Dr Sophia Davidson

Neurological conditions can rob patients of the ability to participate in everyday life. Despite the significant disease burden, there are almost no effective medications available to reverse or manage these diseases. I investigate the role of inflammation in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, with the aim of identifing novel treatments for these devastating conditions.

Learn more about my group's research

Research group

Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration

Biography

Dr Sophia Davidson’s research explores the interplay between genetics, inflammation, and neurodevelopment.

She began her research career at the University of Newcastle (Australia) investigating the body’s inflammatory response to respiratory infections. Continuing her studies at the Francis Crick Research Institute in London, Dr Davidson conducted her PhD on how genetics can influence the body’s inflammatory response to the Influenza A virus. Surprisingly, Dr Davidson found that certain aspects of the anti-viral inflammatory response can make the disease worse. This discovery has since influenced clinical trials for both Influenza A virus and COVID-19.

Fascinated by the relationship between genetics and inflammation, Dr Davidson joined Professor Seth Master’s laboratory in 2016, (WEHI) focusing on inflammatory diseases caused by genetic mutations. With her team she identified new pathways of inflammatory signalling triggered by genetic mutations which disrupt cell homeostasis, such as the loss of function mutations in proteasome subunits or COP-I complex components.

Dr Davidson’s research has identified novel targets for drug development and has informed design treatment regimens for rare disease patients using existing anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

Her investigation into monogenic autoinflammatory diseases led Dr Davidson to explore the role of inflammation in neurodevelopmental disorders. Her findings suggest that inflammation may be a common factor in many mutations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dr Davidson uses genetic editing, induced pluripotent stem cell models, and super resolution imaging to investigate inflammatory pathways activated in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dr Davidson’s research spans from fundamental mechanisms of inflammation and genetics to translational applications in treating complex diseases, highlighting her significant contributions to both basic science and clinical practice.

Education

Awards and fellowships

Affiliations

Publication highlights

DAVIDSON S*, Shibata Y*, Collard S, Zheng H, Kong K, Sun JM, Laohamonthonkul P, Cerra A, Kratina T, CIRCA, AADRY, Li MWY, Russell C, van Beek A, Kirk EP, Walsh R, Alqanatish J, Almojali A, Alsuwairi W, Alrasheed A, Lalaoui N, Gray PE*, Komander D*, Masters SL*. *Joint authorship (2024) Dominant negative OTULIN-related autoinflammatory syndrome. JEM.
Steiner A, Hrovat-Schaale K, Prigione I, Yu CH, Laohamonthonkul P, Harapas CR, Low RRJ, De Nardo D, Dagley LF, Mlodzianoski MJ, Rogers KL, Zillinger T, Hartmann G, Gantier MP, Gattorno M, Geyer M, Volpi S, DAVIDSON S*, Masters SL*. *Joint authorship (2022) Deficiency in coatomer complex I causes aberrant activation of STING signalling. Nature Communications
DAVIDSON S, Yu CH, Steiner A, Ebstein F, Baker PJ, Jarur-Chamy V, Hrovat Schaale K, Laohamonthonkul P, Kong K, Calleja DJ, Harapas CR, Balka KR, Mitchell J, Jackson JT, Geoghegan ND, Moghaddas F, Rogers KL, Mayer-Barber KD, De Jesus AA, De Nardo D, Kile BT, Sadler AJ, Poli MC, Krüger E, Goldbach Mansky R, Masters SL. (2022) Protein kinase R is an innate immune sensor of proteotoxic stress via accumulation of cytoplasmic IL-24. Sci Immunol
Harapas CR, Idiiatullina E, Al-Azab M, Hrovat-Schaale K, Reygaerts T, Steiner A, Laohamonthonkul P, DAVIDSON S, Yu CH, Booty L, Masters SL. (2022) Organellar homeostasis and innate immune sensing. Nat Rev Immunol.
Yu CH, DAVIDSON S, Harapas CR, Hilton JB, Mlodzianoski MJ, Laohamonthonkul P, Louis C, Low RRJ, Moecking J, De Nardo D, Balka KR, Calleja DJ, Moghaddas F, Ni E, McLean CA, Samson AL, Tyebji S, Tonkin CJ, Bye CR, Turner BJ, Pepin G, Gantier MP, Rogers KL, McArthur K, Crouch PJ, Masters SL. (2020) TDP-43 Triggers Mitochondrial DNA Release via mPTP to Activate cGAS/STING in ALS. Cell.
McArthur K, Whitehead LW, Heddleston JM, Li L, Padman BS, Oorschot V, Geoghegan ND, Chappaz S, DAVIDSON S, San Chin H, Lane RM, Dramicanin M, Saunders TL, Sugiana C, Lessene R, Osellame LD, Chew TL, Dewson G, Lazarou M, Ramm G, Lessene G, Ryan MT, Rogers KL, van Delft MF, Kile BT. (2018) BAK/BAX macropores facilitate mitochondrial herniation and mtDNA efflux during apoptosis. Science.
DAVIDSON S^, Steiner A, Harapas CR, Masters SL. ^corresponding author (2018) An Update on Autoinflammatory Diseases: Interferonopathies. Curr Rheumatol Rep.
DAVIDSON S*, McCabe TM*, Crotta S, Gad HH, Hessel EM, Beinke S, Hartmann R, Wack A. *Joint authorship (2016) IFNλ is a potent anti-influenza therapeutic without the inflammatory side effects of IFNα treatment. EMBO Mol Med.
DAVIDSON S, Maini MK, Wack A. (2015) Disease-promoting effects of type I interferons in viral, bacterial, and coinfections. J Interferon Cytokine Res.
DAVIDSON S, Crotta S, McCabe TM, Wack A. (2014) Pathogenic potential of interferon αβ in acute influenza infection. Nat Commun.