Experimental Therapeutics
Associate Professor Paul Tooney
Associate Professor Paul Tooney is a cell biologist with a keen interest in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of diseases, so that better diagnoses and treatment strategies can be developed. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Paul’s PhD (1995; at the University of Newcastle, Australia) and post-doctoral training (1995-1998 University of Wisconsin, USA) was in cancer biology and the extracellular matrix. Paul then returned to Australia and took an opportunity to focus on the neurobiology of schizophrenia as a Research Officer/Senior Research Officer (1998-2004) with the Schizophrenia Research Institute before moving into his academic position with the University of Newcastle.
Paul’s research from 1998 to 2017 focused on the neurobiology and genetics underpinning schizophrenia. Paul played a major role in the establishment of the Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank (ASRB), which collected clinical and cognitive data as well as blood samples for genetic analysis and structural brain scans from participants with schizophrenia and controls from all over Australia. The ASRB has contributed to over 100 research projects and well over 100 research papers.
In 2017, Paul turned his attention to brain tumours particularly glioblastoma. His brain tumour research focuses on three main areas:
- identifying new and repurposed drugs to treat glioblastoma and overcome resistance.
- identifying blood-based biomarkers to assist with diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response and progression of glioblastoma.
- the brain tumour microenvironment.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.