Ground-breaking research that identifies molecular ‘signatures’ to help tackle autoimmune diseases has earned Dr Jing Jing Wang a Commendation in the 2018 Bupa Health Foundation Emerging Health Researcher Awards.

Chronic autoimmune diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjögren’s syndrome are a poorly understood group of diseases which commonly affect young and middle-aged women.

With a focus on translational outcomes, Dr Wang’s research uses sophisticated proteomic technology and has identified immunoglobulin variable (IgV) region molecular signatures for specific autoantibodies.

These “IgV signatures” are then used in a novel platform to identify protective and/or pathogenic clones in patients and develop them as early markers of the disease. The signatures can also be used to monitor treatment responses by identifying which clones respond well to treatment and which are resistant, providing clinical guidance for treatment strategies.

Her work on molecular tracking of pathogenic autoantibody clones will be considered for patent application, as this new technology is looking promising in terms of replacing conventional autoantibody testing.

The Bupa Health Foundation Emerging Health Researcher Awards recognise the valuable contribution of early career researchers towards health outcomes. Dr Wang’s Commendation Award comes with a $1,000 cash prize.