Haematology
Professor James Wiley
MD FRACP FRCPA
PROFESSOR OF HAEMATOLOGY
For over 20 years Professor Wiley and his group have made important contributions to our knowledge of leukaemia including the introduction of a vitamin A based compound obtained from China in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia. He is also studying genetic changes which predispose persons with familial forms of leukaemia which should lead to new knowledge of the gene which contributes to this disease. More recently he has studied genetic factors which predispose to tuberculosis and is applying the same genetic approach to studying genes which contribute to Sjogren’s syndrome (a type of arthritis) as well as collaborating in a studies of multiple sclerosis and atopic dermatitis.
Prof. Wiley’s group currently consists of Dr. Stephen Fuller (Senior Lecturer), Dr. Ben Gu, Dr. Leanne Stokes, Ms. Phuong Dao-Ung (Hospital Scientist), and Ms. Kristen Skarratt (Research Assistant) and Mr Chun Sun (Masters student)
Projects
Project 1: Biology of Purinergic Receptors
Purinergic receptors are important in the intracellular communication between cells of the nervous and skeletomuscular systems. Our group is investigating the expression and function of these receptors, including their genetic variants, on white and red blood cells.
Contact: Prof. James Wiley, Dr. Ronald Sluyter, Dr. Ben Gu
Project 2: Genetic Susceptibility to Infection
Tuberculosis is a global health problem with about one-third of the world’s population infected by the pathogen causing this disease. Less than 10% of infected people however will develop tuberculosis. This susceptibility has a genetic basis. Our group is attempting to identify the genes involved in susceptibility to tuberculosis and other diseases resulting from infection by intracellular pathogens.
Contact: Prof. James Wiley, Dr. Ronald Sluyter, Dr. Stephen Fuller
Project 3: Genetic Determinants in Familial Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
Relatives of people suffering chronic lymphocytic leukaemia have a thee-fold higher risk of developing this disease. Our group is attempting to identify the genes involved in susceptibility to chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, as well as understanding the biology of the white blood cells which give rise to this leukaemia.
Contact: Prof. James Wiley, Dr. Stephen Fuller, Dr. Ben Gu
Project 4: Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases often cluster in families and thus are thought to have a genetic basis. Our group is attempting to identify the genes involved in susceptibility to autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome and multiple sclerosis.
Contact: Prof. James Wiley
Project 5: Red Blood Cell Life-Span
The factors which limit the survival of red blood cells have never been satisfactorily explained. We are investigating the mechanisms by which red blood cells are removed from the circulation at the end of their 120 day life-span.
Contact: Dr. Ronald Sluyter, Prof. James Wiley
Project 6: Inflammatory Diseases
There is emerging evidence that purinergic receptors are important in inflammation. We are investigating the role of these receptors in various inflammatory diseases including atopic and contact dermatitis, and other inflammatory skin conditions, and heart failure.
Contact: Dr. Ronald Sluyter, Prof. James Wiley
Contact details
Prof. James S. Wiley
Phone: +61 2 4734 3277
Email:
Dr. Stephen J. Fuller
Phone: +61 2 4734 2599
Email:
Dr. Ben J. Gu
Phone: +61 2 4734 2194
Email:
Dr. Leanne Stokes
Phone: +61 2 4734 2599
Email:
Address: Haematology Department
Clinical Sciences Building
PO Box 63
Penrith NSW 2751
Australia