Researcher Biography
Dr Snehlata Kumari is the head of skin inflammation and immunity laboratory at the Frazer Institute, the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. She is a board member of the Australasian Society for Dermatology Research (ASDR).
After PhD and post-doctoral training in Germany, she is heading her research group with a focus on elucidating molecular mechanisms and underlying signalling pathways regulating inflammation. She has discovered novel mechanisms by which NF-kappaB, TNF, necroptotic and apoptotic signalling pathways control skin homeostasis and inflammation and published in top-tier journals such as Nature and Immunity.
Her scientific contributions received recognition from the global immunology and dermatology scientific communities including the German National Academy of Sciences, German Research Foundation (SFB), European Society for Dermatological Research, and the 2021 Christina Fleishmann Award for the Young Women Investigator from the International Cytokine and Interferon Society, USA
Overall aims and research focus
- Understanding molecular mechanisms of epithelial and immune cell communication in skin homeostasis and immunity.
- Elucidating signalling pathways and cytokines/chemokine interactions to develop novel drug targets and strategies to treat skin diseases such as Psoriasis, Hidradenitis Suppurative, Atopic Dermatitis.
Journal Article: Celebrating 100 years of Immunology & Cell Biology – a special focus on the field of tumor immunology in Australia
Kumari, Snehlata, Zemek, Rachael M, Palendira, Umaimainthan and Ebert, Lisa M (2023). Celebrating 100 years of Immunology & Cell Biology – a special focus on the field of tumor immunology in Australia. Immunology and Cell Biology, 101 (9), 783-788. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12690
Journal Article: Cytokine/Chemokine assessment as a complementary diagnostic tool for inflammatory skin diseases
Liu, Timothy J., Lin, Lynlee L., McMeniman, Erin, Wu, Jason, Kao, Yung-Ching, Kumari, Snehlata, Boyle, Glen M., Wells, James W., Soyer, H. Peter and Gonzalez-Cruz, Jazmina L. (2022). Cytokine/Chemokine assessment as a complementary diagnostic tool for inflammatory skin diseases. Frontiers in Immunology, 13 1028435, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1028435
Journal Article: Macrophages in skin wounds: functions and therapeutic potential
Sim, Seen Ling, Kumari, Snehlata, Kaur, Simranpreet and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2022). Macrophages in skin wounds: functions and therapeutic potential. Biomolecules, 12 (11) 1659, 1-31. doi: 10.3390/biom12111659
Determining Causative Mechanisms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (TRI LINC grant led by MSHHS)
(2022–2026) Metro South Hospital and Health Service
Elucidate the role of interferon signalling pathways in skin diseases
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding immune diversity in skin inflammation
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the immunomodulatory mechanisms regulating inflammation
Doctor Philosophy
Hypoxia-induced stress responses in cancer and cancer stem cells
Chipurupalli, Sandhya, Kumari, Snehlata, Desiderio, Vincenzo and Robinson, Nirmal (2022). Hypoxia-induced stress responses in cancer and cancer stem cells. Handbook of oxidative stress in cancer: mechanistic aspects. (pp. 1829-1843) Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-9411-3_121
Epithelial cell death and inflammation in skin
Kumari, Snehlata and Pasparakis, Manolis (2017). Epithelial cell death and inflammation in skin. Apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death. (pp. 77-93) edited by Shigekazu Nagata and Hiroyasu Nakano. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/82_2015_466
Kumari, Snehlata, Zemek, Rachael M, Palendira, Umaimainthan and Ebert, Lisa M (2023). Celebrating 100 years of Immunology & Cell Biology – a special focus on the field of tumor immunology in Australia. Immunology and Cell Biology, 101 (9), 783-788. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12690
Cytokine/Chemokine assessment as a complementary diagnostic tool for inflammatory skin diseases
Liu, Timothy J., Lin, Lynlee L., McMeniman, Erin, Wu, Jason, Kao, Yung-Ching, Kumari, Snehlata, Boyle, Glen M., Wells, James W., Soyer, H. Peter and Gonzalez-Cruz, Jazmina L. (2022). Cytokine/Chemokine assessment as a complementary diagnostic tool for inflammatory skin diseases. Frontiers in Immunology, 13 1028435, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1028435
Macrophages in skin wounds: functions and therapeutic potential
Sim, Seen Ling, Kumari, Snehlata, Kaur, Simranpreet and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2022). Macrophages in skin wounds: functions and therapeutic potential. Biomolecules, 12 (11) 1659, 1-31. doi: 10.3390/biom12111659
Methods to identify immune cells in tissues with a focus on skin as a model
Murphy, Peter R., Narayanan, Divyaa and Kumari, Snehlata (2022). Methods to identify immune cells in tissues with a focus on skin as a model. Current Protocols, 2 (7) e485, e485. doi: 10.1002/cpz1.485
NF-κB inhibition in keratinocytes causes RIPK1-mediated necroptosis and skin inflammation
Kumari, Snehlata, Van, Trieu-My, Preukschat, Daniela, Schuenke, Hannah, Basic, Marijana, Bleich, André, Klein, Ulf and Pasparakis, Manolis (2021). NF-κB inhibition in keratinocytes causes RIPK1-mediated necroptosis and skin inflammation. Life Science Alliance, 4 (6) e202000956, e202000956. doi: 10.26508/lsa.202000956
Autophosphorylation at serine 166 regulates RIP kinase 1-mediated cell death and inflammation
Laurien, Lucie, Nagata, Masahiro, Schünke, Hannah, Delanghe, Tom, Wiederstein, Janica L., Kumari, Snehlata, Schwarzer, Robin, Corona, Teresa, Krüger, Marcus, Bertrand, Mathieu J. M., Kondylis, Vangelis and Pasparakis, Manolis (2020). Autophosphorylation at serine 166 regulates RIP kinase 1-mediated cell death and inflammation. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 1747, 1747. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15466-8
Jiao, Huipeng, Wachsmuth, Laurens, Kumari, Snehlata, Schwarzer, Robin, Lin, Juan, Eren, Remzi Onur, Fisher, Amanda, Lane, Rebecca, Young, George R., Kassiotis, George, Kaiser, William J. and Pasparakis, Manolis (2020). Publisher Correction: Z-nucleic-acid sensing triggers ZBP1-dependent necroptosis and inflammation (Nature, (2020), 580, 7803, (391-395), 10.1038/s41586-020-2129-8). Nature, 580 (7804), 391-395. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2207-y
Z-nucleic-acid sensing triggers ZBP1-dependent necroptosis and inflammation
Jiao, Huipeng, Wachsmuth, Laurens, Kumari, Snehlata, Schwarzer, Robin, Lin, Juan, Eren, Remzi Onur, Fisher, Amanda, Lane, Rebecca, Young, George R., Kassiotis, George, Kaiser, William J. and Pasparakis, Manolis (2020). Z-nucleic-acid sensing triggers ZBP1-dependent necroptosis and inflammation. Nature, 580 (7803), 391-395+. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2129-8
Kondylis, Vangelis, Kumari, Snehlata, Vlantis, Katerina and Pasparakis, Manolis (2017). The interplay of IKK, NF-κB and RIPK1 signaling in the regulation of cell death, tissue homeostasis and inflammation. Immunological Reviews, 277 (1), 113-127. doi: 10.1111/imr.12550
RIPK1 counteracts ZBP1-mediated necroptosis to inhibit inflammation
Lin, Juan, Kumari, Snehlata, Kim, Chun, Van, Trieu-My, Wachsmuth, Laurens, Polykratis, Apostolos and Pasparakis, Manolis (2016). RIPK1 counteracts ZBP1-mediated necroptosis to inhibit inflammation. Nature, 540 (7631), 124-128. doi: 10.1038/nature20558
Sharpin prevents skin inflammation by inhibiting TNFR1-induced keratinocyte apoptosis
Kumari, Snehlata, Redouane, Younes, Lopez-Mosqueda, Jaime, Shiraishi, Ryoko, Romanowska, Malgorzata, Lutzmayer, Stefan, Kuiper, Jan, Martinez, Conception, Dikic, Ivan, Pasparakis, Manolis and Ikeda, Fumiyo (2014). Sharpin prevents skin inflammation by inhibiting TNFR1-induced keratinocyte apoptosis. Elife, 3 e03422. doi: 10.7554/eLife.03422
Epidermal RelA specifically restricts contact allergen-induced inflammation and apoptosis in skin
Kumari, Snehlata, Herzberg, Benjamin, Pofahl, Ruth, Krieg, Thomas and Haase, Ingo (2014). Epidermal RelA specifically restricts contact allergen-induced inflammation and apoptosis in skin. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134 (10), 2541-2550. doi: 10.1038/jid.2014.193
RIPK1 maintains epithelial homeostasis by inhibiting apoptosis and necroptosis
Dannappel, Marius, Vlantis, Katerina, Kumari, Snehlata, Polykratis, Apostolos, Kim, Chun, Wachsmuth, Laurens, Eftychi, Christina, Lin, Juan, Corona, Teresa, Hermance, Nicole, Zelic, Matija, Kirsch, Petra, Basic, Marijana, Bleich, Andre, Kelliher, Michelle and Pasparakis, Manolis (2014). RIPK1 maintains epithelial homeostasis by inhibiting apoptosis and necroptosis. Nature, 513 (7516), 90-94. doi: 10.1038/nature13608
Kumari, Snehlata, Bonnet, Marion C., Ulvmar, Maria H., Wolk, Kerstin, Karagianni, Niki, Witte, Ellen, Uthoff-Hachenberg, Claudia, Renauld, Jean-Christophe, Kollias, George, Toftgard, Rune, Sabat, Robert, Pasparakis, Manolis and Haase, Ingo (2013). Tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling in keratinocytes triggers interleukin-24-dependent psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice. Immunity, 39 (5), 899-911. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.10.009
Cell Death and the Regulatory Network of DAMPs in Skin Inflammation
Kumari, S., Lin, J., Kim, S., Van, T-M, Wachsmuth, L., Polykratis, A. and Pasparakis, M. (2018). Cell Death and the Regulatory Network of DAMPs in Skin Inflammation. HOBOKEN: WILEY.
Kumari, S., Van, T. and Pasparakis, M. (2018). IKK/NF-kB signaling in keratinocytes controls TNF-dependent necroptosis- and apoptosis-mediated skin inflammation. International Investigative Dermatology (IID) Meeting, Orlando Fl, May 16-19, 2018. NEW YORK: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC.
Kumari, S., Van, T. and Pasparakis, M. (2016). Role of RIP kinase signalling in the development of skin inflammation in mice with keratinocyte-specific IKK deficiency. Annual Meeting of the European-Society-for-Dermatological-Research (ESDR), Munich Germany, Sep 07-10, 2016. NEW YORK: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.06.354
Kumari, S., Bonnet, M., Witte, E., Wolk, K., Kollias, G., Sabat, R., Pasparakis, M. and Haase, I. (2014). Altered tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling in keratinocytes triggers interleukin-24-dependent psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice. 41st Annual Meeting of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft-Dermatologische-Forschung (ADF), Cologne Germany, Mar 13-15, 2014. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
Epidermal RelA specifically restricts contact allergen induced inflammation and apoptosis in skin
Kumari, S., Krieg, T. and Haase, J. (2013). Epidermal RelA specifically restricts contact allergen induced inflammation and apoptosis in skin. International Investigative Dermatology Meeting, Edinburgh Scotland, May 08-11, 2013. NEW YORK: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
Epidermal control of psoriasis like skin inflammation by a TNF-alpha and IL-24 dependent mechanism
Kumari, S., Pasparakis, M., Sabat, R. and Haase, I. (2012). Epidermal control of psoriasis like skin inflammation by a TNF-alpha and IL-24 dependent mechanism. 75th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Investigative-Dermatology, Raleigh Nc, May 09-12, 2012. NEW YORK: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
Kumari, S. and Haase, I. (2011). Control of psoriasis-like skin inflammation by epidermal keratinocytes through a tumour necrosis factor-alpha- and interleukin-24-dependent mechanism. 6th International Congress of Psoriasis - from Gene to Clinic, London England, Dec 01-03, 2011. MALDEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
Epidermal control of psoriasis like skin inflammation by a TNF-a and IL-24 dependent mechanism
Kumari, Snehlata and Haase, Ingo (2011). Epidermal control of psoriasis like skin inflammation by a TNF-a and IL-24 dependent mechanism. 41st Annual Meeting of the European-Society-for-Dermatological-Research, Barcelona Spain, Sep 07-10, 2011. NEW YORK: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
Systemic recruitment of myeloid cells upon deletion of IKK2 from epidermal keratinocytes
Kumari, Snehlata, Pasparakis, Manolis and Haase, Ingo (2010). Systemic recruitment of myeloid cells upon deletion of IKK2 from epidermal keratinocytes. 40th Annual Meeting of the European-Society-for-Dermatological-Research (ESDR 2010), Helsinki Finland, Sep 08-11, 2010. NEW YORK: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
Determining Causative Mechanisms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (TRI LINC grant led by MSHHS)
(2022–2026) Metro South Hospital and Health Service
Elucidate the role of interferon signalling pathways in skin diseases
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Understanding immune diversity in skin inflammation
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Understanding the immunomodulatory mechanisms regulating inflammation
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Precision diagnostics for early melanoma detection
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: