Doug Hilton
Encyclopedia
Douglas “Doug” James Hilton PhD FAA
(born 13 June 1964 in England) is an Australian molecular biologist. He is the Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
in Melbourne
, Australia
and Head of the Department of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne
. His research has focused on cytokines
, signal transduction pathways
and the regulation of blood cell formation (hematopoiesis).
, where he recalls being inspired by “a wonderful biology teacher”.
. He spent summer holidays as an undergraduate researcher in the laboratory of Ian Young at the John Curtin School of Medical Research
. His Honours and PhD research projects were conducted with Professors Don Metcalf and Nicos Nicola at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, and resulted in the cloning of the cytokine Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF)
.
with Professor Harvey Lodish
at the Whitehead Institute
, MIT
, USA.
In 1993 Hilton returned to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute where he continued his research into cytokine signalling, with discoveries including the interleukin-11 receptor
, the interleukin-13 receptor
, and the Suppressors of Cytokine Signalling (SOCS) proteins. In recent years, together with Professor Warren Alexander and Dr Benjamin Kile, Hilton has established a new program using large-scale mouse genetics and genomics to identify regulators of blood cell formation, with a view to determining targets for the development of new medicines. He has been the head of the Institute’s Division of Molecular Medicine since it began in 2006, and is a professor in the University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science
.
, Sir Gustav Nossal
, Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet
, Dr Charles Kellaway
and Dr Sydney Patterson
.
Hilton believes that the Institute’s success requires:
Australian Academy of Science
The Australian Academy of Science was founded in 1954 by a group of distinguished Australians, including Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London. The first president was Sir Mark Oliphant. The Academy is modelled after the Royal Society and operates under a Royal Charter; as such it is...
(born 13 June 1964 in England) is an Australian molecular biologist. He is the Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research is Australia's oldest medical research institute.In 2011, the institute is home to more than 650 researchers who are working to understand, prevent and treat diseases including blood, breast and ovarian cancers; inflammatory diseases such as...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Head of the Department of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
. His research has focused on cytokines
Cytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
, signal transduction pathways
Signal transduction
Signal transduction occurs when an extracellular signaling molecule activates a cell surface receptor. In turn, this receptor alters intracellular molecules creating a response...
and the regulation of blood cell formation (hematopoiesis).
Early life
Hilton migrated to Australia with his family in 1970 and grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Warrandyte. He was educated at Warrandyte Primary School and East Doncaster High SchoolEast Doncaster Secondary College
East Doncaster Secondary College is a government high school in the Melbourne suburb of Doncaster East. It is located on George Street and was established in 1974. Its current principal is John Handley. East Doncaster Secondary College is a co-educational school and has over 1500 students. This...
, where he recalls being inspired by “a wonderful biology teacher”.
Education
Hilton received a Bachelor of Science from Monash UniversityMonash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
. He spent summer holidays as an undergraduate researcher in the laboratory of Ian Young at the John Curtin School of Medical Research
John Curtin School of Medical Research
The John Curtin School of Medical Research is a major biomedical research centre in Australia, and part of the Australian National University, Canberra. The school was founded in 1948, as a result of the vision of Australian Nobel Laureate Sir Howard Florey and Prime Minister John Curtin.The Nobel...
. His Honours and PhD research projects were conducted with Professors Don Metcalf and Nicos Nicola at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, and resulted in the cloning of the cytokine Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF)
Leukemia inhibitory factor
Leukemia inhibitory factor, or LIF, an interleukin 6 class cytokine, is a protein in cells that affects cell growth and development.-Function:LIF derives its name from its ability to induce the terminal differentiation of myeloid leukemic cells...
.
Cytokine Signalling and Blood Cell Formation
Hilton spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow studying the erythropoietin (EPO) receptorErythropoietin receptor
The erythropoietin receptor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPOR gene. EpoR is a 59 kDa peptide and is a member of the cytokine receptor family. EpoR pre-exists as dimers...
with Professor Harvey Lodish
Harvey Lodish
Harvey F. Lodish is a molecular and cell biologist, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, and textbook author...
at the Whitehead Institute
Whitehead Institute
Founded in 1982, the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is a non-profit research and teaching institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA....
, MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, USA.
In 1993 Hilton returned to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute where he continued his research into cytokine signalling, with discoveries including the interleukin-11 receptor
Interleukin-11 receptor
The interleukin 11 receptor is a type I cytokine receptor, binding interleukin 11. It is a heterodimer composed of an interleukin 11 receptor alpha subunit and an incompletely characterized beta subunit....
, the interleukin-13 receptor
Interleukin-13 receptor
The interleukin-13 receptor is a type I cytokine receptor, binding Interleukin-13. It consists of two subunits, encoded by IL13RA1 and IL4Rα, respectively. These two genes encode the proteins IL-13Rα1 and IL-4Rα. These form a dimer with IL-13 binding to the IL-13Rα1 chain and IL-4Rα stabilises this...
, and the Suppressors of Cytokine Signalling (SOCS) proteins. In recent years, together with Professor Warren Alexander and Dr Benjamin Kile, Hilton has established a new program using large-scale mouse genetics and genomics to identify regulators of blood cell formation, with a view to determining targets for the development of new medicines. He has been the head of the Institute’s Division of Molecular Medicine since it began in 2006, and is a professor in the University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne
-General:The of the University of Melbourne is the University’s largest and most diverse faculty, consisting of 52 schools, departments and centres....
.
Other positions
From 1997 to 2001, Hilton served as Director of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Cellular Growth Factors, during which he initiated the Australian Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). He is also a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the biotechnology company MuriGen Therapeutics. He currently serves on the Board of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation Medical Research Advisory Committee, the Victorian Cancer Agency Plan Implementation Committee, the Victorian Life Sciences Computational Initiative Steering Committee, the Board of the Bio21 Cluster, and the Board of the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand.Directorship of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
On 1 July 2009, Hilton became the sixth Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, a position that has previously been held by Professor Suzanne CorySuzanne Cory
Suzanne Cory, AC, FAA, FRS is an Australian biologist.Cory is the current President of the Australian Academy of Science. She is the first-elected female President of the Academy and took office on 7 May 2010 for a five year term...
, Sir Gustav Nossal
Gustav Nossal
Sir Gustav Victor Joseph Nossal, AC, CBE, FRS, FAA is an Australian research biologist.-Life and career:Gustav Nossal's family was from Vienna, Austria. He was born four weeks prematurely in Bad Ischl while his mother was on holiday...
, Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet
Frank Macfarlane Burnet
Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet, , usually known as Macfarlane or Mac Burnet, was an Australian virologist best known for his contributions to immunology....
, Dr Charles Kellaway
Charles Kellaway
Charles Halliley Kellaway, MB, BS, MD, MS, MC, FRS, was an Australian medical researcher and science administrator.-Early years and education:...
and Dr Sydney Patterson
Sydney Patterson
Sydney Wentworth Patterson MB BS, MD, DSc, FRCP was a physician, medical researcher and first director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia.-Education:...
.
Hilton believes that the Institute’s success requires:
- continuing its cornerstone research into cancer, blood cells, immunology, autoimmunity and infectious diseases, and enhancing this research with technological and investigative innovations including structural biology, chemistry, high-throughput screening, and mathematics and computational science.
- expanding the translational research conducted by the Institute and considering, in collaboration with indigenous communities and other organisations, ways in which the research strengths of the Institute can be constructively utilised to improve indigenous health in Australia.
- enhancing the institute’s links with the University of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Hospital and other leading centres of excellence in medical research and education, and continuing to pursue collaborations with the private sector.
Awards and honours
- 1989- Victorian Young Achiever of the Year
- 1993- Queen Elizabeth II Postdoctoral Fellowship
- 1998- Gottschalk Medal, Australian Academy of Science
- 1999- Australian Institute of Political Science, Victorian "Tall Poppy" Award
- 2000- Amgen Medical Researcher Award, Australian Society for Medical Research
- 2000- Inaugural Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research
- 2003- The GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for Research Excellence
- 2004- Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science
- 2006- COSMOS Bright Spark Award "Australia's Top 10 Scientific Minds Under 45"
- 2008- Australia National Health and Medical Research Council “Ten great minds in health and medical research”
- 2009- The Age Melbourne Magazine, “Top 100 People”
- 2010- Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
- 2011- Seymour & Vivian Milstein Award for Excellence in Interferon and Cytokine Research, International Cytokine Society and the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research