Dr Alanna Sorenson ~ Senior Lecturer, Molecular and Cell Biology

Alanna Sorenson is a scientist and lecturer within the Discipline of Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Biology in the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University. Alanna undertook her bachelor’s and honour's degrees in Biomedical Science at James Cook University and received her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from James Cook University.

Her primary research interest is on the use of novel techniques such as differential scanning fluorimetry of GFP-tagged proteins (DSF-GTP) to identify new antibiotics specific for drug resistant bacteria. She is interested in using this technique in high-throughput screening for drug discovery with a wide variety of protein targets in pathogenic organisms and cancer. Alanna’s research also focuses on using fluorescent proteins as biological sciences and the development of improved diagnostic tests for detection of antibodies and target proteins.

Teaching

• BC2023: Molecular Genetics (Level 2; TSV)
• BC3201: Bioengineering (Level 3; TSV)
• BC5201: Advanced Bioengineering (Level 5; TSV)
• BM1000: Introductory Biochemistry and Microbiology (Level 1; CNS & TSV)
• BM1001: Introduction to Biomedicine (Level 1; TSV)
• BM1002: Anatomy and Physiology 1 (Level 1; TSV)
• BM1031: Anatomy and Physiology for Occupational Therapy 1 (Level 1; TSV)
• BM1041: Anatomy and Physiology for Physiotherapy 1 (Level 1; TSV)
• BM1061: Anatomy and Physiology for Sport and Exercise Science 1 (Level 1; TSV)
• BM1201: Energy Metabolism: Powering Life (Level 1; TSV)
• BM1210: Structure to Function: Cells to Systems (Level 1; TSV)
• BM1300: Genes and Health (Level 1; TSV)
• BM1310: Structure to Function: Control and Movement (Level 1; TSV)
• BM3000: Advanced Projects in Biomedicine (Level 3; TSV)
• BM5000: Advanced Projects in Biomedicine (Level 5; TSV)
• BM5001: Professional Placement 1 (Level 5; TSV)
• BM5002: Professional Placement 2 (Level 5; TSV)
• BM5003: Clinical Measurements 1 (Level 5; TSV)
• BM5004: Clinical Measurements 2 (Level 5; TSV)
• TV1102: Cell Biology and Biochemistry for Veterinary Science and Agriculture (Level 1; TSV)
• TV2001: Integrated Animal Structure and Function 1 (Level 2; TSV)

Interests

Research

• Diagnostic test development
• Identifying new antibiotics
• Melioidosis/Burkholderia pseudomallei
• Q fever/ Coxiella burnetii
• Tuberculosis
• Flaviviruses
• Fluorescent proteins
• Differential scanning fluorimetry

Experience

• 2023 to present - Course Coordinator, Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2018 to present - Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2015 to 2018 - Adjunct Researcher, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2016 - Teaching Technician, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2014 to 2015 - Research Worker, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2011 to 2014 - Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2011 - Contract Researcher, North Queensland Crayfish Farmers Association (Townsville, Tolga)
• 2007 to 2011 - Doctor of Philosophy, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2010 - Microbiology Technician, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2010 - Contract Researcher, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2009 to 2010 - Technician, TropBio PtyLtd, James Cook University (Townsville)

Research Disciplines

• Biochemistry and cell biology (3101)
• Medical biotechnology (3206)
• Industrial biotechnology (3106)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Clinical health (2001)
• Expanding knowledge (2801)

Awards

• 2023 - CPHMVS Dean's Awards 2022
• 2020 to 2023 - Sandpit to Seed Innovation funding
• 2014 - Centre for Biosecurity and Tropical Infectious Diseases Seed Funding x2
• 2007 to 2010 - Australian Postgraduate Award
• 2007 - James Cook University Academic Medal

Memberships

• 2011 - Australian College of Tropical Medicine/ Queensland Tropical Health Alliance
• 2011 - Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• 2007 to 2011 - Australian Society for Microbiology

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Radford H, Toft C, Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2023) Inhibition of Replication Fork Formation and Progression: Targeting the Replication Initiation and Primosomal Proteins. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (10).
• Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2023) Real-Time Temperature Sensing Using a Ratiometric Dual Fluorescent Protein Biosensor. Biosensors, 13 (3).
• Toft C, Bourquin R, Sorenson A, Horwood P, Druce J and Schaeffer P (2023) Analytical sensitivity of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests: A case for a robust reference standard. Talanta, 7.
• Toft C, Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2022) A soft Tus-Ter interaction is hiding a fail-safe lock in the replication fork trap of Dickeya paradisiaca. Microbiological Research, 263.
• Toft C, Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2022) Rise of the terminator protein tus: A versatile tool in the biotechnologist's toolbox. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1213.
• Toft C, Moreau M, Perutka J, Mandapati S, Enyeart P, Sorenson A, Ellington A and Schaeffer P (2021) Delineation of the ancestral tus-dependent replication fork trap. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22 (24).
• Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2020) A new bivalent fluorescent fusion protein for differential Cu(II) and Zn(II) ion detection in aqueous solution. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1101. pp. 120-128
• Askin S, Bond T, Sorenson A, Moreau M, Antony H, Davis R and Schaeffer P (2018) Selective protein unfolding: a universal mechanism of action for the development of irreversible inhibitors. Chemical Communications, 54 (14). pp. 1738-1741
• Sikder S, Williams N, Sorenson A, Alim M, Vidgen M, Moreland N, Rush C, Simpson R, Govan B, Norton R, Cunningham M, McMillan D, Sriprakash K and Ketheesan N (2018) Group G streptococcus induces an autoimmune carditis mediated by interleukin 17A and interferon γ in the Lewis rat model of rheumatic heart disease. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 218 (2). pp. 324-335
• Bond T, Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2017) A green fluorescent protein-based assay for high-throughput ligand-binding studies of a mycobacterial biotin protein ligase. Microbiological Research, 205. pp. 35-39
• Bond T, Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2017) Functional characterisation of Burkholderia pseudomallei biotin protein ligase: a toolkit for anti-melioidosis drug development. Microbiological Research, 199. pp. 40-48
• Sorenson A, Owens L, Caltabiano M, Cadet-James Y, Hall R, Govan B and Clancy P (2016) The impact of prior flavivirus infections on the development of Type 2 Diabetes among the Indigenous Australians. American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, 95 (2). pp. 265-268

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 28+ research outputs authored by Dr Alanna Sorenson from 2007 onwards.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Development of a Universal Rapid Diagnostic Test for Influenza A, B and SARS-COV-2 (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Characterising the Burkholderia pseudomallei replisome for future melioidosis drug discovery (Masters , Secondary Advisor)

Completed

• Development of a high-throughput HIV-1 integrase drug screening platform (2023, Masters , Secondary Advisor)
• Defining the ancestral replication fork trap in Tus-dependent bacteria (2021, Masters , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.