Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
Dr Gobert is an internationally recognised researcher in the field of helminth biology, and more specifically transcriptional profiling of the blood fluke Schistosoma. Schistosomiasis is a major human disease of tropical and sub-tropical countries. He has published extensively in peer reviewed journals, and contributed to two book chapters, in the fields of parasitology and cellular/molecular biology. His research interests cover a range of fields including Leishmania detection, schistosome calcium homeostasis and drug design, microbiomes and helminths, schistosome induced hepatic granuloma formation and resolution, and helminth tegumental structure/function. Overall his research agenda and expertise falls under the broad banner of host-parasite interactions, and the use of transcriptomics, functional genomics and cellular biology. He has active research collaboration with groups in Australia, USA, Thailand, China and Tanzania. His local research collaborations include the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, NUI-Galway, Kingston University, and the Sanger Institute.
Achievements
Editorial Board
Molecular and Biochemcial Parasitology, Special Contents Editor (since 2021)
BMC Infectious Diseases (Since 2020)
Experimental Parasitology (since 2009)
PLoS One (Associate Editor 2011-2015)
Awards
2008: NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia) Parasitology Network Travel Bursary.
2006: Australian Academy of Sciences, Scientific Visits Program.
2005: Travel Award, NHMRC Australia.
2002: Howard Florey Centenary Research Fellowship, NHMRC Australia.
1998: 5th Biennial Goodchild Award, Australian Society for Electron Microscopy.
1998: Dean’s Award for Excellence, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology.
Research Statement
My research is primarily focused on host-pathogen interactions, specifically schistosome parasites and hepatic inflammation/granuloma formation. I am particularly interested in the identification of specific parasite factors that suppress host fibrosis and inflammation, which could represent valuable cellular regenerative options for a broad range of hepatic diseases, beyond those caused by helminths.
I am interested in exosome biology, and investigating miRNA and protein populations packaged within these structures derived from parasites. The impact of exosomes on the host microenvironment and immunopathology is a particular research priority.
I lead research projects investigating how the Calcium Signalling Pathway is pivotal to the mode of action of the anthelmintic praziquantel in schistosomes. Specific components within this pathway represent pivotal factors essential for parasite survival after drug administration. The targeting of these components represent an important strategy for the future development of new anthelmintic compounds.
I strive to answer biological questions investigating the molecular and cellular aspects of parasite disease. I utilise leading research methods such as transcriptomics (microarray and RNAseq), advanced microscopy (including electron microscopy and laser microdissection capture) and gene atlasing, and have published in the areas of immunological signaling and regulation, as associated with parasite induced hepatic fibrosis. I am interested in further expanding my research into antigen processing and presentation in the liver, using in vitro, ex vivo and in vitro techniques I have recently established.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Finished
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R1976GFS: Promoting molecular diagnostics for clinical helminth disease to the Southeast Asia region
23/11/2018 → 31/03/2019
Project: Research
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The interaction of Schistosoma mansoni infection with diabetes mellitus and obesity in mice
Amer, A. S., Othman, A. A., Dawood, L. M., El-Nouby, K. A., Gobert, G. N. & Abou Rayia, D. M., 09 Jun 2023, (Early online date) In: Scientific Reports. 13, 1Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Downloads (Pure) -
Adult schistosomes have an epithelial bacterial population distinct from the surrounding mammalian host blood
Gobert, G. N., McManus, D. P., McMullan, G., Creevey, C. J., Carson, J., Jones, M. K., Nawaratna, S. S. K., Weerakoon, K. G. & You, H., 27 Jan 2022, In: PLoS ONE. 17, 1, e0263188.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile88 Downloads (Pure) -
Clinical helminth infections alter host gut and saliva microbiota
Gobert, G. N., Atkinson, L. E., Lokko, A., Yoonuan, T., Phuphisut, O., Poodeepiyasawat, A., Homsuwan, N., Mousley, A. & Adisakwattana, P., 08 Jun 2022, In: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 16, 6, e0010491.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Downloads (Pure) -
Synthetic peptides derived from the Schistosoma mansoni secretory protein Sm16 induce contrasting responses in hepatic stellate cells
Carson, J. P., Robinson, M. W., Ramm, G. A. & Gobert, G. N., May 2022, In: Experimental Parasitology. 236-237, p. 108255 108255.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile28 Downloads (Pure) -
Transcriptome profiling of male and female Ascaris lumbricoides reproductive tissues
Phuphisut, O., Poodeepiyasawat, A., Yoonuan, T., Watthanakulpanich, D., Chotsiri, P., Reamtong, O., Mousley, A., Gobert, G. N. & Adisakwattana, P., 20 Dec 2022, In: Parasites and Vectors. 15, 477.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile16 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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Schistosomiasis in Health and Agriculture
Geoffrey Gobert (Participant)
29 May 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Schistosomiasis in Health and Agriculture
Geoffrey Gobert (Chair) & Geoffrey Gobert (Speaker)
29 May 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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British Society for Parasitology
Geoffrey Gobert (Participant)
15 Apr 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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Royal Academy of Engineering (External organisation)
Geoffrey Gobert (Advisor)
22 Jan 2023 → …Activity: Membership types › Membership of network
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A droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) workflow for the detection of parasite eDNA in water and soil
Geoffrey Gobert (Invited speaker), Christopher McFarland (Contributor), Nikki Marks (Contributor), Eric Morgan (Contributor) & Paul McVeigh (Contributor)
27 Oct 2022Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference