Gelshan Godahewa

Gelshan Godahewa

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

My research covers recent advances in the capabilities of vertebrate genome engineering, in order to pursue novel possibilities for vertebrate biotechnology. Current projects include developing CRISPR/Cas-based genetic biocontrol strategies for invasive rodent population suppression. I joined Prof. Thomas’ Genome Editing Laboratory at The University of Adelaide/SAHMRI in 2019. Here, we use mouse embryonic stem cells to test our CRISPR techniques followed by injecting them into mouse embryos to generate transgenic gene drive mice.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2022 - ongoing Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide
    2019 - 2022 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    2019 - 2019 Researcher University of Adelaide
    2018 - 2018 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jeju National University
    2011 - 2013 Lecturer University of Peradeniya

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2018 Research Award Best Poster Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science Conference 2018 Korea, Republic of -
    2018 Award Presidential Award Jeju National University Korea, Republic of -
    2017 Achievement Patent Korean Intellectual Property Office Korea, Republic of -
    2017 Achievement Patent Korean Intellectual Property Office Korea, Republic of -
    2015 Research Award Best Poster International Conference of the Genetics Society 2015 Korea, Republic of -
    2012 Research Award Alltech Young Scientist Award Alltech's Young Scientists United States -

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    Korean Can read, write, speak and understand spoken
    Sinhala; Sinhalese Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2015 - 2018 Jeju National University South Korea Doctor of Philosophy
    2013 - 2015 Jeju National University South Korea Master of Science
    2007 - 2011 University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka Bachelor of Science (Honors)

  • Postgraduate Training
    Date Title Institution Country
    2022 Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide Australia
    2019 - 2022 Postdoctoral Fellow Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Australia
    2018 - 2019 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jeju National University South Korea

  • Research Interests
    Gene and Molecular Therapy Gene Expression Genetic Immunology Genetically Modified Animals Genetics Genetics & Heredity Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2024 Bunting, M. D., Godahewa, G. I., McPherson, N. O., Robertson, L. J., Gierus, L., Piltz, S. G., . . . Thomas, P. Q. (2024). Investigating the potential of X chromosome shredding for mouse genetic biocontrol. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 14 pages.
    DOI
    2022 Gierus, L., Birand, A., Bunting, M. D., Godahewa, G. I., Piltz, S. G., Oh, K. P., . . . Thomas, P. Q. (2022). Leveraging a natural murine meiotic drive to suppress invasive populations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA, 119(46), 1-11.
    DOI Scopus19 WoS5 Europe PMC11
    2021 Adikusuma, F., Lushington, C., Arudkumar, J., Godahewa, G. I., Chey, Y. C. J., Gierus, L., . . . Thomas, P. Q. (2021). Optimized nickase- and nuclease-based prime editing in human and mouse cells. Nucleic Acids Research, 49(18), 10785-10795.
    DOI Scopus44 WoS26 Europe PMC26
    2019 Omeka, W. K. M., Liyanage, D. S., Priyathilaka, T. T., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, S., Lee, S., & Lee, J. (2019). Glutaredoxin 1 from big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis): Molecular, transcriptional, and functional evidence in teleost immune responses. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 90, 40-51.
    DOI Scopus6 WoS4 Europe PMC2
    2019 Liyanage, D. S., Omeka, W. K. M., Yang, H., Godahewa, G. I., Kwon, H., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2019). Identification of thioredoxin domain-containing protein 17 from big-belly seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis: Molecular insights, immune responses, and functional characterization. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 86, 301-310.
    DOI Scopus9 WoS7 Europe PMC2
    2019 Kulatunga, D. C. M., Dananjaya, S. H. S., Nikapitiya, C., Godahewa, G. I., Cho, J., Kim, C. H., . . . De Zoysa, M. (2019). Stress-immune responses and DNA protection function of thioredoxin domain containing 12 in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 84, 1030-1040.
    DOI Scopus3
    2019 Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Kwon, H., & Lee, J. (2019). Cloning and functional characterization of rockfish peroxiredoxin 4 homolog with its innate immune responses. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 88, 364-374.
    DOI Scopus6 WoS4 Europe PMC1
    2019 Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Jung, S., Kim, M. J., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2019). Identification and characterization of a carboxypeptidase N1 from red lip mullet (Liza haematocheila); revealing its immune relevance. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 84, 223-232.
    DOI Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC1
    2019 Sirisena, D. M. K. P., Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Kwon, H., Yang, H., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2019). A manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) from red lip mullet, Liza haematocheila: evaluation of molecular structure, immune response, and antioxidant function. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 84, 73-82.
    DOI Scopus12 WoS10 Europe PMC4
    2019 Kim, J., Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Priyathilaka, T. T., & Lee, J. (2019). Characterization of a catalase from red-lip mullet (Liza haematocheila): Demonstration of antioxidative activity and mRNA upregulation in response to immunostimulants. Gene, 712, 10 pages.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS6 Europe PMC3
    2018 Godahewa, G. I., Lee, S., Kim, J., Perera, N. C. N., Kim, M. J., Kwon, M. G., . . . Lee, J. (2018). Analysis of complete genome and pathogenicity studies of the spring viremia of carp virus isolated from common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): An indication of SVC disease threat in Korea. Virus Research, 255, 105-116.
    DOI Scopus18 WoS10 Europe PMC3
    2018 Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Nam, B. H., Park, J. Y., & Lee, J. (2018). Two metalloenzymes from rockfish (Sebastes schligellii): Deciphering their potential involvement in redox homeostasis against oxidative stress. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 80, 31-45.
    DOI Scopus3 WoS3
    2018 Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2018). Antioxidative properties and structural features of atypical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin from Sebastes schlegelii. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 82, 152-164.
    DOI Scopus6 WoS5
    2018 Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., & Lee, J. (2018). Insights into the multifunctional role of natural killer enhancing factor-A (NKEF-A/Prx1) in big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis): DNA protection, insulin reduction, H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> scavenging, and immune modulation activity. Gene, 642, 324-334.
    DOI Scopus13 WoS11 Europe PMC2
    2018 Liyanage, D. S., Omeka, W. K. M., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, S., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2018). Membrane attack complex-associated molecules from redlip mullet (Liza haematocheila): Molecular characterization and transcriptional evidence of C6, C7, C8β and C9 in innate immunity. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 81, 1-9.
    DOI Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC3
    2018 Kim, M. J., Lee, S., Godahewa, G. I., Hwang, J. Y., Seo, J. S., Hwang, S. D., & Lee, J. (2018). Complete genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis of spring viremia of carp virus isolated from leather carp (Cyprinus carpio nudus) in Korea in 2016. Archives of Virology, 163(10), 2917-2919.
    DOI Scopus3 WoS3
    2018 Liyanage, D. S., Omeka, W. K. M., Godahewa, G. I., & Lee, J. (2018). Molecular characterization of thioredoxin-like protein 1 (TXNL1) from big-belly seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis in response to immune stimulation. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 75, 181-189.
    DOI Scopus14 WoS11 Europe PMC2
    2017 Dananjaya, S. H. S., Kulatunga, D. C. M., Godahewa, G. I., Nikapitiya, C., Oh, C., Edussuriya, M., . . . De Zoysa, M. (2017). Preparation, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan–Silver Nanocomposites Films Against Fish Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi. Indian Journal of Microbiology, 57(4), 427-437.
    DOI Scopus12 WoS10 Europe PMC3
    2017 Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Godahewa, G. I., Thulasitha, W. S., Jayasinghe, J. D. H. E., Wan, Q., & Lee, J. (2017). Molecular insights of two STAT1 variants from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) and their transcriptional regulation in response to pathogenic stress, interleukin-10, and tissue injury. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 69, 128-141.
    DOI Scopus11 WoS8 Europe PMC2
    2017 Kulatunga, D. C. M., Dananjaya, S. H. S., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2017). Chitosan silver nanocomposite (CAgNC) as an antifungal agent against Candida albicans. Medical Mycology, 55(2), 213-222.
    DOI Scopus24 WoS18 Europe PMC6
    2017 Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Lee, S., Kim, M. J., & Lee, J. (2017). A cysteine protease (cathepsin Z) from disk abalone, Haliotis discus discus: Genomic characterization and transcriptional profiling during bacterial infections. Gene, 627, 500-507.
    DOI Scopus11 WoS9 Europe PMC3
    2017 Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, S., Kim, M. J., Hwang, J. Y., Kwon, M. G., . . . Lee, J. (2017). Manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a role player in seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) antioxidant defense system and adaptive immune system. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 68, 435-442.
    DOI Scopus27 WoS20 Europe PMC8
    2017 Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Hwang, J. Y., Kwon, M. G., Hwang, S. D., & Lee, J. (2017). Molecular, structural, and functional comparison of N lobe and C lobe of the transferrin from rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus, with respect to its immune response. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 68, 299-309.
    DOI Scopus11 WoS9 Europe PMC3
    2016 Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., & Lee, J. (2016). Mitogen–activated protein kinase 1 from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus): Roles in early development and immunity-related transcriptional responses. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 59, 57-65.
    DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC4
    2016 Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., & Lee, J. (2016). Copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), an antioxidant gene from seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis); molecular cloning, sequence characterization, antioxidant activity and potential peroxidation function of its recombinant protein. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 57, 386-399.
    DOI Scopus27 WoS17 Europe PMC9
    2016 Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Elvitigala, D. A. S., Jayasooriya, R. G. P. T., Kim, G. Y., & Lee, J. (2016). Characterization of a 1-cysteine peroxiredoxin from big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis); insights into host antioxidant defense, molecular profiling and its expressional response to septic conditions. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 57, 186-197.
    DOI Scopus13 WoS9 Europe PMC1
    2016 Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2016). Molecular structure and immune-stimulated transcriptional modulation of the first teleostean IFP35 counterpart from rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 56, 496-505.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS10 Europe PMC3
    2016 Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Bathige, S. D. N. K., Nam, B. H., Noh, J. K., & Lee, J. (2016). Complement factor D homolog involved in the alternative complement pathway of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus): Molecular and functional characterization and immune responsive mRNA expression analysis. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 55, 423-433.
    DOI Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC3
    2016 Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Umasuthan, N., Wan, Q., Whang, I., & Lee, J. (2016). Molecular characterization and expression analysis of B cell activating factor from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 55, 1-11.
    DOI Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC5
    2016 Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Jayasinghe, J. D. H. E., Godahewa, G. I., Park, H. C., & Lee, J. (2016). Three novel C1q domain containing proteins from the disk abalone Haliotis discus discus: Genomic organization and analysis of the transcriptional changes in response to bacterial pathogens. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 56, 181-187.
    DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC2
    2016 Dananjaya, S. H. S., Kulatunga, D. C. M., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2016). Comparative study of preparation, characterization and anticandidal activities of a chitosan silver nanocomposite (CAgNC) compared with low molecular weight chitosan (LMW-chitosan). RSC Advances, 6(40), 33455-33461.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS7
    2016 Udayantha, H. M. V., Godahewa, G. I., Bathige, S. D. N. K., Wickramaarachchi, W. D. N., Umasuthan, N., De Zoysa, M., . . . Lee, J. (2016). A molluscan calreticulin ortholog from Haliotis discus discus: Molecular characterization and transcriptional evidence for its role in host immunity. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 474(1), 43-50.
    DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC1
    2016 Dananjaya, S. H. S., Godahewa, G. I., Jayasooriya, R. G. P. T., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2016). Antimicrobial effects of chitosan silver nano composites (CAgNCs) on fish pathogenic Aliivibrio (Vibrio) salmonicida. Aquaculture, 450, 422-430.
    DOI Scopus52 WoS40
    2016 Priyathilaka, T. T., Kim, Y., Udayantha, H. M. V., Lee, S., Herath, H. M. L. P. B., Lakmal, H. H. C., . . . Lim, B. S. (2016). Identification and molecular characterization of peroxiredoxin 6 from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) revealing its potent antioxidant properties and putative immune relevancy. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 51, 291-302.
    DOI Scopus19 WoS18 Europe PMC3
    2016 Herath, H. M. L. P. B., Elvitigala, D. A. S., Godahewa, G. I., Umasuthan, N., Whang, I., Noh, J. K., & Lee, J. (2016). Molecular characterization and comparative expression analysis of two teleostean pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-8, from Sebastes schlegeli. Gene, 575(2, part 3), 732-742.
    DOI Scopus44 WoS35 Europe PMC12
    2015 Herath, H. M. L. P. B., Elvitigala, D. A. S., Godahewa, G. I., Whang, I., & Lee, J. (2015). Molecular insights into a molluscan transferrin homolog identified from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus) evidencing its detectable role in host antibacterial defense. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 53(1), 222-233.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS7 Europe PMC7
    2015 Godahewa, G. I., Bathige, S. D. N. K., Herath, H. M. L. P. B., Noh, J. K., & Lee, J. (2015). Characterization of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) complement components C1r and C1s in terms of molecular aspects, genomic modulation, and immune responsive transcriptional profiles following bacterial and viral pathogen exposure. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 46(2), 656-668.
    DOI Scopus15 WoS13 Europe PMC4
    2015 Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Godahewa, G. I., Jayasinghe, J. D. H. E., Whang, I., Noh, J. K., & Lee, J. (2015). A homolog of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor from rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus: Molecular insights and transcriptional modulation in response to microbial and PAMP stimulation, and tissue injury. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 46(2), 285-291.
    DOI Scopus6 WoS5 Europe PMC1
    2015 Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Godahewa, G. I., Thulasitha, W. S., Whang, I., Won, S. H., . . . Lee, J. (2015). Two variants of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase from the disk abalone Haliotis discus discus: Molecular characterization and immune responses to bacterial and viral stresses. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 45(2), 648-655.
    DOI Scopus16 WoS14 Europe PMC4
    2015 Godahewa, G. I., Kim, Y., Dananjaya, S. H. S., Jayasooriya, R. G. P. T., Noh, J. K., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2015). Mitochondrial peroxiredoxin 3 (Prx3) from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus): Immune responses and role of recombinant Prx3 in protecting cells from hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 43(1), 131-141.
    DOI Scopus22 WoS18 Europe PMC8
    2015 Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Godahewa, G. I., Whang, I., Kim, C., Park, H. C., & Lee, J. (2015). Three novel clade B serine protease inhibitors from disk abalone, Haliotis discus discus: Molecular perspectives and responses to immune challenges and tissue injury. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 45(2), 334-341.
    DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC4
    2014 Dananjaya, S. H. S., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, Y., Cho, J., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2014). Chitosan silver nano composites (CAgNCs) as antibacterial agent against fish pathogenic Edwardsiella tarda. Journal of Veterinary Clinics, 31(6), 502-506.
    DOI Scopus2
    2014 Godahewa, G. I., Wickramaarachchi, W. D. N., Whang, I., Bathige, S. D. N. K., Lim, B. S., Choi, C. Y., . . . Lee, J. (2014). Two carboxypeptidase counterparts from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus): Molecular characterization, genomic arrangement and immune responses upon pathogenic stresses. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 162(3-4), 180-191.
    DOI Scopus21 WoS21 Europe PMC6
    - Godahewa GI, D. S. H. S. (n.d.). Chitosan Silver Nano Composites (Cagncs) as Potential Antibacterial Agent to Control Vibrio tapetis. Journal of Veterinary Science &amp; Technology, 05(05).
    DOI

  • Preprint
    Year Citation
    2024 Chey, Y., Gierus, L., Lushington, C., Arudkumar, J., Geiger, A., Staker, L., . . . Adikusuma, F. (2024). Enhancing gRNA Transcript levels by Reducing the Scaffold Poly-T Tract for Optimal SpCas9- and SaCas9-mediated Gene Editing.
    DOI
    2021 Adikusuma, F., Lushington, C., Arudkumar, J., Godahewa, G., Chey, Y. C. J., Gierus, L., . . . Thomas, P. (2021). Optimized nickase- and nuclease-based prime editing in human and mouse cells.
    DOI
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