Pamela Kairath

Essendon West,VIC

Summary

A highly experienced, positive, and committed research fellow, who has contributed to multiple research projects focused on stem cells, and in vitro 3D-organoid models (brain and kidney) reporting research data outcomes as well as establishing a new differentiation methodology. This includes at major research institutes such The Florey Institute of Neuroscience as well as Murdoch Children’s (Melbourne). Effective at identifying and optimizing of multiple factors to guide stem cells towards organ-specific lineage specification, prioritising, delegating, and collaborating (incl. international research studies), remains compliant, practical, and professional across all areas and responsibilities.

Work History

Senior Research Officer

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Research focus: Stem Cells/Brain Organoids – Brain Development- Synapsis-Study of Neurological Disorders
Experimental design, planning, execution, and data analysis
Disease modelling team planning and supervision
Management and culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)
Conducting and troubleshooting in vitro 3D brain organoid protocols for multiple patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells
Performing phenotypical characterization of brain organoids by immunofluorescence, confocal imaging, quantitative PCR, western blotting
Performing super-resolution imaging of pre/ post-synaptic proteins within brain organoid derived tissue
Involvement in electron microscopy to identify PSD formation (postsynaptic density) in brainoids
Evaluating the whole proteome and transcriptional expression of brain organoids
Student supervision for the Degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours (UoM), Thesis title:” A Protocol for the Morphological Characterisation of a Cortical Organoid Model of SYNGAP1 Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE)”, Student: Sarah Handcock, 2023
Delivering experimental outcomes on time
Principal Supervisor: A/Professor
Snezana Maljevic, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and mental health, Melbourne, Australia

Honorary Research Fellow

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Research focus: Stem cells - Cell biology – Kidney development, physiology, and regeneration
Development of a new differentiation method by the identification and optimization of multiple factors to guide organ-specific (kidney) lineage specification, with a strong focus on nephric duct, ureteric epithelium, and distal nephron
The resulting protocol is likely to prove valuable for the validation of novel disease-causing genetic mutations and provides a novel platform for the study of the pathogenic genes as well as facilitating future engineering projects
Experimental design, planning, execution, and data analysis
Management and culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)
Optimising and troubleshooting the standard iPSC kidney differentiation protocol for multiple iPSC lines (Taksato et al., 2015 Nature)
Evaluating the protein and transcriptional expression of kidney organoids
Evaluating the capacity of the induced renal epithelium to branch, induce nephron commitment and support nephron progenitors, both in vitro and in vivo
Nucleic acid purification, qPCR, and data analysis
FACS sorting, and protein analysis: immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy
Delivering experimental outcomes on time
Liaising with other members of the laboratory and with local, national e international collaborators
Maintaining full documentation and filing of all material and data
Presenting outcomes from the research team both verbally and in written form in both internal and external environments
This included publications, reviews, abstracts, conference presentations, training sessions and lab meetings
(See research contributions section) Team planning and staff supervision
Principal Supervisor: Professor
Melissa Little, Kidney development, disease and regeneration group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia

Research Assistant

University Austral of Chile

Research focus: kidney disease: Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) and Treatment
Contributed to two major research projects in a multidisciplinary team: Sodium tungstate a new treatment for diabetic nephropathy: effect of this drug in inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis during the progression of this pathology
Regulation of Kidney glucose and glycogen metabolism by Insulin in Long Term Diabetic Nephropathy
Experimental design and execution
Systematic pathological evaluation of a series of histological samples from normal, diabetic and NaW- treated rats
Molecular and phenotypical characterization of rat and transgenic mice models
Mouse-based research: breeding, metabolic and molecular analyses
Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, H&E, enzymatic determinations
Evaluation of fibrosis and inflammation through Masson’s trichrome stain
Laboratory administration responsibilities
Supervised and supported junior staff, incl
Students and research assistants – effective time management
Presenting outcomes from the research team both verbally and in written form in both internal and external environments
This included publications, conference, and lab meetings
(See research contributions section)
Principal Supervisor: Dr
Alejandro Yanez Carcamo, Laboratory of Metabolism and Biotechnology, at Universidad Austral de Chile, in Valdivia, Chile.

Education

PhD in Medical, Dentistry & Health Science -

University of Melbourne

01.2018

Biochemistry, BSc (Hons) -

University Austral of Chile

01.2010

Skills

Tissue culture (management and culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and immortalized cell lines – generating in vitro 3D-organoid models (optimising and troubleshooting of multiple hiPSC lines to grow organoids) – 3D spheroids culture (three dimensional cell modelling of cells submerged in matrigel) - Molecular Biology Techniques (PCR and qPCR, Southern blot, Dot blot, cDNA subcloning, transformation and Western blotting analysis) - Protein determination analysis (FACS, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, enzymatic determinations) - Microscopy (confocal, fluorescence and brightfield microscopy) - DNA, RNA & Protein Extraction - Mouse surgery (microinjection of MSCs into the kidney of postnatal day 1 mouse) - Mouse management and research experiments (Genotyping, organs dissections, User in a SPF/Barrier mice facility, urine collection, blood and urine analysis: glucose, creatinine, tryglicerydes)- Molecular and phenotypical transgenic mice models characterization
Attention to detail – analysing the literature and research data or upholding regulations
Best-practice approach – Actively contributes to foundation and improvement of techniques/procedures
Insightful research data – Extensive involvement in the collation and distribution of research outcomes

Regulatory compliance – Committed to staying aligned with key standards/guidelines (incl SOPs)
Teamwork & autonomy – A collaborative, approachable scientist, that effectively prioritises own workload
Strong communications – Used to inform and validate, such as via written reports and group collaborations
Research writing skills – Experienced in authoring/co-authoring articles for major industry journals (see p 4 and 5)

Research Contributions

Kairath P, Byars S, Paramasivan S, Richards K, Bourke J, Maljavic S, Petrou S. Modelling SYNGAP1 using patient derived stem cell models. 2023. In preparation.
Kairath P, Er PX, Wilson SB, Ghobrial I, Vanslambrouck JM, Lawlor KT, Sanjay J, Little MH. An in vitro continuum between nephric duct, ureteric epithelium and distal nephron controlled by extracellular signals. 2023 submitted to Cell Reports.
Little MH, Kairath P. 'Does Renal Repair Recapitulate Kidney Development?' J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017 Jan;28(1):34-46. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2016070748. Epub 2016 Oct 26. Review.
Little MH, Kairath P. 'Regenerative medicine in kidney disease.' Kidney Int. 2016 Aug;90(2):289-299. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2016.03.030. Epub 2016 May 24. Review.
Gatica R, Bertinat R, Silva P, Kairath P, Slebe F, Pardo F, Ramírez MJ, Slebe JC, Campistol JM, Nualart F, Caelles C, Yáñez AJ. 'Over-expression of muscle glycogen synthase in human diabetic nephropathy.' Histochem Cell Biol. 2015 Mar;143(3):313-24. doi: 10.1007/s00418-014-1290-2. Epub 2014 Nov 5.
Canales CP, Krall P, Kairath P, Perez IC, Fragoso MA, Caromona-Mora P, Ruiz P, Reiser J, Young J, Walz K. Characterization of a Trpc6 transgenic mouse associated with early onset FSGS. J Adv Med Res. 2014 Oct; 5(10),1198-1212.
Carmona-Mora P, Encina CA, Canales CP, Cao L, Molina J, Kairath P, Young JI, Walz K. Functional and cellular characterization of human Retinoic Acid Induced 1 (RAI1) mutations associated with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. BMC Mol Biol. 2010 Aug 25; 11:63.
Krall P, Canales CP, Kairath P, Carmona-Mora P, Molina J, Carpio JD, Ruiz P, Mezzano SA,Li J, Wei C, Reiser J, Young JI, Walz K. Podocyte-specific overexpression of wild type or mutant trpc6 in mice is sufficient to cause glomerular disease. PLoS One. 2010 Sep 20; 5(9): e12859.

Awards

Honorary Research Fellow at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (2021)
Recipient of BECAS CHILE for PhD studies (2013)
Best graduation rate in the career on Biochemistry in 2010 (2011)
Juan Gómez Milla Academic Excellence Scholarship for undergraduate studies (2004)

Timeline

Senior Research Officer

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Honorary Research Fellow

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Research Assistant

University Austral of Chile

PhD in Medical, Dentistry & Health Science -

University of Melbourne

Biochemistry, BSc (Hons) -

University Austral of Chile