Prof Andreas L. 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 Molecular 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 30 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 ‘Clinical Experimental Allergy’ (Wiley) 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 200 journal articles and presented at over 250 national and international conferences, with an H-index=48 and more than 8600 citations. 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: Principles of Molecular Cell Biology (Level 2; TSV)
• BC3102: Molecular Basis of Disease (Level 3; TSV)
• BC3202: Special Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Level 3; TSV)
• BC5102: Advanced Molecular Basis of Disease (Level 5; TSV)

Interests

Professional

• Molecular Medicine; Occupational Medicine; Allergology; Food Safety

Research

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

Teaching

• Molecular Immunology; Biochemistry; Professional Doctorate; Food Science

Experience

• 2021 to present - Professor, Tropical Futures Institute (Singapore)
• 2016 to present - Professor, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2007 to present - Ajunct Member, Infectious Diseases and Development of Molecular Medicine (South Africa)
• 2020 to 2022 - Appointed Member-JCU Research Committee, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 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 (3204)
• Biochemistry and cell biology (3101)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Clinical health (2001)

Awards

• 2022 - Winner 3MT - Academic Research Staff Award (JCU-Singapore)
• 2020 - JCU Primary Advisor of the Year
• 2020 - JCU - Award for Research Excellence
• 2012 - Winner of UniQuest Trailblazer-James Cook University
• 2011 - Winner of UniQuest Trailblazer-James Cook University

Fellowships

• 2012 to 2016 - ARC Future Fellow

Memberships

• 2022 - British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• 2014 - Collegium Internationale Allergologicum (CIA)
• 2014 - Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Allergologie und Klinische Immunologie (DGAKI)
• 2012 - Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia
• 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

• 2022 - Scientific Advisor - Sementis BioTechnology
• 2021 - Adjunct Scientist - Bioinformatics Institute A*STAR
• 2021 - Editorial Board---Proteomes (MDPI)
• 2021 - Associate Editor - Frontier Allergy_Environmental and Occupational Determinants
• 2017 - Review Editor - Frontier Immunology_Vaccines and Molecular Therapeutics
• 2016 - Review Editor---Frontier Microbial Immunology
• 2016 - Regional Associate Editor -Asia Pacific--World Allergy Organisation Journal (Elsevier)
• 2016 - Editorial Board---Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology (Croatia)
• 2016 - Reperio Innovation Competition-AITHM People’s Choice Award
• 2016 - Associate Editor---Allergo Journal International (Springer)
• 2015 - Associate Editor---Clinical & Experimental Allergy (Wiley)
• 2014 - NATA assessor for laboratories in Australia quantifying allergens
• 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 - Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine; University of Cape Town; South Africa
• 2007 - Adjunct of the 'Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine', University of Cape Town, South Africa
• 2006 - Appointed External Advisor to the National Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
• 2021 to 2024 - Editorial Board -- Proteomes (MDPI)
• 2014 to 2020 - Associate Editor---Molecular Immunology (Elsevier)
• 2015 to 2019 - Review Editor---Molecular Immunology (Elsevier)
• 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

• Kabasser S, Pratap K, Kamath S, Taki A, Dang T, Koplin J, Perrett K, Hummel K, Radauer C, Breiteneder H, Lopata A and Bublin M (2022) Identification of vicilin, legumin and antimicrobial peptide 2a as macadamia nut allergens. Food Chemistry, 370.
• Nguyen M, Krutz N, Limviphuvadh V, Lopata A, Gerberick G and Maurer-Stroh S (2022) AllerCatPro 2.0: a web server for predicting protein allergenicity potential. Nucleic Acids Research, 50 (W1). pp. W36-W43
• Nugraha R, Ruethers T, Taki A, Johnston E, Karnaneedi S, Kamath S and Lopata A (2022) Recombinant Tropomyosin from the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) for Better Diagnosis. Foods, 11 (3).
• Pratap K, Majzoub M, Taki A, Miranda Hernandez S, Magnusson M, Glasson C, de Nys R, Thomas T, Lopata A and Kamath S (2022) The Algal Polysaccharide Ulvan and Carotenoid Astaxanthin Both Positively Modulate Gut Microbiota in Mice. Foods, 11 (4).
• Ruethers T, Nugraha R, Taki A, O'Malley A, Karnaneedi S, Zhang S, Kapingidza A, Mehr S, Kamath S, Chruszcz M, Mackay G, Campbell D and Lopata A (2022) The first reptilian allergen and major allergen for fish-allergic patients: Crocodile ?-parvalbumin. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 33 (5).
• Bose U, Broadbent J, Juhász A, Karnaneedi S, Johnston E, Stockwell S, Byrne K, Limviphuvadh V, Maurer-Stroh S, Lopata A and Colgrave M (2021) Protein extraction protocols for optimal proteome measurement and arginine kinase quantitation from cricket Acheta domesticus for foodsafety assessment. Food Chemistry, 348.
• Buyuktiryaki B, Masini M, Mori F, Barni S, Liccioli G, Sarti L, Lordi L, Giovannini M, Toit G, Lopata A and Marques-Mejias M (2021) IgE-mediated fish allergy in children. Medicina, 57 (1).
• Heidelberg C, Bang B, Thomassen M, Kamath S, Ruethers T, Lopata A, Madsen A, Sandsund M and Aasmoe L (2021) Exposure to Bioaerosols during Fish Processing on Board Norwegian Fishing Trawlers. Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 65 (6). pp. 694-702
• Karnaneedi S, Huerlimann R, Johnston E, Nugraha R, Ruethers T, Taki A, Kamath S, Wade N, Jerry D and Lopata A (2021) Novel allergen discovery through comprehensive de novo transcriptomic analyses of five shrimp species. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22 (1).
• Liang J, Taylor S, Baumert J, Lopata A and Lee N (2021) Effects of thermal treatment on the immunoreactivity and quantification of parvalbumin from Southern hemisphere fish species with two anti-parvalbumin antibodies. Food Control, 121.
• Nugraha R, Ruethers T, Johnston E, Rolland J, O’hehir R, Kamath S and Lopata A (2021) Effects of extraction buffer on the solubility and immunoreactivity of the pacific oyster allergens. Foods, 10 (2).
• Ruethers T, Taki A, Karnaneedi S, Nie S, Kalic T, Dai D, Daduang S, Leeming M, Williamson N, Breiteneder H, Mehr S, Kamath S, Campbell D and Lopata A (2021) Expanding the allergen repertoire of salmon and catfish. Allergy, 76 (5). pp. 1443-1453

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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 163+ 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

• Development of diagnostic eDNA and immunoassay technologies to detect and monitor pathogen load and bacterial toxins to improve aquatic animal health in aquaculture farms. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• C. Fleckeri Mode of Action Investigation (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Utilising Bioinformatics Tools to Improve the Diagnosis of Crustacean and Fish Allergy (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)

Completed

• Current approaches in managing food allergy in Australian settings (2021, Masters , Primary Advisor)
• Tackling fish allergy: bio-molecular studies on allergenic proteins causing fish allergy in Australian children for improved diagnosis (2020, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Biomarker discovery and food allergy profiling distinguishes DOCK8 deficiency from atopic dermatitis (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Epidemiology and clinical presentations of seafood allergy in the Asia Pacific (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Characterisation of oyster allergens for improved diagnosis of mollusc allergy (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• The structure and bioactivity of ulvan, a sulfated polysaccharide from Ulva (chlorophyta) (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Marine algal compounds as novel therapeutics for food allergy (2022, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Optimizing dietary specifications for yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi: requirements and interactions of sulfur amino acids and taurine (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor)

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

• 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) Proteome data of the raw and the heated Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). James Cook University
• Kamath, S. (2017) Proteomic analysis of allergenic proteins in King crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) and Edible crab (Cancer pagurus). James Cook University
• Lopata, A. (2017) Potential allergens of the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas). James Cook University
• Lopata, A. (2017) Identified proteins in the IgE-reactive spots. 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.