Professor Brian J. Morris

Professor of Molecular Medical Science
Physiology, School of Medical Sciences
Bosch Institute

F13 - Anderson Stuart Building
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006 Australia

T:	+61 2 9351 3688
F:	+61 2 9351 2227
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W:	Related website

Biographical details

Brian Morris was appointed to the academic staff of the Department (now Discipline) of Physiology in 1978 after 3 years of postdoctoral studies in the USA as a CJ Martin Fellow, then an Advanced Fellow of the American Heart Association, firstly at the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1975-1976, then at the University of California, San Francisco, from 1976-1978. He has been a Professor since 1999. His research has been mostly in the realm of molecular biology and molecular genetics, with a particular interest in hypertension. [More...]

Research interests

The research of Brian Morris' Lab is primarily directed at the molecular genetics of hypertension, with a particular focus on genome-wide alterations in gene and microRNA expression in human essential hypertension and rodent models of this condition.

The Lab has also been involved in research with Eugenie Lumbers and colleagues at University of Newcastle on the expression of the various components of the (pro)renin-angiotensin system and other genes in fetal and maternal tissues to determine whether these have a role in premature labour.

Prof Morris has personal interests are the molecular basis of ageing, especially the effect of dietary and other factors on health and lifespan, and has published in this field.

The Lab has worked in recent years on the molecular biology of factors involved in alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs, a process that results in the generation of multiple proteins from most of the genes in the genome.

Brian was the first in the world to patent the use of PCR for cervical screening. This method was devised to detect the cancer-causing types of human papillomavirus (priority date Feb 1987). This interest led to his involvement in promoting the health and medical benefits of male circumcision (www.circinfo.net), a field in which he has developed a strong international reputation, with numerous publications.

Keywords

Circumcision; Diet; Aging; Hypertension; Human papillomavirus

Publications

2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

2012

Morris, B., Wamai, R. (2012), Biological basis for the protective effect conferred by male circumcision against HIV infection. International Journal of STD & AIDS. 23, 153-159.
Morris, B., Wodak, A., Mindel, A., Schrieber, L., Duggan, K., Dilley, A., Willcourt, R., Lowy, M., Cooper, D., Lumbers, E., Russell, C., Leeder, S. (2012), Infant male circumcision: An evidence-based policy statement. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2(1), 79-92.
Marques, F., Morris, B. (2012), Letter by Marques and Morris Regarding Article, "Signature MicroRNA Expression Profile of Essential Hypertension and Its Novel Link to Human Cytomegalovirus Infection". Circulation. 125(5), e337. [Abstract]
Klausner, J., Morris, B. (2012), Benefits of male circumcision. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. , 455-456; author reply 457. [Abstract]
Morris, B., Waskett, J., Gray, R. (2012), Does sexual function survey in Denmark offer any support for male circumcision having an adverse effect?. International Journal of Epidemiology. 41(1), 310-314. [Abstract]
Morris, B., Waskett, J., Banerjee, J., Wamai, R., Tobian, A., Gray, R., Bailis, S., Bailey, R., Klausner, J., Willcourt, R., Halperin, D., Wiswell, T., Mindel, A. (2012), A 'Snip' in time: what is the best age to circumcise?. BMC Pediatrics. 12(1), 20. [Abstract]
Wang, Y., Pringle, K., Sykes, S., Marques, F., Morris, B., Zakar, T., Lumbers, E. (2012), Fetal Sex Affects Expression of Renin-Angiotensin System Components in Term Human Decidua. Endocrinology. 153(1), 462-8. [Abstract]

2011

Marques, F., Campain, A., Tomaszewski, M., Zukowska-Szczechowska, E., Yang, Y., Charchar, F., Morris, B. (2011), Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Renin mRNA Overexpression in Human Hypertensive Kidneys and a Role for MicroRNAs. Hypertension. 58(6), 1093-8. [Abstract]
Morris, B. (2011), A "SNP in Time" for SCNN1G to Join the "Highly Likely" List of Genes for Essential Hypertension. Hypertension. 58(6), 996-7. [Abstract]
Wamai, R., Morris, B. (2011), 'How to contain generalized HIV epidemics' article misconstrues the evidence. International Journal of STD & AIDS. , 415-416. [Abstract]
Marques, F., Campain, A., Davern, P., Yang, Y., Head, G., Morris, B. (2011), Global identification of the genes and pathways differentially expressed in hypothalamus in early and established neurogenic hypertension. Physiological genomics. 43(12), 766-71. [Abstract]
Morris, B. (2011), Renin, genes, and beyond: 40 years of molecular discoveries in the hypertension field. Hypertension. 57(3), 538-548. [Abstract]
Banerjee, J., Klausner, J., Halperin, D., Wamai, R., Schoen, E., Moses, S., Morris, B., Bailis, S., Venter, F., Martinson, N., Coates, T., Gray, G., Bowa, K. (2011), Circumcision denialism unfounded and unscientific. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. , e11-2; author reply e13-4. [Abstract]
Marques, F., Pringle, K., Conquest, A., Hirst, J., Markus, M., Sarris, M., Zakar, T., Morris, B., Lumbers, E. (2011), Molecular characterization of renin-angiotensin system components in human intrauterine tissues and fetal membranes from vaginal delivery and cesarean section. Placenta. 32(3), 214-221. [Abstract]
Cooper, D., Wodak, A., Morris, B. (2011), The case for boosting infant male circumcision in the face of rising heterosexual transmission of HIV In Reply. (Invited). Medical Journal of Australia. 194(2), 101.
Markus, M., Marques, F., Morris, B. (2011), Resveratrol, by Modulating RNA Processing Factor Levels, Can Influence the Alternative Splicing of Pre-mRNAs. PloS One. 6(12), e28926. [Abstract]
Morris, B., Waskett, J., Gray, R., Halperin, D., Wamai, R., Auvert, B., Klausner, J. (2011), Exposé of misleading claims that male circumcision will increase HIV infections in Africa. Journal of Public Health Africa. 2(e28), 117-122.
Marques, F., Campain, A., Davern, P., Yang, Y., Head, G., Morris, B. (2011), Genes influencing circadian differences in blood pressure in hypertensive mice. PloS One. 6(4), e19203. [Abstract]
Morris, B., Eley, C. (2011), Male Circumcision: An Appraisal of Current Instrumentation. In: Biomedical Engineering -From Theory to Applications. (pp.315-354).Croatia: InTech.
Morris, B., Castellsague, X. (2011), The Role of Circumcision in Preventing STIs. In: Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. (pp.715-740).Germany: Springer.
Morris, B., Gray, R., Castellsague, X., Bosch, F., Halperin, D., Waskett, J., Hankins, C. (2011), The strong protective effect of circumcision against cancer of the penis. Advances in Urology. 2011, 812368. [Abstract]
Wamai, R., Morris, B., Bailis, S., Sokal, D., Klausner, J., Appleton, R., Sewankambo, N., Cooper, D., Bongaarts, J., de Bruyn, G., Wodak, A., Banerjee, J. (2011), Male circumcision for HIV prevention: current evidence and implementation in sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of the International AIDS Society. 14(1), 49. [Abstract]

2010

Morris, B., Wodak, A. (2010), Circumcision survey misleading. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. , 636-637. [Abstract]
Marques, F., Morris, B. (2010), Commentary on resveratrol and hormesis: resveratrol--a hormetic marvel in waiting?. Human & Experimental Toxicology. 29(12), 1026-1028. [Abstract]
Cooper, D., Wodak, A., Morris, B. (2010), The case for boosting infant male circumcision in the face of rising heterosexual transmission of HIV. The Medical Journal of Australia. 193(6), 318-319. [Abstract]
Marques, F., Campain, A., Yang, Y., Morris, B. (2010), Meta-Analysis of genome-wide gene expression differences in onset and maintenance phases of genetic hypertension. Hypertension. 56(2), 319-24. [Abstract]
Gray, R., Bailey, R., Morris, B. (2010), Keratinization of the adult male foreskin and implications for male circumcision. AIDS. , 1381. [Abstract]
Morris, B. (2010), Sympathetic meta-analysis of adrenoceptor gene variants in hypertension. American Journal of Hypertension. 23(3), 225. [Abstract]
Marques, F., Markus, M., Morris, B. (2010), The molecular basis of longevity, and clinical implications. Maturitas. 65(2), 87-91. [Abstract]
Morris, B. (2010), Calorie Restriction Mimetics and Aging. In: Calorie Restriction, Ageing and Longevity. (pp.141-176).Germany, United Stat: Springer Science + Business Media B.V..
Everitt, A., Heilbronn, L., Morris, B., Brown-Borg, H., Merry, B., Simpson, S., Varady, K., Masoro, E., Redman, L., Le Couteur, D. (2010), Conclusion: Human Calorie Restriction and Anti-Aging Therapy. In: Calorie Restriction, Ageing and Longevity. (pp.311-318).Germany, United Stat: Springer Science + Business Media B.V..

2009

Marques, F., Markus, M., Morris, B. (2009), Resveratrol: Cellular actions of a potent natural chemical that confers a diversity of health benefits. The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology. 41(11), 2125-8. [Abstract]
Morris, B., Bailis, S., Waskett, J., Wiswell, T., Halperin, D. (2009), Medicaid coverage of newborn circumcision: a health parity right of the poor. American Journal of Public Health. , 969-971. [Abstract]
Morris, B. (2009), Might a leptin gene variant affect blood pressure in obese brazilians?. American Journal of Hypertension. 22(5), 467. [Abstract]
Loughlin, F., Mansfield, R., Vaz, P., McGrath, A., Setiyaputra, S., Gamsjaeger, R., Chen, E., Morris, B., Guss, J., Mackay, J. (2009), The zinc fingers of the SR-like protein ZRANB2 are single-stranded RNA-binding domains that recognize 5' splice site-like sequences. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 106(14), 5581-5586. [Abstract]
Markus, M., Morris, B. (2009), RBM4: A multifunctional RNA-binding protein. The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology. 41(4), 740-3. [Abstract]
Pönighaus, C., Speirs, H., Morris, B., Kuhn, J., Kleesiek, K., Götting, C. (2009), Xylosyltransferase gene variants and their role in essential hypertension. American Journal of Hypertension. 22(4), 432-436. [Abstract]
Waskett, J., Morris, B., Weiss, H. (2009), Errors in meta-analysis by Van Howe. International Journal of STD & AIDS. , 216-218; author reply 218-20. [Abstract]
Morris, B. (2009), GRK4 genetics and response to beta-blocker. American Journal of Hypertension. 22, 235-236. [Abstract]
Marques, F., Markus, M., Morris, B. (2009), Hormesis as a pro-healthy aging intervention in human beings?. Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society. 8(1), 28-33. [Abstract]

2008

Morris, B. (2008), Fluorescence activated cell sorting of transiently transfected As4.1 cells shows renin enhancer directs on/off switching of renin promoter in vitro. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology. 35(4), 367-371. [Abstract]
Martin, S., Markus, M., Morris, B., Davisson, R., Lawrence, A., van den Buuse, M. (2008), Does angiotensin interact with dopaminergic mechanisms in the brain to modulate prepulse inhibition in mice?. Neuropharmacology. 54(2), 399-404. [Abstract]
Morris, B. (2008), How Xenohormetic Compounds Confer Health Benefits. In: Mild Stress and Healthy Aging. (pp.115-138).Netherlands: Springer Science+Business Media.
Morris, B., Halperin, D., Klausner, J. (2008), Cut!. New Scientist. 2670, 20-21.
Mangs, A., Morris, B. (2008), ZRANB2: Structural and functional insights into a novel splicing protein. The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology. 40(0), 2353-7. [Abstract]
Markus, M., Morris, B. (2008), Resveratrol in prevention and treatment of common clinical conditions of aging. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 3(2), 331-339. [Abstract]
Halperin, D., Wamai, R., Weiss, H., Hankins, C., Agot, K., Abdool Karim, Q., Shisana, O., Bailey, R., Betukumesu, B., Bongaarts, J., Bowa, K., Cash, R., al, E., Morris, B. (2008), Male circumcision is an efficacious, lasting and cost-effective strategy for combating HIV in high-prevalence AIDS epidemics. Future HIV Therapy. , 399-405.
Abete, P., Calabrese, E., Ji, L., Kristensen, T., Le Bourg, E., Loeschcke, V., Morris, B., Rengo,, F., Rattan, S., Safwat, A., Sarup, P., Sørensen, J., Vaiserman, A. (2008), Mild Stress and Healthy Aging: Perspectives for Human Beings. In: Mild Stress and Healthy Aging. (pp.171-183).Netherlands: Springer Science+Business Media.
Waskett, J., Morris, B. (2008), Re: 'RS Van Howe, FM Hodges. The carcinogenicity of smegma: debunking a myth.' An example of myth and mythchief making?. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 22(1), 131. [Abstract]

2007

Morris, B. (2007), Why circumcision is a biomedical imperative for the 21(st) century. BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. 29(11), 1147-58. [Abstract]
Markus, M., Goy, C., Adams, D., Lovicu, F., Morris, B. (2007), Renin Enhancer Is Crucial for Full Response in Renin Expression to an In Vivo Stimulus. Hypertension. 50, 933-8. [Abstract]
Stefani, M., Markus, M., Lin, R., Pinese, M., Dawes, I., Morris, B. (2007), The Effect of Resveratrol on a Cell Model of Human Aging. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1114, 407-18. [Abstract]
Jackson, K., Head, G., Morris, B., Chin-Dusting, J., Jones, E., La Greca, L., Mayorov, D. (2007), Reduced cardiovascular reactivity to stress but not feeding in renin enhancer knockout mice. American Journal of Hypertension. 20(8), 893-899. [Abstract]
Morris, B., Waskett, J., Bailis, S. (2007), Case number and the financial impact of circumcision in reducing prostate cancer. BJU International. 100(1), 5-6. [Abstract]
Waskett, J., Morris, B. (2007), Fine-touch pressure thresholds in the adult penis. BJU International. , 1551-1552. [Abstract]
Yang, Z., Venardos, K., Jones, E., Morris, B., Chin-Dusting, J., Kaye, D. (2007), Identification of a novel polymorphism in the 3'UTR of the L-arginine transporter gene SLC7A1: contribution to hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. Circulation. 115(10), 1269-1274. [Abstract]
Morris, B. (2007), Climate not cultivars in the NO-ing of red wines. Journal of Hypertension. 25, 501-503. [Abstract]
Morris, B. (2007), Circumcision in Australia: prevalence and effects on sexual health. International Journal of STD & AIDS. , 69-70. [Abstract]
Morris, B., Rose, B. (2007), Cervical screening in the 21st century: the case for human papillomavirus testing of self-collected specimens. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 45(5), 577-591. [Abstract]
Mangs, A., Morris, B. (2007), The human pseudoautosomal region: origin, function and future. Current Genomics. 8(0), 129-136.

2006

Morris, B., Castellsague, X., Bailis, S. (2006), Re: Cost analysis of neonatal circumcision in a large health maintenance organization - E. J. Schoen, C. J. Colby and T. T. To - J Urol, 175 : 1111-1115, 2006. Journal of Urology. 176(5), 2315-2316. [Abstract]
Adams, D., Head, G., Markus, M., Lovicu, F., van der Weyden, L., Köntgen, F., Arends, M., Thiru, S., Mayorov, D., Morris, B. (2006), Renin enhancer is critical for control of renin gene expression and cardiovascular function. The Journal of biological chemistry. 281, 31753-61. [Abstract]
Markus, M., Heinrich, B., Raitskin, O., Adams, D., Mangs, H., Goy, C., Ladomery, M., Sperling, R., Stamm, S., Morris, B. (2006), WT1 interacts with the splicing protein RBM4 and regulates its ability to modulate alternative splicing in vivo. Experimental cell research. 312, 3379-88. [Abstract]
Markus, M., Morris, B. (2006), Lark Is the Splicing Factor RBM4 and Exhibits Unique Subnuclear Localization Properties. DNA and Cell Biology. 25(8), 457-464. [Abstract]
Yang, Z., Morris, B., Kaye, D. (2006), Investigation of genetic and biochemical determinants of depressed L-arginine transport in human hypertension. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 47(4), 324A-325A. [Abstract]
Morris, B., Bailis, S., Castellsague, X., Wiswell, T., Halperin, D. (2006), RACP's policy statement on infant male circumcision is ill-conceived. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 30(1), 16-22; discussion 22-5. [Abstract]
Everitt, A., Hilmer, S., Brand-Miller, J., Jamieson, H., Truswell, A., Sharma, A., Mason, R., Morris, B., Le Couteur, D. (2006), Dietary approaches that delay age-related diseases. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 1, 11-31.
Mangs, A., Speirs, H., Goy, C., Adams, D., Markus, M., Morris, B. (2006), XE7: A novel splicing factor that interacts with ASF/SF2 and ZNF265. Nucleic acids research. 34(17), 4976-86. [Abstract]

The University of Sydney - Discipline of Genetic Medicine