Stan Gronthos

Professor Stan Gronthos

Professor

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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


Prof. Stan Gronthos' research specialty is in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. He is Founder and Head of the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Laboratory in the Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide. In 2018, Prof Gronthos was awarded a Fellow of the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research. In 2014, the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Laboratory moved to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) on North Terrace, adjacent to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

Research Interests

The focus of the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Laboratory is to investigate the origin and biological properties of different postnatal mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) populations, that give rise to supportive connective tissues such as myelosupportive stroma, adipose tissue, smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, bone, cartilage, ligament, cementum and dentin. Our work seeks to identify critical genes and epigenetic factors that regulate MSC self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation. In addition, research efforts have focused on identifying the factors central to MSC mediated regulation of haematopiesis, angiogenesis and immune cell modulation. Importantly, many of these molecular processes are considered underlying causes of chronic diseases and tumour cell development. Together with Prof. Andrew Zannettino and our commercial partner (Mesoblast Ltd), our basic research activities have progressed into Phase II/III human clinical trails for orthopaedic, cardiovascular, cancer and immune based indications. Our continuing research into the basic properties of MSC will help develop more effective and safer stem cell based therapeutic options in the future for a wide variety of clinical diseases and conditions.

PATENTS:

  1. Inventors: Gronthos S., Zannettino A.C.W., Simmons P.J., Patent: Mesenchymal Precursor Cells WO2001/04268A1. Applicant: Medvet Science Pty Ltd, Adelaide, S.A., Australia. 1999, licensed to Angioblast Systems Inc., New York, NY. Granted in USA, AUS, CA, ES, EP.
  2. Inventors: Gronthos S., Robey P.G., Miura M., and Shi S. Postnatal stem cells and uses thereof. U.S. Patent Application No. PCT/US2003/012276. WO2004/094588A2. Applicant: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland USA. Granted in the USA, EP, ES, CA.
  3. Inventors: Gronthos S., Robey P.G., and Shi S. U.S. "Adult human dental pulp stem cells In Vitro and In Vivo". Provisional Patent Application No. 60/219,989, WO2002/007679A2. Applicant: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Granted in the USA, AUS, CA, ES, EP.
  4. Inventors: Stan Gronthos, Songtao Shi and Andrew Zannettino.  Perivascular Mesenchymal Precursor Cells. Provisional application PCT/AU2004/000416, WO2004/085630A1. Applicants: Medvet Science Pty Ltd, Adelaide, S.A., Australia and Angioblast Inc. New York, NY. Granted in USA, AUS, CA, CN.
  5. Inventors: Stan Gronthos and Andrew Zannettino Perivascular Mesenchymal Precursor Cell Induced Blood Vessel Formation (Neovascularization) 28-Mar-2003 Provisional application PCT Application No PCT/AU2004/000417, WO2004/084921A1, Medvet Science Pty Ltd, Adelaide, S.A., Australia and Angioblast Inc. Granted in USA, AUS, EP, CA, CN, ES.
  6. Inventors: Stan Gronthos and Andrew Zannettino. Multipotential expanded Mesenchymal Precursor Cell progeny and uses there off. PCT/AU2005/001445, 24/09/2004, WO2006/032092A1. Applicant: Angioblast Systems Inc. New York, NY. Granted in US, AU, EP, CN.
  7. Inventors: Stan Gronthos, Andrew Zannettino, Paul Simmons. Isolation of adult multipotential Cells by tissue non-specific alkaline phosphotase. PCT/AU2006/000494; W02006/108229A1. Applicant: Angioblast Systems Inc. New York, NY. Granted in USA, AU, EP, CA, HK.
  8. Inventors: Stan Gronthos and Andrew Zannettino. Method of enhancing proliferation and/or survival of mesenchymal precursor cells. PCT/AU2005/000953, WO2006/032075A1. Applicant: Angioblast Systems Inc. New York, NY. Granted in the USA, AUS, CN.
  9. Inventors: Gronthos S, Koblar SA, Arthur A. International (PCT) Patent Application (PCT/AU2008/001286; WO2009/026653A8) “Neuroplasticity Assay”. Applicant: MedVet/ Science Pty. Ltd/ Adelaide Research & Innovation Pty. Ltd.
  10. Inventors: Stan Gronthos and Andrew Zannettino. Monoclonal antibody STRO-4 (Provisional; US 61/189,349) 18/08/2008; PCT WO2010/019997A1. Applicant: Angioblast Systems Inc. New York, NY. Granted in AUS, USA.
  11. Inventors: Gronthos S, Koblar SA, Arthur A. Patent Application WO2012/162758A1, US201161493057P filed on 3 June 2011 entitled “Method Of Treating The Effects Of Stroke”; Applicant Mesoblast Pty Ltd. Granted in AUS.
  12. Inventors: Gronthos S, Zannettino ACW and Fitter S. AUS Provisional Patent # 2015902032  filed on 1 June 2015; PCT/AU2016/050438; entitled “Methods and Products for Enriching and  Isolating Stem Cell”; Applicant: Adelaide Research & Innovation Pty. Ltd.
Research Projects Available

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Laboratory, AMS, Medical Sciences

Lab Head, Prof Stan Gronthos

Postnatal mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from connective tissues are capable of developing into multiple cell lineages (myelosupportive stroma, adipocytes, smooth muscle cells, myoblasts, ligament cells, chondrocytes and osteoblasts). Our Lab examines the transcriptional, epigenetic and signalling factors that regulate MSC self-renewal, proliferation, multi-differentiation and immune cell modulation. These molecular processes are being investigated as underlying mechanisms mediating tissue repair, inflammation, tumour cell development and aged related diseases.

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/stan.gronthos

https://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/stan.gronthos

 

Location: Level 5 South SAHMRI

Research project start: Semester 1 and 2 for Hons and Third year placements

Special requirements: HepB vaccination required

 

Projects for 2020

1. Pharmacological targeting of tyrosine kinase receptors and epigenetic modifying enzymes in mesenchymal stem cells to treat cranial bone conditions. (The use of chemical inhibitors to modify bone cell differentiation by mesenchymal stem cells in the cranial sutures to treat craniosynostosis in children).

2. Investigation of the importance of cell-cell communication and cross-talk between bone cells, blood cells and neural cells during skeletal development/ repair. (Investigating the role of the membrane bound contact dependent molecules, Eph/ ephrin, to mediate cell-cell communication and function between bone cells, blood/ immune cells and neural tissue, during development and tissue repair).

3. Investigating the role of epigenetic modifiers to control mesenchymal stem cell self-renewal and cell fate determination in development and tissue repair. (Investigation of the role of histone acetylation and methylation or DNA methylation in mesenchymal stem cell self-renewal and cell fate determination, in the context of skeletal stem cell ageing and bone disease).

 

HDR Projects

1. Pharmacological targeting of tyrosine kinase receptors and epigenetic modifying enzymes in mesenchymal stem cells to treat cranial bone conditions.

2. Investigation of the importance of cell-cell communication and cross-talk between bone cells, blood cells and neural cells during skeletal development/ repair.

6. Histone acetylation and methylation as regulators of mesenchymal stem cell self-renewal and cell fate determination.

5. Examining the role of DNA methylation in skeletal stem cell ageing and bone disease.

 

Hons and Third year placements (Semester 1 and 2 ) Projects

1. Identification of molecular mechanisms controlling cranial bone development in children.

2. Investigating mechanisms of cell-cell communication during tooth formation.

3. Investigation mechanisms of cell-cell communication in bone and cartilage development.

4. Identifying Epigenetic Enzymes involved in the growth and differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells.

5. Identifying Epigenetic "Readers" involved in mesenchymal stem cell growth and

differentiation.

 

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant # APP1141361 (AUD $850,228.50) 2018-2021. Title: Deregulation of DNA hydroxymethylases Tet1 and Tet2 compromises skeletal integrity during ageing and osteoporosis. Chief Investigators: Stan Gronthos, Tuan Nguyen, Melissa Davis.

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant # APP1142954 (AUD $548,854) 2018-2020. Title: Histone Demethylase KDM6A is a novel target for treating craniosynostosis in children with Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome. Chief Investigators: Stan Gronthos, Peter Anderson.

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant # APP1120989 (AUD$562,863) 2017-2019. Title: Tyrosine kinase receptor c-ros-oncogene 1 mediates Twist-1 haploinsufficiency induced craniosynostosis in children: A novel therapeutic target. Chief investigators: Stan Gronthos, Andrew Zannettino and Peter Anderson.

National Health & Medical Research Council, Principal Research Fellowship # APP1042677 (AUD $714,745) 2013-2017. Title: Mesenchymal stem cells in bone regeneration and repair. Principal Investigator: Stan Gronthos.

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant # APP1099283 (AUD $561,956) 2016-2018. Title: Osteochondroreticular stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis: right cells for the job. Chief Investigators: Dan Worthley, Stan Gronthos, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Francis Lee.

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. 

Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Grant ($75,000) 2015. Identification of Twist-1 regulated microRNAs which control cranial bone development in Children. Principal Investigators: S. Gronthos, Esther Camp-Dotlic, Peter Anderson.

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 # APP1046053 (AUD$466,044.64) 2013-2015. Title: Twist-1 inhibits MSC osteoblast differentiation during osteoporosis via direct regulation of the Wnt signalling pathway. Chief investigators: Stan Gronthos and Andrew Zannettino.

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant # APP1043994 (AUD$802,470.63) 2013-2015. Title: Comparison of periodontal ligament stem cells and induced pluripotent periodontal ligament stem cells for periodontal regeneration. Chief investigators: Mark Bartold, Stan Gronthos, Saso Ivanovski, Dietmar Hutmacher.

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant #APP1023390 (AUD $591,010) 2012-2014. Title: Mesenchymal Stem Cell maintenance and recruitment during skeletal repair are dependent on EphB-ephrinB signalling. Principal Investigators: S. Gronthos, A.C.W. Zannettino.

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant #APP1030528 (AUD$543,675) 2012-2014. Title: The Role of Raptor and Rictor Signalling Pathways in Osteogenesis and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Fate Determination Investigator(s): Zannettino A, Gronthos S, Fitter S.

Adelaide Research Innovation Commercialization Grant (AUD$100,000) 2014. Title: Characterisation of the molecular target of the monoclonal antibody STRO-1, in mesenchymal stem cell mediated tissue repair and immune modulation. Principal investigators: Zannettino A, Gronthos S, Fitter S.

Australian Cancer Research Foundation Infrastructure Grant ($1.8 million) 2013. South Australian Innovative Cancer Imaging and Therapeutics Facility, SAHMRI. C. Mulligan, T. Hughes, A. Zannettino, D. White, S. Gronthos, D. O’Keefe, G. Goodall, B. To, T. Monro.

Centre for Stem Cell Research, Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide Collaborative Grant ($65,000) 2013. Project:  Understanding the mechanisms of aberrant bone formation in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome patients with Twist-1 mutations. Investigators: S Gronthos and A Zannettino

National Health & Medical Research Council, Senior Research Fellowship #508087(AUD $537,500) 2008-2012. Principal Investigator: Gronthos S.

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant #626910 (AUD $583,500) 2010-2012 Title: Twist-1 Mediated Regulation of Multipotential Mesenchymal Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Cell Fate Determination. Principal Investigators: S. Gronthos, A.C.W. Zannettino

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant #627143 (AUD $769,875) 2010-2012. Project Grant title: Generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and their potential use in periodontal regeneration. Principal Investigators: P. M. Bartold, S.Gronthos, P. Zilm, Andrew Laslett.

National Health & Medical Research Council, Project Grant # 626911 (AUD $583,500) 2010-2012. Title: Is Hypoxia Inducible Factor-2 (HIF-2) the "Trigger" of the "Angiogenic Switch" in Multiple Myeloma? Principal Investigators: ACW Zannettino, S Gronthos, J-P Levesque, D Peet, LB To.

 

  • 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
    2023 Co-Supervisor The biological function of tryptophan metabolism in triple-negative breast cancer and cancer stem cells population Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jamshid Motalebzadeh
    2022 Principal Supervisor Identification of epigenetic factors deregulated in skeletal stem cells during high glucose medicated inhibition of bone formation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Suzanna Shirazi
    2021 Principal Supervisor Pre-conditioning and modulation of dental pulp stem cells for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Sandra Jenkner
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Deregulation of DNA Hydroxymethylases TET1 and TET2 Compromises Skeletal Integrity During Ageing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nicholas John Smith
    2019 - 2021 Principal 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
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor The Role of Epigenetic Modifiers, Kdm6a and Kdm6b, in Calvarial Suture Development and Craniosynostosis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Clara Pribadi
    2017 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Evaluating the Role of Bone Marrow Microenvironment in the Pathogenesis of Therapy-related Myeloid Neoplasms Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Monika Maria Kutyna
    2016 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Identification of Molecular Mechanisms Mediating TWIST-1 Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Chee Ho H'ng
    2016 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Investigating Reprogramming Factors and Neural Conditions to Convert Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells into Neural Stem Cells Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Maria Roumenova Gancheva
    2012 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Epignetic Regulation of Histone Three Lysine Twenty Seven Tri Methylation Dictates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Lineage Commitment, Lifespan and Murine Skeletal Development Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Sarah Elizabeth Hemming
    2012 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Interleukin-17A Induced Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells are Superior Modulators of Immunological Function Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Kisha Nandini Sivanathan
    2011 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction-Induced Ventricular Dysfunction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr James David Richardson
    2010 - 2015 Co-Supervisor ALPHA-L-IDURONIDASE TRANSDUCED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS AS A THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF CNS DEGENERATION IN MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS TYPE I MICE Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Matilda Jackson
    2010 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Reprogramming of Human Gingival and Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts to Pluripotency with Defined Factors Master of Philosophy (Dentistry) Master Full Time Dr Ni-Hung Lin
    2010 - 2018 Co-Supervisor The Role of mTORC1 in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Fate Determination, Osteoblast Differentiation and Skeletal Development Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Mary Patricia Matthews
    2009 - 2013 Principal Supervisor The Role of TWIST-1 in the Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth, Fracture Repair and Bone Loss Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Lachlan Cooper
    2008 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Isolation and Characterization of Stem Cell Populations in the Periodontium Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Jimin Xiong
    2006 - 2010 Co-Supervisor The Cardiovascular Reparative Properties of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Precursor Cells Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time APrf Peter Psaltis
    2006 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Functional and Molecular Characterisation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Bone Marrow and Dental Tissues Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Danijela Menicanin
    2005 - 2009 Co-Supervisor Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Increased Angiogenesis in Multiple Myeloma: A Role for CXCL12 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Sally Martin
    2003 - 2007 Co-Supervisor Guidance and Neuronal Properties of Dental Pulp Stem Cells Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Agnes Arthur
    2002 - 2008 Co-Supervisor Ovine Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Isolation, Characterisation, and Developmental Potential for Application in Growth Plate Cartilage Regeneration Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Rosa Mc Carty
  • Position: Professor
  • Phone: 81284395
  • Email: stan.gronthos@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83135384
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: SAHMRI, floor 5
  • Org Unit: Medical Sciences

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