Belinda Hales
Senior Manager, Research Platforms
BSc (Hons) PhD
belinda.hales@thekids.org.au
Associate Professor Belinda Hales is the Senior Manager of Research Platforms at The Kids Research Institute Australia and an Adjunct Associate Professor within the Centre for Child Health Research at the University of Western Australia. The Research Platform teams provide support in Biostatistics and in our OGTR-certified PC2 laboratories and Bioresources facilities to enable research. Within the Platform teams there are specialists in flow cytometry, imaging, animal management including breeding, sterilisation, gene technology, biosafety, data analysis, biospecimen processing and biobanking. Some of the platform services operate on a cost-recovery basis and are available for external researchers and commercial entities to access.
A/Prof Hales has over 75 publications including 5 book chapters and was previously Head of the Allergy & Infectious Disease research team at the Institute from 2014-2022. She is co-chair of the Institute Biosafety Committee, chair of the Laboratory Advisory Body and a member of several committees and working groups to improve the governance and operations of the Institute.
Projects
Cultures of HRV-C for investigations of pathogenesis in children
The role of bacterial infections during infancy in asthma development
In this project we are studying how interactions between bacteria and viruses in children's airways promote the development of allergy and asthma.
Published research
Host Immune Response to Scabies
Scabies infection is associated with heightened total IgE immunoglobulin and IgE antibodies to scabies antigens, with both being extremely high for crusted scabies patients. The IgE antibodies cross-react with house dust mite allergens with high reactivity found to the minor allergen arginine kinase.
Dysfunctional gut microbiome networks in childhood ige‐mediated food allergy
The development of food allergy has been reported to be related with the changes in the gut microbiome, however the specific microbe associated with the pathogenesis of food allergy remains elusive. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the gut microbiome and identify individual or group gut microbes relating to food-allergy using 16S rRNA gene sequencing with network analysis.
Effects of Ser47-Point Mutation on Conformation Structure and Allergenicity of the Allergen of Der p 2, a Major House Dust Mite Allergen
The mutant Der p 2 had altered structure and reduced ability to stimulate pro-inflammatory responses and to bind IgE
A marked shift in innate and adaptive immune response in chinese immigrants living in a western environment
There is a marked shift in innate and adaptive immune responses in Chinese immigrants after living in a Western environment for several years
The Western Environment Reduces Innate Immune Cytokine Production in Chinese Immigrants
We recruited age- and sex-matched Chinese immigrants living in Western Australia for less than 6 months (newly arrived, n = 22) or more than 5 years.
T-cell responses against rhinovirus species A and C in asthmatic and healthy children
Infections by RV species A and C are the most common causes of exacerbations of asthma and a major cause of exacerbations of other respiratory disease.
Clinical significance of circulating microRNAs as markers in detecting and predicting congenital heart defects in children
In this study, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of miRNAs as biomarkers in diagnosing and predicting children with congenital heart defects (CHD), particularly in the context of multiple subtypes of CHD.
Immunodominant T-cell epitopes in the VP1 capsid protein of rhinovirus species A and C
Our results indicate a dissociation between the antibody and T-cell responses to rhinoviruses
A longitudinal study of natural antibody development to pneumococcal surface protein A families 1 and 2 in Papua New Guinean Highland children: a cohort study
Pneumococcal surface protein A is immunogenic and natural anti-PspA immune responses are acquired through exposure and develop with age
Distinguishing benign from pathologic TH2 immunity in atopic children
In addition to its role in blocking TH2 effector activation in the late-phase allergic response, IL-10 is a known IgG1 switch factor
Effect of amino acid polymorphisms of house dust mite Der p 2 variants on allergic sensitization
Measures of allergic sensitization and therapeutic strategies could be optimized with knowledge of Der p 2 variants
Western environment/lifestyle is associated with increased genome methylation and decreased gene expression in Chinese immigrants living in Australia
Chinese immigrants living in Australia for a longer period of time have increased overall genome methylation and decreased overall gene expression
Analysis of IgE binding patterns to house dust mite allergens in scabies-endemic communities: insights for both diseases
This study analysed the IgE binding patterns caused by house dust mite allergens in scabies endemic communities in Australia.
Lower anti-echovirus antibody responses in children presenting to hospital with asthma exacerbations.
This article assesses the absolute and specific antibody titres to VP1 antigens of the gut-trophic enteroviruses, echovirus 30 and Sabin 1 poliovirus, in...
Chronic cat allergen exposure induces a Th2 cell-dependent IgG4 response related to low sensitization
This study evaluated the relationship between cat allergen–specific biomarkers in adults with cat allergy with and without cat ownership.
Genome-wide association study of IgG1 responses to the choline-binding protein PspC of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Delayed development of antibodies to S. pneumoniae in infancy is associated with the development of atopy and asthma.
The Infant Nasopharyngeal Microbiome Impacts Severity of Lower Respiratory Infection and Risk of Asthma Development
Lung inflammation resulting from ARIs during infancy is linked to asthma development.
A role for CCL28-CCR3 in T-cell homing to the human upper airway mucosa
Lymphocyte recruitment to peripheral tissues is fundamental for immune surveillance and homeostasis, but the chemokines and chemokine receptors responsible...
Developments in the field of allergy in 2014 through the eyes of Clinical and Experimental Allergy
The pathogenesis of asthma continues to be a major topic of interest to our authors with reviews and original papers on the role of viruses, mechanisms of...
Improving immunity to Haemophilus influenzae in children with chronic suppurative lung disease
Endobronchial infections related to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) are common in children and adults with suppurative airway disease...
Children with chronic suppurative lung disease have a reduced capacity to synthesize interferon-gamma in vitro in response to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae
The aim of this study was to identify features of innate, cell-mediated and humoral immunity that may increase susceptibility to respiratory infections in...
Comparison of rhinovirus antibody titers in children with asthma exacerbations and species-specific rhinovirus infection
Asthma exacerbations are associated with human rhinovirus (HRV) infections, and more severe exacerbations are associated with HRV-C.
Defective respiratory tract immune surveillance in asthma : A primary causal factor in disease onset and progression
The relative importance of respiratory viral infections vs inhalant allergy in asthma pathogenesis is the subject of ongoing debate.
Species-Specific and Cross-Reactive IgG1 Antibody Binding to Viral Capsid Protein 1 (VP1) Antigens of Human Rhinovirus Species A, B and C
Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are associated with upper and lower respiratory illnesses, including severe infections causing hospitalization in both children...
IgE and IgG binding patterns and T-cell recognition of fel d 1 and Non-Fel d 1 cat allergens
To compare IgE and IgG antibody binding and T-cell recognition of the major cat allergen Fel d 1 with other cat proteins with known IgE binding properties.
Quantitation of IgE Binding to the Chitinase and Chitinase-Like House Dust Mite Allergens
The prevalence of IgE binding to the group 15 and 18 house dust mite (HDM) allergens of the Dermatophagoides species...
Reduced rhinovirus-specific antibodies are associated with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are often linked to respiratory infections.
Antibacterial antibody responses associated with the development of asthma in house dust mite-sensitised and non-sensitised children
We aimed to measure the antibody development to 2 bacteria in a birth cohort at high risk of allergic disease, and to assess which responses are asthma-linked.
Effect of early carriage of streptococcus pneumoniae on the development of pneumococcal protein-specific cellular immune responses in infancy
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between nasopharyngeal pneumococcal colonization in early life and the development of T cell responses.
A diagnostic test for scabies: IgE specificity for a recombinant allergen of Sarcoptes scabiei
Scabies infestations are difficult to diagnose clinically and current serologic tests have less than 50% accuracy...
Two newly identified cat allergens: The von Ebner gland protein Fel d 7 and the latherin-like protein Fel d 8
Characterization of the complete IgE binding spectrum of cat allergens is important for the development of improved diagnosis and effective immunotherapeutics.
Th2-associated immunity to bacteria in asthma in teenagers and susceptibility to asthma
Bacterial colonisation of the airways is associated with increased risk of childhood asthma
House dust mite allergens in asthma and allergy
IgE antibodies in house dust mite (HDM) allergy follow a predictable pattern. Half are directed against two dominant allergens and the remainder largely against
Early aberrant antibody responses of aeroallergen sensitised people to subclinical bacterial infection
Early aberrant antibody responses, aeroallergen sensitised people, subclinical bacterial infection
Education and Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Western Australia (1999)
Bachelor of Science (Hons, 1st class), The University of Western Australia (1993)
Awards/Honours
Australian Postgraduate Research Award (APRA) scholarship (1995-1999)
Promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia (2012)
Selected to participate on a NHMRC Grant Review Panel (2013, 2014)
Department of Health Merit Award (2014)
Active Collaborations
Local Collaborations
- Prof Peter Le Souëf (UWA)
- A/Prof Brad Zhang (Curtin)
- Dr Andrew Currie (Murdoch University)
- Dr Abha Chopra (Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University)
National Collaborations
- Prof Peter Sly (QCMRI, University of Queensland)
- Dr Kathryn Holt (University of Melbourne)
- Dr Michael Inouye (University of Melbourne)
- Prof John Upham (University of Queensland)
- Prof Anne Chang (Menzies School of Health Research)
- Dr Stephanie Yerkovich (University of Queensland)
- A/Prof Shelley Walton (University of the Sunshine Coast, Qld)
International collaborations
- Prof William Cookson (Imperial College London, UK)
- Dr William Pomat (The PNG Institute of Medical Research, Papua New Guinea)
- Prof Mark Larche (McMaster University, Canada)
- Prof Frode Jahnsen (Oslo University, Norway)
- Dr William Kwok (Benaroya Research Institute, USA)
- Prof Marianne van Hage (Karolinska Institute, Sweden)