Researcher biography

A/Prof Glenda Gobe heads the Translational Research Laboratories of the Centre for Kidney Disease Research UQ, and is a Caucus member and lab head at the new Translational Research Institute located near Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane. The TRI will house the CKD Bio.Bank, and this will be curated by A/Prof Gobe. Her background in research will ensure ethical and robust development and running of the Biobank, and positions her for support of the CRE, working with CI’s Cooper, Scott and Hoy.

Glenda has international renown for her research into molecular pathways controlling apoptosis particularly in the kidney & her experimental and translational research into molecular strategies aimed at improving patient outcome in acute and chronic kidney disease. Currently, her lab comprises 5 study groups: The Erythropoietin (Epo) study for treatment of acute kidney injury with human recombinant Epo, with identification of modified molecular pathways & beneficial or detrimental outcomes of Epo therapy; molecular signalling in renal fibrosis, researching pro-fibrotic molecules (biomarkers) and their modulation using gene therapy, and investigating mechanisms of activation of inflammatory cells that increase renal fibrosis; natural therapeutics for renal health, by developing standardised analyses of the beneficial or toxicological properties of herbal and other natural medicines; the ageing kidney, especially chronic kidney disease, antioxidant supplementation and its effect on renal tubular epithelial and vascular endothelial cell apoptosis; and improving treatment of renal cell carcinomas, investigating anti-apoptotic pathways to determine molecular mechanisms of resistance to therapy.

Both Australian and overseas postgraduate students take part in Glenda's research programs, and she has been principal or associate PhD supervisor to 15 successful PhD completions and has supervised many other post-graduate projects and students within her laboratories.

Areas of research