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Dr Natasha Hamilton

BScAgr (Hons), PhD (Equine Genetics)
Lecturer in Veterinary Physiology  

B19 - R.M.C. Gunn Building
The University of Sydney

Telephone +61 2 9351 2474
Fax +61 2 9351 3957

Biographical details

Natasha is an early career academic at the Faculty of Veterinary Science. After completing her PhD in equine molecular genetics with Professor Raadsma’s Reprogen group, she worked for two years as a postdoctoral researcher investigating the effect of inflammation caused by hypoxia on myocardial muscle at the ANZAC Research Institute, Concord Hospital. Natasha’s preference for working within animal industries soon saw her return to Sydney University at Camden for another postdoctoral position, this time investigating the molecular basis for resistance to parasitic infection in sheep. However, it is only since becoming a full time academic that she has had the opportunity to combine her University work with her other love, the horseracing industry, which is now the focus of much of her research. Natasha’s research interests include equine genetics and attrition in the racing industry, and she has supervised a number of honours students within these areas. Her research has been aided by her close links to the racing industry, as she has also been a casual raceday official for over 15 years. Current specific research interests include equine performance genetics, investigation of factors contributing to EIPH in racehorses, investigation of factors contributing to retirement of racehorses in NSW and co-supervision of her PhD student Brandon Velie, who is working on the genetics of durability in racehorses. Natasha is looking forward to setting up her own research group and continuing to work closely with the racing industry in the future.
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Research interests

Equine genetics: including selection, performance and susceptability to disease and injury
Welfare and wastage in racehorses
Genetics of disease and production traits in farm animals
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Teaching and supervision

Undergraduate teaching: Veterinary physiology BVSc years I and II;
Animal physiology BAnVetBioSc (AVBS)year II ;
Cell Biology BVSc & AVBS;
Animal Welfare & Behaviour Science AVBS year III
AVBS Honours projects
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Associations

Racing NSW
International Equine Genome Mapping Workshop (IEGMW)
International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG)
Australian Turf Club
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In the media

Brandon Velie, a PhD student under the co-supervision of Natasha has recently attracted media attention for their project "Profiling the careers of Thoroughbred horses racing in Hong Kong between 2000 and 2010". The following link is a SMH article on their project.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/horseracing/study-debunks-slipper-myths-of-juvenile-burnout-factor-20130404-2h8rk.html

Racing start for two-year-old thoroughbreds not detrimental:-
http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=11309

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Themes

Animal Health

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Selected grants

2012

  • Molecular genetics of EIPH in Thoroughbred Racehorses in Australia; Hamilton N; J.M. and J.R Stewart Legacy/Faculty of Veterinary Science Bequest.

2010

  • Conformation of a novel regulatory region in the equine ACE gene; Hamilton N; The Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney/Start-up Research Fund.

2008

  • Fine mapping of QTL for parasite resistance in sheep; Hamilton N; The Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney/Postdoctoral fellow and new academic staff travel funds.

2004

  • RRF32 characterisation of the Equine Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene; Tammen I, Raadsma H, Hamilton N; Racing New South Wales/Research Fund.
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Selected publications

Download citations: PDF RTF Endnote

Journals

  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Raadsma, H. (2013). Multi-Species Comparative Analysis of the Equine ACE Gene Identifies a Highly Conserved Potential Transcription Factor Binding Site in Intron 16. PLoS One, 8(2), e55434.
  • Velie, B., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). Profiling the careers of Thoroughbred horses racing in Australia between 2000 and 2010. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45, 182-186.
  • Velie, B., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). Profiling the careers of Thoroughbred horses racing in Australia between 2000 and 2010. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45(2), 182-186.
  • Velie, B., Stewart, B., Lam, K., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). profiling the careers of Thoroughbred horses racing in Hong Kong between 2000 and 2010. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45(2), 182-186.
  • Velie, B., Knight, P., Thomson, P., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). The association of age at first start with career length in the Australian racehorse population. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45(4), 410-413.
  • Velie, B., Knight, P., Thomson, P., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). The association of age at first start with career length in the Australian Throughbred racehorse population. Equine Veterinary Journal.
  • Hamilton, N., Raadsma, H. (2011). Racing Towards the Genes for Speed. The Veterinary Journal, 190, 5-6.
  • Hamilton, N., Thomson, P., Coomer, R., Forhead, A., Head, M., Tammen, I., Raadsma, H. (2009). Characterization of a Human Performance Gene In The Horse. Proceedings of the Association of Advancement in Animal Breeding and Genetics, 18, 540-543.
  • Reichelt, M., Shanu, A., Willems, L., Witting, P., Hamilton, N., Blackburn, M., Headrick, J. (2009). Endogenous Adenosine Selectively Modulates Oxidant Stress via the A1 Receptor in Ischemic Hearts. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, 11(11), 2641-2650.
  • Hamilton, N., Kayis, S., Fullard, K., Townley, D., Khatkar, D., Beh, K., Piedrafita, D., Raadsma, H. (2009). Targeted Mapping of QTL on Chromosomes 1 and 3 for Parasite Resistance in Sheep. Proceedings of the Association of Advancement in Animal Breeding and Genetics, 18, 544-547.
  • Szuchman-Sapir, A., Pattison, D., Hamilton, N., Hawkins, C., Davies, M., Witting, P. (2008). Hypochlorous acid oxidizes methionine and tryptophan residues in myoglobin. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 45(6), 789-798.
  • Parry, S., Hamilton, N., Li, Z., Maitz, P., Witting, P. (2008). Myoglobin induces oxidative stress and decreases endocytosis and monolayer permissiveness in cultured kidney epithelial cells without affecting viability. Kidney and Blood Pressure Research, 31(1), 16-28.
  • Duong, T., Antao, S., Hamilton, N., Myers, S., Witting, P. (2008). Supplementation with a synthetic polyphenol limits oxidative stress and enhances neuronal cell viability in response to hypoxia-re-oxygenation injury. Brain Research, 1219, 8-18.
  • Witting, P., Rayner, B., Wu, B., Hamilton, N., Stocker, R. (2007). Hydrogen peroxide promotes endothelial dysfunction by stimulating multiple sources of superoxide anion radical production and decreasing nitric oxide bioavailability. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 20(5), 255-268.
  • Penedo, M., Millon, L., Bernoco, D., Bailey, E., Binns, M., Cholewinski, G., Hamilton, N., Flynn, J., Gralak, B., Guthrie, A., et al (2005). International equine gene mapping workshop report: a comprehensive linkage map constructed with data from new markers and by merging four mapping resources. Cytogenetic and Genome Research, 111(1), 5-15.
  • Guerin, G., Bailey, E., Bernoco, D., Anderson, I., Antczak, D., Bell, K., Biros, I., Bjornstad, G., Bowling, A., Brandon, R., Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., et al (2003). The second generation of the international equine gene mapping workshop half-sibling linkage map. Animal Genetics, 34(3), 161-168.

Conferences

  • Hamilton, N., Chaudhuri, G., Thomson, P., Knight, P. (2012). Heritability of epistaxis associated with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrage in Australian racehorses. 33rd Conference of the International Society for Animal Genetics, Brisbane: University of Queensland Press.
  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Thomson, P., Forhead, A., Head, M., Coomer, R., Houweling, P., Wade, C., Hill, E., Raadsma, H. (2011). Intronic equine ACE polymorphisms are associated with lower circulating ACE levels. 9th Dorothy Russell Havemeyer Horse Genome Mapping Workshop, Minneapolis.
  • Hamilton, N., Fullard, K., Kayis, S., Khatkar, D., Attard, G., Beh, K., Piedrafita, D., Raadsma, H. (2008). Fine mapping of QTL for parasite resistance in sheep. 31st International Society of Animal Genetics, Netherlands: ISAG.
  • Hamilton, N. (2008). New Gene Technologies. 32nd Asian Racing Conference, Tokyo, Japan.
  • Hamilton, N. (2008). Progress in equine genomics: potential applications of gene therapy to the horse. Australian Equine Science Symposium (AESS), Australia: Australian Equine Science Symposium.
  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Forhead, A., Thomson, P., Raadsma, H. (2006). Characterization of the equine angiotensin converting enzyme gene. Australian Equine Science Symposium (AESS), Australia: Australian Equine Science Symposium.
  • Hamilton, N., Raftery, M., Rayner, B., Witting, P. (2006). Characterizing a novel biomarker of myocardial inflammation. Society of Free Radical Research, Australia: Society of Free Radical Research.
  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Forhead, A., Thomson, P., Raadsma, H. (2005). Characterization of the equine angiotensin converting enzyme gene. VIth International Equine Genetics Workshop, Ireland: IEGMW.
  • Hamilton, N., Raftery, M., Rayner, B., Witting, P. (2005). Characterizing a novel biomarker of myocardial inflammation. Society of Free Radical Research, Australia: Society of Free Radical Research.
  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Nicholas, F., Raadsma, H. (2003). Detection of SNPs in the equine ACE gene using pooled DNA. Vth International Equine Genetics Workshop, Kruger National Park, South Africa: IEGMW.
  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Nicholas, F., Raadsma, H. (2002). Characterization of a candidate gene for performance in racehorses. 28th International Society of Animal Genetics Conference, Germany: ISAG.
  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Nicholas, F., Raadsma, H. (2002). Characterization of the equine angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene. 7th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, France.
  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Lang-Davis, J., Nicholas, F., Raadsma, H. (2001). Equine Gene Mapping At Sydney University. 4th International Equine Gene Mapping Workshop Meeting, Australia.

Report

  • Hamilton, N. (2012). New Gene Technologies: A review of current developments and the potential threat of gene doping to the Australian Racing industry.

2013

  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Raadsma, H. (2013). Multi-Species Comparative Analysis of the Equine ACE Gene Identifies a Highly Conserved Potential Transcription Factor Binding Site in Intron 16. PLoS One, 8(2), e55434.
  • Velie, B., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). Profiling the careers of Thoroughbred horses racing in Australia between 2000 and 2010. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45, 182-186.
  • Velie, B., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). Profiling the careers of Thoroughbred horses racing in Australia between 2000 and 2010. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45(2), 182-186.
  • Velie, B., Stewart, B., Lam, K., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). profiling the careers of Thoroughbred horses racing in Hong Kong between 2000 and 2010. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45(2), 182-186.
  • Velie, B., Knight, P., Thomson, P., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). The association of age at first start with career length in the Australian racehorse population. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45(4), 410-413.
  • Velie, B., Knight, P., Thomson, P., Wade, C., Hamilton, N. (2013). The association of age at first start with career length in the Australian Throughbred racehorse population. Equine Veterinary Journal.

2012

  • Hamilton, N., Chaudhuri, G., Thomson, P., Knight, P. (2012). Heritability of epistaxis associated with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrage in Australian racehorses. 33rd Conference of the International Society for Animal Genetics, Brisbane: University of Queensland Press.
  • Hamilton, N. (2012). New Gene Technologies: A review of current developments and the potential threat of gene doping to the Australian Racing industry.

2011

  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Thomson, P., Forhead, A., Head, M., Coomer, R., Houweling, P., Wade, C., Hill, E., Raadsma, H. (2011). Intronic equine ACE polymorphisms are associated with lower circulating ACE levels. 9th Dorothy Russell Havemeyer Horse Genome Mapping Workshop, Minneapolis.
  • Hamilton, N., Raadsma, H. (2011). Racing Towards the Genes for Speed. The Veterinary Journal, 190, 5-6.

2009

  • Hamilton, N., Thomson, P., Coomer, R., Forhead, A., Head, M., Tammen, I., Raadsma, H. (2009). Characterization of a Human Performance Gene In The Horse. Proceedings of the Association of Advancement in Animal Breeding and Genetics, 18, 540-543.
  • Reichelt, M., Shanu, A., Willems, L., Witting, P., Hamilton, N., Blackburn, M., Headrick, J. (2009). Endogenous Adenosine Selectively Modulates Oxidant Stress via the A1 Receptor in Ischemic Hearts. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, 11(11), 2641-2650.
  • Hamilton, N., Kayis, S., Fullard, K., Townley, D., Khatkar, D., Beh, K., Piedrafita, D., Raadsma, H. (2009). Targeted Mapping of QTL on Chromosomes 1 and 3 for Parasite Resistance in Sheep. Proceedings of the Association of Advancement in Animal Breeding and Genetics, 18, 544-547.

2008

  • Hamilton, N., Fullard, K., Kayis, S., Khatkar, D., Attard, G., Beh, K., Piedrafita, D., Raadsma, H. (2008). Fine mapping of QTL for parasite resistance in sheep. 31st International Society of Animal Genetics, Netherlands: ISAG.
  • Szuchman-Sapir, A., Pattison, D., Hamilton, N., Hawkins, C., Davies, M., Witting, P. (2008). Hypochlorous acid oxidizes methionine and tryptophan residues in myoglobin. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 45(6), 789-798.
  • Parry, S., Hamilton, N., Li, Z., Maitz, P., Witting, P. (2008). Myoglobin induces oxidative stress and decreases endocytosis and monolayer permissiveness in cultured kidney epithelial cells without affecting viability. Kidney and Blood Pressure Research, 31(1), 16-28.
  • Hamilton, N. (2008). New Gene Technologies. 32nd Asian Racing Conference, Tokyo, Japan.
  • Hamilton, N. (2008). Progress in equine genomics: potential applications of gene therapy to the horse. Australian Equine Science Symposium (AESS), Australia: Australian Equine Science Symposium.
  • Duong, T., Antao, S., Hamilton, N., Myers, S., Witting, P. (2008). Supplementation with a synthetic polyphenol limits oxidative stress and enhances neuronal cell viability in response to hypoxia-re-oxygenation injury. Brain Research, 1219, 8-18.

2007

  • Witting, P., Rayner, B., Wu, B., Hamilton, N., Stocker, R. (2007). Hydrogen peroxide promotes endothelial dysfunction by stimulating multiple sources of superoxide anion radical production and decreasing nitric oxide bioavailability. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 20(5), 255-268.

2006

  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Forhead, A., Thomson, P., Raadsma, H. (2006). Characterization of the equine angiotensin converting enzyme gene. Australian Equine Science Symposium (AESS), Australia: Australian Equine Science Symposium.
  • Hamilton, N., Raftery, M., Rayner, B., Witting, P. (2006). Characterizing a novel biomarker of myocardial inflammation. Society of Free Radical Research, Australia: Society of Free Radical Research.

2005

  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Forhead, A., Thomson, P., Raadsma, H. (2005). Characterization of the equine angiotensin converting enzyme gene. VIth International Equine Genetics Workshop, Ireland: IEGMW.
  • Hamilton, N., Raftery, M., Rayner, B., Witting, P. (2005). Characterizing a novel biomarker of myocardial inflammation. Society of Free Radical Research, Australia: Society of Free Radical Research.
  • Penedo, M., Millon, L., Bernoco, D., Bailey, E., Binns, M., Cholewinski, G., Hamilton, N., Flynn, J., Gralak, B., Guthrie, A., et al (2005). International equine gene mapping workshop report: a comprehensive linkage map constructed with data from new markers and by merging four mapping resources. Cytogenetic and Genome Research, 111(1), 5-15.

2003

  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Nicholas, F., Raadsma, H. (2003). Detection of SNPs in the equine ACE gene using pooled DNA. Vth International Equine Genetics Workshop, Kruger National Park, South Africa: IEGMW.
  • Guerin, G., Bailey, E., Bernoco, D., Anderson, I., Antczak, D., Bell, K., Biros, I., Bjornstad, G., Bowling, A., Brandon, R., Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., et al (2003). The second generation of the international equine gene mapping workshop half-sibling linkage map. Animal Genetics, 34(3), 161-168.

2002

  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Nicholas, F., Raadsma, H. (2002). Characterization of a candidate gene for performance in racehorses. 28th International Society of Animal Genetics Conference, Germany: ISAG.
  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Nicholas, F., Raadsma, H. (2002). Characterization of the equine angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene. 7th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, France.

2001

  • Hamilton, N., Tammen, I., Lang-Davis, J., Nicholas, F., Raadsma, H. (2001). Equine Gene Mapping At Sydney University. 4th International Equine Gene Mapping Workshop Meeting, Australia.
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