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Health Sciences staff profiles

Associate Professor Jo Stanton

PositionResearch Associate Professor
DepartmentDepartment of Anatomy
QualificationsBSc(Hons)(ANU) PhD(UWA)
Research summaryPoint-of-care molecular diagnostics, reproductive biology, genomics
TeachingCurrent PhD Student: Adria Rae Abigail Eda
Memberships
  • EcoHealth Alliance
  • Cassava Virus Action Project
  • Anatomy Finance Committee
  • Animal Ethics Committee

Research

My vision is to take complex molecular diagnostics out of the lab and into the hands of non-experts to facilitate rapid, accurate and cost-effective responses to developing situations in real time. I lead a team of cross-disciplinary scientists from both academia and industry. Together we are developing handheld molecular diagnostic devices and systems for in-field and point-of-care applications. Multiple engineering and scientific challenges must be addressed that reinvent all aspects of complex molecular nucleic acid diagnostics for portability and ease of use by non-experts. Towards this goal, two prototype devices with associated software have been produced and licenced to a biotech company (Ubiquitome Ltd) and, in collaboration with ZyGEM NZ Ltd, the PDQeX DNA extraction system has been released commercially.

I am one of New Zealand’s experts in High Throughput Sequencing technologies, having established the first fully-operational New Zealand HTS Services based around the 454 Roche GS FLX. This service expanded to include the SOLiD platform from Life Technologies before being wrapped up in 2010. Subsequently I have acquired operational experience with the bench-top sequencing technologies Ion Torrent and Ion Proton (Life Technologies). I am currently working with MinION technology (Oxford Nanopore) to adapt its use to point-of-care and in-field situations.

I use nucleic acid-based technologies to explore a range of scientific interests. These focus on infectious disease, reproduction, the microbiome, anthropology and forensics. Examples of collaborative projects I have been involved with are:

  • Development of the ovary, oocyte and preimplantation embryo.
  • Screening for HPV infection to prevent cervical cancer. Projects underway in Samoa and Northland, New Zealand.
  • On-farm diagnosis of plant viruses in East African cassava crops.
  • Using ancient DNA and modern samples to study human migrations through the Pacific.
  • Understanding the microbiome of New Zealand’s native frogs.
  • Diagnosing antimicrobial resistance in Tb.
  • The role of genomics in conservation and management of NZ species.
  • Work with ESR to discover human pathogenic organisms.

Additional details

Current funding: MBIE UOOX1703

Publications

Sun, A., Stanton, J.-A. L., Bergquist, P. L., & Sunna, A. (2021). Universal enzyme-based field workflow for rapid and sensitive quantification of water pathogens. Microorganisms, 9(11), 2367. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9112367

Lawley, B., Grant, J., Harfoot, R., Treece, J. M., Day, R., Hernández, L. C., Stanton, J.-A. L., Ussher, J. E., & Quiñones‑Mateu, M. E. (2021). Rapid response to SARS-CoV-2 in Aotearoa New Zealand: Implementation of a diagnostic test and characterization of the first COVID-19 cases in the South Island. Viruses, 13(11), 2222. doi: 10.3390/v13112222

Bowers, H. A., Pochon, X., von Ammon, U., Gemmell, N., Stanton, J.-A. L., Jeunen, G. J., … Zaiko, A. (2021). Towards the optimization of eDNA/eRNA sampling technologies for marine biosecurity surveillance. Water, 13(8), 1113. doi: 10.3390/w13081113

Heng, N. C. K., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2020). Next-generation DNA sequencing of oral microbes at the Sir John Walsh Research Institute: Technologies, tools and achievements. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 50(1), 91-107. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2019.1687530

Boykin, L. M., Sseruwagi, P., Alicai, T., Ateka, E., Mohammed, I. U., Stanton, J.-A. L., … Rawle, C. B., … Ndunguru, J. (2019). Tree lab: Portable genomics for early detection of plant viruses and pests in Sub-Saharan Africa. Genes, 10(9), 632. doi: 10.3390/genes10090632

Heng, N. C. K., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2010). Oral bacterial genome sequencing using the high-throughput Roche Genome Sequencer FLX System. In G. J. Seymour, M. P. Cullinan & N. C. K. Heng (Eds.), Oral Biology. (pp. 197-218). New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-60761-820-1_14

Chapter in Book - Research

Stanton, J.-A. L., & Green, D. P. L. (2002). PCR-SAGE. In S. Lorkowski & P. Cullen (Eds.), Analyzing Gene Expression: A Handbook of Methods, Possibilities and Pitfalls. Wiley-VCH.

Chapter in Book - Research

Lord, E. A., Stanton, J.-A. L., Martin, S. K., Li, C., Clark, D. E., & Suttie, J. M. (2001). Characterization of genes expressed in the growing velvet antler tip of red deer (Cervus elaphus). In J. S. Sim, H. H. Sunwoo, R. J. M. Hudson & B. T. Jeon (Eds.), Antler science and product technology. (pp. 189-199). Edmonton, Canada: Antler Science and Product Techology Research Center.

Chapter in Book - Research

Bowers, H. A., Pochon, X., von Ammon, U., Gemmell, N., Stanton, J.-A. L., Jeunen, G. J., … Zaiko, A. (2021). Towards the optimization of eDNA/eRNA sampling technologies for marine biosecurity surveillance. Water, 13(8), 1113. doi: 10.3390/w13081113

Journal - Research Article

Lawley, B., Grant, J., Harfoot, R., Treece, J. M., Day, R., Hernández, L. C., Stanton, J.-A. L., Ussher, J. E., & Quiñones‑Mateu, M. E. (2021). Rapid response to SARS-CoV-2 in Aotearoa New Zealand: Implementation of a diagnostic test and characterization of the first COVID-19 cases in the South Island. Viruses, 13(11), 2222. doi: 10.3390/v13112222

Journal - Research Article

Sun, A., Stanton, J.-A. L., Bergquist, P. L., & Sunna, A. (2021). Universal enzyme-based field workflow for rapid and sensitive quantification of water pathogens. Microorganisms, 9(11), 2367. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9112367

Journal - Research Article

Heng, N. C. K., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2020). Next-generation DNA sequencing of oral microbes at the Sir John Walsh Research Institute: Technologies, tools and achievements. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 50(1), 91-107. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2019.1687530

Journal - Research Article

Boykin, L. M., Sseruwagi, P., Alicai, T., Ateka, E., Mohammed, I. U., Stanton, J.-A. L., … Rawle, C. B., … Ndunguru, J. (2019). Tree lab: Portable genomics for early detection of plant viruses and pests in Sub-Saharan Africa. Genes, 10(9), 632. doi: 10.3390/genes10090632

Journal - Research Article

Phillipps, H. R., Rand, C. J., Brown, R. S. E., Kokay, I. C., Stanton, J.-A., & Grattan, D. R. (2019). Prolactin regulation of insulin-like growth factor 2 gene expression in the adult mouse choroid plexus. FASEB Journal, 33, 6115-6128. doi: 10.1096/fj.201802262R

Journal - Research Article

Rijnberg, V., Hansen, P., Ekeroma, A., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2019). Is cervical cancer screening cost-effective for Samoa? A cost-utility analysis based on a cohort Markov model. Pacific Journal of Reproductive Health, 1(8), 423-439. doi: 10.18313/pjrh.2019.903

Journal - Research Article

Smith, P., Juengel, J., Maclean, P., Rand, C., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2019). Gestational nutrition 2: Gene expression in sheep fetal ovaries exposed to gestational under nutrition. Reproduction, 157, 13-25. doi: 10.1530/rep-18-0358

Journal - Research Article

Smith, P., Stanton, J.-A. L., Quirke, L., & Juengel, J. L. (2019). Gestational nutrition 1: Alterations to gestational nutrition can increase indicators of fertility in sheep. Reproduction, 157(3), 199-213. doi: 10.1530/rep-18-0357

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J.-A. L., Muralidhar, A., Rand, C. J., & Saul, D. J. (2019). Rapid extraction of DNA suitable for NGS workflows from bacterial cultures using the PDQeX. Biotechniques, 66, 208-213. doi: 10.2144/btn-2019-0006

Journal - Research Article

Banks, J. C., Clarke, J. A., Nield, P., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Wagner, E. (2016). Haplotyping cryptic Adélie penguin taxa using low-cost, high-resolution melt curves. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 43(2), 163-170. doi: 10.1080/03014223.2015.1129971

Journal - Research Article

Mackintosh, C. G., Griffin, J. F. T., Scott, I. C., O'Brien, R., Stanton, J. L., Maclean, P., & Brauning, R. (2016). SOLiD SAGE sequencing shows differential gene expression in jejunal lymph node samples of resistant and susceptible red deer (Cervus elaphus) challenged with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Veterinary Immunology & Immunopathology, 169, 102-110. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2015.10.009

Journal - Research Article

Rawlence, N. J., Collins, C. J., Anderson, C. N. K., Maxwell, J. J., Smith, I. W. G., Robertson, B. C., Knapp, M., Horsburgh, K. A., Stanton, J.-A. L., Scofield, R. P., … Matisoo-Smith, E. A., & Waters, J. M. (2016). Human-mediated extirpation of the unique Chatham Islands sea lion and implications for the conservation management of remaining New Zealand sea lion populations. Molecular Ecology, 25(16), 3950-3961. doi: 10.1111/mec.13726

Journal - Research Article

Sutton, J. T., Castro, I., Robertson, B. C., Tompkins, D. M., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Jamieson, I. G. (2016). MHC genetic diversity and avian malaria prevalence in Mokoia Island saddlebacks. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 40(3), 351-360.

Journal - Research Article

Reader, K. L., Cox, N. R., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Juengel, J. L. (2015). Effects of acetyl-L-carnitine on lamb oocyte blastocyst rate, ultrastructure, and mitochondrial DNA copy number. Theriogenology, 83, 1484-1492. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.01.028

Journal - Research Article

Reader, K. L., Cox, N. R., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Juengel, J. L. (2015). Mitochondria and vesicles differ between adult and prepubertal sheep oocytes during IVM. Reproduction, Fertility & Development, 27(3), 513-522. doi: 10.1071/RD13359

Journal - Research Article

Clarke, A. C., Prost, S., Stanton, J.-A. L., White, W. T. J., Kaplan, M. E., Matisoo-Smith, E. A., and the Genographic Consortium. (2014). From cheek swabs to consensus sequences: An A to Z protocol for high-throughput DNA sequencing of complete human mitochondrial genomes. BMC Genomics, 15, 68. doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-68

Journal - Research Article

Jiang, Y., Xie, M., Chen, W., Talbot, R., Maddox, J. F., Faraut, T., … Stanton, J.-A., … Dalrymple, B. P. (2014). The sheep genome illuminates biology of the rumen and lipid metabolism. Science, 344(6188), 1168-1173. doi: 10.1126/science.1252806

Journal - Research Article

Fineran, P. C., Iglesias Cans, M. C., Ramsay, J. P., Wilf, N. M., Cossyleon, D., McNeil, M. B., … Stanton, J.-A. L., … Salmond, G. P. C. (2013). Draft genome sequence of Serratia sp. strain ATCC 39006, a model bacterium for analysis of the biosynthesis and regulation of prodigiosin, a carbapenem, and gas vesicles. Genome Announcements, 1(6), e01039-13. doi: 10.1128/genomeA.01039-13

Journal - Research Article

Horsburgh, K. A., Prost, S., Gosling, A., Stanton, J.-A., Rand, C., & Matisoo-Smith, E. A. (2013). The genetic diversity of the Nguni breed of African Cattle (Bos spp.): Complete mitochondrial genomes of haplogroup T1. PLoS ONE, 8(8), e71956. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071956

Journal - Research Article

Peacey, M., Hall, R. J., Wang, J., Todd, A. K., Yen, S., Chan-Hyams, J., Rand, C. J., Stanton, J.-A., & Huang, Q. S. (2013). Enterovirus 74 Infection in Children. PLoS ONE, 8(10), e76492. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076492

Journal - Research Article

Sutton, J. T., Robertson, B. C., Grueber, C. E., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Jamieson, I. G. (2013). Characterization of MHC class II B polymorphism in bottlenecked New Zealand saddlebacks reveals low levels of genetic diversity. Immunogenetics, 65(8), 619-633. doi: 10.1007/s00251-013-0708-7

Journal - Research Article

Todd, A. K., Hall, R. J., Wang, J., Peacey, M., McTavish, S., Rand, C. J., Stanton, J.-A., … Huang, Q. S. (2013). Detection and whole genome sequence analysis of an enterovirus 68 cluster. Virology Journal, 10(1). doi: 10.1186/1743-422x-10-103

Journal - Research Article

Wyatt, A. K., Zavodna, M., Viljoen, J. L., Stanton, J.-A. L., Gemmell, N. J., & Jasoni, C. L. (2013). Changes in methylation patterns of Kiss1 and Kiss1r gene promoters across puberty. Genetics & Epigenetics, 5, 51-62.

Journal - Research Article

Kennedy, D. M., Stanton, J.-A. L., García, J. A., Mason, C., Rand, C. J., Kieser, J. A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2012). Microbial analysis of bite marks by sequence comparison of streptococcal DNA. PLoS ONE, 7(12), e51757. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051757

Journal - Research Article

Knapp, M., Horsburgh, K. A., Prost, S., Stanton, J.-A., Buckley, H. R., Walter, R. K., & Matisoo-Smith, E. A. (2012). Complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequences from the first New Zealanders. PNAS, 109(45), 18350-18354. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1209896109

Journal - Research Article

Heng, N. C. K., Haji-Ishak, N. S., Kalyan, A., Wong, A. Y. C., Lovrić, M., Bridson, J. M., Artamonova, J., Stanton, J.-A. L., Wescombe, P. A., Burton, J. P., Cullinan, M. P., & Tagg, J. R. (2011). Genome sequence of the bacteriocin-producing oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius strain M18. Journal of Bacteriology, 193(22), 6402-6403. doi: 10.1128/jb.06001-11

Journal - Research Article

Kalamorz, F., Keis, S., McMillan, D. G. G., Olsson, K., Stanton, J.-A., Stockwell, P., Black, M. A., … Cook, G. M. (2011). Draft genome sequence of the thermoalkaliphilic Caldalkalibacillus thermarum strain TA2.A1. Journal of Bacteriology, 193(16), 4290-4291. doi: 10.1128/jb.05035-11

Journal - Research Article

Howden, B. P., Seemann, T., Harrison, P. F., McEvoy, C. R., Stanton, J.-A. L., Rand, C. J., Mason, C. W., … Stinear, T. P. (2010). Complete genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus strain JKD6008, a ST239 clone of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with intermediate level vancomycin resistance. Journal of Bacteriology, 192(21), 5848-5849. doi: 10.1128/JB.00951-10

Journal - Research Article

Prasad, P. D., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Assinder, S. J. (2010). Expression of the actin-associated protein transgelin (SM22) is decreased in prostate cancer. Cell & Tissue Research, 339(2), 337-347. doi: 10.1007/s00441-009-0902-y

Journal - Research Article

Abdelkrim, J., Robertson, B. C., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Gemmell, N. J. (2009). Fast, cost-effective development of species-specific microsatellite markers by genomic sequencing. Biotechniques, 46(3), 185-192. doi: 10.2144/000113084

Journal - Research Article

Assinder, S. J., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Prasad, P. D. (2009). Transgelin: An actin-binding protein and tumour suppressor. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 41(3), 482-486. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2008.02.011

Journal - Research Article

Li, C., Gao, Z., Yang, F., Martin, S. K., Haines, S. R., Deng, X., Schofield, J., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2009). Development of a nude mouse model for the study of antlerogenesis: Mechanism of tissue interactions and ossification pathway. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular & Developmental Evolution, 312B(2), 118-135. doi: 10.1002/jez.b.21252

Journal - Research Article

Anas, M.-K. I., Hammer, M.-A., Lever, M., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Baltz, J. M. (2007). The organic osmolytes betaine and proline are transported by a shared system in early preimplantation mouse embryos. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 210, 266-277.

Journal - Research Article

Li, C., Stanton, J.-A. L., Robertson, T. M., Suttie, J. M., Sheard, P. W., Harris, A. J., & Clark, D. E. (2007). Nerve growth factor mRNA expression in the regenerating antler tip of red deer (Cervus elaphus). PLoS ONE, 2(1), e148. Retrieved from http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0000148

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J.-A. L., MacGregor, A. B., Mason, C., Dameh, M., & Green, D. P. L. (2007). Building comparative gene expression databases for the mouse preimplantation embryo using a pipeline approach to UniGene. Molecular Human Reproduction, 13(10), 713-720.

Journal - Research Article

Quinn, M. C. J., McGregor, S. B., Stanton, J. L., Hessian, P. A., Gillett, W. R., & Green, D. P. L. (2006). Purification of granulosa cells from human ovarian follicular fluid using granulosa cell aggregates. Reproduction, Fertility & Development, 18, 501-508.

Journal - Research Article

Quennell, J. H., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Hurst, P. R. (2004). Basic fibroblast growth factor expression in isolated small human ovarian follicles. Molecular Human Reproduction, 10(9), 623-628.

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J.-A. L., Macgregor, A. B., & Green, D. P. L. (2003). Gene expression in the mouse preimplantation embryo. Reproduction, 125, 457-468.

Journal - Research Article

Li, C., Clark, D. E., Lord, E. A., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Suttie, J. M. (2002). Sampling technique to discriminate the different tissue layers of growing antler tips for gene discovery. Anatomical Record, 268, 125-130.

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J. L., Bascand, M., Fisher, L., Quinn, M., Macgregor, A., & Green, D. P. L. (2002). Gene expression profiling of human GV oocytes: An analysis of a profile obtained by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 53, 193-201.

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J.-A. L., & Green, D. P. L. (2002). A set of 1542 mouse blastocyst and pre-blastocyst genes with well-matched human homologues. Molecular Human Reproduction, 8(2), 149-166.

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J.-A. L., Macgregor, A., & Green, D. P. L. (2002). Using expressed sequence tag databases to identify ovarian genes of interest. Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, 191(1), 11-14.

Journal - Research Article

Bedford, J. J., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Leader, J. P. (2001). A taurine transporter isolated from rat cardiac muscle. Advances in Experimental Medicine & Biology, 483, 523-534.

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J.-A. L., & Green, D. P. L. (2001). A set of 840 mouse oocyte genes with well-matched human homologues. Molecular Human Reproduction, 7(6), 521-543.

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J.-A. L., & Green, D. P. L. (2001). Meta-analysis of gene expression in mouse preimplantation embryo development. Molecular Human Reproduction, 7(6), 545-552.

Journal - Research Article

Neilson, L., Andalibi, A., Kang, D., Coutifaris, C., Strauss, III, J. F., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Green, D. P. L. (2000). Molecular phenotype of the human oocyte by PCR-SAGE. Genomics, 63, 13-24.

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J., Taucher-Scholz, G., Schneider, M., Heilmann, J., & Kraft, G. (1993). Protection of DNA from high LET radiation by two OH radical scavengers, tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane and 2-mercaptoethanol. Radiation & Environmental Biophysics, 32(1), 21-32. doi: 10.1007/BF01213127

Journal - Research Article

Taucher-Scholz, G., Stanton, J.-A., Schneider, M., & Kraft, G. (1992). Induction of DNA breaks in SV40 by heavy ions. Advances in Space Research, 12(2-3), 73-80. doi: 10.1016/0273-1177(92)90093-D

Journal - Research Article

Stanton, J., Taucher-Scholz, G., Schneider, M., & Kraft, G. (1990). Comparison between indirect and direct effects for high and low LET radiations in SV40 DNA strand break induction. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 31(1-4), 253-256. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.rpd.a080674

Journal - Research Article

Kraft, G., Kraft-Weyrather, W., Ritter, S., Scholz, M., & Stanton, J. (1989). Cellular and subcellular effect of heavy ions: A comparison of the induction of strand breaks and chromosomal aberration with the incidence of inactivation and mutation. Advances in Space Research, 9(10), 59-72. doi: 10.1016/0273-1177(89)90423-7

Journal - Research Article

Kraft-Weyrather, W., Kraft, G., Ritter, S., Scholz, M., & Stanton, J.-A. (1989). The preparation of biological targets for heavy-ion experiments up to 20 MeV/u. Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A, 282(1), 22-27. doi: 10.1016/0168-9002(89)90104-6

Journal - Research Article

Reader, K. L., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Juengel, J. L. (2017). The role of oocyte organelles in determining developmental competence. Biology, 6(3), 35. doi: 10.3390/biology6030035

Journal - Research Other

Green, D. P. L., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Macgregor, A. B. (2003). New Zealand Bioinformatics Conference 2003 [Editorial forward]. Applied Bioinformatics, 2(3 Suppl.), S1-S2.

Journal - Research Other

Stanton, J. L., Wilton, S. D., & Laing, N. G. (1996). Characterisation of the chicken Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase gene [Short communication]. DNA Sequence, 6(6), 357-360. doi: 10.3109/10425179609047575

Journal - Research Other

Tizard, B. K., Stanton, J.-A. L., & Laing, N. G. (1994). DiffScreen: The merging of image subtraction and molecular genetics for the rapid analysis of differentially screened cDNA libraries [Application note]. Bioinformatics, 10(2), 209-210. doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/10.2.209

Journal - Research Other

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