Dr Michael De Ieso
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Michael De Ieso is an early-career researcher (ECR) with a passion for investigating smarter ways to treat hormone receptor-positive cancers, including breast, prostate, and bladder cancer.
In 2019, Dr De Ieso earned a PhD in cancer biology at the University of Adelaide, under the mentorship of Prof Andrea Yool. He investigated the effect of pharmacologically targeting membrane-bound water channels called aquaporins to reduce the motility of aggressive cancer cells. This work laid the foundation for further exploration into the therapeutic potential of aquaporin modulation in glioblastoma and other solid cancers.
After a highly productive PhD, he commenced postdoctoral training at Duke University in North Carolina USA, under the mentorship of Prof Dan Stamer. Dr De Ieso’s research underpinned a grant-funded project in the Stamer lab, investigating the role of the membrane-bound caveolin-1 (CAV1) protein in regulating intraocular pressure, and how polymorphisms at the CAV1/2 gene loci impart increased risk for primary open-angle glaucoma. Despite the shift in research focus, he produced strong postdoctoral research output, including 4 award-winning presentations and 13 peer-reviewed publications. Notably, his promotion to Research Scientist in the fourth year of postdoctoral training allowed him to gain experience in managing biotechnology company research contracts for the Stamer Laboratory.
Dr De Ieso was recruited back to Australia in August 2023, where he joined the Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories at the University of Adelaide under the mentorship of Prof Wayne Tilley (Director), Associate Prof Theresa Hickey (Head of Breast Cancer), and Dr Amy Dwyer (Group Leader, Solid Tumour Biology). This move marked a return to his passion for cancer research, aligning with his career goals and leveraging his diverse research experiences. In late 2023, Dr De Ieso was awarded the Mary Overton & RAH Early Career Fellowship (2024-2026; $321,247) and the Adelaide Medical School Building Research Leaders Award (2024; $100,000) to investigate a novel approach to treating prostate and bladder cancers by targeting the androgen receptor.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2023 - ongoing Postdoctoral Research Associate University of Adelaide 2022 - 2023 Research Scientist Duke University 2019 - 2022 Postdoctoral Research Associate Duke University -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2016 - 2018 Flinders University Australia Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education) 2015 - 2019 University of Adelaide Australia PhD 2014 - 2014 University of Adelaide Australia Honours Degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences with First Class Honours 2011 - 2014 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2025 De Ieso, M. L., Aldoghachi, A. F., Tilley, W. D., & Dwyer, A. R. (2025). Are androgen receptor agonists a treatment option in bladder cancer?. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 245, 106623.
2024 Li, H., Kuhn, M., Kelly, R. A., Singh, A., Palanivel, K. K., Salama, I., . . . Herberg, S. (2024). Targeting YAP/TAZ mechanosignaling to ameliorate stiffness-induced Schlemm’s canal cell pathobiology. American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology, 326(2), C513-C528.
Scopus2 Europe PMC32024 Brown, S. F. K., Nguyen, H., Mzyk, P., De Ieso, M. L., Unser, A. M., Brown, I., . . . Stamer, W. D. (2024). ANGPTL7 and Its Role in IOP and Glaucoma. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 65(3), 22.
Europe PMC12024 Li, G., van Batenburg-Sherwood, J., Safa, B. N., Fraticelli Guzmán, N. S., Wilson, A., Bahrani Fard, M. R., . . . Stamer, W. D. (2024). Aging and intraocular pressure homeostasis in mice. Aging Cell, 23(7), e14160.
Scopus2 Europe PMC22024 Baumann, J. M., Yarishkin, O., Lakk, M., De Ieso, M. L., Rudzitis, C. N., Kuhn, M., . . . Križaj, D. (2024). TRPV4 and chloride channels mediate volume sensing in trabecular meshwork cells. American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology, 327(2), C403-C414.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12023 De Ieso, M. L., Kelly, R., Mzyk, P., & Stamer, W. D. (2023). Development and testing of a metabolic chamber for effluent collection during whole eye perfusions. Experimental Eye Research, 236, 1-9.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12023 Schmitt, H. M., Hake, K. M., Perkumas, K. M., Lê, B. M., Suarez, M. F., De Ieso, M. L., . . . Daniel Stamer, W. (2023). Lysyl oxidase-like 1-antisense 1 (LOXL1-AS1) lncRNA differentially regulates gene and protein expression, signaling and morphology of human ocular cells. Human Molecular Genetics, 32(21), 3053-3062.
Scopus4 Europe PMC22023 Kelly, R. A., McDonnell, F. S., De Ieso, M. L., Overby, D. R., & Stamer, W. D. (2023). Pressure Clamping During Ocular Perfusions Drives Nitric Oxide-Mediated Washout. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 64(7), 13 pages.
Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC22022 Mavlyutov, T. A., Kuhn, M. S., Bilal, S. E., De Ieso, M. L., Chauhan, A. K., Stamer, W. D., & McDowell, C. M. (2022). Decreased outflow facility and Schlemm's canal defects in a mouse model of glaucoma. Experimental Eye Research, 225, 109249.
Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC12022 Enyong, E. N., Gurley, J. M., De Ieso, M. L., Stamer, W. D., & Elliott, M. H. (2022). Caveolar and non-Caveolar Caveolin-1 in ocular homeostasis and disease. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 91, 1-29.
Scopus13 Europe PMC62022 De Ieso, M. L., Kuhn, M., Bernatchez, P., Elliott, M. H., & Stamer, W. D. (2022). A Role of Caveolae in Trabecular Meshwork Mechanosensing and Contractile Tone. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 10, 1-20.
Scopus6 WoS1 Europe PMC32022 McDowell, C. M., Kizhatil, K., Elliott, M. H., Overby, D. R., van Batenburg-Sherwood, J., Cameron Millar, J., . . . Daniel Stamer, W. (2022). Consensus Recommendation for Mouse Models of Ocular Hypertension to Study Aqueous Humor Outflow and Its Mechanisms. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 63(2), 12.
Scopus26 WoS12 Europe PMC192021 Reina-Torres, E., De Ieso, M. L., Pasquale, L. R., Madekurozwa, M., van Batenburg-Sherwood, J., Overby, D. R., & Stamer, W. D. (2021). The vital role for nitric oxide in intraocular pressure homeostasis. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 83, 1-28.
Scopus59 WoS32 Europe PMC332021 Yarishkin, O., Phuong, T. T. T., Baumann, J. M., De Ieso, M. L., Vazquez-Chona, F., Rudzitis, C. N., . . . Križaj, D. (2021). Piezo1 channels mediate trabecular meshwork mechanotransduction and promote aqueous fluid outflow. Journal of Physiology, 599(2), 571-592.
Scopus48 WoS30 Europe PMC372020 De Ieso, M. L., Gurley, J. M., McClellan, M. E., Gu, X., Navarro, I., Li, G., . . . Elliott, M. H. (2020). Physiologic consequences of caveolin-1 ablation in conventional outflow endothelia. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 61(11), 15 pages.
Scopus16 WoS8 Europe PMC112020 Yarishkin, O., Phuong, T. T. T., Baumann, J. M., De Ieso, M. L., Vazquez-Chona, F., Rudzitis, C. N., . . . Križaj, D. (2020). Mechanotransduction and dynamic outflow regulation in trabecular meshwork requires Piezo1 channels.
2019 Pei, J. V., Heng, S., De Ieso, M. L., Sylvia, G., Kourghi, M., Nourmohammadi, S., . . . Yool, A. J. (2019). Development of a photoswitchable lithium-sensitive probe to analyze nonselective cation channel activity in migrating cancer cells. Molecular Pharmacology, 95(5), 573-583.
Scopus20 WoS15 Europe PMC92019 Nourmohammadi, S., Aung, T. N., Cui, J., Pei, J., De Ieso, M. L., Harata-Lee, Y., . . . Yool, A. J. (2019). Effect of compound kushen injection, a natural compound mixture, and its identified chemical components on migration and invasion of colon, brain, and breast cancer cell lines. Frontiers in Oncology, 9(APR), 1-14.
Scopus45 WoS38 Europe PMC312019 De Ieso, M. L., Pei, J. V., Nourmohammadi, S., Smith, E., Chow, P. H., Kourghi, M., . . . Yool, A. J. (2019). Combined pharmacological administration of AQP1 ion channel blocker AqB011 and water channel blocker Bacopaside II amplifies inhibition of colon cancer cell migration. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 12635-1-12635-17.
Scopus33 WoS24 Europe PMC222018 Kourghi, M., Pei, J., De Ieso, M., Nourmohammadi, S., Chow, P., & Yool, A. (2018). Fundamental structural and functional properties of Aquaporin ion channels found across the kingdoms of life. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 45(4), 401-409.
Scopus37 WoS31 Europe PMC202018 De Ieso, M., & Yool, A. (2018). Mechanisms of aquaporin-facilitated cancer invasion and metastasis. Frontiers in Chemistry, 6, 135-1-135-20.
Scopus75 WoS56 Europe PMC562018 Kourghi, M., De Ieso, M., Nourmohammadi, S., Pei, J., & Yool, A. (2018). Identification of loop D domain amino acids in the human Aquaporin-1 channel involved in activation of the ionic conductance and inhibition by AqB011. Frontiers in Chemistry, 6(APR), 142-1-142-12.
Scopus18 WoS15 Europe PMC142018 De Ieso, M. L., & Pei, J. V. (2018). An accurate and cost-effective alternative method for measuring cell migration with the circular wound closure assay. Bioscience Reports, 38(5), 1-9.
Scopus29 WoS25 Europe PMC182018 Nourmohammadi, S., Aung, T. N., Cui, J., Pei, J., De Ieso, M. L., Harata-Lee, Y., . . . Yool, A. (2018). Effect of Compound Kushen Injection, a natural compound mixture, and its identified chemical components on migration and invasion of colon, brain and breast cancer cell lines.
Europe PMC12016 Kourghi, M., Pei, J., De Ieso, M., Flynn, G., & Yool, A. (2016). Bumetanide derivatives AqB007 and AqB011 selectively block the aquaporin-1 ion channel conductance and slow cancer cell migration. Molecular Pharmacology, 89(1), 133-140.
Scopus54 WoS47 Europe PMC432016 Pei, J., Kourghi, M., De Ieso, M., Campbell, E., Dorward, H., Hardingham, J., & Yool, A. (2016). Differential inhibition of water and ion channel activities of mammalian aquaporin-1 by two structurally related bacopaside compounds derived from the medicinal plant bacopa monnieri. Molecular Pharmacology, 90(4), 496-507.
Scopus52 WoS44 Europe PMC36 -
Book Chapters
Year Citation 2016 Pei, J., Ameliorate, J., Kourghi, M., De Ieso, M., & Yool, A. (2016). Drug Discovery and Therapeutic Targets for Pharmacological Modulators of Aquaporin Channels. In G. Soveral, S. Nielsen, & A. Casini (Eds.), Aquaporins in Health and Disease: New Molecular Targets for Drug Discovery (pp. 273-296). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
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Conference Papers
Year Citation 2015 Tomita, Y., Dorward, H., Wrin, J., Vary, R. J., De Ieso, M. L., Yool, A. J., . . . Hardingham, J. E. (2015). The effect of aquaporin-5 knockdown on HT29 colon cancer cell proliferation and migration. In ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY Vol. 26 (pp. 4). Singapore, SINGAPORE: OXFORD UNIV PRESS.
Principal Investigator: Mary Overton & RAH Early Career Fellowship Harnessing selective androgen receptor modulators to treat prostate and bladder cancers (2024-2026; $321,247)
Principal Investigator: Adelaide Medical School Building Research Leaders Scheme Exploration of the androgen receptor as a target therapy for bladder cancer (2024; $100,000)
BIOL 1052 – Online Tutor UO Foundations of Human Biology 1, University of South Australia, 2017-2018
EDUC 1014 – Course Coordinator Preparation for the Study of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, 2016-2018
ANAT SC 1102 – Casual Tutor Human Biology 1A, University of Adelaide, 2015-2018
ANAT SC 1103 – Casual Tutor Human Biology 1B, University of Adelaide, 2015-2018
PATHOL 2200 – Casual Tutor Biology of Disease II, University of Adelaide, 2015-2018
PHYSIOL 2520 – Casual Practical Demonstrator Physiology IIB, University of Adelaide, 2015-2016
HLTH 1005 – Casual Tutor Principles of Human Health and Disease, University of Adelaide, 2015-2016
NURSING 1006 – Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) Tutor Microbiology & Infection Control, University of Adelaide, 2016
NURSING 1005 – Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) Tutor Biology for Nursing Practice, University of Adelaide, 2016
ANAT SC 2109 – Casual Practical Demonstrator Biology & Development of Human Tissues, University of Adelaide, 2014
ANAT SC 2500 – Casual Practical Demonstrator Cells & Tissues II, University of Adelaide, 2014
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2023 - ongoing Member Mother's Day Classic SA Organising Committee Mother's Day Classic Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles
