Author name: Jackson Karrasch
Author biography:
Jackson is a PhD student in the Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Behaviour at the University of Sydney. He performs high-parameter imaging studies on human tissues to explore how the immune system and nervous system interact in the context of chronic neuropathic pain. He is passionate about science and learning, particularly in relation to harnessing aspects of human physiology to better the lives of patients with chronic diseases.
Author contact details: jkar5025@uni.sydney.edu.au
Energising the Future of Pain Research: A PhD Student’s Experience at the Australian Pain Society’s 44th Annual Scientific Meeting
Earlier this year, I flew to Darwin for the Australian Pain Society’s 44th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). I was fortunate enough to attend, for the second year running, this inspiring gathering of pain researchers and clinicians with several colleagues from the Brain and Mind Centre at The University of Sydney. This time I was determined to make the absolute most of the opportunity – I participated in the light-hearted 3-Minute Thesis competition at the Basic Pain Research (BPR) Pre-Conference Workshop and presented my research at a Free Paper Session focussing on neuroinflammatory and neuroimmune pain conditions. Speaking to an audience of clinicians, academics, and fellow early- and mid-career researchers, I outlined some preliminary data from a recent clinical cohort study on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) conducted by our group. Briefly, we utilised Imaging Mass CytometryTM to perform a high-parameter imaging study on CRPS-affected skin biopsies to investigate cutaneous neuroimmune interactions. By visualising nerve fibres and immune cell populations simultaneously and combining this with an unbiased computational data analysis pipeline, we found a possible role for Langerhans cell- and CD183+ cell (lymphocyte)-nerve fibre interactions in CRPS pathophysiology. Although further analyses are required to confirm our findings, we are incredibly excited by these developments, and it was a privilege to be able to share them at the ASM this year. We are continuing to work closely with our immunologist and bioinformatician colleagues at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, so keep an eye out for a publication soon! To top it all off, my presentation was very well received, and I was asked thoughtful and interesting questions at its conclusion.
As this was my second Free Paper Session presentation at an ASM, I was far more confident behind the lectern and in my ability to deliver an insightful talk. Likewise, I felt comfortable approaching people between during the morning tea, afternoon tea, and lunchtime breaks to ask them questions about their presentations and posters. I spoke with numerous people about all things pain research; everything from niche neuroimmunology to transmission electron microscopy to the latest in pharmaceutical development. I also met Professor Peter Drummond, our collaborator from Murdoch University and a long-term supporter of our research, for the first time. Professor Drummond provides our laboratory with human skin biopsies from various patient cohorts and, as such, has made an invaluable contribution to our investigations. On the Tuesday morning following my talk, I introduced myself to Professor Cheryl Stucky from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Professor Stucky’s work is extremely relevant to the research conducted by our group and aligns closely with my personal interests. We had a brief, but insightful chat and I was able to provide her with a quick overview of my current research goals for my PhD. She generously offered to put me in contact with one of her colleagues who is performing similar experiments to me in diabetic neuropathic pain. Professor Stucky’s kindness and approachability has left a lasting impression on me. Another notable interaction was a discussion I had with Professor Rainer Haberberger from The University of Adelaide about his latest research on the ultrastructure of human dorsal root ganglia (DRG). I found the use of electron microscopy to understand the cellular and subcellular composition of the DRG totally fascinating.
Over the duration of the ASM, there were certainly some noteworthy presentations. Unsurprisingly, I thought both of Professor Stucky’s Plenary talks were outstanding. I found her work on keratinocyte-mediated nociception particularly interesting, and it has inspired me to further consider how this cell population may be contributing to acute and chronic pain signalling in CRPS-affected skin. Sharing what she’d learnt after 24 years in scientific research was also a touching way to conclude her talk. I made sure to quickly snap a picture of her tips for success so that I could remember those important lessons. Another presentation that I thoroughly enjoyed was that of Dr Colleen Johnston-Devin from Central Queensland University, which outlined her lived experience with CRPS. This was the most moving talk of the entire conference and hearing a firsthand account of how CRPS can completely change someone’s life has further motivated me to continue my research on this terrible condition.
Receiving a Travel Grant for this ASM assisted me with my travel expenses for Darwin. A bonus highlight for me was the BPR Special Interest Group Dinner on the Sunday night. I met Dr Arjun Muralidharan and Professor Maree Smith AC, and we spoke about academic life, shared ideas on how I could make the most of my PhD and discussed the current state of pain research. Next year at the ASM in Melbourne, I’m looking forward to forming more personal relationships with people who conduct similar research to me and to developing productive collaborations with like-minded individuals. I’m also excited to spend time exploring Melbourne with my friends and fellow pain researchers and to participate in any social activities that may be on the agenda!
Declaration: Jackson Karrasch and his supervisor Associate Professor Paul Austin are supported by a philanthropic donation from the Neil and Norma Hill Foundation and a research grant from the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
Australian Pain Society 