Fabienne Mackay

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Fabienne Mackay is a French Australian research immunologist and institutional leader within the Australian medical research, education and innovation sectors. [1] She is the Director and CEO of the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (Brisbane, Queensland) since 2020, [2] after being the inaugural Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Melbourne (Victoria, Parkville campus) during the preceding five years. She is also an Honorary Professor at the Faculties of Medicine of the University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne. [2] Her work has attracted public attention for its contribution to the pathophysiological understanding and treatment of lupus and other autoimmune diseases. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] Mackay has been notably awarded, achieving international reputation for her widely cited research describing B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and other cytokines of the TNF receptor superfamily, and their roles in B cell physiology, autoimmunity and cancer. [8] [9] She is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. [10]

Contents

Biography

Mackay was born in Maine et Loire in 1965. [11] She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at 17, this event may have sparked her interest in medical research. [12]

Education

Mackay's formal education proceeded mostly in France. She completed high school (Baccalauréat D) at Lycée de jeunes filles de Moulins (1983). [13] Between 1984 and 1986 she pursued the PCEM-1 program at Clermont-Ferrand Medical School, [14] graduating in Biological Technology at the Institut Universitaire de Technologie Clermont-Ferrand, and in Biological Engineering at the Université de Clermont II . [15] She obtained a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Immunology and Cell Biology at Louis Pasteur University (Strasbourg) in 1994 under the direction of Diane J. Mathis. [16]

Career

Mackay started her professional career as a scientist at the Basel Institute for Immunology, (Switzerland, 1989-1991). She spent the following three years as a PhD Student at Hoffman La Roche (Basel) and the Faculty of Medicine, Louis Pasteur University (Strasbourg). From 1994 to 2000 she worked as a scientist and project leader at Biogen Idec Inc. (Cambridge, MA, USA). [2] From 2001 to 2006 she was a Research Fellow ascribed to the Arthritis and Inflammation Research Program, at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia). From 2006 to 2008 she was the Director of the Autoimmunity Research Unit at the Garvan Institute. [17] Between 2009 and 2015 she worked at Monash University, (Melbourne), occupying positions as Head and Chair of the Department of Immunology, [18] and Deputy Head of its Central Clinical School. [19] From 2015 to 2020 she worked at the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, firstly as Head of the Department of Pathology (until 2017), then as Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences, Parkville Campus. [20] She is currently the Director and CEO of the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, and an Honorary Professor at the Faculties of Medicine at the University of Queensland, and the University of Melbourne. [2]

Her discovery of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and its role in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases [21] provided foundations for the development of belimumab (TM Benlysta, an anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody), a milestone therapy approved in 2011 for the treatment Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. [4] [22]

Some of her research papers rank among the most cited in the field, [23] and have been highlighted for their importance by the respective journal editors in various opportunities. [24] [25] Her laboratory has deserved extensive funding by sponsoring bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. [26]

She is known to advocate for the recognition of women scientist efforts and accomplishments, [27] her professional profile is featured in Women in STEMM Australia. [8] A Fabienne Mackay Grant Award to promote gender equality was established in 2021 to benefit women independent researchers in the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne. [28]

Works

Papers

Mackay has published over 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals, which have been cited over 30 thousand times. [9] Some of her most cited papers are:

Book chapters

Opinion

Mackay's public opinion on diverse subjects including autoimmune diseases and women in science can be found online. [38] [39]

Patents

Mackay is an inventor to nearly a hundred assigned patents, many of them related to discoveries on BAFF receptors and their pharmacological modulation [40] [41]

Membership

Mackay is an Editorial Board member of many medical scientific journals including Science (journal), [42] European Journal of Immunology, [43] Current Research in Immunology, [44] Antibodies, [45] and the Journal of Inflammation. [46] She is also a corporate Board Member at Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners [47] and ENA Respiratory [48] Among learned and technical bodies, she is a Council Member of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, [10] a Member of the Medical Advisory Board for the Gairdner Foundation (Canada), [49] an Award committee member of the International Cytokine & Interferon Society, [50] a Member of the Queensland Genomics Executive Working Group, [51] and a Member of the QIMR Berghofer Council. [2]

Awards

Notable accolades conferred on Mackay include the Thomson Reuters Australia Citation and Innovation Award (2012), [23] the Trophy for exceptional contribution in education and research as a French expatriate, by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2014), her election as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (2016), [10] the Martin Lackmann Award for Translational Research given by the Cell Signaling and its Therapeutic Implications CSTI program, Monash University (2017), [52] and the Vincent Fairfax Fellowship (2018-2019). [53]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autoimmunity</span> Immune response against an organisms own healthy cells

In immunology, autoimmunity is the system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells, tissues and other normal body constituents. Any disease resulting from this type of immune response is termed an "autoimmune disease". Prominent examples include celiac disease, post-infectious IBS, diabetes mellitus type 1, Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren syndrome, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Addison's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Autoimmune diseases are very often treated with steroids.

Thereza Imanishi-Kari is an associate professor of pathology at Tufts University. Her research focuses on the origins of autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus, studied using mice as model organisms. Previously she had been a faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is notable for her role in what became known as the "Baltimore affair", in which a 1986 paper she co-authored with David Baltimore was the subject of research misconduct allegations. Following a series of investigations, she was fully exonerated of the charges in 1996.

The QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute is an Australian medical research institute located in Herston, Brisbane, in the state of Queensland. QIMR was established in 1945 by the Government of Queensland through the enactment of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Act 1945 (Qld). Previously known as the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), the original purpose of the institute was to further the study of tropical diseases in North Queensland. The current director is Professor Fabienne Mackay. The institute is a registered charity. In 2021, the institute was named as one of the Queensland Greats by the Queensland Government.

A TNF inhibitor is a pharmaceutical drug that suppresses the physiologic response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which is part of the inflammatory response. TNF is involved in autoimmune and immune-mediated disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa and refractory asthma, so TNF inhibitors may be used in their treatment. The important side effects of TNF inhibitors include lymphomas, infections, congestive heart failure, demyelinating disease, a lupus-like syndrome, induction of auto-antibodies, injection site reactions, and systemic side effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belimumab</span>

Belimumab, sold under the brand name Benlysta, is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits B-cell activating factor (BAFF), also known as B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). It is approved in the United States and Canada, and the European Union to treat systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B-cell activating factor</span> Mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens

B-cell activating factor (BAFF) also known as tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13B and CD257 among other names, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TNFSF13B gene. BAFF is also known as B Lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) and TNF- and APOL-related leukocyte expressed ligand (TALL-1) and the Dendritic cell-derived TNF-like molecule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STAT4</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) is a transcription factor belonging to the STAT protein family, composed of STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5A, STAT5B, STAT6. STAT proteins are key activators of gene transcription which bind to DNA in response to cytokine gradient. STAT proteins are a common part of Janus kinase (JAK)- signalling pathways, activated by cytokines.STAT4 is required for the development of Th1 cells from naive CD4+ T cells and IFN-γ production in response to IL-12. There are two known STAT4 transcripts, STAT4α and STAT4β, differing in the levels of interferon-gamma production downstream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippa Marrack</span> English biologist and immunologist based in the US

Philippa "Pippa" Marrack, FRS is an English immunologist and academic, based in the United States, best known for her research and discoveries pertaining to T cells. Marrack is the Ida and Cecil Green Professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical Research at National Jewish Health and a distinguished professor of immunology and microbiology at the University of Colorado Denver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">APRIL (protein)</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), also known as tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13 (TNFSF13), is a protein of the TNF superfamily recognized by the cell surface receptor TACI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transmembrane activator and CAML interactor</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI), also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 13B (TNFRSF13B) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TNFRSF13B gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BAFF receptor</span>

BAFF receptor, also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 13C (TNFRSF13C) and BLyS receptor 3 (BR3), is a membrane protein of the TNF receptor superfamily which recognizes BAFF, an essential factor for B cell maturation and survival. In humans it is encoded by the TNFRSF13C gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B-cell maturation antigen</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

B-cell maturation antigen, also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 17 (TNFRSF17), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TNFRSF17 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin J. Tracey</span>

Kevin J. Tracey, a neurosurgeon and inventor, is the president and CEO of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, professor of neurosurgery and molecular medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine, and president of the Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine in Manhasset, New York. The Public Library of Science Magazine, PLOS Biology, recognized Tracey in 2019 as one of the most cited researchers in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autoimmune disease</span> Disorders of adaptive immune system

An autoimmune disease is a condition that results from an anomalous response of the adaptive immune system, wherein it mistakenly targets and attacks healthy, functioning parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms. It is estimated that there are more than 80 recognized autoimmune diseases, with recent scientific evidence suggesting the existence of potentially more than 100 distinct conditions. Nearly any body part can be involved.

Sir Marc Feldmann,, is an Australian-educated British immunologist. He is a professor at the University of Oxford and a senior research fellow at Somerville College, Oxford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lupus</span> Human autoimmune disease

Lupus, technically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body. Symptoms vary among people and may be mild to severe. Common symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face. Often there are periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission during which there are few symptoms.

Blisibimod is a selective antagonist of B-cell activating factor, being developed by Anthera Pharmaceuticals as a treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus. It is currently under active investigation in clinical trials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthera Pharmaceuticals</span> American biopharmaceutical company

Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an American biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat serious conditions associated with cystic fibrosis, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Liprotamase (Sollpura), Anthera's leading drug candidate which is being developed for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, and A-623 (Blisibimod) for the treatment of IgA nephropathy is currently in Phase 2 clinical trial.

Dipyaman Ganguly is an Indian physician-scientist immunologist and cell biologist, currently a Principal Scientist and Swarnajayanthi Fellow at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB). He heads the Dendritic Cell Laboratory of IICB, popularly known as Ganguly Lab, where he hosts several researchers involved in research on regulation of innate Immunity and pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders.

Jürg Tschopp was a Swiss biochemist, known for his research on apoptosis and the immunology of inflammation. His greatest achievement was perhaps his team's discovery and scientific description of the inflammasome.

References

  1. ↑ "Fabienne Mackay". STEM Women. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fabienne Mackay". QIMR Berghofer. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  3. ↑ Monday, 29 July 2013 Anna SallehABC (29 July 2013). "Dead cell removal process gives lupus hint". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Could lupus treatment spare immune system?". Futurity. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  5. ↑ "First new treatment for lupus in more than 50 years | Australian Academy of Science". www.science.org.au. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "Molecule may explain hole in heart". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 August 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "Fabienne Mackay-Fisson". Monash University. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  8. 1 2 Australia, Women in STEMM (12 March 2018). "STEMM PROFILE: Professor Fabienne Mackay, PhD | Head of Biomedical Sciences - University of Melbourne - Melbourne - VIC". Women in STEMM Australia. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Google Scholar". scholar.google.es. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 "Professor Fabienne Mackay". AAHMS - Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "TROPHEES DES FRANÇAIS DE L'ÉTRANGER – Découvrez les parcours exceptionnels de nos lauréats". lepetitjournal.com (in French). Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  12. ↑ "The Top 50 - Part 2". media.heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  13. ↑ "Lycée De Jeunes Filles". Copains d'avant (in French). Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  14. ↑ "Prépa-Medschool - Clermont-Ferrand". www.prepa-medschool.fr (in French). Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  15. ↑ "Centre universitaire des sciences et techniques de l'université Blaise-Pascal de Clermont-Ferrand-II ayant obtenu le diplôme d'ingénieur de cet établissement en 1989 (organisation) - Nominations au Journal officiel de la République française". jorfsearch.steinertriples.fr. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  16. ↑ MACKAY FISSON, FABIENNE (1 January 1994). Caracterisation des fonctions distinctes generees par les recepteurs tnf-r55 et tnf-r75 du facteur tnf (tumor necrosis factor) (These de doctorat thesis). Université Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg) (1971-2008).
  17. ↑ "Have we uncovered a new form of Lupus?". Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "Heads of Department". Department of Immunology and Pathology. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  19. ↑ "Fabienne Mackay-Fisson". Monash University. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  20. ↑ "Welcome to Professor Fabienne Mackay". School of Biomedical Sciences. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  21. ↑ Vincent, Fabien B.; Morand, Eric F.; Mackay, Fabienne (1 March 2012). "BAFF and innate immunity: new therapeutic targets for systemic lupus erythematosus". Immunology and Cell Biology. 90 (3): 293–303. doi:10.1038/icb.2011.111. ISSN   1440-1711. PMID   22231653. S2CID   39602817.
  22. ↑ "Lupus News : FDA Approves Belimumab for the Treatment of Lupus". Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. 15 July 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  23. 1 2 "2012 thomson reuters australia citation & innovation awards". yumpu.com. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  24. ↑ "SCIENCE VOLUME 311|ISSUE 5758|13 JAN 2006". science.org.
  25. ↑ "Journal of Autoimmunity | Vol 61, Pages 1-80 (July 2015) | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  26. ↑ "Prof Fabienne Mackay". Research Data Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  27. ↑ Edmund, Harriet (5 March 2020). "Professor Fabienne Mackay speaks out on why women need a boost in research". School of Biomedical Sciences. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  28. ↑ Bilton, Michelle (3 March 2021). "Introducing the Fabienne Mackay Award". School of Biomedical Sciences. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  29. ↑ Mackay, F.; Woodcock, S. A.; Lawton, P.; Ambrose, C.; Baetscher, M.; Schneider, P.; Tschopp, J.; Browning, J. L. (6 December 1999). "Mice transgenic for BAFF develop lymphocytic disorders along with autoimmune manifestations". The Journal of Experimental Medicine. 190 (11): 1697–1710. doi:10.1084/jem.190.11.1697. ISSN   0022-1007. PMC   2195729 . PMID   10587360.
  30. ↑ Schneider, P.; MacKay, F.; Steiner, V.; Hofmann, K.; Bodmer, J. L.; Holler, N.; Ambrose, C.; Lawton, P.; Bixler, S.; Acha-Orbea, H.; Valmori, D. (7 June 1999). "BAFF, a novel ligand of the tumor necrosis factor family, stimulates B cell growth". The Journal of Experimental Medicine. 189 (11): 1747–1756. doi:10.1084/jem.189.11.1747. ISSN   0022-1007. PMC   2193079 . PMID   10359578.
  31. ↑ Groom, Joanna; Kalled, Susan L.; Cutler, Anne H.; Olson, Carl; Woodcock, Stephen A.; Schneider, Pascal; Tschopp, Jurg; Cachero, Teresa G.; Batten, Marcel; Wheway, Julie; Mauri, Davide (1 January 2002). "Association of BAFF/BLyS overexpression and altered B cell differentiation with Sjögren's syndrome". The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 109 (1): 59–68. doi:10.1172/JCI14121. ISSN   0021-9738. PMC   150825 . PMID   11781351.
  32. ↑ Mackay, Fabienne; Schneider, Pascal; Rennert, Paul; Browning, Jeffrey (2003). "BAFF AND APRIL: a tutorial on B cell survival". Annual Review of Immunology. 21: 231–264. doi:10.1146/annurev.immunol.21.120601.141152. ISSN   0732-0582. PMID   12427767.
  33. ↑ Maslowski, Kendle M.; Vieira, Angelica T.; Ng, Aylwin; Kranich, Jan; Sierro, Frederic; Yu, Di; Schilter, Heidi C.; Rolph, Michael S.; Mackay, Fabienne; Artis, David; Xavier, Ramnik J. (29 October 2009). "Regulation of inflammatory responses by gut microbiota and chemoattractant receptor GPR43". Nature. 461 (7268): 1282–1286. Bibcode:2009Natur.461.1282M. doi:10.1038/nature08530. ISSN   1476-4687. PMC   3256734 . PMID   19865172.
  34. ↑ Tumor necrosis factor : molecular and cellular biology and clinical relevance. Walter Fiers, Wim A. Buurman. Basel: Karger. 1993. ISBN   3-8055-5676-4. OCLC   27311149.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  35. ↑ B cell trophic factors and B cell antagonism in autoimmune disease. William Stohl, S. Karger. Basel: Karger. 2005. ISBN   978-3-318-01165-4. OCLC   436111015.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  36. ↑ The autoimmune diseases. Noel R. Rose, Ian R. Mackay (4 ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Academic Press. 2006. ISBN   978-0-12-595961-2. OCLC   162576560.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  37. ↑ Molecular biology of B cells. Tasuku Honjō, Michael Reth, A. Radbruch, Frederick W. Alt (2 ed.). London. 2015. ISBN   978-0-12-398490-6. OCLC   893332893.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  38. ↑ "Fabienne Mackay". The Conversation. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  39. ↑ Mackay, Fabienne (1 March 2020). "Not from Venus, not from Mars - all equally superstars". Nature Immunology. 21 (3): 238. doi: 10.1038/s41590-020-0605-9 . ISSN   1529-2916. PMID   32094645. S2CID   211265911.
  40. ↑ "Fabienne MacKay Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search". patents.justia.com. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  41. ↑ "Google Patents". patents.google.com. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  42. ↑ "Editors and Advisory Boards". www.science.org. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  43. ↑ "European Journal of Immunology". Wiley Online Library. doi:10.1002/(ISSN)1521-4141. hdl:2027.42/37955. S2CID   250212720 . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  44. ↑ "Editorial Board - Current Research in Immunology - Journal - Elsevier". journals.elsevier.com. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  45. ↑ "Antibodies". www.mdpi.com. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  46. ↑ "Journal of Inflammation". Journal of Inflammation. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  47. ↑ "Leadership". Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  48. ↑ "Ena Respiratory". enarespiratory.com. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  49. ↑ "Fabienne Mackay". Gairdner Foundation. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  50. ↑ "Committees". International Cytokine & Interferon Society. November 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  51. ↑ "Beyond Queensland Genomics – Queensland Genomics" . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  52. ↑ Woodgyer, Alan (18 May 2017). "Professor Fabienne Mackay recipient of 2017 Lackmann Medal for Translational Research". School of Biomedical Sciences. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  53. ↑ "Alumni Search". alumni.cranlana.org.au. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
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