Dr Etienne Masle-Farquhar

Our Laboratory studies molecular and cellular mechanisms and novel treatments for major forms of arthritis (RA, PsA, SpA, Gout, OA), and other diseases including primary cold agglutinin disease (pCAD) and giant cell arteritis (GCA). We leverage a national collaborative network and our unique Biobank of inflamed tissues and blood from hundreds of individuals with autoimmune, inflammatory and/or hematological conditions - with a major emphasis on arthritis and its comorbidities.

Student, research assistant and postdoc submissions are encouraged.

Please email lab head Dr Etienne Masle-Farquhar (e.masle-farquhar@garvan.org.au) a CV and transcripts, and a cover letter or shorter description of your motivations for applying. Our well-funded Laboratory of 8 people is closely integrated into the exciting environment of the Garvan Institute and the Translational Genomics Program. 

The Lab's areas of expertise:

1. Close clinical partnerships and unique collections of inflamed tissues, to study human diseases directly in human tissues.
2. Cutting-edge immunogenomics methods, including single-cell sequencing, high parameter flow and microscopy, to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease.
3. Preclinical mouse models to test new mechanisms and rapidly assess pre-clinical efficacy of our novel treatments.
4. Cytokine and immunology expertise, with an emphasis on germline and particularly somatic (=acquired) mutations that drive autoimmune, inflammatory and hematological diseases.
5. Interplay between stress ligands and cytotoxic T cells within tissues.
6. Cross-talk between immune and non-immune cells in driving variable levels of pain and tissue damage.

Hons/PhD/postdoc Projects.

Postdocs are encouraged to suggest new or modified projects. PhD projects are subject to modifications.

1. RA Flares & Inflammation. Single-cell, genomics and cytotoxicity study in synovial fluid aspirates and inflamed tissue, of expanded, persistent CD8 effector T cell clones, which we hypothesise drive unpredictable flares and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
2. PsA pharmacogenomics. Large-scale single-cell mRNA and eQTL study, paired with detailed clinical monitoring, to identify genetic biomarkers that stratify individuals with psoriatic athritis (PsA), for optimal predicted responses to major biologics.
3. CHIP-driven Gout Flares. Single-cell, flow cytometry and clinical study of acquired mutations in Gout. Study focusing on CHIP-mutant cells in sequential flare aspirates and blood collections.
4. Immune-Neuron Interactions in Pain. High-parameter flow, microscopy and single-cell sequencing study of immune-neuronal interactions in inflamed joints, and their impact on pain and stiffness, with an emphasis on OA and RA.
5. Pre-clinical testing of new Biologics. Study in partnership with the new Garvan Biologics Platform, which provides end-to-end design, production and QC of novel antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. Study testing novel biologic therapies in mouse models of arthritis, amongst others.
6. Pathogenic B cells causing pCAD. Single-cell genomics to dissect cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic effects of acquired CARD11 and KMT2D mutations in pathogenic VH4-34+ B cells in primary Cold Agglutinin Disease (pCAD), using BENTA and Kabuki Syndrome as germline disease controls.
7. Muscle-infiltrating CD8 T cells. Study of CD8 T cell infiltration and disease mechanisms in Inclusion Body Myositis.