Robert Bischof - Project Leader - Allergy and Asthma Laboratory

Dr Rob Bischof obtained his PhD at the The University of Melbourne in 1994. He then undertook post-doctoral studies in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (Melbourne) and at the Centre for Inflammation Research at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he developed an interest in the role of cytokines in inflammatory diseases. In 1998, together with Professor Meeusen,Dr Bischof obtained NH&MRC support to investigate the inflammatory mechanisms of allergic disease and developed a novel large animal model of experimental allergic asthma. He was involved in and directed a number of commercially funded projects, and in 2004 he was awarded an NH&MRC Industry Fellowship to develop novel approaches for the treatment of allergic asthma. In 2006 he relocated to Monash University and currently heads the Allergy and Asthma group, with strong links to the Lung Pathobiology Laboratory led by Dr Stuart Hirst. A major focus for the Allergy and Asthma group is to gain a better understanding of the key immunological and physiological mechanisms driving disease pathogenesis, as well as developing new targeted strategies for the treatment of allergies and asthma.

For a selection of student research projects with Dr Bischoff please click here

Selected publications

Bischof RJ, Allen JE, Chang H-Y, Hirota JA, Hirst S, Inman MD, Mitzner W & Sutherland TE (2009). Animal models of airway inflammation and airway smooth muscle remodelling in asthma. Pulm. Pharm. Ther. (In Press).

Bischof RJ, Snibson K, Van der Velden, J & Meeusen ENT (2008). Immune response to allergens in sheep sensitized to house dust mite. J Inflammation 5: 16.

Sansome GM, Young AR, Meeusen EN & Bischof RJ (2007). Production of monoclonal antibodies reactive with ovine eosinophils. BMC Immunology 8: 23.

Koumoundouros E, Bischof RJ, Meeusen EN, Mareels I & Snibson KJ (2006). Chronic airway disease: deteriorating pulmonary function in sheep associated with repeated challenges of house dust mite. Exp. Lung Res. 32: 321-30.

Snibson KJ, Bischof RJ, Koumoundouros E, McMurtrie LS, Cock M & Harding R. (2006). Altered airway responsiveness in adult sheep born prematurely: effects of allergen exposure. Exp. Lung Res. 32: 215-28.

Snibson, KJ, Bischof, RJ, Slocombe, RF & Meeusen EN (2005). Airway remodeling and inflammation in sheep lungs after chronic airway challenge with house dust mite. Clin. Exp. Allergy 35: 146-152. (selected for Editorial)

Dunphy J, Barcham GJ, Bischof RJ, Young A, Nash A & Meeusen ENT (2002). Isolation and characterisation of a novel eosinophil-specific galectin released into the lungs in response to allergen challenge. J Biol Chem 277: 14916-14924.

Bischof RJ, Snibson K & Meeusen ENT (2003). Induction of allergic inflammation in the lungs of sensitized sheep after local challenge with house dust mite. Clin. Exp. Allergy 33: 367-375. (selected for Editorial)

Bischof RJ & Meeusen ENT (2002). Cellular kinetics of an allergic-type response in a sheep mammary gland model of inflammation. Clin. Exp. Allergy 32: 619-626.

Tatarczuch L, Bischof RJ, Philip C & Lee CS (2002). Phagocytic capacity of leucocytes in sheep mammary gland secretions following weaning. J. Anat. 201: 351-361.

Meeusen ENT, Bischof RJ & Lee, CS (2001). Comparative T cell responses during pregnancy in large animals and humans. Am J Reprod Immunol 46: 169-179.

Campbell IK, Rich MJ, Bischof RJ & Hamilton JA (2000). The colony-stimulating factors and collagen-induced arthritis: exacerbation of disease by M-CSF and G-CSF and requirement for endogenous M-CSF. J. Leuk Biol 68: 144-150.

Bischof RJ, Zafiropolous D, Hamilton JA. & Campbell IK (2000). Exacerbation of acute inflammatory arthritis by the colony-stimulating factors, CSF-1 and GM-CSF: evidence of macrophage infiltration and local proliferation. Clin. Exp. Immunol. 119: 361-367.