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Biography

Professor Mark DouglasProfessor; The University of Sydney Westmead Clinical School; Faculty of Medicine and Health; The Westmead Institute for Medical Research - Viral Hepatitis Pathogenesis Group
+61 2 8890 7705
+61 2 9635 7582

Related Links

Viral Hepatitis Pathogenesis Group, Infection and Immunity

Biography

Prof Douglas is an Infectious Diseases Physician and molecular virologist, with a strong research interest in viral hepatitis. After completing a PhD in virology he undertook a NHMRC CJ Martin Postdoctoral Fellowship on hepatitis C virus (HCV) at the prestigious MRC Virology Unit in the UK, working with Dr John McLauchlan. He now heads the Viral Hepatitis Pathogenesis group at Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, with a broad range of projects ranging from basic molecular pathogenesis to clinical research. He runs a hepatitis clinic at Blacktown Hospital, treating patients with Chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, and also sees patients at Westmead Hospital with a range of Infectious Diseases.

The overall aim of his research is to improve the health and well being of people with chronic viral infections.

I am an Infectious Diseases Physician and molecular virologist, with a strong research interest in viral hepatitis.I run a research group at the Westmead Millennium Institute studying hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), with a broad range of projects ranging from basic molecular pathogenesis to clinical research.
 
I run a hepatitis treatment clinic in Western Sydney, treating patents with chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, as well as a general Infectious Diseases and HIV clinic.
 
My current research projects include:
1. Interactions between HCV and cellular lipid pathways.
2. Effects of HCV on the innate antiviral response, including cellular interferons.
3. Mechanisms of HCV replication.
4. Antiviral resistance for HBV and HCV.
5. Factors that affect adherence to antiviral treatment, and how to improve this.
6. How to improve treatment access and support for people from socially disadvantaged groups.
 
My overall aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of people with chronic viral infections.
Keywords

Hepatology, Lipid metabolism, Hepatitis, Virology, Virus diseases

Themes

Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, Infection and Immunological Conditions, Healthy Ageing

Clinical Specialty

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Research Focus

Prof Douglas undertakes basic and translational research on hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) pathogenesis. His research investigates interactions between hepatitis viruses and their host, focusing on metabolic pathways, cell signalling, innate immunity and induction of liver cancer. He uses novel cellular models to study how virus-host interactions affect virus replication, liver inflammation, liver fibrosis and development of liver cancer.

The aims of his research are to develop new treatments to combat viral hepatitis and to improve response to current antiviral therapies.

Other Affiliations

Faculty of Medicine and Health > Westmead Clinical School > Westmead Clinical School

Associations

Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) - Chair, Viral Hepatitis Special Interest Group

Australian Centre for Hepatitis Virology (ACHV)

Australian Society for HIV and Hepatitis Medicine (ASHM) - Viral Hepatitis Clinical Oversight Committee

European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)

Awards and Recognition

  • 2007 - Ludwig Engel Memorial Fellowship (Westmead Hospital)
  • 2005 - NHMRC CJ Martin Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • 2005 - Royal Australasian College of Physicians Bushell Travelling Fellowship
  • 2004 - Westmead Association BJ Amos Travelling Fellowship
  • 2001 - NHMRC Postgraduate Medical Scholarship 

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Sydney, Sydney
  • Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Infectious Diseases)
  • Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Honours), University of Sydney, Sydney
  • Bachelor of Science (Medical) (Honours Class I), University of Sydney, Sydney