Professor Scott Byrne
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Professor Scott Byrne

Professor of Immunology
School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Phone
+61 2 9351 7308
Fax
+61 2 8627 3099
Details
Professor Scott Byrne

Scott is developing next-generation anti-inflammatories that will revolutionise the way in which we treat immune-mediated disorders. By focusing on how the cells and molecules of the immune system drive pathology Scott and his team are able to design novel therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat a range of diseases including inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis and eczema), UV-induced skin cancer, as well as autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease.

The Byrne laboratory is interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive inflammation and immunity. By understanding and manipulating these processes, we believe this will enable us to live healthier, disease-free lives.

You can read more about our work through ourPublications

Connect with Scott through hisLinkedIn Profile

Scott is a passionate and enthusiastic teacher of immunology to a range of students across the learning life cycle from undergraduate science, to postgraduate coursework, higher degree research and professional degrees including nursing, dentistry and medicine.

Scott is the Academic Director for the Biomedical Science postgraduate coursework degrees in The Faculty of Medicine and Health. These degrees are offered in 2 streams: Infection and Immunity, and Genomics and Precision Medicine. Students can study postgraduate Biomedical Science at 3 levels: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters.

NHMRC Development Grant (2024-2026): Development of an immune-modulating human peptide as a next generation topical therapy for inflammatory skin diseases
NHMRC Ideas Grant (2024-2027): Defining the Role of Antigen Presenting Cells in Crohn’s Disease
NHMRC Ideas Grant (2023-2024):The Burning Question – how safe is sun exposure at low-dose and intensity?

Leader; Charles Perkins Centre Research Node "Living Healthier Lives Under the Australian Sun"

President; Molecular and Experimental Pathology Society of Australasia (http://www.mepsa.org)(since 2015)

Fellow; Faculty of Science by Research (The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia) (since 2017)

Treasurer; Australia and New Zealand Society for Immunology (http://www.immunology.org.au) (2024-2025)

  • PERiscope commercialisation award – The University of Sydney; 2024
  • Sir Zelman Cowen Universities Fund Prize for Discovery in Medical Research (2020)
  • Australia & New Zealand Society for Immunology – Cheers-Buchan Education Award (2020)
  • International Union of Photobiologists (IUPB); Finsen Lecturer Award; Barcelona, Spain (2019)
  • Vice Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Research and Teaching (2016)
  • Asia & Oceania Society for Photobiology (AOSP) Award for Young Scientists; Taipei, Taiwan (2015)
  • Consensus Innovation Award; 
awarded to the University of Sydney team that designed, tested and implemented the X-Lab in the CPC Teaching and Research Hub (2014)
  • European Society for Photobiology (ESP) Young Investigator Award; Geneva, Switzerland (2011)
  • NSW Young Tall Poppy Science Award winner (2009)
  • ICB Nature Publications Group publication of the year (2008)
Cancer, Infection and Immunological Conditions, Neurosciences and Mental Health
Project titleResearch student
Development of antimycobacterial cyclic peptides targeting the Clp proteolytic machineryBryton FORSTER
Investigating the Roles of Antigen Presenting Cells in Crohn's DiseaseAnja SKILTON

Publications

Book Chapters

  • Puebla-Osorio, N., Sarchio, S., Ullrich, S., Byrne, S. (2017). Detection of Infiltrating Mast Cells Using a Modified Toluidine Blue Staining. In Laure Rittie (Eds.), Fibrosis: Methods and Protocols, (pp. 213-222). New York: Humana Press. [More Information]
  • Marsh-Wakefield, F., Byrne, S. (2015). Photoimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis. In Anne C. La Flamme, Jacqueline Monique Orian (Eds.), Emerging and Evolving Topics in Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis and Treatments, (pp. 117-141). Cham: Springer International Publishing. [More Information]
  • Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2009). Sunlight induced immunosuppression: a role for inflammatory mediators in the induction of suppressor cells. In Charles B Taylor (Eds.), Immunosuppression: New Research, (pp. 185-207). US: Nova Science Publishers.

Journals

  • Tse, B., Ferguson, A., Koay, Y., Grau, G., Don, A., Byrne, S. (2023). Exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation establishes a novel immune suppressive lipidome in skin-draining lymph nodes. Frontiers in Immunology, 13. [More Information]
  • Bernhard, G., Madronich, S., Lucas, R., Byrne, S., Schikowski, T., Neale, R. (2023). Linkages between COVID-19, solar UV radiation, and the Montreal Protocol. Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences. [More Information]
  • Neale, R., Lucas, R., Byrne, S., Hollestein, L., Rhodes, L., Yazar, S., Young, A., Berwick, M., Ireland, R., Olsen, C. (2023). The effects of exposure to solar radiation on human health. Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences. [More Information]

Conferences

  • Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2005). B cells activated in lymph nodes in response to ultraviolet-irradiation or by interleukin-10 inhibit dendritic cell induction of immunity. 2nd Annual Meeting of the Australasian-Society for Dermatology Research, United States: Blackwell Publishers.
  • Barnetson, R., Poon, T., Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2005). Implication of immune protection factor on sunscreen development. 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, United States: Mosby Inc.

2023

  • Tse, B., Ferguson, A., Koay, Y., Grau, G., Don, A., Byrne, S. (2023). Exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation establishes a novel immune suppressive lipidome in skin-draining lymph nodes. Frontiers in Immunology, 13. [More Information]
  • Bernhard, G., Madronich, S., Lucas, R., Byrne, S., Schikowski, T., Neale, R. (2023). Linkages between COVID-19, solar UV radiation, and the Montreal Protocol. Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences. [More Information]
  • Neale, R., Lucas, R., Byrne, S., Hollestein, L., Rhodes, L., Yazar, S., Young, A., Berwick, M., Ireland, R., Olsen, C. (2023). The effects of exposure to solar radiation on human health. Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences. [More Information]

2022

  • Baharlou, H., Canete, N., Vine, E., Hu, K., Yuan, D., Sandgren, K., Bertram, K., Nasr, N., Rhodes, J., Gosselink, M., Patrick, E., Byrne, S., Cunningham, A., Harman, A., et al (2022). An in situ analysis pipeline for initial host-pathogen interactions reveals signatures of human colorectal HIV transmission. Cell Reports, 40(12), 111385-1-111385-27. [More Information]
  • Aglas-Leitner, F., Juillard, P., Juillard, A., Byrne, S., Hawke, S., Grau, G., Marsh-Wakefield, F. (2022). Circulating CCR6+ ILC proportions are lower in multiple sclerosis patients. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 11(12). [More Information]
  • Leffler, J., Trend, S., Ward, N., Grau, G., Hawke, S., Byrne, S., Kermode, A., French, M., Hart, P. (2022). Circulating Memory B Cells in Early Multiple Sclerosis Exhibit Increased IgA+ Cells, Globally Decreased BAFF-R Expression and an EBV-Related IgM+ Cell Signature. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 812317. [More Information]

2021

  • Neale, R., Barnes, P., Robson, T., Neale, P., Williamson, C., Zepp, R., Wilson, S., Madronich, S., Andrady, A., Heikkilä, A., Byrne, S., et al (2021). Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2020. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 20(1). [More Information]
  • Tse, B., Ireland, R., Lee, J., Marsh-Wakefield, F., Kok, L., Don, A., Byrne, S. (2021). Exposure to systemic immunosuppressive ultraviolet radiation alters T cell recirculation through sphingosine-1-phosphate. Journal of Immunology, 207(9), 2278-2287. [More Information]
  • Law, S., Gatt, P., Schibeci, S., McKay, F., Vucic, S., Hart, P., Byrne, S., Brown, D., Stewart, G., Liddle, C., Parnell, G., Booth, D. (2021). Expression of CYP24A1 and other multiple sclerosis risk genes in peripheral blood indicates response to vitamin D in homeostatic and inflammatory conditions. Genes and Immunity, 22(4), 227-233. [More Information]

2020

  • Kok, L., Ferguson, A., Marshall, J., Tse, B., Halliday, G., Byrne, S. (2020). B Cell-Targeted Immunotherapy Limits Tumor Growth, Enhances Survival, and Prevents Lymph Node Metastasis of UV-Induced Keratinocyte Cancers in Mice. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 140(7), 1459-1463. [More Information]
  • Bernhard, G., Neale, R., Barnes, P., Neale, P., Zepp, R., Wilson, S., Andrady, A., Bais, A., McKenzie, R., Aucamp, P., Byrne, S., et al (2020). Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, update 2019. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 19(5), 542-584. [More Information]
  • Marsh-Wakefield, F., Ashhurst, T., Trend, S., McGuire, H., Juillard, P., Zinger, A., Jones, A., Kermode, A., Hawke, S., Grau, G., Byrne, S., et al (2020). IgG3+ B cells are associated with the development of multiple sclerosis. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 9(5), 1-13. [More Information]

2019

  • Ferguson, A., Kok, L., Luong, J., Van Den Bergh, M., Bell-Anderson, K., Fazakerley, D., Byrne, S. (2019). Exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation limits diet-induced weight gain, increases liver triglycerides and prevents the early signs of cardiovascular disease in mice. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 29(6), 633-638. [More Information]
  • Hart, P., Norval, M., Byrne, S., Rhodes, L. (2019). Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation in the Modulation of Human Diseases. Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease, 14, 55-81. [More Information]
  • Marsh-Wakefield, F., Kruzins, A., McGuire, H., Yang, S., Bryant, C., Fazekas de St Groth, B., Nassif, N., Byrne, S., Gibson, J., Brown, C., Larsen, S., McCulloch, D., Joshua, D., Ho, P., et al (2019). Mass Cytometry Discovers Two Discrete Subsets of CD39-Treg Which Discriminate MGUS From Multiple Myeloma. Frontiers in Immunology, 10, 1-12. [More Information]

2018

  • Hart, P., Jones, A., Trend, S., Cha, L., Fabis-Pedrini, M., Cooper, M., D’Este, C., Geldenhuys, S., Carroll, W., Byrne, S., Booth, D., et al (2018). A randomised, controlled clinical trial of narrowband UVB phototherapy for clinically isolated syndrome: The PhoCIS study. Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational and Clinical, 4(2), 1-10. [More Information]
  • Trend, S., Jones, A., Cha, L., Byrne, S., Geldenhuys, S., Fabis-Pedrini, M., Carroll, W., Cole, J., Booth, D., Lucas, R., et al (2018). Higher Serum Immunoglobulin G3 Levels May Predict the Development of Multiple Sclerosis in Individuals With Clinically Isolated Syndrome. Frontiers in Immunology, 9(1590), 1-13. [More Information]
  • McDonald, D., Hanna, C., Ashhurst, A., Corcilius, L., Byrne, S., Payne, R. (2018). Synthesis of a Self-Adjuvanting MUC1 Vaccine via Diselenide-Selenoester Ligation-Deselenization. ACS Chemical Biology, 13(12), 3279-3285. [More Information]

2017

  • Jones, A., Trend, S., Byrne, S., Fabis-Pedrini, M., Geldenhuys, S., Nolan, D., Booth, D., Carroll, W., Lucas, R., Kermode, A., et al (2017). Altered regulatory T-cell fractions and Helios expression in clinically isolated syndrome: clues to the development of multiple sclerosis. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 6(5), 1-10. [More Information]
  • Puebla-Osorio, N., Sarchio, S., Ullrich, S., Byrne, S. (2017). Detection of Infiltrating Mast Cells Using a Modified Toluidine Blue Staining. In Laure Rittie (Eds.), Fibrosis: Methods and Protocols, (pp. 213-222). New York: Humana Press. [More Information]
  • Marshall, J., Byrne, S. (2017). Does sunlight protect us from cancer? Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 16(3), 416-425. [More Information]

2016

  • Kok, L., Marsh-Wakefield, F., Marshall, J., Gillis, C., Halliday, G., Byrne, S. (2016). B cells are required for sunlight protection of mice from a CNS-targeted autoimmune attack. Journal of Autoimmunity, 73, 10-23. [More Information]
  • Wolf, P., Weger, W., Patra, V., Gruber-Wackernagel, A., Byrne, S. (2016). Desired response to phototherapy versus photo-aggravation in psoriasis: What makes the difference? Experimental Dermatology, 25(12), 937-944. [More Information]
  • Zinger, A., Latham, S., Combes, V., Byrne, S., Barnett, M., Hawke, S., Grau, G. (2016). Plasma levels of endothelial and B-cell-derived microparticles are restored by fingolimod treatment in multiple sclerosis patients. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 22(14), 1883-1887. [More Information]

2015

  • Schweintzger, N., Gruber-Wackernagel, A., Reginato, E., Bambach, I., Quehenberger, F., Byrne, S., Wolf, P. (2015). Levels and function of regulatory T cells in patients with polymorphic light eruption: Relation to photohardening. British Journal of Dermatology, 173(2), 519-526. [More Information]
  • Schweintzger, N., Bambach, I., Reginato, E., Mayer, G., Limon-Flores, A., Ullrich, S., Byrne, S., Wolf, P. (2015). Mast cells are required for phototolerance induction and scratching abatement. Experimental Dermatology, 24(7), 491-496. [More Information]
  • Wei, J., Kok, L., Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2015). Photodamage: all signs lead to actinic keratosis and early squamous cell carcinoma. Current Problems in Dermatology, 46, 14-19. [More Information]

2014

  • Byrne, S., Sarchio, S. (2014). AMD3100 protects from UV-induced skin cancer. OncoImmunology, 3(1), 1-3. [More Information]
  • Halliday, G., Byrne, S. (2014). An Unexpected Role: UVA-Induced Release of Nitric Oxide from Skin May Have Unexpected Health Benefits. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134(7), 1791-1794. [More Information]
  • Byrne, S. (2014). How much sunlight is enough? Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 13, 840-852. [More Information]

2013

  • Leighton, S., Kok, L., Halliday, G., Byrne, S. (2013). Inhibition of UV-induced uric acid production using Allopurinol prevents suppression of the contact hypersensitivity response. Experimental Dermatology, 22(3), 189-194. [More Information]
  • Sarchio, S., Scolyer, R., Beaugie, C., McDonald, D., Marsh-Wakefield, F., Halliday, G., Byrne, S. (2013). Pharmacologically antagonizing the CXCR4-CXCL12 chemokine pathway with AMD3100 inhibits sunlight-induced skin cancer. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134(4), 1091-1100. [More Information]
  • Wolf, P., Gruber-Wackernagel, A., Rinner, B., Griesbacher, A., Eberhard, K., Groselj-Strele, A., Mayer, G., Stauber, R., Byrne, S. (2013). Phototherapeutic hardening modulates systemic cytokine levels in patients with polymorphic light eruption. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 12(1), 166-173. [More Information]

2012

  • Sarchio, S., Kok, L., O'Sullivan, C., Halliday, G., Byrne, S. (2012). Dermal mast cells affect the development of sunlight-induced skin tumours. Experimental Dermatology, 21(4), 241-248. [More Information]
  • Gruber-Wackernagel, A., Obermayer-Pietsch, B., Byrne, S., Wolf, P. (2012). Patients with polymorphic light eruption have decreased serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 that increase upon 311 nm UVB photohardening. Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 11(12), 1831-1836. [More Information]
  • Ullrich, S., Byrne, S. (2012). The Immunologic Revolution: Photoimmunology. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 132(3 pt 2), 896-905. [More Information]

2011

  • Gruber-Wackernagel, A., Heinemann, A., Konya, V., Byrne, S., Singh, T., Hofer, A., Legat, F., Wolf, P. (2011). Photohardening restores the impaired neutrophil responsiveness to chemoattractants leukotriene B4 and formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanin in patients with polymorphic light eruption. Experimental Dermatology, 20(6), 473-476. [More Information]
  • Gruber-Wackernagel, A., Bambach, I., Legat, F., Hofer, A., Byrne, S., Quehenberger, F., Wolf, P. (2011). Randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled intra-individual trial on topical treatment with a 1,25-di-hydroxyvitamin D3 analogue in polymorphic light eruption. British Journal of Dermatology, 165(1), 152-163. [More Information]
  • Byrne, S., Beaugie, C., O'Sullivan, C., Leighton, S., Halliday, G. (2011). The Immune-Modulating Cytokine and Endogenous Alarmin Interleukin-33 Is Upregulated in Skin Exposed to Inflammatory UVB Radiation. American Journal of Pathology, 179(1), 211-222. [More Information]

2010

  • Tran, J., Pupovac, A., Taylor, R., Wiley, J., Byrne, S., Sluyter, R. (2010). Murine epidermal Langerhans cells and keratinocytes express functional P2X7 receptors. Experimental Dermatology, 19(8), e151-e157. [More Information]

2009

  • Wolf, P., Byrne, S., Gruber-Wackernagel, A. (2009). New insights into the mechanisms of polymorphic light eruption: resistance to ultraviolet radiation-induced immune suppression as an aetiological factor. Experimental Dermatology, 18(4), 350-356. [More Information]
  • Gruber-Wackernagel, A., Byrne, S., Wolf, P. (2009). Pathogenic mechanisms of polymorphic light eruption. Frontiers in Bioscience, 1(1), 341-354. [More Information]
  • Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2009). Sunlight induced immunosuppression: a role for inflammatory mediators in the induction of suppressor cells. In Charles B Taylor (Eds.), Immunosuppression: New Research, (pp. 185-207). US: Nova Science Publishers.

2008

  • Fukunaga, A., Khaskhely, N., Sreevidya, C., Byrne, S., Ullrich, S. (2008). Dermal dendritic cells, and not langerhans cells, play an essential role in inducing an immune response. Journal of Immunology, 180(5), 3057-3064. [More Information]
  • Byrne, S., Limon-Flores, A., Ullrich, S. (2008). Mast Cell Migration from the Skin to the Draining Lymph Nodes upon Ultraviolet Irradiation Represents a Key Step in the Induction of Immune Suppression. Journal of Immunology, 180(7), 4648-4655. [More Information]
  • Byrne, S., Knox, M., Halliday, G. (2008). TGFbeta is responsible for skin tumour infiltration by macrophages enabling the tumours to escape immune destruction. Immunology and Cell Biology, 86(1), 92-97. [More Information]

2007

  • Fukunaga, A., Khaskhley, N., Byrne, S., Ullrich, S. (2007). Platelet-activation factor is involved in Langerhans cell migration. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 127(Supplement 1), S113 (abstract 675)-S113.

2006

  • Matsumura, Y., Byrne, S., Nghiem, D., Miyahara, Y., Ullrich, S. (2006). A role for inflammatory mediators in the induction of immunoregulatory B cells. Journal of Immunology, 177(7), 4810-4817. [More Information]
  • Wolf, P., Nghiem, D., Walterscheid, J., Byrne, S., Matsumura, Y., Matsumura, Y., Bucana, C., Ananthaswamy, H., Ullrich, S. (2006). Platelet-activating factor is crucial in psoralen and ultraviolet A-induced immune suppression, inflammation, and apoptosis. American Journal of Pathology, 169(3), 795-805. [More Information]
  • Wolf, P., Walterscheid, J., Byrne, S., Nghiem, D., Ananthaswamy, H., Ullrich, S. (2006). Serotonin: Systemic mediator of PUVA-induced immune suppression but not inflammation or apoptosis. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 126(Supp 3), 70-70.

2005

  • Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2005). B cells activated in lymph nodes in response to ultraviolet irradiation or by interleukin-10 inhibit dendritic cell induction of immunity. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 124(3), 570-578. [More Information]
  • Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2005). B cells activated in lymph nodes in response to ultraviolet-irradiation or by interleukin-10 inhibit dendritic cell induction of immunity. 2nd Annual Meeting of the Australasian-Society for Dermatology Research, United States: Blackwell Publishers.
  • Barnetson, R., Poon, T., Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2005). Implication of immune protection factor on sunscreen development. 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, United States: Mosby Inc.

2004

  • Halliday, G., Byrne, S., Kuchel, J., Poon, T., Barnetson, R. (2004). The Suppression Of Immunity By Ultraviolet Radiation: Uva, Nitric Oxide And DNA Damage. Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 3(8), 736-740. [More Information]

2003

  • Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2003). High levels of Fas ligand and MHC class II in the absence of CD80 or CD86 expression and a decreased CD4+ T cell infiltration, enables murine skin tumours to progress. Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, 52(6), 396-402.
  • Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2003). Phagocytosis by dendritic cells rather than MHC IIhigh macrophages is associated with skin tumour regression. International Journal of Cancer, 106(5), 736-744. [More Information]
  • Gerzina, T., Worthington, R., Byrne, S., McMahon, C. (2003). Student use and perceptions of different learning aids in a problem-based learning (PBL) dentistry course. Journal of Dental Education, 67(6), 641-653.

2002

  • Byrne, S., Halliday, G. (2002). Dendritic cells: making progress with tumour regression? Immunology and Cell Biology, 80(6), 520-530. [More Information]
  • Halliday, G., Byrne, S. (2002). Ultraviolet A induces immunosuppression, protection or memory enhancement depending on dose, while ultraviolet B is immunosuppresive and tolerogenic over a large dose range. Journal of Photoscience, 9, 197-200.
  • Byrne, S., Spinks, N., Halliday, G. (2002). Ultraviolet A irradiation of C57BL/6 mice suppresses systemic contact hypersensitivity or enhances secondary immunity depending on dose. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 119(4), 858-864. [More Information]

2001

  • Byrne, S. (2001). High numbers of infiltrating Langerhans cells in the absence of MHC IIhigh macrophages is associated with skin tumour regression. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 117(4), 1009.
  • Byrne, S., Halliday, G., Johnston, L., King, N. (2001). Interleukin-1beta But not tumor necrosis factor is involved in West Nile Virus-Induced Langerhans Cell Migration from the Skin in C57BL/6 Mice. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 117(3), 702-709.

Selected Grants

2023

  • Defining the Role of Antigen Presenting Cells in Crohns Disease, Harman A, Byrne S, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/Ideas Grant

2022

  • Nasal delivered COVID vaccine to block transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Britton W, Ashhurst A, Payne R, Triccas J, Steain M, Byrne S, NSW Health/Covid-19 Research Grant