JCU > Research Portfolio > A/Prof Catherine Rush

About

Cathy Rush is an Associate Professor, Immunology and member of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM).

Her principal research interest isunderstanding the immunological mechanisms underlying inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Our body's immune system protects us from severe infectious diseases, but if it becomes overactive it can drive diseases like inflammatory lung diseases , autoimmunity (e.g. Rheumatic Heart Disease) and type 2 diabetes. Although the triggers may be different, the same key immune cells and molecules are involved in all these conditions. An understanding of the basic principles, pathways and processes of our immune system is essential for devising strategies to fight infectious diseases or treat immune-mediated disorders.

Her research interests focus on this foundation: dissecting the immune mechanisms responsible for initiating and driving chronic inflammatory diseases and furthermore how these co-morbidities impair the body's efforts to combat severe bacterial diseases including tuberculosis (TB).

Her expertise in mechanistic immunology and use of pre-clinical models to investigate drivers and interventions for different immune-mediated and infectious diseases has been sought across several multidisciplinary research programs. Her interests in TB and expertise in infectious disease immunology strongly align with JCUs tropical health and medicine agenda of addressing the significant health security threats facing northern Australia.

Teaching

BM3000: Advanced Projects in Biomedicine (Level 3; TSV)
BM5000: Advanced Projects in Biomedicine (Level 5; TSV)
MD2011: Integrated Human System Pathophysiology Part 1 of 2 (Level 2; TSV)
MD3011: Introduction to Clinical Healthcare Part 1 of 2 (Level 3; TSV)
MD3012: Introduction to Clinical Healthcare Part 2 of 2 (Level 3; TSV)
MI2021: Introductory Infectious Diseases and Immunobiology (Level 2; TSV)
MI3061: Advanced Immunobiology (Level 3; TSV)
MI5061: Advanced Immunology (Level 5; TSV)
ML3102: Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance (Level 3; TSV)
ML5102: Advanced Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance (Level 5; TSV)
PC2207: Integrated Therapeutics 1 (Level 2; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Research

Host-pathogen interactions in tuberculosis
Co-morbidities associated with tuberculosis susceptibility and progression
TB co-morbidities and antimicrobial resistance
Immunological mechanisms responsible for initiating and driving the chronic inflammatory diseases , Type 2 Diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Experience

2016 to present - Associate Professor, James Cook University (Townsville)
2012 to 2015 - Senior Lecturer Immunology, James Cook University (Townsville)
2009 to 2011 - Lecturer Immunology, James Cook University (Townsville)
2006 to 2009 - Senior Research Scientist, Vascular Biology Unit, James Cook University (Townsville)
2000 to 2006 - Post-doctoral scientist, University of Glasgow (Glasgow, UK)
1997 to 2000 - Post-doctoral scientist, University of Cambridge (Cambridge, UK)
1994 to 1996 - Post-doctoral scientist, University of Siena (Siena, Italy)

Research Disciplines

Honours

Awards

2009-11, NHMRC Project Grant (540405), “Angiopoietin-2, aortic inflammation and cardiovascular events”, $319,250, J Golledge, C Rush, PE Norman, J Ott.
2016, AITHM Capacity Building Grant, Tuberculosis in rural PNG: T cell biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring treatment, $53,000.
2012, James Cook University, Faculty Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, N Ketheesan, C Rush & B Govan.
2007-2009, The Townsville Hospital - Private Practice Fund Project grant, “Role of progenitor cells in aortic calcification”, $50,000, J Golledge, C Rush.
2009-11, NHMRC Project Grant (540403), “Role of the tissue kallikrein-kinin system in abdominal aortic aneurysm formation and progression”, $439,745, J Golledge, C Rush, PE Norman, H Korner, J Ott, L Gera.
2012-2013, Pathology Queensland Scientific Services Study, Education and Research Trust Fund (SERTF), “Novel Immunomodulatory Strategies for the Management of Sepsis”, $69, 450, R. Norton, S. Simpson, N. Ketheesan, C. Rush, J. Morris, B. Govan
2016, Advisor of the Year Awards, HDR Advisor Special Recognition Award
2013, Advisor of the Year Awards, Advisory Panel of the Year Award with N Ketheesan and J Morris
2012-2015, NHMRC Project Grant (1026753), "Development of apreventive strategy for Rheumatic Heart Disease using an experimental model", $358,712, N Ketheesan & C Rush.
2009-13, NHMRC Project Grant (540404), “Association between obesity, transforming growth factor beta, thrombospondin and small abdominal aortic aneurysm progression”, $487,500, J Golledge, PE Norman, C Rush, PJ Walker, R Dalman, J Ott.
2016, JCU Development Grant, Immunotherapy for Rheumatic Heart Disease, $48,795

Fellowships

Honorary Research Fellow, University of Glasgow

Memberships

Australasian Society for Immunology
Society for Mucosal Immunology
Australian Cardiovascular Alliance
Lung Foundation Australia
British Society for Immunology
American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene

Publications

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

Morris J, Govan B, Rush C and Ketheesan N (2021) Identification of defective early immune responses to Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in a diet-induced murine model of type 2 diabetes. Microbes and Infection, 23 (4-5).
Warner J and Rush C (2021) Tropical fever in remote tropics: tuberculosis or melioidosis, it depends on the lab. Microbiology Australia, 42 (4). pp. 173-178
Alim M, Kupz A, Sikder S, Rush C, Govan B and Ketheesan N (2020) Increased susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a diet-induced murine model of type 2 diabetes. Microbes and Infection, 22 (8). pp. 303-311
Muruganandah V, Sathkumara H, Pai S, Rush C, Brosch R, Waardenberg A and Kupz A (2020) A systematic approach to simultaneously evaluate safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of novel tuberculosis vaccination strategies. Science Advances, 6 (10).
Sathkumara H, Hansen K, Miranda-Hernandez S, Govan B, Rush C, Henning L, Ketheesan N and Kupz A (2020) Disparate effects of metformin on Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in diabetic and nondiabetic mice. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 65 (1).
Sathkumara H, Muruganandah V, Cooper M, Field M, Alim M, Brosch R, Ketheesan N, Govan B, Rush C, Henning L and Kupz A (2020) Mucosal delivery of ESX-1–expressing BCG strains provides superior immunity against tuberculosis in murine type 2 diabetes. National Academy of Sciences. Proceedings, 117 (34). pp. 20848-20859
Alim M, Sikder S, Sathkumara Mudiyanselage H, Kupz A, Rush C, Govan B and Ketheesan N (2019) Dysregulation of key cytokines may contribute to increased susceptibility of diabetic mice to Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection. Tuberculosis, 115. pp. 113-120
Diefenbach-Elstob T, Guernier-Cambert V, Gula B, Dowi R, Pelowa D, Pomat W, Rush C, Plummer D, McBryde E and Warner J (2019) Spatial distribution of tuberculosis in a rural region of Western Province, Papua New Guinea. Western Pacific Surveillance and Response, 10 (4). pp. 1-8
Diefenbach-Elstob T, Guernier V, Burgess G, Pelowa D, Dowi R, Gula B, Puri M, Pomat W, McBryde E, Plummer D, Rush C and Warner J (2019) Molecular evidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in the Balimo region of Papua New Guinea. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 4 (1).
Guernier-Cambert V, Diefenbach-Elstob T, Klotoe B, Burgess G, Pelowa D, Dowi R, Gula B, McBryde E, Refrégier G, Rush C, Sola C and Warner J (2019) Diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Middle Fly District of Western Province, Papua New Guinea: microbead-based spoligotyping using DNA from Ziehl-Neelsen-stained microscopy preparations. Scientific Reports, 9.
Sikder S, Rush C, Govan B, Alim M and Ketheesan N (2019) Anti-streptococcal antibody and T-cell interactions with vascular endothelial cells initiate the development of rheumatic carditis. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 107 (2). pp. 263-271
Sikder S, Price G, Alim M, Gautam A, Simpson R, Rush C, Govan B and Ketheesan N (2019) Group A streptococcal M-protein specific antibodies and T-cells drive the pathology observed in the rat autoimmune valvulitis model. Autoimmunity, 52 (2). pp. 78-87

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 80+ research outputs authored by A/Prof Catherine Rush from 1994 onwards.

Current Funding

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

Commonwealth Department of Health - Medical Research Future Fund - Cardiovascular Health Mission

Improving clinical pathways for abdominal aortic aneurysm through incorporating biomarkers

Indicative Funding: $1,000,000 over 3 years
Summary: 20 million people worldwide have weakening of their main abdominal artery (abdominal aortic aneurysm; AAA) and are at high risk of both major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and AAA related events (AAA repair and rupture-related death). Most AAAs are identified at a small size when their risk of rupture is low. Management of small AAA focuses on repeat aortic imaging every 6 months to identify when the threshold diameter (50mm in women and 55mm in men) is reached for elective surgical AAA repair. Most small AAAs continue to grow in size and eventually undergo repair. No drugs have been shown to limit AAA growth and the clinical pathway focuses on identifying those needing surgery rather than medical management. There are no established means to individualise care. Our interviews with patients and health professionals indicate that the number one deficiency in current AAA management is the lack of individualising medical management to reduce the high incidence of MACE and AAA related events. Our international AAA alliance is uniquely placed due to our resources (biobank-registry) and IP (bioinformatics, clinical, engineering software, genomics, biomarkers, machine learning and pathogenesis) to addresses this unmet clinical need.
Investigators: Jon Golledge, Clare Arnott, Thomas Gasser, Rebecca Evans, Joseph Moxon, Matt Field, Jenna Pinchbeck, Aaron Drovandi, Dylan Morris, Svetha Venkatesh, Truyen Tran, Catherine Rush, Aletta Schutte, Robyn Clay-Williams and Geoffrey Jones (College of Medicine & Dentistry, The George Institute for Global Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, Townsville Hospital and Health Services, Deakin University, The University of New South Wales, Macquarie University and University of Otago)
Keywords: Prevention; Complications; Peripheral artery disease; Risk Factors

Australasian Mycological Society - Research Awards

Glutathione biosynthesis in the amphibian fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

Indicative Funding: $3,000 over 1 year
Summary: What makes a successful fungal pathogen? In this project we aim to determine the role of glutathione in fungal pathogenesis. In doing so we will develop and optimise gene knockdown protocols, which can be used more broadly to assess other virulence factors. Specifically, we will: 1: Explore glutathione biosynthesis in virulent and less- virulent strains of Bd, both in vitro and in vivo. 2: Characterise the role of glutathione in pathogenesis using knockdown techniques.
Investigators: Rebecca Webb, Catherine Rush and Alexandra Roberts in collaboration with Lee Berger and Lee Skerratt (College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords: Glutathione biosynthesis; Pathogensis; Chytrid Fungus

National Health & Medical Research Council - Northern Australia Tropical Disease Collaborative Research Programme

HOT NORTH - Pilot Project - Round 4 - Cooking smoke and indoor air pollution : Impaired immunity to Tuberculosis at Australian's northern border?

Indicative Funding: $35,000 over 2 years (administered by Menzies School of Health Research)
Summary: Middle Fly region of PNG has very high rates of TB and pre-existing lung disease may play a significant role in the acquisition and development of TB disease. Our study will determine the burden and characteristics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and investigate the resultant lung immune response defects in this community. In doing so we will build local capacity in lung function testing and laboratory analysis and optimise a pipeline of sample analysis of lung immune responses from PNG to JCU, Townsville. Such information will complement existing TB programmes in South Fly region of the Western Province.
Investigators: Catherine Rush and Jeffrey Warner in collaboration with John McBride, Gary Nolan, Jerry Minei and Anna Ralph (College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, College of Medicine & Dentistry, Townsville Hospital and Health Service and Menzies School of Health Research)
Keywords: COPD; Papua New Guinea; Tuberculosis; Mycobacterium Tuberculosis; T-cell immunity

Supervision

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

Understanding Immunity to Tuberculosis for the Rational Design of Improved Vaccines (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Immune signatures of inflammatory lung disease (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Epidemiology of soil transmitted helminths in rural Papua New Guinea (Masters , Primary Advisor)
The Role of Oxidative Stress in Driving the Evolution of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (Masters , Primary Advisor)
The Persistence and Microecology of Burkholderia Pseudomallei in Townsville Groundwater (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
Systems serology analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibody profiles in plasma samples from individuals from Papua New Guinea (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
Who is keeping time? How circadian rhythms influence Tuberculosis. (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
Investigating the Impact of Neuromuscular Fatigue and Exercise Induced Muscle Damage on Motor Skills (PhD , Advisor Mentor)

Completed

Circulating cells associated with cardiovascular outcomes in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (2018, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Characterisation of immune responses to mycobacterial infections in a murine model of type 2 diabetes (2018, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Mechanisms driving tuberculosis susceptibility and vaccine efficacy in HIV/AIDS and type 2 diabetes (2020, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Studies in the development and evaluation of molecular tools for the identification and characterisation of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis in resource limited settings. (2022, Masters , Secondary Advisor)
Development of adjuvant therapy to treat biofilm-related Staphylococcus Aureus prosthetic joint infection (2022, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Novel tools to reduce the virulence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (2022, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Determination of the role of group G Streptococcus in the pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease using a rat model (2018, PhD , Primary Advisor)

Collaboration

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.