Dr David Sharkey

Postdoctoral Fellow

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr David Sharkey
PhD (Medicine), Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Adelaide.

Thesis entitled: Seminal plasma regulation of the post-coital inflammatory response in the human cervix'
Supervisors; Professor Sarah Robertson and Professor Robert Norman

My Research
Career
Publications
Grants and Funding
Teaching
Supervision
Professional Activities
Contact

Dr David Sharkey is a postdoctoral research associate within the Reproductive Immunology laboratory at The University of Adelaide’s, Robinson Research Institute. Since completing his PhD at The University of Adelaide in 2005, under the supervision of Professors Sarah Robertson and Robert Norman, he has continued his postdoctoral training within the Robertson laboratory where he has now amassed almost two decades of experience in investigating how male seminal fluid interacts with the female immune response to prepare the female reproductive tract for pregnancy. He is first author on ground-breaking research papers demonstrating that after coitus, contact with seminal fluid elicits an immune response in the cervix of women. He is also a chief investigator on a recently awarded NHMRC project grant which seeks to determine the extent and significance of the link between factors present in male semen and the establishment of immune tolerance in women necessary for successful pregnancy.

Expand

Appointments

Date Position Institution name
2005 Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate University of Adelaide

Date	Position	Institution name
2005	Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate	University of Adelaide

Awards and Achievements

Date	Type	Title	Institution Name	Country	Amount
2015	Achievement	High Performance Researcher Program	—	—	—
2011	Award	Travel award, Society for Reproduction and Fertility	—	—	—
2011	Award	Travel Award, Research Centre for Reproductive Health	University of Adelaide	—	$500
2010	Award	Travel Award, Research Centre for Reproductive Health	University of Adelaide	—	—
2010	Achievement	Robinson Research Institute Mentor Program Training	—	—	—
2009	Achievement	Researcher Education and Development, Future Research Leaders Course	University of Adelaide	—	—
2009	Award	Travel Award, Research Centre for Reproductive Health	University of Adelaide	—	$295
2008	Achievement	Australian Society for Medical Research Professional Development Workshop	—	—	—
2008	Achievement	Higher Degree Research Supervisor Induction Course	University of Adelaide	—	—
2008	Award	Travel Award, Research Centre for Reproductive Health	University of Adelaide	—	$1000
2008	Award	Travel Award, ARC / NHMRC Research Network in Genes and Environment in Development (NGED)	—	—	$1000
2008	Award	Overseas Conference Travel Award, Faculty of Health Sciences	University of Adelaide	—	$1000
2007	Award	Travel Award, Research Centre for Reproductive Health	—	—	$1000
2007	Award	Travel Award, ARC / NHMRC Research Network in Genes and Environment in Development (NGED)	—	—	$1000
2007	Award	Overseas Conference Travel Award, Faculty of Health Sciences	University of Adelaide	—	$1500
2006	Award	Travel Award, Society for Reproduction and Fertility (SRF)	—	—	£500
2004	Scholarship	Postgraduate Travel Award, Faculty of Health Sciences Travel Scholarship	—	—	$1500
2003	Award	Holden Young investigator Award	—	—	—
2002	Award	Junior Scientist Award	—	—	—
2000	Award	Student Poster Award	—	—	$250
2000	Award	Travel Award, Australian Society for Medical Research	—	—	$150

Education

Date Institution name Country Title
2000 - 2005 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
1999 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology – First Class

Date	Institution name	Country	Title
2000 - 2005	University of Adelaide	Australia	PhD
1999	University of Adelaide	Australia	Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology – First Class

Expand

Journals

Year	Citation
2021	Tamessar, C. T., Trigg, N. A., Nixon, B., Skerrett-Byrne, D. A., Sharkey, D. J., Robertson, S. A., . . . Schjenken, J. E. (2021). Roles of male reproductive tract extracellular vesicles in reproduction. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 85(2), e13338-1-e13338-12. DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC1
2021	Schjenken, J. E., Sharkey, D. J., Green, E. S., Chan, H. Y., Matias, R. A., Moldenhauer, L. M., & Robertson, S. A. (2021). Sperm modulate uterine immune parameters relevant to embryo implantation and reproductive success in mice. Communications Biology, 4(1), 14 pages. DOI
2021	Schjenken, J. E., Moldenhauer, L. M., Sharkey, D. J., Chan, H. Y., Chin, P. Y., Fullston, T., . . . Robertson, S. A. (2021). High fat diet alters male seminal plasma composition to impair female immune adaptation for pregnancy in mice.. Endocrinology. DOI
2020	Wahid, H. H., Chin, P. Y., Sharkey, D. J., Diener, K. R., Hutchinson, M. R., Rice, K. C., . . . Robertson, S. A. (2020). Toll-like receptor-4 antagonist (+)-naltrexone protects against carbamyl-platelet activating factor (Cpaf)-induced preterm labor in mice. American Journal of Pathology, 190(5), 1030-1045. DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC2
2020	Sorvina, A., Shandala, T., Wang, S., Sharkey, D. J., Parkinson-Lawrence, E., Selemidis, S., & Brooks, D. A. (2020). CDKI-73 is a novel pharmacological inhibitor of Rab11 cargo delivery and innate immune secretion. Cells, 9(2), 1-17. DOI Scopus2 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2019	Chin, P. Y., Dorian, C., Sharkey, D. J., Hutchinson, M. R., Rice, K. C., Moldenhauer, L. M., & Robertson, S. A. (2019). Toll-like receptor-4 antagonist (+)-naloxone confers sexually dimorphic protection from inflammation-induced fetal programming in mice. Endocrinology, 160(11), 2646-2662. DOI Scopus2 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2019	Kedzior, S., Bianco-Miotto, T., Breen, J., Diener, K., Donnelley, M., Dunning, K., . . . Rumbold, A. (2019). It takes a community to conceive: an analysis of the scope, nature and accuracy of online sources of health information for couples trying to conceive. Reproductive Biomedicine and Society Online, 9, 48-63. DOI Europe PMC1
2019	Nisenblat, V., Sharkey, D., Wang, Z., Evans, S., Healey, M., Maria Ohlsson Teague, E., . . . Louise Hull, M. (2019). Plasma miRNAs display limited potential as diagnostic tools for endometriosis. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 104(6), 1999-2022. DOI Scopus8 WoS10 Europe PMC6
2018	Sharkey, D., Glynn, D., Schjenken, J., Tremellen, K., & Robertson, S. (2018). Interferon-gamma inhibits seminal plasma induction of colony stimulating factor 2 in mouse and human reproductive tract epithelial cells. Biology of Reproduction, 99(3), 514-526. DOI Scopus11 WoS10 Europe PMC8
2018	Schumacher, A., Sharkey, D., Robertson, S., & Zenclussen, A. (2018). Immune cells at the fetomaternal interface: how the microenvironment modulates immune cells to foster fetal development. Journal of Immunology, 201(2), 325-334. DOI Scopus31 WoS29 Europe PMC16
2017	Sharkey, D., Tremellen, K., Briggs, N., Dekker, G., & Robertson, S. (2017). Seminal plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon-3 (IFNG) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) fluctuate over time within men. Human Reproduction, 32(7), 1373-1381. DOI Scopus13 WoS11 Europe PMC8
2017	Glynn, D., Heng, K., Russell, D., Sharkey, D., Robertson, S., Anand-Ivell, R., & Ivell, R. (2017). Male seminal relaxin contributes to induction of the post-mating cytokine response in the female mouse uterus. Frontiers in Physiology, 8(JUN), 422-1-422-12. DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC2
2017	Nadeau-Vallée, M., Chin, P., Belarbi, L., Brien, M., Pundir, S., Berryer, M., . . . Chemtob, S. (2017). Antenatal suppression of il-1 protects against inflammation-induced fetal injury and improves neonatal and developmental outcomes in mice. Journal of Immunology, 198(5), 2047-2062. DOI Scopus56 WoS57 Europe PMC33
2017	Robertson, S., Zhang, B., Chan, H., Sharkey, D., Barry, S., Fullston, T., & Schjenken, J. (2017). MicroRNA regulation of immune events at conception. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 84(9), 914-925. DOI Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC10
2016	Schjenken, J. E., Zhang, B., Chan, H. Y., Sharkey, D. J., Fullston, T., & Robertson, S. A. (2016). miRNA Regulation of Immune Tolerance in Early Pregnancy. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 75(3), 272-280. DOI Scopus24 WoS22 Europe PMC19
2016	Robertson, S., & Sharkey, D. (2016). Seminal fluid and fertility in women. Fertility and Sterility, 106(3), 511-519. DOI Scopus99 WoS93 Europe PMC50
2016	Sharkey, D., Tremellen, K., Briggs, N., Dekker, G., & Robertson, S. (2016). Seminal plasma transforming growth factor-β, activin A and follistatin fluctuate within men over time. Human Reproduction, 31(10), 2183-2191. DOI Scopus19 WoS16 Europe PMC9
2015	McGuane, J., Watson, K., Zhang, J., Johan, M., Wang, Z., Kuo, G., . . . Hull, M. (2015). Seminal plasma promotes lesion development in a xenograft model of endometriosis. American Journal of Pathology, 185(5), 1409-1422. DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC3
2015	Schjenken, J., Glynn, D., Sharkey, D., & Robertson, S. (2015). TLR4 signaling is a major mediator of the female tract response to seminal fluid in mice. Biology of Reproduction, 93(3), 68-1-68-13. DOI Scopus40 WoS27 Europe PMC21
2015	Sharkey, D., Schjenken, J., Mottershead, D., & Robertson, S. (2015). Seminal fluid factors regulate activin A and follistatin synthesis in female cervical epithelial cells. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 417(Dec), 178-190. DOI Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC9
2014	Dasari, P., Sharkey, D., Noordin, E., Glynn, D., Hodson, L., Chin, P., . . . Ingman, W. (2014). Hormonal regulation of the cytokine microenvironment in the mammary gland. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 106, 58-66. DOI Scopus10 WoS10 Europe PMC9
2013	Robertson, S., Prins, J., Sharkey, D., & Moldenhauer, L. (2013). Seminal fluid and the generation of regulatory T cells for embryo implantation. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (Print), 69(4), 315-330. DOI Scopus109 WoS98 Europe PMC76
2012	Dunning, K., Watson, L., Sharkey, D., Brown, H., Norman, R., Thompson, J., . . . Russell, D. (2012). Molecular filtration properties of the mouse expanded cumulus matrix: controlled supply of metabolites and extracellular signals to cumulus cells and the oocyte. Biology of Reproduction, 87(4), 1-10. DOI Scopus17 WoS18 Europe PMC11
2012	Sharkey, D., Macpherson, A., Tremellen, K., Mottershead, D., Gilchrist, R., & Robertson, S. (2012). TGF-β mediates proinflammatory seminal fluid signaling in human cervical epithelial cells. Journal of Immunology, 189(2), 1024-1035. DOI Scopus109 WoS101 Europe PMC79
2012	Sharkey, D., Tremellen, K., Jasper, M., Gemzell-Danielsson, K., & Robertson, S. (2012). Seminal fluid induces leukocyte recruitment and cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression in the human cervix after coitus. Journal of Immunology, 188(5), 2445-2454. DOI Scopus227 WoS215 Europe PMC161
2007	Sharkey, D., Macpherson, A., Tremellen, K., & Robertson, S. (2007). Seminal plasma differentially regulates inflammatory cytokine gene expression in human cervical and vaginal epithelial cells. Molecular Human Reproduction, 13(7-8), 491-501. DOI Scopus190 WoS187 Europe PMC157
2004	Sharkey, D. J., Jasper, M. J., Tremellen, K. P., Gemzell-Danielsson, K., & Robertson, S. A. (2004). Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression is induced within the human cervix following insemination. BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION, 221. WoS3
2004	Glynn, D., Sharkey, D., & Robertson, S. (2004). Interferon-gamma inhibits female reproductive tract responsiveness to seminal plasma.. BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION, 242. WoS6
2002	Robertson, S., Ingman, W., O'Leary, S., Sharkey, D., & Tremellen, K. (2002). Transforming growth factor β — a mediator of immune deviation in seminal plasma. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 57(1-2), 109-128. DOI Scopus216 WoS196 Europe PMC145
2001	Robertson, S., & Sharkey, D. (2001). The role of semen in induction of maternal immune tolerance to pregnancy. Seminars in Immunology, 13(4), 243-254. DOI Scopus132 WoS122 Europe PMC81
1981	Gay, C. V., Shanabrook, V. M., & Sharkey, D. J. (1981). Development of a procedure for autoradiographic localization of carbonic anhydrase at the electron microscope level. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 29(3), 415-419. DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC1
1981	Gay, C. V., Schraer, H., Sharkey, D. J., & Rieder, E. (1981). Carbonic anhydrase in developing avian heart, blood and chorioallantoic membrane. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology -- Part A: Physiology, 70(2), 173-177. DOI Scopus11
1979	Gay, C., Sharkey, D., Shanabrook, V., & Schraer, H. (1979). Parathyroid hormone induced increase in skeletal carbonic anhydrase. Federation Proceedings, 38(3 II).

Book Chapters

Year	Citation
2019	Sharkey, D. J., & Robertson, S. A. (2019). Sex and immune receptivity for embryo transfer. In G. Kovacs, & L. Salamonsen (Eds.), How to prepare the endometrium to maximize implantation rates and IVF success (pp. 151-158). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. DOI
2018	Schjenken, J., Sharkey, D., & Robertson, S. (2018). Seminal vesicle-Secretion. In M. K. Skinner (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Reproduction (pp. 349-354). Academic Press. DOI
2015	Robertson, S., Sharkey, D., Schjenken, J., Care, A., & Moldenhauer, L. (2015). Pathways for activating implantation tolerance in early pregnancy.. In G. CHAOUAT (Ed.), Immunology of Pregnancy (Vol. 2, pp. 1835-1874). Bentham Science Publishers. DOI Scopus17
2006	Robertson, S., Bromfield, J., Glynn, D., Sharkey, D., & Jasper, M. (2006). Actions of seminal plasma cytokines in priming female reproductive tract receptivity for embryo implantation. In Gil Mor (Ed.), Immunology of Pregnancy (pp. 148-158). New York: Springer. DOI

Conference Papers

Year	Citation
2008	Sharkey, D., & Robertson, S. (2008). Follistatin mRNA expression is regulated by seminal fluid TGF beta in human Ect1 cervical epithelial cells. In BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION Vol. 78 (pp. 97-98). Kona, HI: SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION. DOI WoS1
2008	Sharkey, D., & Robertson, S. (2008). Identification of TGF beta as a major active factor mediating seminal fluid signalling in human cervical epithelial cells. In BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION Vol. 78 (pp. 284). Kailua Kona, HI: SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION. DOI WoS1

Conference Items

Year	Citation
2018	Robertson, S. A., Sharkey, D. J., Tremellen, K. P., & Dekker, G. A. (2018). Interferon-G in seminal fluid - An 'anti-tolerance' signal in women?. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY. Aalborg, DENMARK: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. DOI
2017	Nadeau-Vallee, M., Chin, P. -Y., Belarbi, L., Brien, M. -E., Pundir, S., Beaudry-Richard, A., . . . Chemtob, S. (2017). Antenatal Suppression of Interleukin-1 Protects Against Inflammation-Induced Fetal Injury and Improves Neonatal and Developmental Outcomes in Mice.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Orlando, FL: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC.
2017	Nadeau-Vallee, M., Chin, P. -Y., Belarbi, L., Brien, M. -E., Pundir, S., Berryer, M., . . . Chemtob, S. (2017). PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF A NOVEL NONCOMPETITIVE IL-1 RECEPTOR-BIASED LIGAND IN AN INFECTION-AND INFLAMMATION-INDUCED PRETERM BIRTH AS WELL AS IN FETAL INJURY AND DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES. Poster session presented at the meeting of ACTA PAEDIATRICA. WILEY.
2010	Sharkey, D. J., & Robertson, S. A. (2010). TGF beta superfamily members BMP-15, GDF-9 and Activin A act as seminal fluid signalling agents in human cervical epithelial cells. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY. Palm Cove, AUSTRALIA: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. DOI
2010	Sharkey, D. J., & Robertson, S. A. (2010). Sperm and seminal plasma differentially regulate cytokine and chemokine protein expression by human cervical epithelial cells. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY. Palm Cove, AUSTRALIA: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. DOI

Patents

Year	Citation
2004	Robertson, S., Sharkey, D., Tremellen, K., & Glynn, D. (2004). WO/2004/026333, Treatment and diagnosis of a reproductive disorder by measuring or inhibiting interferon-&gammad. Australia.

Filesets

Year	Citation
—	Nisenblat, V., Sharkey, D., Wang, Z., Evans, S., HEALEY, M., Ohlsson-Teague, E. M. C., . . . Hull, L. (n.d.). Supplementary Material from: Plasma microRNAs display limited potential as diagnostic tools for endometriosis. DOI

Competitive Research Funding

2010

Recipient of Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Skills Competency Training Award

Project: Influence of seminal fluid and Chlamydia trachomatis infection on endocervical
epithelial cell cytokine production in vitro.
(Research project and initiation of new collaboration with A/Prof Alison Quayle and
Dr Lyndsey Buckner at Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, USA)

AUD $7,500

2009

Recipient of inaugural Robinson Research Institute Early Career Research Grant
Project: Is Activin A involved in the post-coital inflammatory response in the human cervix?

AUD $10,000

2008

Recipient of Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Colin Matthews

Early Career Research Grant

Project: The post-coital inflammatory response in the human cervix: A potential role for Follistatin?

AUD $10,000

Supervision of Research Students and teaching Experience

2011 - Present	Teaching of the “Data Management and Introduction to Laboratory Safety” and “Patenting Research - working through the process” tutorials into the Human Reproductive Health III, Research Project in Reproductive Health and Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours courses
2005 - Present	Co-supervisor of Honours students from the Robinson Research Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health
2005 - Present	Supervision of Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Summer Vacation Research Scholars (4)
2000 - 2004	1^st and 2^nd year Medical Tutor and Examiner - Problem Based Learning, Department of Medicine, The University of Adelaide
2000	Microbiology and Immunology practical course demonstrator and assessor for 2^nd year Bachelor of Science students and 3^rd year Medical students

Expand

Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2021	Co-Supervisor	Novel molecular mediators of seminal fluid interaction with the female reproductive tract immune response	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Miss Hannah Elizabeth Lyons
2020	Co-Supervisor	Seminal fluid and human reproductive success	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Mrs Soraya Rasi Ghaemi

Expand

Committee Memberships

Date	Role	Committee	Institution	Country
2019 - ongoing	Secretary	Society for Reproductive Biology Council	Society for Reproductive Biology	Australia
2019 - ongoing	Member	New Frontiers For A Healthy Start To Life Organising Committee	Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide	Australia
2018 - ongoing	Member	American Society for Reproductive Immunology Program Organising Committee	American Society for Reproductive Immunology	United States
2015 - 2016	Member	Adelaide Medical and Nursing School – Look and Feel Workgroup	—	—
2010 - 2013	Member	School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health – IP and Commercialisation Committee	—	—
2010 - 2012	Co-Chair	School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health Research Seminar Series	—	—
2008 - 2012	Co-Chair	Robinson Research Institute ECR / MCR Professional Development Program	—	—
2008 - ongoing	Member	Australian Society for Medical Research	—	—
2007 - 2012	Representative	School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Research Committee	—	—
2007 - 2012	Representative	School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health	—	—
2007 - 2012	Representative	Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology	—	—
2000 - 2002	Member	Australian Society for Medical Research	—	—

Editorial Boards

Date	Role	Editorial Board Name	Institution	Country
2017 - ongoing	Editor	Frontiers in Endocrinology	—	—
2017 - ongoing	Editor	Frontiers in Physiology	—	—
2017 - ongoing	Editor	Frontiers in Physiology	—	—
2015 - ongoing	Editor	Journal of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility	—	—

Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
Phone: 83131503
Email: david.sharkey@adelaide.edu.au
Campus: North Terrace
Building: Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences, floor 6
Room: WS6071.19
Org Unit: Women's and Children's Health

Dr David Sharkey

Appointments

Awards and Achievements

Education

Journals

Book Chapters

Conference Papers

Conference Items

Patents

Filesets

Competitive Research Funding

Supervision of Research Students and teaching Experience

Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Committee Memberships

Editorial Boards

Connect With Me

External Profiles

Other Links