CPC Interdisciplinary Publication Excellence Prize 2025

The Prize this year is awarded to Christopher Denes (Nature Communications), Ethan Italiano (Nature), Yvonne Kong (Journal of Clinical Investigation) and Rachel Yang (BMJ Global Health).

The Interdisciplinary Publication Excellence Prize celebrates cross- and inter-disciplinary research outputs led by Charles Perkins Centre members published in the preceding two years. The Prize privileges CPC EMCR lead authors and co-authors from at least two or more disciplines.

In 2025, 12 high-quality eligible papers were submitted for the Prize. Applications were assessed based on interdisciplinarity, and metrics such as journal quartile and field weighted citation impact. Four prizes, valued at $2000 each were awarded.

“This is a unique Prize that supports our EMCRs to build capacity, profile and impact. The 12 submissions were of high calibre and the papers published in leading journals in their field: Nature, Nature Communications, Journal of Clinical Investigation and BMJ Global Health,” said Professor David James and Professor Natasha Nassar, Joint Interim Academic Directors, Charles Perkins Centre.

“We are so delighted to support such impressive impact for the Charles Perkins Centre, as well as recognising the collaboration with numerous schools and faculties across the University: Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Medicine and Health, Science and Engineering as well as the Schools of Life and Environmental Science, Medical Science, Sydney Medical School, Public Health, Mathematics and Statistics, Biomedical Engineering and the Heart Research Institute and the Centenary Institute. That is real multidisciplinary research with impact. Congratulations to the four awardees for 2025.”

The Interdisciplinary Publication Excellence Prize is valued at $2,000 for each awardee. Funds are to support professional development and/or prospective or retrospective article processing costs (APCs).

Charles Perkins Centre Interdisciplinary Publication Excellence Prize | Winners 2025

Dr Christopher Denes

Paper | A chimeric viral platform for directed evolution in mammalian cells

Journal | Nature Communications

Disciplines | Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centenary Institute

This paper describes a new virus-based technology for the directed evolution of proteins in mammalian cells. Our provisionally patented technology replaces a faulty platform we raised concerns about in ACS Synthetic Biology (PMID: 36219697), finally providing the field with a robust, stable method that will be adopted worldwide with ease. This technology enables researchers to improve the functionality of proteins used in the human context (e.g. biologics in medicine and beyond), supportive of the CPC mission to address urgent problems in human health to help individuals live healthier lives. Evolved therapeutic products have clear potential for applications in a clinical setting, establishing a bench to bedside workflow, in line with the CPC’s interest in translational research. Our platform also creates the opportunity to improve protein-based research tools used by CPC members (eg CRISPR, antibodies), enhancing research capacity Institute- and University-wide. We already have world-leading international labs wanting to collaborate with this new research tool. In demonstration of the broad impact of this publication’s findings, a media release from the University of Sydney led to radio and magazine interviews (2GB, IEEE Spectrum, Popular Mechanics) and syndicated news and popular media pieces, with a conservatively estimated audience reach of at least 7.8 million.

Mr Ethan Italiano PhD candidate

Paper | Ischaemic endothelial necroptosis induces haemolysis and COVID-19 angiopathy

Journal | Nature

Disciplines | School of Medical Science, Sydney Medical School, Heart Research Institute

The study identifies a novel mechanism of microvascular injury: endothelial necroptosis causes red blood cell rupture, forming membrane plugs that occlude capillaries independently of classical clotting cascades. This marks a paradigm shift in understanding vascular pathology in conditions such as COVID-19, myocardial infarction, and chronic metabolic disease. This discovery aligns strongly with the Charles Perkins Centre mission to address lifestyle related diseases through collaborative, translational, and community-focused research. By revealing a new therapeutic target – endothelial necroptosis – this study supports the CPC mission to translate molecular insights into clinical practice and public health strategies. This work exemplifies the CPC emphasis on multidisciplinary research through the integration of genetic models, advanced multimodal imaging, pathological data and systems medicine to bridge the gap between molecular biology, clinical science and public health. It also opens avenues for research training, especially in vascular biology, and for developing community engagement initiatives aimed at early identification and prevention of microvascular complications in diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Ultimately, this research supports the CPC mission of transforming complex biomedical discoveries into real-world solutions that benefit individuals and communities alike.

Dr Yvonne Kong

Paper | SEC61B regulates calcium flux and platelet hyperreactivity in diabetes

Journal | Journal of Clinical Investigation

Disciplines | Central Clinical School, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Mathematics and Statistics, School of Medical Sciences, School of Biomedical Engineering, Heart Research Institute

We examined platelets from patients with coronary artery disease, with and without diabetes, to identify platelet biomarkers of cardiovascular events in diabetes. We identified a previously undescribed calcium channel in platelets, SEC61, which is dysregulated in diabetes and contributes to the increased risk of thrombosis in this condition. By inhibiting this channel in cellular and animal models, we demonstrated reduced intracellular calcium mobilisation and decreased platelet activation. Platelet thrombus formation was specifically reduced in diabetic animals, but not in non-diabetic animals, following SEC61 inhibition – highlighting the potential of SEC61 as a novel therapeutic target for antiplatelet agents in diabetes. Our research aligns with the CPC mission to reduce the burden of chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, by identifying a new druggable target for platelet hyper-reactivity in diabetes. Furthermore, our findings significantly advance current understanding of platelet biology, revealing a previously unknown mechanism of platelet calcium handling. Our approach reflects the ethos of the CPC research mission, leveraging its collaborative environment to unite researchers from multiple disciplines in the fight against chronic diseases. 

Ms Rachel Yang, PhD candidate

Paper | Epistemic preparedness

Journal | BMJ Global Health

Disciplines | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Social and Political Sciences, School of Public Health

This publication advances the concept of ‘epistemic preparedness as a critical and timely intervention in global health strategy. Moving beyond conventional pandemic planning focused on surveillance, stockpiling, and technical infrastructure, the paper foregrounds the cognitive and epistemic dimensions of preparedness. Drawing on lessons from COVID-19, we examine how data is collected and shared, how models are built and interpreted, and how time and space are framed in public health decision-making. We argue that preparedness requires not only better data or faster responses, but also deeper reflexivity about how disease knowledge is produced and mobilised. Epistemic preparedness calls for inclusive, context-sensitive approaches to modelling and risk assessment, attending to the ecological, social, and historical conditions that shape outbreaks. This work is highly relevant to the CPC mission to address health challenges through interdisciplinary, equity-driven, and ethically grounded approaches. By interrogating dominant epistemologies and advocating for the integration of social science, humanities, and community expertise into global health planning, this research opens new pathways for inclusive and durable preparedness. It supports the CPC aim to reform institutional responses to health crises and highlights the importance of long-term thinking, decolonial critique, and democratic knowledge practices in responding to emerging infectious diseases.