Ainslie Derrick Roberts

Ainslie Derrick Roberts

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

I am a post-doctoral research scientist in the Translational Research Unit, Genetics and Molecular Pathology (WCH campus), SA Pathology, Adelaide. My research interest focuses on finding a minimally invasive therapy to treat CNS and skeletal disease in a group of genetic diseases called MPS disorders. This involves combining work targeting inhibition of glycoaminoglycans and gangliosides (substrate deprivation therapy), using lentiviral gene therapy and understanding the mechanisms behind MPS disease pathology and how this is affected by treatment, with a particular focus on the bone and brain using in vitro systems and mouse models.

The overall aim of my research is to develop both in vitro and in vivo models for a group of genetic diseases called MPS. I am focusing on the 2 areas of MPS that are not adequately addressed using current therapies, the brain and skeleton. Having access to these improved tools will allow a better understanding of the pathogenesis of disease, identify key markers and pathways that lead to cell and organ dysfunction. Having a broader range of models will permit testing and implementation of therapeutic strategies necessary that have the potential for clinical translation.

 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2008 - ongoing Affiliate Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2008 - ongoing Grant Funded Post-Doctoral Scientist SA Pathology
    2008 - 2007 Grant Funded Post-Doctoral Scientist Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service
    2001 - 2002 2001-2002 Grant Funded Scientist Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2013 Award Runner-up, New Investigator Award MBSANZ Australia -
    2012 Fellowship Malcolm Douglas Post-Doctoral Grant Women and Childrens Hospital Foundation Australia -
    2012 Award Semi-finalist in Young Investigator Award - Australia -
    2012 Award Finalist, New Investigator Award MBSANZ Australia -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2003 - 2007 University of Adelaide Australia PhD, Department of Paediatrics
    1998 - 2001 University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Honours)

  • Certifications
    Date Title Institution name Country
    1997 South Australian Certificate of Education Walford Anglican School for Girls Austarlia

  • Research Interests
    Biochemistry and Cell Biology Central Nervous System Gene and Molecular Therapy Paediatrics
Date Project Title. Investigators Funding Body Amount
2021

A No Nonsense Approach To Sanfilippo Syndrome        

L Jolly, A Derrick-Roberts, K Hemsley, N Smith Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation 90,000
2017-2019

Can the cell cycle be re-set to normal in MPS growth plate chondrocytes?

 S Byers, A Derrick-Roberts, Z Jiang The National MPS Society US 90,000
2017 Understanding neurogenesis in MPS IIIA disease A Derrick-Roberts, S Byers, L Jolly University of Pennsylvannia, Penn Medicine Center for Orphan Disease Research and Therapies US 52,000
2017 Generation of Pluripotent Stem Models for the study of Human Neurodevelopmental Disorders L Jolly, J Hughes, A Derrick-Roberts

Robinson Research Institute Innovation Seed Funding Program

25,000
2017 In vivo growth hormone or IGF1 administration to improve bone length in a mouse model of MPS VII S Byers, A Derrick-Roberts Women’s and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation 75,000
2015 - 2016 Improved tools for studying MPS IVA A Derrick-Roberts, S Byers MPS Society US 120,000
2015 Understanding how stem cell differentiation is affected in MPS I disease S Byers, A Derrick-Roberts Women’s and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation 74,815
2014 - 2015 Oral fatty acid supplementation as an adjunct therapy for MPS I M Fuller, A Derrick-Roberts   US 330,000
2014 - 2015 Can linoleic acid improve cognitive function in a mouse model of an inherited metabolic disease of children M Fuller, A Derrick-Roberts Channel 7 Research Foundation 75,000
2013 Understanding the molecular mechanism of short stature in MPS A Derrick-Roberts, S Byers Women’s and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation 69,386
2012 - 2015 Targeting and understanding skeletal disease in MPS IVA A Derrick-Roberts Malcolm Douglas Grant Post-Doctoral Fellowship  
2012 Can increasing enzyme delivery using gene therapy improve the outcome of brain disease in MPS IIIA? A Derrick-Roberts, S Byers Women’s and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation 49,708
2009 Substrate deprivation therapy for MPS I: the most common MPS type A Derrick-Roberts, S Byers Women’s and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation 48,532

Laboratory Animal Science III, Lecturer, 2011-

Affiliate Lecturer, Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences 2008-

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2015 - 2019 Co-Supervisor The Neurogenic Potential of Stem Cells is Altered in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Rebecca Jayne Lehmann
    2014 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Mechanisms of Growth Failure in Mucopolysaccharidosis VII Mice Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Zhirui Jiang

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2018 - ongoing Principal Supervisor An in vitro model to study growth plate function. The University of Adelaide - Honours - Daniel Deverson
    2017 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Does GH or iGF1 promote bone growth in MPS VII mice ? The University of Adelaide - Honours - Niemal Usmani

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2014 - ongoing Board Member Lions Medical Research Foundation Lions Clubs International Australia
    2013 - 2014 Vice-President Matrix Biology Society for Australia and New Zealand - Australia
    2009 - 2013 Secretary Matrix Biology Society for Australia and New Zealand - Australia
    2007 - 2009 Representative Matrix Biology Society for Australia and New Zealand - Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2002 - ongoing Member Matrix Biology Society for Australia and New Zealand Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles