Dr Eliza Whiteside

Biography

Research: Cancer Research Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation

Reproductive hormones and breast cancer development project: The incidence of breast cancer diagnoses is highest in peri and post-menopausal women.  The menopausal transition is characterised by major changes in reproductive hormone levels. Our research group investigates the effects of this altered hormonal milieu on breast cell biology, particularly in the stimulation of tumourigenesis and subsequent breast cancer development. Biomarker discovery and validation: As a collaborator in the Pink Women’s Wellness Program, our research group utilises genomic and proteomic approaches to measure novel and established biomarkers in biological fluids. Our intention is to identify biomarkers that can predict the efficacy of lifestyle interventions for women who are suffering exacerbated menopausal symptoms as a consequence of breast cancer treatment. Areas of research expertise:

• In vitro models of breast epithelial and breast cancer cell culture
• Molecular biology
• Reproductive hormones
• Medical biotechnology

Publications:

1. Whiteside EJ, Seim I, Pauli J, Walpole C, O’Keeffe AJ, Thomas PB, Carter SL, Josh P, Herington AC, Chopin LK. 2013 Identification of a long non-coding RNA gene, GHSROS (growth hormone secretagogue receptor opposite strand), which stimulates cell migration in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines.  International Journal of Oncology 43(2):566-74. 2. Seim I, Jeffery PL, De Amorim L, Walpole CM, Fung J, Whiteside EJ,Lourie R, Herington AC, Chopin LK. 2013 Ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) is expressed in prostate cancer tissues and cell lines and expression is differentially regulated in vitro by ghrelin. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 11(1):70. 3. Seim I, Lubik AL, Lehman M, Tomlinson N, Whiteside EJ, Herington A, Nelson C, and Chopin LK. Cloning of a novel insulin-regulated ghrelin transcript in prostate cancer. J Mol Endocrinol, published online on 24 December 2012. 4. Chopin, LK, Walpole C, Seim I, Cunningham P, Murray R, Whiteside EJ, Josh P, Herington AC. Ghrelin and cancer. Mol Cell Endo. 2011 June; 340(1):65-69.

5. Whiteside EJ, Boucaut KJ, Teh A, Garcia-Aragon J, Harvey MB, Herington AC. Elevated concentration of TNF-alpha induces trophoblast differentiation in mouse blastocyst outgrowths. Cell Tissue Res. 2003 Nov; 314(2):275-80. 6. Whiteside EJ, Kan M, Jackson MM, Thompson JG, McNaughton C, Herington AC, Harvey MB. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) expression and activity during early embryo development in the cow. Anat Embryol. 2001 Dec; 204(6):477-83. 7. Whiteside EJ, Jackson MM, Herington AC, Edwards DR, Harvey MB. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 are key regulators of extracellular matrix degradation by mouse embryos. Biol Reprod. 2001 May; 64(5):1331-7. 8. Pantaleon M, Whiteside EJ, Harvey MB, Barnard RT, Waters MJ, Kaye PL. Functional growth hormone (GH) receptors and GH are expressed by preimplantation mouse embryos: a role for GH in early embryogenesis? Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1997 May 13; 94(10):5125-30. Grants awarded: 1. Sep 2012 IHBI Human Health and Wellbeing Collaborative Grant Scheme: Dr Charrlotte Seib, Dr Eliza Whiteside, Prof Debra Anderson [mentor], A/Prof Lisa Chopin [mentor], Professor Kathryn Lee & Prof Janice Humphreys (UCSF, USA)  International collaboration on impact of life stressors on quality of life and telomere length in midlife and older women, $27,800 (12 months). 2. Jun 2012 IHBI ECR Donor Grant: Dr Eliza Whiteside, Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor variants in breast cancer, $10,000 (12 months). 3. Dec 2011 IHBI CT and HHWB Interdomain Grant: Professor Debra Anderson, Dr Eliza Whiteside and other CIs, Investigating biomarkers associated with changes in diet, physical activity and sleep in women with side-effects from breast cancer treatment’, $15,000 (7 months). 4. Feb 2011 QUT ECARD Grant, Dr Eliza Whiteside, The role of follicle-stimulating hormone in breast cancer, $15,000 (12 months). 5. Jan 2011 NHMRC Project Grant (A/Prof Lisa Chopin, CIA and other CIs; Dr Eliza Whiteside, AI), The function of the natural antisense ghrelin receptor gene (GHSROS) in cancer, $476 009 (3 years), ID 1002255. 6. Jan 2001 NHMRC Project Grant (Prof Adrian Herington, CIA and Dr Eliza Whiteside, CIB), The functional roles of ADAM-10 and ADAM-17 (TACE) in the regulation of embryo implantation, $211,000 (2 years), ID138720. Teaching:

School of Biomedical Sciences

Bachelor of Biomedical Science, CMB Academic Champion

Unit coordinator:

• LQB184 Biomedical Skills 1
• LSN101 Molecular Bioscience (Masters in Biotechnology by Coursework)

Areas of teaching expertise (all year levels, Bachelor of  Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Health Science and Bachelor of Nursing/Paramedic Science):

• Cell and molecular biology
• Medical biotechnology
• Reproductive biology
• Pathophysiology
• Designing innovative and technology-supported activities for the collaborative learning spaces
• Supporting students through the First Year Experience
• Supporting ESL and mature-age students

Community engagement:

• CSIRO Scientists in School
• National Breast Cancer Foundation Ambassador