50, 696-707 (2020) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Niessen N, Soppa J, 'Regulated iron siderophore production of the halophilic archaeon haloferax volcanii', Biomolecules, 10, 1-17 (2020) [C1]
Iron is part of many redox and other enzymes and, thus, it is essential for all living beings. Many oxic environments have extremely low concentrations of free iron. Th... [more] Iron is part of many redox and other enzymes and, thus, it is essential for all living beings. Many oxic environments have extremely low concentrations of free iron. Therefore, many prokaryotic species evolved siderophores, i.e., small organic molecules that complex Fe3+ with very high affinity. Siderophores of bacteria are intensely studied, in contrast to those of archaea. The haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii contains a gene cluster that putatively encodes siderophore biosynthesis genes, including four iron uptake chelate (iuc) genes. Underscoring this hypothesis, Northern blot analyses revealed that a hexacistronic transcript is generated that is highly induced under iron starvation. A quadruple iuc deletion mutant was generated, which had a growth defect solely at very low concentrations of Fe3+, not Fe2+. Two experimental approaches showed that the wild type produced and exported an Fe3+-specific siderophore under low iron concentrations, in contrast to the iuc deletion mutant. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that haloarchaea obtained the gene cluster by lateral transfer from bacteria and enabled the prediction of enzymatic functions of all six gene products. Notably, a biosynthetic pathway is proposed that starts with aspartic acid, uses several group donors and citrate, and leads to the hydroxamate siderophore Schizokinen.
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Dr Natalie Niessen
Positions
Program Manager HMRI Infection Research Program
School of Medicine and Public Health
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Post Doctoral Research Associate
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
| natalie.niessen@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | 0240420867 |
Connect with me
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