Jus St John

Professor Jus St John

Professor

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

My group's research focuses on how the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes interact during development in order that the cells, tissues and organs of the resultant offspring function efficiently. To do this, we employ a number of assisted reproductive technologies that are either used clinically or are at various stages of development or validation. We are applying the knowledge we accumulate from this work to develop reproductive strategies for women that suffer from repeated failed fertilisation outcome or embryo developmental arrest; and for those who are carriers of severe mitochondrial disorders that are at risk of having affected children.

Research Focus One: Understanding the role of oocyte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in development outcomes.

We undertake this area of research using porcine oocytes and generate embryos and offspring through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), nuclear transfer (NT) cytoplasmic transfer (CT), and mitochondrial supplementation (mICSI). This enables us to determine how the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes interact following fertilisation and at different stages during  development; and how mtDNA segregation, transmission and replication are normally regulated, as is the case following IVF, and perturbed as these mechanisms are violated by NT and CT.

 

We are currently funded by the NHMRC (Development Grant) to generate pig models using a new assisted reproductive technology that we have been developing, which involves supplementing oocytes deficient in mtDNA with genetically identical populations of mtDNA. This technology is known as mICSI, and our published data suggest that mICSI enhances embryo quality and overcomes the predisposition of poor quality oocytes to give rise to diabetes and obesity. The grant will determine whether supplementing eggs at the time of fertilisation with genetically identical mtDNA is safe practice. Furthermore, we are also funded through an NHMRC Project Grant to determine the mechanisms associated with mICSI. 

 

We have also previously generated a derivation of another assisted reproductive technology, namely cloning or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), that ensures cloned embryos inherit their mtDNA from the population present in the oocyte only, as is the case following natural conception, and not from the somatic cell as well. This technology, known as mito-SCNT, improves embryo quality and developmental outcomes and overcomes the problem of embryos and offspring inheriting two populations of mtDNA. The outcomes from his work have allowed us to commence work on Mitochondrial Donation, a derivative of NT, that has been proposed as an assisted reproductive technology to prevent offspring from inheriting mtDNA disease. Again, we are undertaking this work in a pig model, which is funded by an NHMRC Ideas Grant.

 

Research Focus Two: Defining the role of the mtDNA set point in early development.

In recent years, we have discovered the ‘mtDNA set point’, which is a key developmental milestone that naïve (pluripotent) cells must acquire in order to initiate and complete their differentiation into mature cell types. The mtDNA set point is characterised by cells expressing pluripotent markers and having very low mtDNA copy number, which are both regulated by the epigenetic status of the nuclear genome. Furthermore, we have shown that key nuclear-encoded mtDNA replication factors are DNA methylated in a tissue specific manner that accounts for cell-specific mtDNA copy number, which requires the establishment of the mtDNA set point early during development. Our studies have also shown that failure to establish the mtDNA set point results in developmental failure and is a key characteristic of tumour-initiating cells. In addition, by depleting tumour-initiating cells of their mtDNA, we have shown that the incidence of tumour formation is significantly reduced (glioblastoma mutiforme and osteosarcoma) or prevented (multiple myeloma), as these cells re-establish the mtDNA set point and undergo differentiation and, therefore, do not form tumours.

 

We use and derive embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and tumour-initiating cell lines and tumours to perform these studies. These models allow us to focus on molecular mechanisms and to identify the specific windows during differentiation/development when these events manifest and then to confirm and characterise these events through, for example, targeted gene knockdown and overexpression.

 

Research Focus Three: Determining how mtDNA haplotypes influence phenotype. 

Recent outcomes from our research program have shown that mtDNA halpotypes influence livestock phenotypes, such as meat quality and lifetime daily gains in pigs, and reproductive efficiencies in pigs and cattle. Using stem cells models, we have been able to demonstrate that mtDNA haplotypes induce phenotypic changes through modulation of DNA methylation patterns that, in turn, affect chromosomal gene expression patterns. Using tumour cells, we have also demonstrated differences in the onset and progression of tumours based on mtDNA haplotype alone.

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS:

RESEARCH PROJECT 1: Identifying variants in the mitochondrial genome predictive of oocyte quality.

Project description: A number of mitochondrial DNA variants have been identified in oocytes. However, their affect and role have yet to be properly defined, especially in oocytes from offspring derived from assisted reproductive technologies that perturb the maternal only transmission of mitochondrial DNA. Using next generation sequencing and bioinformatics tools, this project will focus on identifying variants in the mitochondrial genome that are predictive of oocyte quality and whether an oocyte will progress to fertilise and develop into an embryo. Using an experimental model of pig oocyte in vitro maturation, you will learn how to harvest oocytes from ovaries; culture these immature oocytes to a mature stage; and fertilise them using in vitro fertilisation protocols. After preparing fertilised and failed to fertilise oocyte samples for next generation mitochondrial DNA sequencing technology, you will learn to apply bioinformatics tools to identify and quantify variants that are associated with good and poor oocyte quality. These outputs will then be tested in: i) a larger cohort of oocytes from commercial breeding populations and matched to data associated with economic breeding values; and ii) oocytes derived from offspring that were generated from assisted reproductive technologies that result in two populations of mitochondrial DNA being transmitted.

Projects available for:Honours / HDR / Masters / Mphil / PhD

Location: AHMS (Adelaide Health & Medical Sciences Building, North Tce) – Levels 5 and 6.

Research project start: Semester 1 and 2

Special requirements: Vaccination required.

 

RESEARCH PROJECT 2: Identifying global DNA methylation patterns associated in the preimplantation embryo.

Project description: With the introduction of more invasive assisted reproductive technologies into animal breeding programs and their potential implementation into human clinical IVF, we need to understand how and when they modify the epigenome during early development, especially technologies that perturb the balance between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression during early development.  Using a porcine oocyte and embryo in vitro model, next generation bisulfite DNA sequencing and bioinformatics tools, this project will focus on mapping the DNA methylation profiles of oocytes and early embryos to define the waves of DNA methylation prior to and post-embryonic genome activation, the time point when the early embryo initiates its own global transcription. You will learn how to harvest oocytes from ovaries; culture these immature oocytes to a mature stage; and fertilise them using in vitro fertilisation protocols. After preparing fertilised oocyte and embryo samples for next generation bisulfite DNA sequencing, you will learn to apply bioinformatics tools to map regions of DNA methylation across the whole genome and validate the findings. These outputs will then be tested against embryos generated from other assisted reproductive technologies to determine how these technologies impact on the DNA methylation profiles of the developing embryo.

Projects available for: Third Year / Honours / HDR / Masters / Mphil / PhD

Location: AHMS (Adelaide Health & Medical Sciences Building, North Tce) – Levels 5 and 6.

Research project start: Semester 1 and 2

Special requirements: Vaccination required.

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  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2021 St. John, J. C. (2021). Epigenetic Regulation of the Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genomes: Involvement in Metabolism, Development, and Disease. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, 9(1), 203-224.
    DOI
    2020 Kapetanovic, R., Afroz, S. F., Ramnath, D., Lawrence, G. M. E. P., Okada, T., Curson, J. E. B., . . . Sweet, M. J. (2020). Lipopolysaccharide promotes Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission and associated inflammatory responses in macrophages. Immunology and Cell Biology, 98(7), 528-539.
    DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC5
    2019 St John, J. C. (2019). Genomic balance: two genomes establishing synchrony to modulate cellular fate and function. Cells, 8(11), 1-14.
    DOI Scopus3 Europe PMC1
    2019 St John, J., Makanji, Y., Johnson, J., Tsai, T. -S., Lagondar, S., Rodda, F., . . . Temple-Smith, P. (2019). The transgenerational effects of oocyte mitochondrial supplementation. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 6694-1-6694-12.
    DOI Scopus7 WoS9 Europe PMC6
    2019 St John, J. C. (2019). Mitochondria and female germline stem cells−a mitochondrial DNA perspective. Cells, 8(8), 852-1-852-15.
    DOI Scopus6 WoS7 Europe PMC7
    2019 Poulton, J., Steffann, J., Burgstaller, J., McFarland, R., Arbeithuber, B., Bengoa, J., . . . Wells, D. (2019). 243rd ENMC international workshop: Developing guidelines for management of reproductive options for families with maternally inherited mtDNA disease, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 22-24 March 2019. NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS, 29(9), 725-733.
    DOI WoS5
    2018 Sun, X., Vaghjiani, V., Jayasekara, W. S. N., Cain, J. E., & St John, J. C. (2018). The degree of mitochondrial DNA methylation in tumor models of glioblastoma and osteosarcoma.. Clinical epigenetics, 10(1), 157.
    DOI Scopus9 WoS13 Europe PMC12
    2018 Sun, X., & St John, J. C. (2018). Modulation of mitochondrial DNA copy number in a model of glioblastoma induces changes to DNA methylation and gene expression of the nuclear genome in tumours. Epigenetics & chromatin, 11(1), 53.
    DOI Scopus14 WoS12 Europe PMC10
    2018 St John, J. C., & Tsai, T. -S. (2018). The association of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and phenotypic traits in pigs.. BMC genetics, 19(41), 1-12.
    DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC4
    2018 Tsai, T. -S., & St John, J. C. (2018). The effects of mitochondrial DNA supplementation at the time of fertilization on the gene expression profiles of porcine preimplantation embryos.. Molecular reproduction and development, 85(6), 490-504.
    DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC3
    2018 Sun, X., Johnson, J., & St John, J. (2018). Global DNA methylation synergistically regulates the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in glioblastoma cells. Nucleic Acids Research, 46(12), 5977-5995.
    DOI Scopus18 Europe PMC17
    2018 Tsai, T., Tyagi, S., & St John, J. (2018). The molecular characterisation of mitochondrial DNA deficient oocytes using a pig model. Human Reproduction, 33(5), 942-953.
    DOI Scopus7 Europe PMC5
    2018 Srirattana, K., & St John, J. (2018). Additional mitochondrial DNA influences the interactions between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in a bovine embryo model of nuclear transfer. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 17 pages.
    DOI Scopus11 Europe PMC6
    2018 St John, J. C., Srirattana, K., Tsai, T. S., & Sun, X. (2018). The mitochondrial genome: How it drives fertility. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 30(1), 118-139.
    DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC3
    2017 Lee, W. T., Sun, X., Tsai, T. S., Johnson, J. L., Gould, J. A., Garama, D. J., . . . St John, J. C. (2017). Mitochondrial DNA haplotypes induce differential patterns of DNA methylation that result in differential chromosomal gene expression patterns. Cell Death Discovery, 3(1), 1-11.
    DOI Scopus19
    2017 Srirattana, K., & St John, J. C. (2017). Manipulating the mitochondrial genome to enhance cattle embryo development. G3 : Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 7(7), 2065-2080.
    DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC5
    2017 Vaghjiani, V., Cain, J. E., Lee, W., Vaithilingam, V., Tuch, B. E., & St John, J. C. (2017). Modulation of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number to Induce Hepatocytic Differentiation of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells. Stem Cells and Development, 26(20), 1505-1519.
    DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
    2017 Tsai, T., Johnson, J., White, Y., & St John, J. (2017). The molecular characterization of porcine egg precursor cells. Oncotarget, 8(38), 63484-63505.
    DOI Scopus4
    2017 Srirattana, K., McCosker, K., Schatz, T., & St John, J. C. (2017). Cattle phenotypes can disguise their maternal ancestry. BMC Genetics, 18(59), 11 pages.
    DOI Scopus11 Europe PMC5
    2016 Sun, X., & John, J. C. S. (2016). The role of the mtDNA set point in differentiation, development and tumorigenesis. Biochemical Journal, 473(19), 2955-2971.
    DOI Scopus20 Europe PMC13
    2016 Tsai, T., & St John, J. C. (2016). The role of mitochondrial DNA copy number, variants, and haplotypes in farm animal developmental outcome. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 56, S133-S146.
    DOI Scopus9 Europe PMC3
    2016 Lee, W. T. Y., & St. John, J. C. (2016). Mitochondrial DNA as an initiator of tumorigenesis. Cell Death and Disease, 7(3), e2171.
    DOI Scopus7 Europe PMC5
    2016 Cagnone, G., Tsai, T. S., Srirattana, K., Rossello, F., Powell, D. R., Rohrer, G., . . . St John, J. C. (2016). Segregation of naturally occurring mitochondrial DNA variants in a mini-pig model. Genetics, 202(3), 931-944.
    DOI Scopus15 Europe PMC12
    2016 Tsai, T., Rajasekar, S., & St John, J. (2016). The relationship between mitochondrial DNA haplotype and the reproductive capacity of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). BMC Genetics, 17(1), 67.
    DOI Scopus25 Europe PMC13
    2016 St John, J. C., Tsai, T. S., & Cagnone, G. L. M. (2016). Mitochondrial DNA supplementation as an enhancer of female reproductive capacity. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 28(3), 211-216.
    DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC3
    2016 Cagnone, G. L. M., Tsai, T. S., Makanji, Y., Matthews, P., Gould, J., Bonkowski, M. S., . . . John, J. C. S. (2016). Restoration of normal embryogenesis by mitochondrial supplementation in pig oocytes exhibiting mitochondrial DNA deficiency. Scientific Reports, 6(1), 1-15.
    DOI Scopus44 Europe PMC26
    2016 St John, J. C. (2016). Mitochondrial DNA copy number and replication in reprogramming and differentiation. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, 52, 93-101.
    DOI Scopus30 Europe PMC18
    2016 Johnson, J., Lee, W., Frazier, A. E., Vaghjiani, V., Laskowski, A., Rodriguez, A. L., . . . St John, J. C. (2016). Deletion of the Complex I Subunit NDUFS4 Adversely Modulates Cellular Differentiation. Stem Cells and Development, 25(3), 239-250.
    DOI Scopus5 Europe PMC2
    2016 Lee, W. T. Y., Cain, J. E., Cuddihy, A., Johnson, J., Dickinson, A., Yeung, K. Y., . . . St John, J. C. (2016). Mitochondrial DNA plasticity is an essential inducer of tumorigenesis. Cell Death Discovery, 2(1).
    DOI Scopus21
    2015 Lee, W., Johnson, J., Gough, D. J., Donoghue, J., Cagnone, G. L. M., Vaghjiani, V., . . . St John, J. C. (2015). Mitochondrial DNA copy number is regulated by DNA methylation and demethylation of POLGA in stem and cancer cells and their differentiated progeny. Cell Death and Disease, 6(2), e1664.
    DOI Scopus54 Europe PMC38
    2015 Lee, W., & John, J. (2015). The control of mitochondrial DNA replication during development and tumorigenesis. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1350(1), 95-106.
    DOI Scopus27
    2015 Henry, B., Loughnan, R., Hickford, J., Young, I., St John, J., & Clarke, I. (2015). Differences in mitochondrial DNA inheritance and function align with body conformation in genetically lean and fat sheep. Journal of Animal Science, 93(5), 2083-2093.
    DOI Scopus9 Europe PMC6
    2015 Wu, L., Russell, D., Wong, S., Chen, M., Tsai, T., St John, J., . . . Robker, R. (2015). Mitochondrial dysfunction in oocytes of obese mothers: transmission to offspring and reversal by pharmacological endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitors. Development, 142(4), 681-691.
    DOI Scopus137 WoS137 Europe PMC90
    2015 St John, J. C. (2015). The mitochondrion, its genome and their contribution to well-being and disease. Molecular Human Reproduction, 21(1), 1-2.
    DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC4
    2014 St John, J., Srirattana, K., & Clarke, I. (2014). Modifying the mitochondrial genome to enhance animal production. Australasian Biotechnology, 24(3), 61.
    2014 Yeung, K. Y., Dickinson, A., Donoghue, J. F., Polekhina, G., White, S. J., Grammatopoulos, D. K., . . . St John, J. C. (2014). The identification of mitochondrial DNA variants in glioblastoma multiforme. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 2(1), 1.
    DOI Scopus34 Europe PMC46
    2014 Sobinoff, A., Sutherland, J., Beckett, E., Stanger, S., Johnson, R., Jarnicki, A., . . . Mclaughlin, E. (2014). Damaging legacy: Maternal cigarette smoking has long-term consequences for male offspring fertility. Human Reproduction, 29(12), 2719-2735.
    DOI Scopus34 Europe PMC22
    2014 St John, J. (2014). The control of mtDNA replication during differentiation and development. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects, 1840(4), 1345-1354.
    DOI Scopus60 Europe PMC43
    2014 Nagley, P., St John, J., Gabriel, K., & McKenzie, M. (2014). Mitochondrial research in Australia: A major player in worldwide trends. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects, 1840(4), 1225-1226.
    DOI
    2014 Mckenzie, M., Chiotis, M., Hroudová, J., Lopez Sanchez, M., Lim, S., Cook, M., . . . Trounce, I. (2014). Capture of somatic mtDNA point mutations with severe effects on oxidative phosphorylation in synaptosome cybrid clones from human brain. Human Mutation, 35(12), 1476-1484.
    DOI Scopus10 Europe PMC7
    2014 Lee, T., Clarke, I., St John, J., Young, I., Leury, B., Rao, A., . . . Henry, B. (2014). High cortisol responses identify propensity for obesity that is linked to thermogenesis in skeletal muscle. FASEB Journal, 28(1), 35-44.
    DOI Scopus12 Europe PMC7
    2013 Dickinson, A., Yeung, K. Y., Donoghue, J., Baker, M. J., Kelly, R. D., McKenzie, M., . . . St. John, J. C. (2013). The regulation of mitochondrial DNA copy number in glioblastoma cells. Cell Death and Differentiation, 20(12), 1644-1653.
    DOI Scopus75 Europe PMC59
    2013 Kelly, R. D. W., Rodda, A. E., Dickinson, A., Mahmud, A., Nefzger, C. M., Lee, W., . . . St. John, J. C. (2013). Mitochondrial DNA haplotypes define gene expression patterns in pluripotent and differentiating embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells, 31(4), 703-716.
    DOI Scopus54 Europe PMC38
    2013 Kelly, R., Sumer, H., McKenzie, M., Facucho-Oliveira, J., Trounce, I., Verma, P., & St John, J. (2013). The Effects of Nuclear Reprogramming on Mitochondrial DNA Replication. Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 9(1), 1-15.
    DOI Scopus40 WoS37 Europe PMC26
    2013 John, J. S. (2013). A tribute to somatic cell reprogrammers. Molecular Human Reproduction, 19(2), 55-56.
    DOI
    2012 Kelly, R. D. W., Mahmud, A., McKenzie, M., Trounce, I. A., & St John, J. C. (2012). Mitochondrial DNA copy number is regulated in a tissue specific manner by DNA methylation of the nuclear-encoded DNA polymerase gamma A. Nucleic Acids Research, 40(20), 10124-10138.
    DOI Scopus112 Europe PMC87
    2012 St John, J. C. (2012). Transmission, inheritance and replication of mitochondrial DNA in mammals: Implications for reproductive processes and infertility. Cell and Tissue Research, 349(3), 795-808.
    DOI Scopus22 Europe PMC8
    2011 Rae, P. C., Kelly, R. D., Egginton, S., & St John, J. C. (2011). Angiogenic potential of endothelial progenitor cells and embryonic stem cells. Vascular Cell, 3(1), 11.
    DOI Scopus33
    2011 Sanchez-Partida, L., Kelly, R., Sumer, H., Lo, C., Aharon, R., Holland, M., . . . John St, J. (2011). The generation of live offspring from vitrified oocytes. PLoS ONE, 6(6), e21597.
    DOI Scopus15 WoS12 Europe PMC9
    2011 Jiang, Y., Kelly, R., Peters, A., Fulka, H., Dickinson, A., Mitchell, D. A., & St. John, J. C. (2011). Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer is dependent on compatible mitochondrial DNA and reprogramming factors. PLoS ONE, 6(4), 12 pages.
    DOI Scopus36 WoS22 Europe PMC17
    2011 Kelly, R. D. W., & St. John, J. C. (2011). Role of mitochondrial DNA replication during differentiation of reprogrammed stem cells. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 54(11-12), 1659-1670.
    DOI Scopus16 WoS11 Europe PMC11
    2010 St John, J. C., & Campbell, K. H. S. (2010). The battle to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial DNA disease: Is karyoplast transfer the answer. Gene Therapy, 17(2), 147-149.
    DOI Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC8
    2010 St. John, J. C., Facucho-Oliveira, J., Jiang, Y., Kelly, R., & Salah, R. (2010). Mitochondrial DNA transmission, replication and inheritance: A journey from the gamete through the embryo and into offspring and embryonic stem cells. Human Reproduction Update, 16(5), 488-509.
    DOI Scopus170 WoS161 Europe PMC110
    2010 Lee, J. H., Peters, A., Fisher, P., Bowles, E. J., St. John, J. C., & Campbell, K. H. S. (2010). Generation of mtDNA homoplasmic cloned lambs. Cellular Reprogramming, 12(3), 347-355.
    DOI Scopus25 WoS18 Europe PMC13
    2009 Fulka, J., Loi, P., Ptak, G., Fulka, H., & John, J. S. (2009). Hope for the mammoth?. Cloning and Stem Cells, 11(1), 1-3.
    DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC9
    2009 Facucho-Oliveira, J. M., & John St., J. C. (2009). The relationship between pluripotency and mitochondrial DNA proliferation during early embryo development and embryonic Stem Cell differentiation. Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 5(2), 140-158.
    DOI Scopus180 WoS167 Europe PMC120
    2009 Taylor, R. A., Wang, H., Wilkinson, S. E., Richards, M. G., Britt, K. L., Vaillant, F., . . . Risbridger, G. P. (2009). Lineage enforcement by inductive mesenchyme on adult epithelial stem cells across developmental germ layers. Stem Cells, 27(12), 3032-3042.
    DOI Scopus22 WoS23 Europe PMC17
    2008 Fulka, J., Fulka, H., St John, J., Galli, C., Lazzari, G., Lagutina, I., . . . Loi, P. (2008). Cybrid human embryos - warranting opportunities to augment embryonic stem cell research. Trends in Biotechnology, 26(9), 469-474.
    DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC3
    2008 Bowles, E. J., Tecirlioglu, R. T., French, A. J., Holland, M. K., & St. John, J. C. (2008). Mitochondrial DNA transmission and transcription after somatic cell fusion to one or more cytoplasts. Stem Cells, 26(3), 775-782.
    DOI Scopus39 WoS33 Europe PMC22
    2008 St John, J. C., Armstrong, L., Minger, S. L., & Campbell, K. H. S. (2008). Law should recognize value of interspecies embryos [1]. Nature, 451(7179), 627.
    DOI Scopus5 WoS6 Europe PMC3
    2007 St John, J., & Lovell-Badge, R. (2007). Human-animal cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, mitochondria, and an energetic debate. Nature Cell Biology, 9(9), 988-992.
    DOI Scopus23 WoS17 Europe PMC14
    2007 Bowles, E. J., Lee, J. H., Alberio, R., Lloyd, R. E. I., Stekel, D., Campbell, K. H. S., & St. John, J. C. (2007). Contrasting effects of in vitro fertilization and nuclear transfer on the expression of mtDNA replication factors. Genetics, 176(3), 1511-1526.
    DOI Scopus48 WoS46 Europe PMC35
    2007 St John, J., Bowles, E., & Amaral, A. (2007). Sperm mitochondria and fertilisation.. Society of Reproduction and Fertility supplement, 65, 399-416.
    Scopus19 Europe PMC9
    2007 Spikings, E. C., Alderson, J., & St. John, J. C. (2007). Regulated mitochondrial DNA replication during oocyte maturation is essential for successful porcine embryonic development. Biology of Reproduction, 76(2), 327-335.
    DOI Scopus178 WoS167 Europe PMC121
    2007 Amaral, A., Ramalho-Santos, J., & St John, J. C. (2007). The expression of polymerase gamma and mitochondrial transcription factor A and the regulation of mitochondrial DNA content in mature human sperm. Human Reproduction, 22(6), 1585-1596.
    DOI Scopus91 WoS85 Europe PMC56
    2007 Facucho-Oliveira, J. M., Alderson, J., Spikings, E. C., Egginton, S., & St. John, J. C. (2007). Mitochondrial DNA replication during differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells. Journal of Cell Science, 120(22), 4025-4034.
    DOI Scopus217 WoS216 Europe PMC167
    2007 Fulka, J., Fulka, H., & St. John, J. C. (2007). Transmission of mitochondrial DNA disorders: Possibilities for the elimination of mutated mitochondria. Cloning and Stem Cells, 9(1), 47-50.
    DOI Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC5
    2006 Spikings, E. C., Alderson, J., & St. John, J. C. (2006). Transmission of mitochondrial DNA following assisted reproduction and nuclear transfer. Human Reproduction Update, 12(4), 401-415.
    DOI Scopus61 WoS57 Europe PMC34
    2006 Poulton, J., Kennedy, S., Oakeshott, P., & St John, J. (2006). Nuclear transfer to prevent mitochondrial DNA diseases. Lancet, 368(9538), 841.
    DOI Scopus9 WoS7 Europe PMC2
    2006 Santos, T. A., El Shourbagy, S., & St. John, J. C. (2006). Mitochondrial content reflects oocyte variability and fertilization outcome. Fertility and Sterility, 85(3), 584-591.
    DOI Scopus258 WoS254 Europe PMC164
    2006 Lloyd, R. E., Lee, J. H., Alberio, R., Bowles, E. J., Ramalho-Santos, J., Campbell, K. H. S., & St. John, J. C. (2006). Aberrant nucleo-cytoplasmic cross-talk results in donor cell mtDNA persistence in cloned embryos. Genetics, 172(4), 2515-2527.
    DOI Scopus54 WoS52 Europe PMC37
    2006 St John, J. C., Amaral, A., Bowles, E., Oliveira, J. F., Lloyd, R., Freitas, M., . . . Ramalho-Santos, J. (2006). The analysis of mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA in human embryonic stem cells.. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 331, 347-374.
    DOI Scopus43 Europe PMC34
    2006 El Shourbagy, S. H., Spikings, E. C., Freitas, M., & St. John, J. C. (2006). Mitochondria directly influence fertilisation outcome in the pig. Reproduction, 131(2), 233-245.
    DOI Scopus240 WoS230 Europe PMC165
    2005 Fleming, C., Maldjian, A., Da Costa, D., Rullay, A. K., Haddleton, D. M., St John, J., . . . Davis, B. G. (2005). A Carbohydrate-Antioxidant Hybrid Polymer Reduces Oxidative Damage in Spermatozoa and Enhances Fertility. Nature Chemical Biology, 1(5), 270-274.
    DOI Scopus61 WoS56 Europe PMC17
    2005 St. John, J. C., Moffatt, O., & D'Souza, N. (2005). Aberrant heteroplasmic transmission of mtDNA in cloned pigs arising from double nuclear transfer. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 72(4), 450-460.
    DOI Scopus33 WoS28 Europe PMC21
    2005 St John, J. C., & Alderson, J. (2005). Stem-cell banking: The size of the task. Lancet, 366(9502), 1991-1992.
    DOI Scopus3 WoS1 Europe PMC2
    2005 St. John, J. C., Ramalho-Santos, J., Gray, H. L., Petrosko, P., Rawe, V. Y., Navara, C. S., . . . Schatten, G. P. (2005). The expression of mitochondrial DNA transcription factors during early cardiomyocyte in vitro differentiation from human embryonic stemn cells. Cloning and Stem Cells, 7(3), 141-153.
    DOI Scopus199 WoS191 Europe PMC147
    2005 St. John, J. C., Jokhi, R. P., & Barratt, C. L. R. (2005). The impact of mitochondrial genetics on male infertility. International Journal of Andrology, 28(2), 65-73.
    DOI Scopus84 WoS64 Europe PMC53
    2004 St. John, J. C., & Schatten, G. (2004). Paternal mitochondrial DNA transmission during nonhuman primate nuclear transfer. Genetics, 167(2), 897-905.
    DOI Scopus58 WoS49 Europe PMC29
    2004 St. John, J. C., Lloyd, R. E. I., Bowles, E. J., Thomas, E. C., & El Shourbagy, S. (2004). The consequences of nuclear transfer for mammalian foetal development and offspring survival. A mitochondrial DNA perspective. Reproduction, 127(6), 631-641.
    DOI Scopus71 WoS58 Europe PMC41
    2004 Mital, D., White, D. J., & St John, J. C. (2004). Mitochondrial DNA and sperm quality in patients on antiretroviral therapy - Response [3]. AIDS, 18(6), 963.
    DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC2
    2004 Barratt, C. L. R., St. John, J. C., & Afnan, M. (2004). Clinical challenges in providing embryos for stem-cell initiatives. Lancet, 364(9429), 115-118.
    DOI Scopus21 WoS17 Europe PMC12
    2004 St John, J. C., Lloyd, R., & El Shourbagy, S. (2004). The potential risks of abnormal transmission of mtDNA through assisted reproductive technologies. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 8(1), 34-44.
    DOI Scopus29 WoS22 Europe PMC11
    2003 Payne, C., St. John, J. C., Ramalho-Santos, J., & Schatten, G. (2003). LIS1 Association with Dynactin is Required for Nuclear Motility and Genomic Union in the Fertilized Mammalian Oocyte. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton, 56(4), 245-251.
    DOI Scopus15 WoS15 Europe PMC12
    2002 Perkins, J., St. John, J., & Ahmed, A. (2002). Modulation of trophoblast cell death by oxygen and EGF. Molecular Medicine, 8(12), 847-856.
    DOI Scopus24 WoS23 Europe PMC20
    2002 St. John, J. C. (2002). Ooplasm donation in humans: The need to investigate the transmission of mitochondrial DNA following cytoplasmic transfer. Human Reproduction, 17(8), 1954-1958.
    DOI Scopus46 WoS42 Europe PMC26
    2001 White, D. J., Mital, D., Taylor, S., & John, J. C. S. (2001). Sperm mitochondrial DNA deletions as a consequence of long term highly active antiretroviral therapy. AIDS, 15(8), 1061-1062.
    DOI Scopus52 WoS38 Europe PMC23
    2001 St. John, J. C., Jokhi, R. P., & Barratt, C. L. R. (2001). Men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia harbour higher numbers of multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions in their spermatozoa, but individual deletions are not indicative of overall aetiology. Molecular Human Reproduction, 7(1), 103-111.
    DOI Scopus85 WoS70 Europe PMC50
    2000 John, J. C. S., & De Jonge, C. J. (2000). A hypothesis for transmission of paternal mitochondrial DNA. Reproductive Medicine Review, 8(1), 73-85.
    DOI Scopus6
    2000 St. John, J. C., Sakkas, D., & Barratt, C. L. R. (2000). A role for mitochondrial DNA and sperm survival. Journal of Andrology, 21(2), 189-199.
    Scopus50 WoS51 Europe PMC26
    2000 Ahmed, A., Rahman, M., Zhang, X., Acevedo, C. H., Nijjar, S., Rushton, I., . . . St John, J. (2000). Induction of placental heme oxygenase-1 is protective against TNFalpha-induced cytotoxicity and promotes vessel relaxation.. Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.), 6(5), 391-409.
    DOI Scopus124 WoS125 Europe PMC95
    2000 St John, J., Sakkas, D., Dimitriadi, K., Barnes, A., Maclin, V., Ramey, J., . . . De Jonge, C. (2000). Failure of elimination of paternal mitochondrial DNA in abnormal embryos. Lancet, 355(9199), 200.
    DOI Scopus75 WoS68 Europe PMC39
    1999 St. John, J. C. (1999). Incorporating molecular screening techniques into the modern andrology laboratory. Journal of Andrology, 20(6), 692-701.
    Scopus8 WoS4 Europe PMC1
    1999 Sakkas, D., Mariethoz, E., & St. John, J. C. (1999). Abnormal sperm parameters in humans are indicative of an abortive apoptotic mechanism linked to the fas-mediated pathway. Experimental Cell Research, 251(2), 350-355.
    DOI Scopus278 WoS239 Europe PMC153
    1997 St. John, J. C., Cooke, I. D., Barratt, C. L. R., & Johns, D. R. (1997). Mitochondrial mutations and male infertility [2]. Nature Medicine, 3(2), 124-125.
    DOI Scopus55 WoS67 Europe PMC28
    1997 St John, J. C., Barratt, C. L. R., Brenner, C. A., Scott, J., & Cohen, J. (1997). Use of anucleate donor oocyte cytoplasm in recipient eggs (multiple letters) [16]. Lancet, 350(9082), 961-962.
    DOI Scopus2 WoS12 Europe PMC8
    — Towarnicki, S. G., Youngson, N. A., Corley, S. M., St John, J. C., Turner, N., Morris, M. J., & Ballard, J. W. O. (n.d.). Ancestral dietary change alters development of Drosophila larvae through MAPK signalling.
    DOI

  • Books
    Year Citation
    2013 St. John, J. C. (2013). Mitochondrial DNA, mitochondria, disease and stem cells. Humana Press.
    DOI
    2007 St John, J. C. (2007). Preface (Vol. 77). Elsevier.
    DOI
    2007 Bowles, E. J., Campbell, K. H. S., & St. John, J. C. (2007). Nuclear Transfer: Preservation of a Nuclear Genome at the Expense of Its Associated mtDNA Genome(s) (Vol. 77). J. C. StJohn (Ed.), ELSEVIER ACADEMIC PRESS INC.
    DOI Scopus43 WoS36 Europe PMC23

  • Book Chapters
    Year Citation
    2019 Srirattana, K., & St John, J. (2019). Transmission of Dysfunctional Mitochondrial DNA and Its Implications for Mammalian Reproduction. In P. Sutovsky (Ed.), Cellular and Molecular Basis of Mitochondrial Inheritance (Vol. 231, pp. 75-103). Switzerland: Springer Nature.
    DOI Scopus6 Europe PMC3
    2016 Cagnone, G., Vaghjiani, V., Lee, W., Sun, C., Johnson, J., Yeung, K. Y., & St John, J. C. (2016). Analysis of the mitochondrial DNA and its replicative capacity in induced pluripotent stem cells. In K. Turksen, & A. Nagy (Eds.), Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells: Methods and Protocols (Vol. 1357, pp. 231-267). New York; USA: Springer.
    DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
    2016 Sun, X., Lee, W., Vaghjiani, V., & St John, J. (2016). Analysis of mitochondrial DNA copy number and its regulation through DNA methylation of POLGA. In M. McKenzie (Ed.), Mitochondrial DNA: Methods and Protocols (Vol. 1351, pp. 131-141). New York; USA: Springer.
    DOI Scopus3 Europe PMC2
    2015 Lee, W., Kelly, R., Yeung, K., Cagnone, G., McKenzie, M., & St John, J. (2015). Analysis of mitochondrial DNA in induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cells. In P. J. Verma, & H. Sumer (Eds.), Cell Reprogramming: Methods and Protocols (Vol. 1330, pp. 219-252). New York; USA: Springer.
    DOI Scopus2
    2013 Yeung, K. Y., Dickinson, A., & St. John, J. C. (2013). The Role of Mitochondrial DNA in Tumorigenesis. In Mitochondrial DNA, Mitochondria, Disease and Stem Cells (pp. 119-155). Humana Press.
    DOI
    2013 Facucho-Oliveira, J., Kulkarni, T., Machado-Oliveira, G., & St. John, J. C. (2013). From Pluripotency to Differentiation: The Role of mtDNA in Stem Cell Models of Mitochondrial Diseases. In Mitochondrial DNA, Mitochondria, Disease and Stem Cells (pp. 87-118). Humana Press.
    DOI
    2013 St. John, J. C. (2013). Mitochondrial DNA: Its Transmission from Gametes and Embryos. In Principles of Cloning: Second Edition (pp. 429-439). Elsevier.
    DOI Scopus1
    2013 Kelly, R. D. W., Mahmud, A., & St. John, J. C. (2013). Assisted Reproductive Technologies: The Potential to Prevent the Transmission of Mutant mtDNA from One Generation to the Next. In Mitochondrial DNA, Mitochondria, Disease and Stem Cells (pp. 157-183). Humana Press.
    DOI
    2012 St. John, J. C., & Campbell, K. H. S. (2012). The consequences of reprogramming a somatic cell for mitochondrial DNA transmission, inheritance and replication. In Nuclear Reprogramming and Stem Cells (pp. 83-97). Humana Press.
    DOI

  • Conference Papers
    Year Citation
    2009 St. John, J. C. (2009). mtDNA and sperm function. In Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine Vol. 55 (pp. 17-18).
    2008 Fulka, H., St. John, J. C., Fulka, J., & Hozák, P. (2008). Chromatin in early mammalian embryos: Achieving the pluripotent state. In Differentiation Vol. 76 (pp. 3-14). England: ELSEVIER SCI LTD.
    DOI Scopus47 WoS42 Europe PMC28
    2002 St. John, J. C. (2002). The transmission of mitochondrial DNA following assisted reproductive techniques. In Theriogenology Vol. 57 (pp. 109-123). FOZ DO IGUACU, BRAZIL: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC.
    DOI Scopus39 WoS37 Europe PMC27
    1999 Barratt, C. L. R., St John, J. C., & Afnan, M. (1999). Genetic testing of the male.. In C. Gagnon (Ed.), MALE GAMETE: FROM BASIC SCIENCE TO CLINICAL APPLICATIONS (pp. 397-405). MONTREAL, CANADA: CACHE RIVER PRESS.
    WoS1
    1998 Barratt, C. L. R., & St John, J. C. (1998). Diagnostic tools in male infertility. In Human Reproduction Vol. 13 (pp. 51-61). THESSALONIKI, GREECE: OXFORD UNIV PRESS.
    DOI Scopus13 WoS9 Europe PMC3
    1997 St John, J. C., Cooke, I. D., & Barratt, C. L. R. (1997). The Use of Long PCR to detect multiple deletions in the mitochondrial DNA of human testicular tissue from azoospermic and severe oligozoospermic patients. In C. Barratt, C. DeJonge, D. Mortimer, & J. Parinaud (Eds.), GENETICS OF HUMAN MALE FERTILITY (pp. 333-347). COLLIOURE, FRANCE: EDITIONS EDK.
    WoS6

  • Conference Items
    Year Citation
    2014 Chang, J., Chang, C., Chao, S., Cheng, A., Dai, K., Lee, J., . . . Yang, C. (2014). Preface. Poster session presented at the meeting of Geotechnical Special Publication.

2021 – 2025    NHMRC Ideas Grant (GNT2000723), Understanding the benefits and limitations of metaphase II spindle transfer (St. John J) $1,629,373.

2019 – 2022: NHMRC Project Grant (GNT1160106), Understanding how mitochondrial DNA contributes to embryo development (St. John J) $669,790

2018 – 2020: NHMRC Development Grant (GNT1136065), Improving oocyte mitochondrial DNA copy number to enhance female reproductive capacity (St. John J, McKenzie W, Western P, Rombauts L) $670,867.20.

2017 – 2018: The Winston Foundation (WF1), Developing a canine in vitro maturation culture system (St. John J) $42,000

2016 – 2018: OvaScience Inc. Waltham, USA. Renewal Grant, Safety of Mitochondrial Transfer (St. John J) $600,000.

2016 – 2019: ARC Discovery Grant(DP160102575), Diet influences the selective advantage of mitochondrial DNA mutations (Ballard B, St. John J, Smyth G) $313,600.00

2015 – 2017: NHMRC Project Grant(GNT1079309) - Metabolic and molecular basis of embryo signalling (Lane M, St. John J, Zander-Fox D) $397,077.00

2014 – 2016: Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation- Preventing the transmission of mutant mitochondrial DNA (St. John J) $25,000

2013 – 2016: OvaScience Inc- Determining the safety of homologous mitochondrial transfer in a mini-pig model (St. John J) $1,250,000

2013 – 2015: NHMRC Project Grant(GNT1041471) - Understanding mitochondrial DNA segregation and transmission (CIA - St. John J; Trounce I) $492,863

2013 – 2015: Zwart Estate- The role of mtDNA variants in glioblastoma (St. John J) $133,131

2013 – 2016: Australian Pork Limited- Defining the role of mitochondrial DNA in pig fertility (St. John J) $92,637

2013 – 2014: Johnston Estate- The generation of stem cell models of mtDNA disease (St. John J) $170,000

2012 – 2014: NHMRC Project Grant(GNT1022222) - Understanding the pathogenesis of mitochondrial disease using iPS cells (Thorburn D, St. John J, Frazier A, Nisbet D, White S) $618,675

2011: Marian and EH Flack Trust- Funding to purchase a High Resolution Melting Curve Analysis Machine(White S, Western P, St. John J, Watkins DN) $30,000.

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  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2019 - 2020 Member Mitochondrial Donation Expert Working Committee National Health and Medical Research Council Australia
    2018 - 2021 Member Embryo Research Licencing Committee National Health and Medical Reseach Council Australia
  • Position: Professor
  • Email: jus.stjohn@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences, floor 5
  • Org Unit: Medical Sciences
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