From the Editor… - Australasian Society of Thrombosis and

Editor:Joanne Beggs
Email: [email protected] Telephone: +61 7 3851 4101
Vol 22 No 1, February 2016
From the Editor…
The end of 2015 has seen many changes in the Council membership. Thank you to all those who have served
on the Council as the Society cannot exist without the continued support of its members. This is my first
Newsletter and I hope I can maintain the high standard set by my previous Queensland counterparts,
Dr Pete Wood and Emma Jones-Perrin.
The ASTH team has once again organised an excellent meeting in Adelaide. The ASTH workshop and HAA
provided a high quality cross-section of speakers, ranging from the practical lab side through to the research
area of our work. The World Thrombosis Day (WTD) walk, which I unfortunately could not attend due to work
commitments, was well supported and the rain that threatened to ruin the day held off. This year a breakfast
followed the walk and those who participated welcomed the sustenance and tasty food. The WTD will now
become an annual event and will be formally entered into the yearly events calendar. If you happen to have
held local WTD events over the past year or so, please send photos and event notes so I can include them
in the Newsletter.
A special thank you to Jenny Curnow, our outgoing President, who has worked very hard for the ASTH Council
during her time in the role. Jenny is remaining an active member of the Council focusing on the training and
education committee. Also a big thank you to Marg Ross who has taken on the role of Secretary while Megan
is on sabbatical. Marg has done a great job of trying to keep everyone on track.
I have been unable to get a report or update from anyone who attended ASH to include in this Newsletter as
I think most people are waiting to attend the ASH Highlights Conference to be held in Brisbane in March 2016.
Anyone who wishes to submit a review of any conferences or meetings, please send to us and we can publish
in the next Newsletter.
We are planning a large increase in membership during 2016 as we are offering anyone under 35 years of age
free membership. Members will gain access to webinars, informative newsletters, upcoming events as well as
links to interesting scientific articles and publications. Please try and recruit or encourage new members at your
sites as our credibility and influence grows proportionally as our membership base increases.
Joanne Beggs
ASTH Council 2015-2017
Harshal Nandurkar
Joanne Joseph
Anoop Enjeti
Simon McRae
Joanne Beggs
Natalie Pecheniuk
Quintin Hughes
Eileen Merriman
Jenny Curnow
President, Vic
Chair, Vice President, NSW
Treasurer, NSW
Council member, SA
Newsletter Editor, QLD
Secretary, QLD
Chair, New and Emerging Technologies Group, WA
Communications, NZ
Ex Officio and chair of ASTH Education subcommittee
Visit our website www.asth.org.au
Printed with the support of
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President’S REPORT
(listed in the this Newsletter). The rationale is that these
groups will continue to develop our Society’s agenda,
with consultation within the membership, outside of the
limitations of the bimonthly Council meetings. Please
feel free to communicate any points of interest with the
subcommittee leaders.
Welcome to 2016 and may you succeed in all of your
New Year resolutions! For the Society, our resolution is
to continue building on the foundation laid down by the
membership and previous Council. We had a biannual
change in the council and welcomed AnoopEnjeti
(Mater Hospital, NSW), Jo Beggs (Queensland Health),
Eileen Merriman (North Shore Hospital, NZ) and Natalie
Pecheniuk (Queensland University of Technology).
HAA2015, particularly the ASTH stream, was a spectacular
success thanks to the efforts of the local organising
committee. Weather, food, wine, ambience, scientific
content and collegiality all contributed to a most
enjoyable meeting. Peter Wood has compiled a summary
of the meeting in this Newsletter (thanks Pete) and he
paints a finer picture of the meeting than I can.
On behalf of the membership, I wish to thank outgoing
councillors Huyen Tran, Sanjeev Chunilal, Laura Young
and Peter Wood for their camaraderie and dedication to
the Society. We remain stronger for their efforts. I have
the honour of serving you as the incoming President for
the next two years with Joanne Joseph as Vice President.
My special thanks to Jenny Curnow for her exemplary role
as our President for the past two years – I will struggle
to meet her contribution and her standards! Jenny
will continue on the council to maintain the corporate
memory and trim the sails.
We recognised scientific excellence within the ASTH
stream by large number of awards; these included ASTH
Scientific Medal,Werfen ASTH Travel Grant and other
Travel Grants. Judging was difficult as it was a very
competitive field and heart felt thanks to the judges for
the final selections. A full list of the awardees can be
found in this Newsletter on page 4.
We are working on the consensus reached at the strategic
planning meeting held last year. There were a number
of important resolutions made. Amongst these were to
develop subcommittees with Strategic Planning Leaders
The most prestigious recognition by ASTH is the annual
Barry Firkin Oration which recognises the enormous
contribution made by Professor Firkin to the discipline
of haemostasis and thrombosis. The 2015 orator was
Professor Rob Medcalf from the Australian Centre for
Blood Diseases. He gave a very thought-provoking talk
on fibrinolysis which added new dimensions to our
understanding of this process.
CONTENTS
Presidents Report
2
New Members
2
Secretariat News
3
2015 ASTH Award Winners
4
2015 Medal Winning Abstract
5
Upcoming Meetings
5
Overview: 2015 ASTH Workshop, Adelaide
6
Overview: HAA2015 Meeting, Adelaide
7
2016 World Thrombosis Day
7
Career Summaries – Natalie Pecheniuk
– Joanne Beggs
8
8
The LOC for the 2016 meeting in Melbourne (Sanjeev,
Huyen and I) have been busy assembling an interesting
program. We are sure you will approve of the content, but
we are less confident about the fickle Melbourne weather.
World Thrombosis Day was again remembered at
HAA2015 with a walk and breakfast. The original intention
may have been a ‘run’ to keep the venous blood flow
going but, by the time the meeting comes to Melbourne,
it will be lazy saunter along the Yarra sipping our
excellent coffee.
An important advance within the Society is our
intention to develop a new website as determined
in the strategic planning meeting. We have selected
Internet Vision Technologies (IVT), a software company
based in Croydon, Victoria, as the preferred provider. The
website will be feature-rich with the capacity to accept
membership payments, post blogs, publications etc.
We will gratefully accept suggestions/recommendations
from any one within the membership. IVT also manages
the website for the Australian Haemophilia Centre
Directors’ Organisation, with Marg as the secretary. Hence
familiarity with just one website will help Marg and both
organisations. More on this to follow.
New Members
The ASTH would like to welcome the following members
who have joined since the last newsletter:
Mohammed Ali Bazargan, Vic Rucha Patil, India
Renee Eslick, NSW
Sara Shu-Ling Ng
Samantha Youngson, NSW Rachal Davis, TAS
Leisa Maree Skillen QLD
Emily Geramita, QLD
Pauline Beale, QLD
Kiara Thompson, QLD
Jacqueline Shaw, QLD
We all acknowledge the administrative leadership of Marg
Ross that maintains the Society’s momentum forward.
Again, I wish you all a happy new year and may all your
wishes come true.
Harshal Nandurkar
We would also like to welcome those new members who
wish to keep their contact details private.
2
Secretariat news
Happy 2016 to all ASTH members! Although the ASTH
Scientific Workshop and HAA2015 may have faded into
the background as we settle into the new year, I can still
feel the dance floor as all rocked to the band. Meeting
ASTH members was one of the highlights for me. I hope
to see you all again in Melbourne this year at either the
Scientific Workshop on 13 November or at HAA2016.
The WTD breakfast and walk along the Torrens was a
lot of fun and we will continue with this for HAA2016.
Sponsors, members and HAA attendees all joined the
walk which was followed by a delicious breakfast.
Not only do our international speakers deliver on the podium,
they also know how to let their hair down on the dance floor
Steve Watson (University of Birmingham, UK)
The new year has a full agenda for the secretariat in 2016
before Megan Sarson takes up the role again in January
2017. I am working closely with our secretary Natalie
Pecheniuk reviewing and changing the society’s Articles
of Association and steering a name change for ASTH
in 2016.
The Science and Education Trust terms of reference are
also long overdue for a review and the first draft will go to
Council in February. The final TOR will be posted on the
ASTH website.
As flagged in the last Newsletter, ASTH will have a
new website in 2016 with online payments and a more
interactive module for members to get involved and
communicate with each other through forums. I do need
support with the new website and I am still seeking tech/
design-savvy members to help with this task.
Pete Wood, outgoing Editor for ASTH, on the dance floor
World Thrombois Day
Save the date in your diary – 13 October 2016. Start
planning early for this event so that I can ensure you
have the resources needed for a successful day.
Membership Fees 2015-2016
Would members who have forgotten to pay fees for
2015‑2016 please pay up now? You can access a
membership form at http://www.asth.org.au/join if you have
misplaced the renewal sent out in July to all members.
Have a think about taking out a 3 year subscription –
it takes away the hassle of having to remember to send
the form back for 3 years! Plus, there’s a small discount
and if you are under 35, membership is free!
Workshop Feedback
Feedback from the 2015 will be analysed soon, however,
at a brief glance, the biggest issue was water – not enough
drinking water! We will make sure this is addressed
in 2016.
AGM 2016
The 2016 AGM will take place on Tuesday, 20 November
at HAA2016 in Melbourne.
I am happy to take renewals at this stage over the phone
on a Wednesday or Thursday. If all goes to plan 2016-2017
membership fees will be paid online!! Please encourage
your colleagues to join ASTH in 2016 – all new members
need endorsement by a financial ASTH member.
Education Subcommittee
The ASTH Education subcommittee has started planning
for its face-to-face meeting in Sydney in March. There
have been some additions to the group since last reported
in October – Grace Gilmore, WA and Renne Eslick, NSW.
Clinical Trials Group
The new terms of reference for the CTG group have
been endorsed by the ASTH Council. Eileen Merrimen will
chair CTG for the first six months of 2016 while Huyen
Tran is on sabbatical in France.
Meeting dates for the year have been set and we do hope
to see more members join in monthly discussions. If you
are interested in joining CTG teleconferences, please
contact Marg at [email protected] for the dial-in details.
The next scheduled meeting date is 24 February 2016.
Western Australia and Queensland ASTH members
rocking on the dance floor
3
Marg Ross
2015 ASTH Award Winners
2015 ASTH Medal Winner
David Rabolini
Jenny Curnow with ASTH Medal Runner up
Danielle Blunt
Jenny Curnow awarding Susan Jarvis
the Werfen ASTH Travel Grant
ASTH Medal
AHCDO ASTH Conference Award
Winner
Stephanie P’ng (Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA):
How effective coordination of perioperative management
in patients with inherited bleeding disorders leads
to safe and effective haemostasis at sites external
to the HTC.
David Rabbolini (Royal North Shore Hospital):
A homozygous mutation in the transcription factor FLI1
causes giant platelet alpha-granule formation similar
to that observed in Paris-Trousseau thrombocytopenia.
Runners up
Poster Prizes
Danielle Blunt (SA Pathology):
Anticoagulation reversal and outcomes in Warfarinassociated intracranial haemorrhage (WAICH).
Workshop Poster Prize
Sarah Just (Prince of Wales Hospital):
Platelet Aggregation by Flow Cytometry – A New
Diagnostic Tool for Thrombocytopenic Patients,
Shauna French (Australian Centre for Blood Diseases/
Monash University): Inhibition of the platelet thrombin
receptor, PAR4, impairs platelet procoagulant function
and is sufficient to provide an anti-thrombotic effect
in human blood.
HAA Scientific Poster
Rucha Patil (National Institute of Immunohaematology,
Indian Council of Medical Research, Mumbai, India):
A simple clot based assay for detection of pro coagulant
cell-derived microparticles.
Werfen ASTH Travel Grant
Susan Jarvis (St Vincents Hospital):
Calibration of Anti-Xa assay with STA-Multi Hep
Calibrator under-estimates LMWH and over-estimates
UFH Levels.
HAA Clinical Poster Prize
Sarah Clark:
Low annualised bleeding rates with recombinant factor
VIII Fc fusion.
Robert Medcalf receiving the
Barry Firkin Award from Jenny Curnow
Rucha Patil receiving the HAA Scientific Poster Award
from Jenny Curnow
4
2015 MEDAL WINNING abstract
A homozygous mutation in the transcription factor FLI1
causes giant platelet alpha-granule formation similar
to that observed in Paris-Trousseau thrombocytopenia
D. Rabbolini, W. Stevenson, L. Beutler, S. Gabrielli, Q. Chen, J. Mackay, T. Brighton, C. Ward and M. Morel-Kopp
Aim
A platelet-related bleeding disorder has been associated with a variably sized deletion of chromosome 11q23 in
Paris‑Trousseau thrombocytopenia. The identified common deleted region of 11q23 contains the transcription factor
FLI1. We have examined the relationship between the inheritance of a novel FLI1 mutation and the phenotype of
this chromosome 11 deletion syndrome.
Method
We have screened families with inherited thrombocytopenia for mutations in blood transcription factors using
a next generation sequencing targeted gene panel. This screen has identified families with mutations in GFI1B
(n=2 families), RUNX1 (n=2), GATA1 (n=1) and FLI1 (n=1).
Result
A novel FLI1 mutation, p.Arg324Trp, was identified in a consanguineous family with both asymptomatic parents
having the mutation in the heterozygous state. Two daughters with moderate thrombocytopenia (platelet count 65-76
x109/L) and a lifelong bleeding history (ISTH-SSC Bleeding Assessment Tool scores of 12 and 17) have homozygous
p.Arg342Trp mutations. These individuals have abnormal platelet function with impaired collagen induced aggregation
and the presence of giant fused alpha-granules on electron microscopy.
Abnormal giant granules were seen in 4% of circulating platelets from these daughters that was similar to the frequency
of giant alpha-granule inclusions observed in patients with Paris-Trousseau thrombocytopenia. These observations
were validated with luciferase assays that demonstrate significant reduction in transcription at the promoters of
FLI1 target genes GP6, GP9 and ITGA2B with the identified mutant FLI transcript compared to wild-type transcript
(P<0.05 for all comparisons).
Conclusion
Autosomal recessive inheritance of a novel FLI1 mutation phenocopies the platelet pathology present in Paris-Trousseau
thrombocytopenia suggesting abnormalities in FLI1 are responsible for the bleeding defect observed in individuals
with inherited abnormalities of chromosome 11q23.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
MEETING
WHERE/DATES
CONTACT
American Society of Haematology Highlights
Brisbane – 5-6 March 2016
http://www.hematology.org/highlights
American Society of Haematology
San Diego, USA
3-6 December 2016
http://www.hematology.org/Annual-Meeting
17th NATA Symposium – Network for the
Advancement of Patient Blood Management,
Haemostasis and Thrombosis
Dublin, Ireland
14-15 April 2016
http://www.nataonline.com/content/17thannualnata/symposium-
AIMS SA Conference “This Stuff will kill you”
Adelaide – 21-22 May 2016
www.aims.org.au
Joint AIMS and NZIMLS South Pacific Congress
Brisbane
13-15 September 2016
http://www.nzimls.org.nz/
events,listing,330,nzimlsaims-south-pacificcongress.html
World Thrombosis Day
Local sites – 13 October 2016
www.worldthrombosisday.crg
ASTH Scientific Workshop
Melbourne, 13 November 2016
HAA 2016
Melbourne, 13 November 2016
ISTH Congress 2017
Berlin, Germany – Date TBA
9th Congress of the Asia-Pacific Society
Taipei, Taiwan – 6-9 October 2016
5
http://www.haa2015.com
http://www.apsth2016.org/index.html
OVERVIEW: 2015 ASTH WORKSHOP, ADELAIDE
The majestic River Torrens. shadowed by the recently
renovated Adelaide Oval, provided a magnificent backdrop
for the 2015 ASTH Workshop held within the Adelaide
Convention Centre.
The session after lunch was devoted to platelets and
was suitably spearheaded by our internationally invited
speaker, Steve Watson, from the University of Birmingham
in the UK. Steve’s expertise in the field of platelet biology
is recognised around the globe so we were indeed
fortunate that he agreed to speak at the Workshop, prior
to his HAA commitments.
The first session kicked off with ASTH stalwart
and Adelaide local, Susan Rogers, who provided a
comprehensive overview of work she has undertaken
aimed at better understanding the Calibrated Automated
Thrombin generation test.
Prof. Watson’s presentation was both entertaining and
informative, focusing on the role of platelet function
testing in today’s coagulation laboratories, rounding
out his presentation with the role Next Generation
Sequencing (NGS) is likely to play in helping to increase
our understanding of the complex and multifunctional
platelet. His presentation dovetailed perfectly with the
subsequent speaker, David Rabbolini, who has been
collaborating with Steve Watson’s lab in the development
of a platelet specific NGS panel.
The global assay theme continued with another local,
David Roxby, and banana-bender Emma Jones-Perrin
who discussed use of the ROTEM for providing realtime analysis of coagulation in the setting of liver
transplantation, highlighting not only the obvious benefit
for the patient, in what is a high-risk procedure, but also
for the Health budget bottom line stemming from a
reduction in blood product usage. The session finished
with a presentation from newly elected ASTH councillor
Joanne Beggs, also from Queensland, detailing her
lab’s workup of a FVIII assay using their newly acquired
ACL TOP 700 platform.
David’s thought-provoking presentation highlighted both
the potential clinical utility of NGS technology, and also
the issues involved with dealing with the sheer volume of
information generated and how best to interpret it.
The final speaker of the platelet session was ASTH rising
star Justin Hamilton from Monash, who presented data
generated by his group utilising an interfering RNA to
selectively knock-out the PI3KC2a platelet receptor in
mice. Great to see this technically demanding work being
performed here in Australia.
The current ‘hot topic’ in thrombosis and haemostasis
circles would undoubtedly be DOAC reversal, and so
the session prior to the lunchbreak was dedicated to
the latest DOAC reversal information and research.
Sanjeev Chunilal began the session by providing an
overview, direct from the latest ISTH held in Toronto, of a
potential ‘new wave’ of DOACs specific for contact factor
pathway factors.
After a quick break for afternoon tea, the focus switched
back to the bench with another Adelaide local and longtime Workshop contributor, Elizabeth Duncan, presenting
results from her assessment of the Overall Fibrinolysis
Potential Assay. The last speaker of the day was Prahlad
Ho who offered a clinical perspective on the benefits of
global assays, which in my opinion is what the ASTH is
all about, i.e. laboratory and clinic working together for
the ultimate benefit of the patient.
This was followed by a comprehensive review by Noel Chan
detailing the current status of the various anti-Xa and
anti-thrombin reversal agents, Andexanet, Idarucizumab
and the broad spectrum Aripazine.
Finally, the session rounded out with some direct-fromthe‑coalface results provided by New Zealand’s own,
Gordon Royle. Gordon presented data from the
Idarucizumab trial (BI 1321.3) collected from the five
enrolled sites across New Zealand, highlighting both
the utility and potential pitfalls of Idarucizumab for the
reversal of Dabigitran.
The Workshop wound up with the traditional Sundowner.
Generously sponsored by Werfen, it showcased some
fantastic South Australian produce which was washed
down with world-class wines from the Barossa, Claire
Valley and the Adelaide Hills, along with well-crafted ales
from the famous Coopers Brewery (making the author
particularly happy).
The poster session was held prior to the lunch break, and
this year the prize for Best Poster was won by Sarah Just
for her poster “Platelet Aggregation by Flow Cytometry –
A New Diagnostic Tool for Thrombocytopenic Patients”.
We have been trialling the new poster session format
whereby each presenter gives a 2-3 minute overview of
the data presented in their posters to the assembled
attendees for the last three Workshops, and the general
consensus amongst the membership is that we should
continue with this approach. We may move the Poster
Session slot to another point in the day as a number of
rumbling tummies could be heard in anticipation of the
lunch buffet waiting for them in the trade display room
just metres away.
As a final note, I would like to take this opportunity to
offer my deepest and most heartfelt thanks to Marg
Ross for helping me in the both the lead up to the
Workshop, and also during the day proper. Marg was very
much dropped in the deep-end, filling in for the original
Super Woman, Megan Sarson, while she is away on her
two year leave of absence. However, she has stepped up to
the plate with aplomb and was a major driver contributing
to the success of the Adelaide Workshop. Thanks Marg!
See you all next year in Melbourne (remember November,
not October)!
Quintin Hughes
6
OVERVIEW: HAA2015 meeting, Adelaide
This was the first HAA without a conference bag! Fine
if you were expecting it, but not if you had an armful of
goodies gleaned from the trade exhibition and nowhere
to put them!. The conference app worked well and the
centre was reasonably easy to navigate.
Mark also reviewed the “best evidence for reversal of
DOACs” on Tuesday, but was outshone by Gordon Royle
(Middlemore, NZ) with his review of the NZ experience
with Idarucizumab (and in particular the joke about the
lion’s brother!?!? – you missed your calling, Gordon).
The Adelaide meeting offered a good mix of basic
science and clinical expertise from Europe and the North
Americas (well, mainly Canada).
The last of the overseas invited speakers was Dr Paula
James (Ontario, Canada). Her interest is in the genetic
basis of inherited bleeding disorders. She participated in
the Wednesday session on Issues with vWD. Her lecture
covered aspects of peri-partum care with some good
case studies as examples of the difficulty in managing
these patients and the laboratory participation required
to assist those decisions. This was relevant to both
clinicians and laboratory scientists involved with such
patients. Emmanuel Favaloro (Sydney, NSW) concluded
the session with an excellent review of the available
laboratory testing available for vWD and the limitations
of the tests.
Professor Steve Watson (Birmingham, UK) provided a
scientific insight into the complex world of platelets
which are no longer just interested in stopping bleeding
but are significantly involved in “the development of
the lymphatic system and blood cerebrovasculature”
as documented in the vascular biology symposium on
Sunday. He had presented in the Saturday workshop on
“the role of platelet function testing and next generation
sequencing in the identification of platelet function
disorders”. His presentations were both informative and
full of practical advice and opinion delivered in a casual
and entertaining manner.
The World Thrombosis Day (WTD) walk continued its
success again with a stroll along the river with increasing
participation from all delegates, not just ASTH.
Professor Alan Michelson (Boston, MA, USA) is the doyen
of platelet biology and function, as the world recognised
published head in the area (Editor of Platelets textbook).
He gave a predominantly clinically focussed talk in the
Sunday afternoon platelet symposium on the advances
in anti-platelet therapy.
The conference dinner was held at the Adelaide Oval. The
entertainment was planned to be a cooper constructing
a barrel on‑stage. However, Simon McRae confabulated
some story about a burglary and the participants inability
to attend. One of the sales team from the Yalumba
winery took over the reins and gave us tales of her travels
selling the products throughout the world. It was hard
to believe she wasn’t a professional comedian and was
the highlight of the night. There was also a live camera
feed into the kitchen and the head chef; a cross between
Masterchef and Big Brother.
Then the Canadians arrived from colder climes and,
suitably warmed up, were enthusiastic and animated.
Professor Mark Crowther (Hamilton, Canada) has a
particular interest in antiphospholipid antibodies and
their clinical sequelae. He started off the show on
Sunday morning in the APS symposium with a practical
and authoritative session on the “optimal management
of APS”. The symposium was well supported with
local representation by Tiffany Hughes (Adelaide) and
Roslyn Bonar (RCPA) who both gave excellent talks.
Overall, a great conference. Melbourne has a lot to live up
to next year. Well done to the SA organising committee.
Dr Pete Wood
Past Newletter Editor
2016 WORLD THROMBOSIS DAY
A message from
Louise Banner, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH)
Please ask your local network to join the global WTD campaign. At this time, we have approximately
330 WTD partner organisations, but our new goal for 2016 is 500!
Please help by asking all organisations that you work with on WTD activities to sign up and be counted.
Partners can include: hospitals/clinics, academic institutions, non-profit organisations, societies, and companies.
Plus, individuals can now also join the campaign as official partners.
Everyone added to the WTD partner list will receive all updates and new resources.
Ask them to join at www.worldthrombosisday.org/join/.
7
CAREER SUMMARIES
Natalie Pecheniuk
my work on HDL anticoagulant activity, which helped
with the establishment of my lab and continuation of my
work on lipoproteins. During that time I also established
collaborations with another JCU research group and were
able to reverse acute coagulopathy using a resuscitation
solution in models of severe haemorrhagic shock.
PhD
My interests and career in thrombosis
and haemostasis research started
in the mid-1990s, a perfect time
in the field just when many of the
molecular and genetic determinants
for thrombophilia’s were determined.
At the time of finishing my Bachelor’s
degree, my interests were in DNA
technologies and fortunately I was able to complete
my Honours research year at the CRC for Diagnostic
Technologies based at QUT, where I used novel DNA
technology to identify the prevalence of Factor V Leiden
in the Australian population. This sparked my interest
in thrombosis research and I then commenced my PhD
at QUT under the mentorship of Neville Marsh where I
completed studies on the DNA analysis of common genetic
variations which predispose to thrombophilia. These
studies involved blood donors, families, osteoarthritis and
women with pregnancy loss and pre-eclampsia. I became
a member of the ASTH in 1997. I will never forget my first
HAA meeting in Sydney 1998 when Rogier Bertina was the
guest speaker. Towards the end of my PhD studies, I was
fortunate to attend the ISTH meeting in Washington DC in
1999 and whilst in the US, I made a laboratory visit to the
lab of John Griffin at Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla/
San Diego, CA.
I moved back to Brisbane in 2011 and back to QUT as a
biochemistry academic and head my lab at the Institute
of Biomedical Innovation. I teach into biomedical science,
medical laboratory sciences, pharmacy and nutrition/
dietetics programs, in addition to the usual academic
duties. I have strong collaborations with ARCBS looking
at the coagulopathy associated with transfusion and
continue my previous research interests in coagulopathy
in
resuscitation/transfusion;
thrombophilias;
the
protein C pathway; and regulation of coagulation at
the prothrombinase complex. I am currently study area
coordinator for Human Biochemistry and have mentored
several students in the mentioned areas of research who
have also continued their paths/interests in haemostasis
research. With my 20 year anniversary in the field of
haemostasis, I look forward to my time on the ASTH
council and hope to promote the role of basic research in
the field, which compliments the strong clinical research
carried out by our membership.
Joanne Beggs
With an offer from John Griffin to join his lab, I received my
PhD in 2001 and that same year I made the move to the
USA for my post-doctoral position at The Scripps Research
Institute. Of course, working in the Griffin Lab my focus
was on the Protein C pathway and in particular the role of
lipids and lipoproteins as cofactors in this pathway. Some
of my research highlights included the role of cholesterol
in enhancing phospholipid-dependent APC activity, HDL
deficiency and dyslipoproteinemiaassociated with VTE
and risk of recurrence; CETP genotypes are associated with
the HDL deficiency in VTE, and various other molecular
risk factors for VTE.
I am currently in the role of Advanced
Scientist Coagulation and Special
Investigation at the RBWH Brisbane.
The RBWH is part of Pathology
Queensland providing a state-wide
service encompassing 33 laboratories
overall.
I am the Chair of the Coagulation
Subcommittee of the Haematology Discipline Working
Party, the committee which is responsible for overseeing
coagulation testing across all 33 laboratories. The RBWH
central laboratory performs all specialised haemostasis
testing including thrombophilia, platelet aggregation
and electron microscopy testing and haemophilia
investigation.
During my time at Scripps I held an American Heart
Association Fellowship, received ISTH travel awards and
was eventually appointed staff scientist in the Griffin
lab. Scripps was a fabulous environment for haemostasis
research, I worked with Mary-Jo Heeb, and the lab was next
door to Zaverrio Ruggeri’s lab, other notable labs at that
time included Nigel Mackman, WolfrumRuf, Tom Edginton
and the list goes on.I was fortunate to spend 7½ wonderful
years in that lab and my ties to past and present members
of the Griffin lab will always remain strong.
Prior to my time at RBWH, I worked as a multi-skilled
scientist at the Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane and the
Canberra Hospital in the haematology and coagulation
department, specialising in coagulation investigations.
During 2015, I participated in the Twinning Program with
the World Federation of Haemophilia, where I trained a
Philippine staff member from the Brokenshire Hospital
in Davao City. I found the work a very rewarding and
emotional experience and it is something I want to
continue to do in the future.
In 2008 I returned home to Australia, to my first academic
role at James Cook University, Townsville, in the Faculty
of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, primarily
lecturing in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and starting
my independent lab (a challenge on your own in northern
QLD). In 2010, I was awarded the Kanematsu Award for
I am also a member of ISTH and AIMS.
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