Dr Agnes Arthur
Lecturer
School of Biomedicine
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Skeletal disease such as osteoporosis is caused by the uncoupling of the bone remodelling process. This uncoupling causes the deterioration of the skeleton by a decrease in the production and thus function of bone forming cells and the increase of bone removing cells. This imbalance ultimately results in more brittle bones that have a higher incidence of fracture. Osteoporosis affects over 2 million Australians and costs the health system approximately $20 million/day. With such high prevalence and cost to the Australian health system, it is imperative that we identify novel therapies that limit side effects while treating osteoporosis effectively.
I lead the Musculoskeletal Cellular Communication (MCC) research group. My group is interested in understanding the communication between MSC and their surrounding microenvironment (including bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts), bone-forming cells (mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, and osteocytes); fat cells (adipocytes), immune cells, cell lining blood vessels (endothelial cells), and nerve fibres). This communication is important during (1) bone remodelling, (2) bone disease and (3) repair following trauma.
My research focuses on:
1 - The function of a family of receptor tyrosine kinase molecules, the Eph receptors and ephrin ligands expressed by MSC and within their microenvironment. The projects aim to decipher the function of ephrinB1 on the skeletal stem cells and their derivatives during bone development, postnatal skeletal homeostasis/remodelling, during the onset of osteoporosis and following fracture repair. The research also aims to identify the signalling mechanisms by which ephrinB1/EphB molecules mediate their responses during these processes.
2 - The communication between nerve and bone cells and how this communication contributes to maintaining bone health or repair following trauma (osteoporosis, fracture, cancer treatment).
This projects could potentially identify and translate into alternative therapeutic treatments for patients with osteoporosis, to prevent fractures in high risk groups.
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Journals
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Book Chapters
Year Citation 2017 Arthur, A., Shi, S., & Gronthos, S. (2017). Dental Pulp Stem Cells: What’s New?. In M. Tatullo (Ed.), MSCs and Innovative Biomaterials in Dentistry (pp. 1-20). Springer.
DOI2014 Arthur, A., Shi, S., & Gronthos, S. (2014). Dental Pulp Stem Cells. In A. Vishwakarma, P. Sharpe, S. Shi, & M. Ramalingam (Eds.), Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering in Dental Sciences (pp. 279-289). United Kingdom: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc.
DOI Scopus52013 Arthur, A., Zannettino, A., & Gronthos, S. (2013). The multipotential of Mesenchymal / Stromal Stem Cells in Skeletal Tissue Repair.. In R. Rajendram, V. Preedy, & V. Patel (Eds.), Stem Cells and Bone Tissue (pp. 82-102).
DOI Scopus3 -
Conference Papers
Year Citation 2021 Kutyna, M. M., Kok, C. H., Paton, S., Cakouros, D., Arthur, A., Hughes, T. P., . . . Hiwase, D. (2021). Distinct Senescent Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Therapy-Related Myeloid Neoplasms. In BLOOD Vol. 138 (pp. 4 pages). Atlanta, GA: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.
DOI WoS12019 Arthur, A., Paton, S., Gronthos, S., & Zannettino, A. (2019). The Loss of ephrinB1 in Osteoprogenitors Delays Fracture Repair. In JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH Vol. 34 (pp. 326). Orlando, FL: WILEY. 2018 Nguyen, T. M., Arthur, A., & Gronthos, S. (2018). EPHA FORWARD SIGNALLINGS ENHANCE HUMAN HAEMATOPOIETIC PROGENITOR CELL MIGRATION AND ADHESION VIA RAC1 ACTIVATION. In JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE Vol. 20 (pp. 1 page). Univ Technol Sydney, Sydney, AUSTRALIA: WILEY. 2016 Nguyen, T., Arthur, A., Purton, L., Hayball, J., Zannettino, A., Paton, S., . . . Gronthos, S. (2016). EphB4 enhances bone marrow stromal stem cell-mediated support of haematopoiesis. In BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY Vol. 173 (pp. 30). British Soc Haematol, Glasgow, SCOTLAND: WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2016 Nguyen, T. M., Arthur, A., Paton, S., Purton, L. E., & Gronthos, S. (2016). EphrinB1 expressing stromal cells exhibit an enhanced capacity for haematopoietic stem cell maintenance. In BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY Vol. 173 (pp. 30). British Soc Haematol, Glasgow, SCOTLAND: WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2011 Arthur, A., Panagopoulos, R., Cooper, L., Zannettino, A., Koblar, S. A., Sims, N. A., . . . Gronthos, S. (2011). THE ROLE OF EPHB/EPHRINB MOLECULES IN FRACTURE REPAIR. In OSTEOPOROSIS INTERNATIONAL Vol. 22 (pp. S523). Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA: SPRINGER LONDON LTD. 2009 Arthur, A., Stylianou, C., Koblar, S. A., Matsuo, K., & Gronthos, S. (2009). EphB/ephrin-B interactions assist in MSC niche maintenance and contribute to bone remodelling following injury. In BONE Vol. 44 (pp. S142-S143). Sydney, AUSTRALIA: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC.
DOI2009 Gronthos, S., Isenmann, S., Arthur, A., Zannettino, A. C. W., Shi, S., & Glackin, C. A. (2009). The role of Twist-1 and-2 in the maintenance of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells. In BONE Vol. 44 (pp. S146). Sydney, AUSTRALIA: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC.
DOI2007 Arthur, A., Koblar, S., & Gronthos, S. (2007). The role of EphB/ephrin-B interactions in cell attachment and spreading of mesenchymal precursors derived from human bone marrow and dental pulp tissues. In JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH Vol. 22 (pp. S370-S371). Honolulu, HI: AMER SOC BONE & MINERAL RES. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2019 Kutyna, M. M., Wee, A., Paton, S., Cakouros, D., Arthur, A., Chhetri, R., . . . Hiwase, D. K. (2019). Aberrant Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Therapy Related Myeloid Neoplasm (t-MN). Poster session presented at the meeting of BLOOD. Orlando, FL: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.
DOI WoS22013 Thao, N., Gronthos, S., Arthur, A., & Hayball, J. (2013). Ephb and Ephrin-B interactions mediate human mesenchymal stem cell suppression of activated T-cells. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the Ephb and Ephrin-B interactions mediate human mesenchymal stem cell suppression of activated T-cells, as published in Experimental Hematology. Vienna, AUSTRIA: Elsevier.
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Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) - Stem cell therapies mission. Bioengineering a superior humanized haematopoietic niche derived from mesenchymal stem cells for pre-clinical avatar cancer trials. ($854,593) 2023-2024. Chief Investigators: Daniel Thomas, Agnes Arthur, Andreas Reinisch, Chloe Thompson-Peach, Jason Powell, Susan Branford, Stuart Pitson, Timothy Hughes, David Ross, Laura Edney (NOTE: No order of CI in MRFF)
University of Adelaide, FHMS Research Travel Awards 2022 ($1800) - Attendance of the ANZBMS conference 2022.
University of Adelaide, FHMS Research Infrastructure Funding Award. ($19,700) 2022. Chief Investigators: Hannah Wardill, Agnes Arthur, Melissa Cantley, Amanda Page, Joanne Bowen and Susan Woods.
Australian Dental Research Foundation (ARDF) project grant. A pilot study to utilise single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to define the bone remodelling microenvironment human periodontitis gingival and bone tissues. ($13,500) 2020. Chief Investigators: Melissa Cantley, Nicholas Quirk, Agnes Arthur, Sushil Kaur, Kent Algate, James Breen.
University of Adelaide, Adelaide Medical Research Committee Small Equipment Award ($1,909) 2019. Chief Investigators: Agnes Arthur and Melissa Cantley.
University of Adelaide, School of Medicine Equipment Grant. ($23,840) 2019. Chief Investigators: Melissa Cantley and Agnes Arthur.
University of Adelaide, School of Medicine Research Travel Awards ($3000) 2019. Attendance of the ASBMR Conference held in Orlando, Florida, USA
ASBMR Family Care Travel Grant ($400 USD) 2019. Attendance of the ASBMR Conference held in Orlando, Florida, USA
Australian Dental Research Fund #381-2018 ($4,480) 2019. Phenotyping the craniofacial and dental features in a murine model of craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND). Chief investigators: Samuel Bereza, Sarbin Ranjitkar, Robin Chi-Weng Yong, Agnes Arthur, Peter Anderson.
International Federation of Musculoskeletal Research Societies (IFMRS) fellowship grant. ($25000 USD) 2018-2019. Note 1 of 2 international fellowships given annually. Principal Investigator: Agnes Arthur.
University of Adelaide, School of Medicine Research Travel Awards ($2870) - Attendance of the ANZBMS Conference held in Queenstown, New Zealand
The Australian Society for Stem Cell Research / National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia travel award ($840) – Attendance of the ISSCR Conference held in Melbourne, Australia
University of Adelaide, School of Medicine Research Travel Awards 2017 ($1000) - Attendance of the ANZBMS conference 2017.
University of Adelaide, School of Medicine Equipment Grant 2016 ($5,040). Chief Investigators: Agnes Arthur, Andrew Zannettino, Stan Gronthos.
University of Adelaide, School of Medicine Research Travel Awards 2016 ($1000) - Attendance of the ANZBMS conference 2016.
Australian Dental Research Fund #44-2014 ($11,363) 2015. The role of EphB/ephrinB activation in allogeneic Dental Pulp Stem Cell mediated dental tissue regeneration following tooth injury. Chief investigators: Stan Gronthos, Agnes Arthur.
National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant # APP1083704 (AUD$548,347) 2015-2017. Title: The role of ephrinB1 reverse signalling in osteogenic differentiation during skeletal development and osteoporosis. Chief investigators: Stan Gronthos, Agnes Arthur and Andrew Zannettino.
RAH Research Fund - Mary Overton Early Career Fellowship #7730 ($250,803) 2013-2016. Principal Investigator: Agnes Arthur.
International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), Young Investigator Award ($500) 2011
Travel award funded by the ANZBMS 2009
Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide, Publication Award ($1,000) 2009
Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide, Young Investigator Award ($10,000) 2009-2010. Chief Investigator: Agnes Arthur.
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, Adult Stem Cell Research Award ($100,000) 2007-2008. Chief Investigators: Stan Gronthos, Simon Koblar and Agnes Arthur
Research Integrated Learning
Principles of Human Health and Disease
Dental Science and Practice I Part I and II
Human Biology IOH Part II
Foundations of Medicine
Scientific Basis of Medicine I
Scientific Basis of Medicine II
Scientific Basis of Medicine III
Investigative Cell Biology
Third Year Research Placement
BHMS Honours Program
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2024 Co-Supervisor Capturing Molecular Regulatory Events of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Emergence From Endothelium Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Luke Bland 2024 Co-Supervisor Targeted drug delivery for treatment of respiratory dysfunction following spinal cord injury using retrograde transport of biodegradable nanoparticles. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Paul Marciano -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2019 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Role of Eph/ephrin Molecules in Mediating Cross-talk Between Stromal and Neural Populations in the Regulation of Neural Differentiation, Adhesion and Migration Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Full Time Miss Nethmi Abeynayake -
Other Supervision Activities
Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name 2023 - ongoing Co-Supervisor craniosynostosis and pharmacological therapeutics The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Honours Full Time Luke Bland 2019 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Investigating the role of ephrinB1/EphB2 downstream signalling in mediating osteoclastogenic/osteogenic interactions University of Adelaide Adelaide Medical School Honours Full Time Kellie Wise 2018 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Craniofacial phenotyping of EFNB1 null mice. University of Adelaide Dentistry Honours Part Time Samuel Bereza 2017 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Investigating the Role of ephrinB1 During Skeletal Repair Following Fracture University of Adelaide Adelaide Medical School Honours Full Time Daniel Reed 2015 - 2015 Co-Supervisor EphB2/ephrinB1 Interactions Mediate Osteoblast/Osteoclast Communication Via Gap Junction Proteins University of Adelaide School of Medical Sciences Honours Full Time Ana Klisuric
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2016 - 2019 Member Women and Children's Research Foundation Women and Children's Hospital Australia 2014 - 2017 Member Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Australia -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2009 - ongoing Member Australian & New Zealand Bone & Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Australia -
Offices Held
Date Office Name Institution Country 2014 - 2017 ASMR, Scientific Meeting Co-Convener The Australian Society for Medical Research Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles