Emeritus ProfessorLeigh Ackland

Emeritus Professor

Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/Office of the Executive Dean Science, Engineering and Built Environment

  • Emeritus Professor
    Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/Office of the Executive Dean Science, Engineering and Built Environment
  • +61 3 925 17036 (Work)
  • Off-Campus (Home)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Identifcation of novel markers to assist in improved detection and treatment
of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinomas and investigtion of drug
resistance.

Multifunctional and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor systems.

Epigenetic factors that underlie the pathology of type 2 diabetes during
pregnancy.

Molecular biology of zinc and copper in human diseases to understand zinc and
copper fluxes in cells and elucidation of inherited disorders in humans that
result in the production of trace element-deficient milk during lactation.

Mechanisms underlying the spread of breast and neuroendocrine cancers termed
"epithelial to mesenchymal transition" to understand why cancer cells
metastasise

How nanoliposome can be used to deliver omega-3 fatty acids to brain cells.

Development of remediation strategies for heavy metal-contaminated soils and
water.

Molecular basis of heavy metal tolerance in bacteria, fungi and plants.

Knowledge Areas
Cell and molecular biology and epigenetic processes in human disorders
including cancers and type 2 diabetes, the biology of trace elements and heavy
metals in bacteria, fungi, plants and animals

Projects
Currently funded projects

Molecular proflling of of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Carcinomas". NHMRC
Project APP1102018, $1,393,082.86 in 2016 and Bourne Foundation funding
$000,000 in 2019.

Multifunctional and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor systems. ARC-
DP180101465. $392,952 in 2018

Epigenetic factors in Diabetes. Greater Green Triangle, University of
Melbourne $45,000 in 2016.With a team of clinicians, we are investigating
changers in histone methylation that occur in diabetes during pregnancy.

Past projects

Molecular biology of zinc and copper in human diseases to understand zinc and
copper fluxes in cells and elucidation of inherited disorders in humans that
result in the production of trace element-deficient milk during lactation.

Mechanisms underlying the spread of breast cancer cells
Using a novel human breast cancer line we study the mechanisms of breast
cancer metastasis termed "epithelial to mesenchymal transition".

Nanoliposomal delivery of DHA to human neuronal cells. ARC Discovery Project-
DP120101309. 2012-2014. $280,000.

Development of remediation strategies for heavy metal-contaminated soils and
water.

Molecular basis of heavy metal tolerance in plants where field trials of
selected plants were used to remediate cadmium-contaminated soils and to
establish the cellular mechanisms that enable plants to accumulate or resist
heavy metals.

GRANTS

  • GRANT
    Bacterial profiles in waterways associated with the Port Phillip Bay Ramsar site
    31 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Port Philip Bay Fund 90 719 052 204 - FR-66536 - $19,672.00
  • GRANT
    Identification of cancer cell markers for early detection
    19 Sep 2019 - 31 Dec 2024
    People funded by this grant:
    • Leigh Ackland
    The Bourne Foundation - $300,000.00
  • GRANT
    Targeting site specific improvements of clinical trial operational processes.
    18 Mar 2019 - 2 Aug 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Ackland L,
    • Clatworthy SAS
    St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Limited - INT-587 - $20,500.00
  • GRANT
    Multifunctional and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor systems
    29 May 2018 - 28 May 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    ARC - Discovery Projects - DP180101465 - $402,896.38
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Amplification strategies in point-of-care electrochemical biosensors
    18 Jan 2017 - 31 Dec 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    Universal Biosensors Pty Ltd - $120,000.00
  • GRANT
    Whole exome sequencing and methylation profiling of Neuroendocrine cancers from patients on the NABNEC trial
    8 Jul 2016 - 8 Jul 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Khasraw M,
    • Ashley D,
    • Ackland L
    Department of Health and Human Services - Victoria - $70,000.00
  • GRANT
    Whole exome sequencing and methylation profiling of Neuroendocrine cancers from patients on the NABNEC trial
    28 Jun 2016 - 30 Jun 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Khasraw M,
    • Ashley D,
    • Ackland L
    Grace King Family - $2,563.00
  • GRANT
    NABNEC: A Randomised Phase II Study Of Nab-paclitaxel In Combination With Carboplatin As First Line Treatment Of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Carcinomas
    1 Jan 2016 - 31 Dec 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    • Khasraw M,
    • Lipton L,
    • Chantrill L,
    • Hofman M,
    • Ackland L
    NHMRC Project Grant - GNT1102018 - $156,888.75
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Characterisation of magnetic or other beads modified with proteins
    12 Oct 2015 - 18 Dec 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    Universal Biosensors Pty Ltd - $10,000.00
  • FELLOWSHIP
    Metastasis in breast cancer cells
    1 Nov 2014 - 30 Jun 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    • Ackland L,
    • Ahire V
    DEST Fellowship - Endeavour Research Fellowship - Department of Education, Science and Training - $1,500.00
  • INFRASTRUCTURE
    Orion Conductivity Probes
    17 Oct 2014 - 30 Jun 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    • Leigh Ackland
    NHMRC - Equipment Grant (pre 2017) - GNT9000265 - $670.14
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    A Feasibility Study Of NAB-Paclitaxel In Combination With Carboplatin As First Line Treatment Of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Carcinomas (NABNEC)
    1 Sep 2014 - 1 Sep 2017
    People funded by this grant:
    • Khasraw M,
    • Ackland L
    Specialised Therapeutics Australia Pty. Ltd - $12,500.00
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Preliminary screening of a saltwater lake sample to identify potentially useful pigment molecules
    30 Jun 2014 - 31 Aug 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    AquaTrophic Pty Ltd - $5,000.00
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Optimisation of the carotenoid biosynthesis from Haematococcus pluvialis
    23 Jun 2014 - 31 Dec 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    AquaTrophic Pty Ltd - $28,140.00
  • GRANT
    Nanoliposomal delivery of DHA to neuronal cells
    1 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    ARC - Discovery Projects - DP120101309 - $300,899.00
  • COLLABORATIVE GRANT
    Enzymatic synthesis, microencapsulation and biological evaluation of a new class of omega-3 derived functional food ingredients
    1 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2012
    People funded by this grant:
    ARC Linkage - Projects Rnd 1 - LP100100069 - $408,092.00
  • COLLABORATIVE GRANT
    Enzymatic synthesis, microencapsulation and biological evaluation of a new class of omega-3 derived functional food ingredients
    1 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2012
    People funded by this grant:
    ARC_DUAPAI ARC_Deakin University Australian Postgraduate Award Industry - $98,509.00
  • GRANT
    Establishment of a Biosensor Facility at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Deakin University, Burwood.
    1 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2011
    People funded by this grant:
    Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundation - Equipment Grant - 2888/2009 - $50,000.00
  • GRANT
    The contribution of host caveolin-1 to breast cancer metastasis
    1 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2012
    People funded by this grant:
    • Anderson R,
    • Ackland L
    NHMRC Project Grant - 628729 - $165,000.00
  • GRANT
    Triggering the dormant capacity of fish to make omega 3 fatty acids
    1 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    ARC - Discovery Projects - DP1093570 - $364,983.00
  • COLLABORATIVE GRANT
    Enzymatic synthesis, microencapsulation and biological evaluation of a new class of omega-3 derived functional food ingredients
    26 Oct 2009 - 31 Dec 2012
    People funded by this grant:
    Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd - $177,352.00
  • GRANT
    Establishment of a Flow Cytometry Facility at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Deakin University
    30 Oct 2008 - 31 Dec 2010
    People funded by this grant:
    Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundation Grant - Research - RA04/08 - $30,000.00
  • GRANT
    Molecular Eco-toxicology for diagnosis of priority pollutants in soil
    18 Oct 2007 - 20 Oct 2011
    People funded by this grant:
    • Ackland L,
    • Song Y
    DEST/ISL Grant - Australian-China Special Fund for Science and Tech Cooperation - Department of Education, Science and Technology - International Science Linkages - CH070059 - $30,000.00
  • GRANT
    Copper transport in lactation
    10 Mar 2004 - 31 Dec 2008
    People funded by this grant:
    NIH Grant - Research - National Institutes of Health - $414,597.00