Prof Andreas Lopata leads the Molecular Allergy Research Laboratory in the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical health and Medicine, James Cook University, where he leads the Molecular Immunology Program in the Centre for Biodiscovery & Molecular Development of Therapeutics. Prof Lopata graduated in biological sciences from the Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf , Germany, and undertook postgraduate studies at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where he completed his doctorate and worked in the Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine. His research focused on the molecular characterisation of allergens and their impact on our immune system. In 2006, he moved to Australia, where he works now as a researcher at the JCU.

Andreas has more than 27 years’ experience in the molecular immunological analysis of food allergens for better diagnostics and development of therapeutics, specific to the Australian-Asian region. His discoveries are now translated into mainstream diagnostics and therapeutics for seafood allergy with leading international industry partners. Andreas is considered a world leader on seafood allergy within the field of food allergies, has contributed to the development of national and international guidelines, and sits on national and international expert committees of lead professional societies in the field. Prof Lopata is Associate Editor for ‘Molecular Immunology’ (Elsevier) and Regional Associate Editor (Asia Pacific) for the World Allergy Association (WAO) Journal.

The discovery of allergens in various foods is central to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of allergic reactions. Of the ‘‘Big Eight’’ allergen food groups, fish and shellfish presents a unique challenge in terms of allergen discovery due to the large number and diversity of consumed species. Across the globe, up to 5% of children and adults are allergic to some type of seafood, as they often experience life-threatening reactions. Co-sensitisation and clinical cross-reactivity of consumer with fish, crustacean and/or mollusc allergy is often described; however, the current diagnostic approaches to manage these patients are not based on sufficient molecular knowledge of these seafood allergens.

Prof Lopata’s research team uses cutting-edge approaches in characterising the interactions of immunogenic proteins from different food sources with our human immune system, leading to allergic and inflammatory reactions.  He has published over 120 journal articles and presented at over 200 national and international conferences [H-index=36]. The outcomes of his research activities translate into the development of novel diagnostics and platform knowledge for immunotherapeutics. He consults to various organisations including the National Measurement Institute, the National Institute of Occupational Health and the International Union of Immunological Societies sub-committe on allergen nomenclature.

Teaching

• BC2024: Cell Biology (Level 2; TSV)
• BC3102: Molecular Basis of Disease (Level 3; TSV)
• BC3202: Special Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Level 3; TSV)
• BC5001: Advanced Readings in Molecular and Cell Biology (Level 5; TSV)
• BC5002: Advanced Research in Molecular and Cell Biology 1 of 2 (Level 5; TSV)
• BC5003: Advanced Research in Molecular and Cell Biology 2 of 2 (Level 5; TSV)
• BC5102: Advanced Molecular Basis of Disease (Level 5; TSV)
• BC5202: Advanced Laboratory Practice in Molecular and Cell Biology (Level 5; TSV)
• BC5312: Research and Dissertation in Molecular and Cell Biology (Level 5; TSV)
• PC2001: Molecular Basis of Therapeutics 2 (Level 2; TSV)

Interests

Professional

• Molecular Medicine; Occupational Medicine; Nanomedicine

Research

• Molecular Allergology; Occupational Allergy; Diagnostics; Tropical Health; Immunotherapeutics

Teaching

• Molecular Immunology; Biochemistry; Professional Doctorate

Experience

• 2016 to present - Professor, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2007 to present - Ajunct Member, Infectious Diseases and Development of Molecular Medicine (South Africa)
• 2014 to 2016 - Associate Dean of Research, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2013 to 2015 - Honours program coordinator, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2011 to 2015 - Associate Professor, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2011 to 2012 - Academic Advisor-Molecular Sciences, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2010 to 2011 - Senior Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2009 to 2010 - Associate Professor, RMIT University (Melbourne)
• 2007 to 2008 - Senior Lecturer, RMIT University (Melbourne)
• 2004 to 2006 - Head of Department of Immunology, University of Cape Town (South Africa)
• 2002 to 2006 - Senior Lecturer, Department of Immunology; University of Cape Town (South Africa)
• 1992 to 2002 - Natural Medical Scientist, National Health Laboratory Services (South Africa)
• 1991 to 1992 - Research Fellow, University of Cape Town (South Africa)

Research Disciplines

• Immunology (1107)
• Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics (1101)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Clinical Health (9201)
• Health and Support Services (9202)

Awards

• 2012 - Winner of UniQuest Trailblazer-James Cook University
• 2011 - Winner of UniQuest Trailblazer-James Cook University

Fellowships

• 2012 to 2016 - ARC Future Fellow

Memberships

• 2014 - Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Allergologie und Klinische Immunologie (DGAKI)
• 2014 - Collegium Internationale Allergologicum (CIA)
• 2009 - Australasian Society for Immunology
• 2008 - Australasian Society for Parasitology (ASP)
• 2008 - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
• 2007 - European Associaton of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI)

Other

• 2017 - Review Editor - Frontier Immunology_Vaccines and Molecular Therapeutics
• 2016 - Review Editor---Frontier Microbial Immunology
• 2016 - Regional Associate Editor --- Asia Pacific--World Allergy Association (WAO) Journal (BioMed Central)
• 2016 - Reperio Innovation Competition-AITHM People’s Choice Award
• 2016 - Associate Editor---Allergo Journal International (Springer)
• 2016 - Editorial Board---Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology (Croatia)
• 2015 - Associate Editor---Clinical & Experimental Allergy (Wiley)
• 2014 - NATA assessor for laboratories in Australia quantifying allergens
• 2014 - Associate Editor---Molecular Immunology (Elsevier)
• 2011 - Adjunct Associate Professor of the School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne
• 2010 - Adjunct Professor of the School of Publica Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
• 2010 - Appointed External academic reprentative for the Major Course Review Panel of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Deakin University
• 2007 - Adjunct of the 'Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine', University of Cape Town, South Africa
• 2007 - Adjunct - Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine; University of Cape Town; South Africa
• 2006 - Appointed External Advisor to the National Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
• 2009 to 2018 - Honorary Research Associate-Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research (CEOHR) and Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Cape Town
• 2016 - Reperio Innovation Competition- AITHM People’s Choice Award
• 2015 - Member of the 'National Allergy Strategy'-an initiative of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy and Anaphylaxis and Allergy Australia
• 2014 to 2015 - Elected member on the draft proposal on the 'National Allergy Strategy' for Australia
• 2004 to 2005 - Scientific Evaluator for the European Framework Program FP6 and FP7 "Food Quality and Safety" and "Health", European Union

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Jacob M, Malkawi A, Albast N, Al Bougha S, Lopata A, Dasouki M and Rahman A (2018) A targeted metabolomics approach for clinical diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1025. pp. 141-153
• Kamath S and Lopata A (2018) Berufsallergien verursacht durch fisch und schalentiere: verbesserung der arbeitsbedingungen in der fisch- und meeresfrüchte-verarbeitenden industrie sind erforderlich / An overview of occupational allergy to fish and shellfish: towards improved managemen. Allergologie, 41 (11). pp. 529-539
• Knight D, Lopata A, Nieuwenhuizen N and Jeebhay M (2018) Occupational asthma associated with bleached chlorine-free cellulose dust in a sanitary pad production plant. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 61 (11). pp. 952-958
• Koeberl M, Clarke D, Allen K, Fleming F, Katzer L, Lee N, Lopata A, Said M, Scheelings P, Shepherd N, Sherlock R and Roberts J (2018) Food allergen management in Australia. Journal of Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) International, 101 (1). pp. 60-69
• Le T, Tran T, Ho H, Vu A and Lopata A (2018) Prevalence of food allergy in Vietnam: comparison of web-based with traditional paper-based survey. World Allergy Organization Journal, 11.
• Nugraha R, Kamath S, Johnston E, Zenger K, Rolland J, O’Hehir R and Lopata A (2018) Rapid and comprehensive discovery of unreported shellfish allergens using large-scale transcriptomic and proteomic resources. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 141 (4). pp. 1501-1504
• Pomés A, Davies J, Gadermaier G, Hilger C, Holzhauser T, Lidholm J, Lopata A, Mueller G, Nandy A, Radauer C, Chan S, Jappe U, Kleine-Tebbe J, Thomas W, Chapman M, van Hage M, van Ree R, Vieths S, Raulf M and Goodman R (2018) WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature: Providing a common language. Molecular Immunology, 100. pp. 3-13
• Rolland J, Varese N, Abramovitch J, Anania J, Nugraha R, Kamath S, Hazard A, Lopata A and O’Hehir R (2018) Effect of heat processing on IgE reactivity and cross-reactivity of Tropomyosin and other allergens of Asia-Pacific mollusc species: identification of novel Sydney rock oyster Tropomyosin Sac g 1. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 62 (14).
• Ruethers T, Taki A, Johnston E, Nugraha R, Le T, Kalic T, McLean T, Kamath S and Lopata A (2018) Seafood allergy: a comprehensive review of fish and shellfish allergens. Molecular Immunology, 100. pp. 28-57
• Ruethers T, Raith M, Sharpe M, Koeberl M, Stephen J, Nugraha R, Le T, Quirce S, Nguyen H, Kamath S, Mehr S, Campbell D, Bridges C, Taki A, Swoboda I and Lopata A (2018) Characterization of Ras k 1 a novel major allergen in Indian mackerel and identification of parvalbumin as the major fish allergen in 33 Asia-Pacific fish species. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 48 (4). pp. 452-463
• Abramovitch J, Lopata A, O'Hehir R and Rolland J (2017) Effect of thermal processing on T cell reactivity of shellfish allergens - discordance with IgE reactivity. PLoS One, 12 (3). pp. 1-18
• Asnoussi A, Aibinu I, Gasser R, Lopata A and Smooker P (2017) Molecular and immunological characterisation of tropomyosin from Anisakis pegreffii. Parasitology Research, 116 (12). pp. 3291-3301

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 125+ research outputs authored by Prof Andreas Lopata from 1992 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Novel Biopharmaceuticals for Food Allergy (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Sulfated polysaccharides (ulvan) from Ulva ohnoi (Chlorophyta): Identifying parameters for structure­activity relationships (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Current Approaches in Manageing Food Allergy Among North Queensland Public Health Sectors (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
• Utilising Bioinformatics Tools to Improve the Diagnosis of Crustacean and Fish Allergy (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
• Identification and Molecular Characterization of Food Allergens in Aquatic Products from Vietnam (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
• Bio Molecular Studies on Allergenic Proteins Causing Fish Allergy in Australian Children for Improved Diagnosis (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
• Biomarker and Therapeutic Target Discovery in patients with Hyper lgE Conditions (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)

Completed

• Characterisation of Oyster Allergens for Improved Diagnosis of Mollusc Allergy (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
• Development of a mouse model to evaluate the degree of immunological cross-reactivity between prawns and abalone (2017, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Identification and characterisation of novel shellfish allergens for improved diagosis (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Nanoparticle-protein corona formation and immunotoxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Parvalbumin: characterisation of the cross-reactive major fish allergen (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Identification and quantification of allergenic tropomyosin from shellfish (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Evaluation of IgE and non-IgE mediated inflammatory pathways generated through exposure to prawn proteins (2014, PhD , Primary Advisor)

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit the JCU Research Data Catalogue.

• Lopata, A. (2017) cDNA sequences of major allergenic proteins in Australian seafood species. James Cook University
• Lopata, A. (2017) In solution digestion and mass spectrometry identification of major proteins in various crustacean species. James Cook University
• Lopata, A. (2017) In solution digestion and mass spectrometry identification of major proteins in various mollusc species. James Cook University
• Lopata, A. (2017) Potential allergens of the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas). James Cook University
• Lopata, A. (2017) Proteome data of the raw and the heated Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). James Cook University
• Lopata, A. (2017) Identified proteins in the IgE-reactive spots. James Cook University
• Kamath, S. (2017) Proteomic analysis of allergenic proteins in King crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) and Edible crab (Cancer pagurus). James Cook University

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.