Dr Tina Bianco-Miotto
Senior Lecturer
School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
I am a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide. I am currently the Program Director of the Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Science and teach several courses within this Program.
My research interest focuses on how adverse exposures during critical time periods alter development. Adverse exposures during critical periods can lead to impaired organ function and future health issues. We know that organisms can adapt to adverse exposures during sensitive developmental time periods. However, how the exposure impacts the severity of the organ response in a sex-specific manner and how the changes are passed on to the next generation are unknown. The field of epigenetics can answer questions about the impact of the environment on organ development and how the response depends on the sex of the offspring for both current and subsequent generations.
I am also interested in the role of epigenetics in seed priming and how we can improve stress tolerance in plants in multiple generations. I also work on superfoods and identifying whether they have beneficial health properties.
I am committed to training and exposing others to epigenetics through my role as a lecturer, higher degree research student supervisor and through the Epigenetics Consortium of South Australia (EpiCSA) Inc which I co-founded in 2015 to foster an environment where SA epigenetic researchers have a forum for presenting their work and for networking opportunities.
I am available to supervise HONOURS, MASTERS and PHD students. See My Research tab for details about the type of projects I have available in 2024.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
Below is a list of the type of Research Projects available for Honours, Masters and PhD students. However, I am also flexible in designing projects that suit the student's interests so contact me to discuss further.
1. Impact of adverse exposures on organ development.
In response to adverse exposures, such as those that may occur during pregnancy, animals change in response to these exposures. These changes may include modifications in the development of organs like the kidney, heart or liver. In addition, these developmental changes can differ depending on the sex of the animal. This project will study why males and females respond differently to adverse exposures and if these changes are passed on to the next generation.
2. Seed priming to improve stress tolerance and seed quality.
Seed priming involves treating seeds to improve germination rates and increase plant tolerance to stress. The benefits of seed priming include uniform germination in crops, the development of stress resistance, increased germination, and increased crop yield. There are several methods of seed priming with evidence that micronutrients used in combination, can enhance germination and plant vigour. In addition, seed priming may result in plant stress memory so that subsequent generations also have improved stress tolerance.
We need an understanding of what happens when plants are stressed and whether simple, cheap and effective seed priming options will improve plant tolerance to salt and drought stress. This may have the potential added benefit of biofortification, hence increasing the anti-oxidant content and therefore the health benefits of consuming the seeds from plants that have been primed.
3. Testing the 'super' in superfoods.
Interest in highly nutritious plant seeds is increasing as we are becoming more aware of the need to eat a balanced and varied diet. We already consume a wide variety of seeds in our food but some of these have been called “superfoods”, including flax, quinoa and chia. This is based on their desirable lipid contents (omega 3 vs omega 6 amounts and ratios), protein profiles because they contain all the essential amino acids or superior dietary fibre content. But how many of these properties have been thoroughly tested and verified, for example using bioavailability assays, and what effects do the seeds have on cells that are exposed to them? Does this vary according to whether the seeds are whole or ground (as we would eat them)? Our project aims to answer these questions.
Below is a video created by Agricultural Genetics students showing the importance of epigenetics.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2017 - ongoing Senior Lecturer (Level C) University of Adelaide 2013 - 2016 Lecturer (Level B) University of Adelaide 2009 - 2013 Cancer Council SA, W Bruce Hall Cancer Research Fellow (Level B) University of Adelaide 2007 - 2009 NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellow (Level B) University of Adelaide 2005 - 2006 NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellow (Level A) University of Adelaide 2003 - 2004 Postdoctoral Fellow (Level A) University of Adelaide 2002 - 2003 Research Officer Royal Adelaide Hospital -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 1998 - 2002 University of Adelaide Australia PhD 1997 - 1997 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences (Hons) 1993 - 1996 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Book Chapters
Year Citation 2018 Andraweera, P. H., Dekker, G. A., Arstall, M., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Roberts, C. T. (2018). Complications of pregnancy and future cardiovascular risk. In R. S. Vasan, & D. B. Sawyer (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Cardiovascular Research and Medicine (Vol. 1, pp. 643-650). Netherlands: Oxford:Elsevier Inc.
DOI Scopus142013 Chiam, K., Day, T., & Bianco-Miotto, T. (2013). Recent updates on epigenetic biomarkers for prostate cancer. In F. H. Sarkar (Ed.), Epigenetics and Cancer (pp. 129-150). Online: Springer Netherlands.
DOI2009 Buchanan, G., Need, E., Bianco-Miotto, T., Greenberg, N., Scher, H., Centenera, M., . . . Tilley, W. (2009). Insights from AR gene mutations. In D. Tindall, & J. Mohler (Eds.), Androgen action in prostate cancer (pp. 207-240). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
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Conference Papers
Year Citation 2018 Roberts, C. T., Mayne, B., Leemaqz, S., McAninch, D., Breen, J., Andraweera, P., & Bianco-Miotto, T. (2018). PLACENTAL NON-CODING RNA EXPRESSION CHANGES DYNAMICALLY ACROSS GESTATION. In PLACENTA Vol. 69 (pp. E2). Tokyo, JAPAN: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD. 2017 Wilson, R. L., Jankovic-Karasoulous, T., McAninch, D., Roberts, C. T., & Bianco-Miotto, T. (2017). IMMUNOLOCALISATION OF 5-METHYLCYTOSINE AND 5HYDROXYMETHYLCYTOSINE IN THE PLACENTA ACROSS GESTATION REVEALS DYNAMIC CO -LOCALISATION OF EXPRESSION. In PLACENTA Vol. 57 (pp. 260-261). Manchester, ENGLAND: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
DOI2009 Butler, L., Centenera, M., Marrocco, D., Carter, S., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Tilley, W. (2009). A novel combinatorial approach using androgen receptor-targeted agents for treatment of prostate cancer. In Cancer Research Vol. 69 (pp. 2 pages). American Association for Cancer Research. 2006 Murphy, N., Bianco-Miotto, T., Ricciardelli, C., Ruiz, A., Segara, D., McNeil, C., . . . Tilley, W. (2006). Expression of the androgen receptor and its association with disease outcome in breast cancer. In Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Vol. 100 (pp. S262-S263). San Antonio, Texas: Springer. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2023 Habibi, N., Bianco-Miotto, T., Herde, C., Burton, R. A., & Cowley, J. M. (2023). The effect of Australian Plantago whole seed flour on cardiometabolic health. Poster session presented at the meeting of PROCEEDINGS OF THE NUTRITION SOCIETY. CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS.
DOI2023 Barsby, J., Cowley, J., Burton, R., & Bianco-Miotto, T. (2023). Superfood or superficial? Analysing the accuracy of superfood health claims on social media. Poster session presented at the meeting of PROCEEDINGS OF THE NUTRITION SOCIETY. CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS.
DOI2020 Breen, J., Smith, M., McAninch, D., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McCullough, D., Pederson, S. M., . . . Roberts, C. (2020). Defining Co-expression Patterns and Molecular Pathways of the Placenta During Early Pregnancy.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Vancouver, CANADA: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. 2020 Wan, Q., Breen, J., Leemaqz, S. Y. -L., Pederson, S. M., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., McAninch, D. C., . . . Bianco-Miotto, T. (2020). Characterisation of Placental DNA Methylation Across Early Human Gestation.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Vancouver, CANADA: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. 2018 Zhang, A., Chiam, K., Haupt, Y., Fox, S., Birch, S., Tilley, W., . . . Kench, J. (2018). An analysis of multiple biomarkers to better predict prostate cancer metastasis after radical prostatectomy. Poster session presented at the meeting of Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. Adelaide: Wiley. 2018 Grzeskowiak, L. E., Smithers, L. G., Grieger, J. A., Bianco-Miotto, T., Leemaqz, S. Y., Clifton, V. L., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2018). Asthma associated with infertility-but not among women taking regular asthma preventers: Evidence from the international scope study. Poster session presented at the meeting of PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY. WILEY. 2018 Zhang, A., Chiam, K., Haupt, Y., Fox, S., Birch, S., Tilley, W., . . . Kench, J. (2018). An analysis of multiple biomarkers to better predict prostate cancer metastasis after radical prostatectomy. Poster session presented at the meeting of Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. Sydney: Wiley. 2018 Zhang, A. Y., Chiam, K., Haupt, Y., Fox, S. B., Birch, S., Tilley, W., . . . Kench, J. (2018). An analysis of multiple biomarkers to better predict prostate cancer metastasis and death after radical prostatectomy. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of Clinical Oncology. San Francisco, CA: American Society of Clinical Oncology.
DOI2016 Wilson, R., Leemaqz, S., Goh, Z., McAninch, D., Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Roberts, C. (2016). ZINC DEFICIENCY ALTERS PLACENTAL DEVELOPMENT AND MATERNAL HEMODYNAMICS CONTRIBUTING TO FETAL GROWTH RESTRICTION IN MICE. Poster session presented at the meeting of PLACENTA. Portland, OR: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
DOI2015 Buckberry, S., Bianco-Miotto, T., Bent, S., Dekker, G., & Roberts, C. (2015). INTEGRATIVE ANALYSIS OF PLACENTAL TRANSCRIPTOME ORGANIZATION REVEALS HIGHLY CONSERVED REGULATORY PROGRAMS AND POINTS TOWARD A PREECLAMPSIA GENE CLUSTER. Poster session presented at the meeting of PLACENTA. W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
DOI2015 Highet, A., Khoda, S., Buckberry, S., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Roberts, C. (2015). ANGIOGENESIS-ASSOCIATED PATHWAYS IN TROPHOBLAST PSEUDOVASCULOGENESIS. Poster session presented at the meeting of PLACENTA. W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
DOI2015 Bianco-Miotto, T., Lopez, C. R., Leemaqz, S., Buckberry, S., McCullough, D., Zhuang, Z., . . . Roberts, C. (2015). DNA METHYLATION BIOMARKERS FOR PREDICTING PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS. Poster session presented at the meeting of PLACENTA. W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
DOI WoS12015 Bianco-Miotto., Rodriguez Lopez., Leemaqz., Zhuang, Z., McCullough., Dekker., . . . Roberts, C. (2015). Predicting Pregnancy Complications from Maternal Buffy Coat DNA at 15 Weeks Gestation. Poster session presented at the meeting of Endocrine Society of Australia (ESA) and Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) Annual Scientific Meeting. Adelaide, Australia. 2014 Zhuang., Rodriguez Lopez., Chiam, K., Harryanto, H., Ryan, N., Jindal, S., . . . Bianco-Miotto. (2014). A high fat diet early in life and prostate cancer risk. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Australian Health and Medical Research Congress. Melbourne, Australia. 2014 Gafford, K. L., Liu, H., Ahmad, Z., De Blasio, M. J., Heinemann, G. K., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Owens, J. A. (2014). Restriction of Placental Growth Increases Plasticity of Insulin Secretion in Response to Hyperglycemic Challenge in Adult Sheep. Poster session presented at the meeting of ENDOCRINE REVIEWS. ENDOCRINE SOC. 2014 Gafford, K. L., Liu, H., Ahmad, Z., De Blasio, M. J., Heinemann, G. K., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Owens, J. A. (2014). Restriction of Placental Growth Increases Plasticity of Insulin Secretion in Response to Hyperglycemic Challenge in Adult Sheep. Poster session presented at the meeting of ENDOCRINE REVIEWS. ENDOCRINE SOC. 2014 Roberts, C. T., Leemaqz, S. Y., Bianco-Miotto, T., Andraweera, P., Zhou, A., McCowan, L. M., & Dekker, G. A. (2014). HOW BIG IS BIG ENOUGH? POPULATION DIFFERENCES IN PREGNANCY OUTCOME. Poster session presented at the meeting of PLACENTA. Paris, FRANCE: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD.
DOI2011 Bianco-Miotto, T., Chiam, K., Jindal, S., Ryan, N., Zulkifli, S., Moretta, S., . . . Owens, J. (2011). Early life exposure to a high fat diet results in histological and molecular changes in the rat prostate which are transmitted paternally to the second generation. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Portland, Oregon: Cambridge University Press. 2011 Bianco-Miotto, T., Chiam, K., Jindal, S., Ryan, N. K., Zulkifli, S., Moretta, S., . . . Owens, J. A. (2011). Exposure to a high fat diet results in histological and molecular changes in the rat prostate. Poster session presented at the meeting of Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. Elsevier BV.
DOI2008 Hickey, T., Ocknik, A., Bianco-Miotto, T., Birrell, S., Butler, L., & Tilley, W. (2008). Functional androgen signaling in an explant model of normal human breast tissue. Poster session presented at the meeting of Biology of Reproduction. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii: Oxford University Press.
DOI2000 Tan, L. W., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Dobrovic, A. (2000). Connexin-26 is methylated in a high proportion of breast cancer patients. Poster session presented at the meeting of Unknown Conference. 2000 Bianco-Miotto, T., Farmer, B., Sage, E., & Dobrovic, A. (2000). Loss of ABO antigens in myeloid malignancies. Poster session presented at the meeting of Unknown Conference. 2000 Sanders, T., Tan, L. W., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Dobrovic, A. (2000). CPG island microarrays: A tool for detecting methylation changes in cancer. Poster session presented at the meeting of Unknown Conference. South Australia. 2000 Tan, L., Bianco-Miotto, T., & Dobrovic, A. (2000). Connexin 26 is methylated in a high proportion of breast cancer patients. Poster session presented at the meeting of Proceedings of the 91st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. USA: AACR. -
Software
Year Citation 2016 Mayne, B., Leemaqz, S., Buckberry, S., rodriguez lopez, C. M., roberts, C., bianco-miotto, T., & Breen, J. (2016). msgbsR: an R package for analysing methylation sensitive genotyping by sequencing data [Computer Software]. github.
- 2019: Robinson Research Institute Travel Grant to attend and present at the DOHaD 2019 World Congress (20-23 October, Melbourne) & DOHaD ANZ 2019 Symposium: Understanding Mechanisms Guiding Interventions: Developmental Physiology Approaches (24 October, Melbourne).
- 2018: $25,000, Robinson Research Institute Innovation Seed Funding Program, Placental cell specific transcriptome and epigenome across gestation. CIs: Bianco-Miotto T, Lister R, Roberts CT.
- 2016-2020: $1,333,000, R01 HD089685-01 NIH NICHD, Maternal molecular profiles reflect placental function and development across gestation. CI: Roberts CT, Co-Investigators: Dekker G, Bianco-Miotto T, Smith AK, Breen J.
- 2016: $25,000, Robinson Research Institute Engaging Opportunities Program, The conception of a preconception resource-#rightmessage #rightaudience #righttime #conceptionhealthmatters. CIs: Brown H, Breen J, Rumbold A, Hodyl N, Fullston T, Schjenken J, Diener K, Sharkey D, Donnelley M, Bianco-Miotto T, Penno M.
- 2016: Robinson Research Institute Travel Grant to attend the ANZPRA Satellite Meeting (20-21 August, Gold Coast) and the ESA/SRB/ANZBMS Joint meeting 2016 (21-24 August, Gold Coast).
- 2014-2016: $534,022, NHMRC Project Grant (APP1059120), Fetal sex: an important determinant of the placental transcriptome. CIs: Roberts C, Clifton V, Shoubridge C, Bianco-Miotto T, Bent S.
- 2015: $22,700, Robinson Research Institute Innovation Seed Funding Program, Determining the relative importance of intrauterine and childhood nutritional exposures on telomere length in children. CIs: Grieger G, Roberts CT, Gatford KL, Bianco-Miotto T.
- 2015: Robinson Research Institute Travel Grant to attend the International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA 2015) meeting in Brisbane, Australia, 8-11th September.
- 2015: $23,500, Waite Research Institute Research Capacity Development Funding, Obesity and Prostate Cancer Risk. CIs: Bianco-Miotto T, Kind K, Rodriguez Lopez C, Breen J, Roberts C, Buckberry S.
- 2014: $25,000, Robinson Research Institute Innovation Seed Funding Program, Identifying molecular pathways in the placenta that are implicated in the link between preeclampsia and later life coronary artery disease. CIs: Andraweera P, Brown H, Bianco-Miotto T, Bent S.
- 2013: $70,000, Waite Research Institute High Impact Publications Project, How nutrients regulate the microbiome-genome interactions in the maturing GI tract of preterm infants. Investigators: Muhlhausler B, Penttila I, Bianco-Miotto T, Bent S, Gibson R, McPhee A, Collins C, Zhou J, Makrides M.
- 2012: $87,500, Cancer Council of South Australia/SAHMRI Beat Cancer Project Grant (APP1030945), An early obesogenic environment and prostate cancer. CIs: Bianco-Miotto T, Owens JA, Tilley WD, Kind KL.
Jan 2018 - current: Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Applied Biology
July 2015 – Dec 2016: Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Science
2013- 2017: Course Coordinator and Lecturer: Nutrition III (FOOD SC 3502WT)
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018: Course Coordinator: Principles & Practice of Science for App Biology I (SCIENCE 1101WT)
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019: Course Coordinator: Research Skills for Applied Biology II (APP BIOL 2500WT)
2018: Lecturer: Foundations of Applied Biology I (APP BIOL 1510WT)
2019: Lecturer: Foundations of Applied Biology IA (APP BIOL 1510WT)
2019: Course Coordinator: Foundations of Applied Biology IB (APP BIOL 1520WT)
2019: Lecturer: Agricultural Genetics II (AGRIC 2510WT)
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2023 Co-Supervisor Characterising Physiological and Biochemical Traits in Shiraz Grapevines of Varying Vine Age in Barossa Valley Geographical Indication Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Grace Puspita Prayogo 2022 Principal Supervisor Nutri-priming; A study on its effects on hemp physiology, epigenetic memory, and stress tolerance development. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Zane Marks 2021 Co-Supervisor Understanding the Effects of Elicitors to Manipulate the Cannabinoid and Terpene Profiles of Cannabis Sativa Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Sara Jalali 2020 Principal Supervisor Superfood or Superficial: investigating health benefits of novel plant extracts and the accuracy of superfood health claims. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Jacqueline Paige Barsby -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2020 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Mechanisms responsible for the transgenerational inheritance of intrauterine growth restriction phenotypes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Ngoc Anh Thu Doan 2018 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Exploiting Natural Variation in Plantago Seed Composition for Food and Human Health Applications Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr James Morgan Cowley 2018 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Global Analysis of Genes Involved in Capsule Development and Seed Mucilage Polysaccharide Production in Plantago ovata Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Lina Herliana 2017 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Epigenetic Profiling of Human Placenta Throughout Early Gestation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Qianhui Wan 2017 - 2020 Principal Supervisor The Effect of Micronutrients in Oxidative Stress, Proliferation and Apoptosis in Placenta Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Nahal Habibi 2015 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Omic Characterisation of Placental Development and Phenotype Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Benjamin Thomas Mayne 2014 - 2018 Co-Supervisor The Influence of Micronutrients on Placental Development and Pregnancy Outcome Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Rebecca Louise Wilson 2013 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Hypoxia Induced HIF-1/HIF-2 Activity alters Trophoblast Transcriptional Regulation across Gestation Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Full Time Mrs Sultana Mahabbat-e Khoda 2013 - 2015 Co-Supervisor The Effect of Vitamin D on Placental Development and Pregnancy Success Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Jessica Phillips 2012 - 2015 Co-Supervisor An Integrative Analysis of the Human Placental Transcriptome Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Sam Buckberry 2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Early Origins of Metabolic Syndrome Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Jing Zhou 2010 - 2016 Co-Supervisor The Role of Estrogen Receptor and the Androgen Receptor in Human Breast Cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Shalini Jindal 2006 - 2010 Principal Supervisor The Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Prostate Tumourigenesis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Karen Huiqin Chiam
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2017 - 2019 Chair Organising Committee Epigenetics Consortium of South Australia (EpiCSA) Inc Australia 2014 - ongoing Member Nutrition Society of Australia - - 2013 - ongoing Member Australian and New Zealand Placental Research Association (ANZPRA) - - 2012 - 2014 Director Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) - - 2011 - ongoing Member Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) - - 2009 - ongoing Member Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) - - 2009 - ongoing Member Australian Epigenetic Alliance (AEpiA) - - 2006 - ongoing Member Endocrine Society of Australia (ESA) - - 2005 - ongoing Member American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) - United States 2005 - ongoing Member Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) - -
Connect With Me
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