A/Prof Camile Farah
Research Interests
Camile Farah is program leader of the Oral Cancer Research
Group. The program leverages a range of novel technologies,
including optical fluorescence imaging to be able to diagnose oral
cancer at its earliest stages, thus allowing early forms of
treatment to be applied with maximal effect. The program is also
investigating the role that cancer stem cells play in the
propagation and recurrence of cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions.
The underlying premise of this program looks at creating a
molecular signature for pre-cancerous conditions that can be used
as a diagnostic test to either replace or supplement standard
histopathological interpretation of oral epithelial dysplasia and
oral squamous cell carcinoma.
To complement the program's work on the biological mechanisms of
oral cancer, we are developing projects to examine oral
pre-cancerous conditions at the population level. Clinical and
epidemiological studies of defined at-risk populations are planned
which will determine the burden of oral mucosal disease as well as
the relative importance of a range of risk factors for these
groups. This information is fundamental to planning for oral health
services and public health interventions which are appropriate and
cost effective.
The program is also active in educational research, and leads
projects in virtual microscopy, digital radiology,
computer-assisted learning, information literacy, and undergraduate
leadership.
Research Projects
Key publications
Combining Autofluorescence and Narrow Band Imaging with Image
Analysis in the Evaluation of Preneoplastic Lesions in the Bronchus
and Larynx.
P Nguyen, O Salvado, Masters IB, CS Farah, D
Fielding. Journal of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology
(accepted March 2010)
Oral mucosal malignancy and potentially malignant lesions; an
update on the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis and management.
MJ McCullough, G Prasad, CS Farah. Australian
Dental Journal (Invited review, 2010; 55:(1 Suppl): 61-65)
Oral fungal infections: an update for the general practitioner.
CS Farah, N Lynch, MJ McCullough Australian Dental
Journal (Invited review, 2010; 55:(1 Suppl): 48-54)
The assessment of diffused light illumination and acetic acid
rinse (Microlux/DL) in the visualisation of oral mucosal lesions.L
McIntosh, MJ McCullough, CS Farah.Oral Oncology.
2009;45(12):e227-e231.
The assessment of the DNA content of oral cytology via virtual
microscopy for the early detection of epithelial dysplasia and
neoplasia in oral mucosal lesions.MJ McCullough, CS
Farah. Oral Oncology. 2009;45(9):e114-115.
The e-evolution of Microscopy in Dental Education. CS
Farah, T Maybury. Journal of Dental Education.
2009;73(8):942-949.
Implementing Digital Technology to Enhance Student Learning of
Pathology. CS Farah, T Maybury. European Journal
of Dental Education 2009;13(3):172-178.
Perspective: Electronic Systems of Knowledge in the World of
Virtual Microscopy. T Maybury, CS Farah.Academic
Medicine. 2009;84(9):1244-1249.
A review of the role of alcohol in oral carcinogenesis with
particular reference to alcohol containing mouthwashes.MJ
McCullough, CS Farah. Australian Dental Journal.
2008;53:302-305.
Oral cancer awareness for the general practitioner: new
approaches to patient care. CS Farah, MJ
McCullough.Australian Dental Journal. 2008;53:2-10.
Contact details and email
A/Professor Camile S Farah | Oral Pathologist
BDSc, MDSc, PhD, GCEd (HE), FRACDS (Oral Med), FIAOO, FICD
School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, 200 Turbot
St, Brisbane QLD 4000, Web: http://www.dentistry.uq.edu.au
UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane & Women's
Hospital, Herston QLD 4029, Web:
Tel: 07 3365 8137 Fax: 07 3365 8148 Email: c.farah@uq.edu.au
Group Members
Program leader: Associate Professor Camile S Farah
Program members:
Academic & Research Staff: Dr Pauline Ford (Senior
Lecturer), Dr Andrew Dalley (Postdoctoral Research Officer), Dr
Terry Maybury (Associate Lecturer), Mrs Andrea Kazoullis
(Lecturer/Clinical Research Coordinator), Dr Julijana Vuchkova
(Associate Lecturer), Mr Anthony Chan (Histology Technician), Dr
Hong Lien Do (School of Medicine)
Adjunct academic staff: Dr Martin Batstone (Maxillofacial Surgeon,
RBWH), Dr Borjana Simanovic (Visiting Dentist)
Research Higher Degree Students: Dr Ahmad Abdul Majeed (PhD), Dr
Glenn Francis (PhD), Ms Sandra Stein (PhD), Dr Tess Matias (PhD),
Dr Phan Nguyen (PhD), Maryam Jessri (PhD), Anthony Crombie (MPhil),
Dr Jamil Alayan (MPhil), Shaneen Leishman (PhD), Philip Lander
(PhD)
Honours students: Jenny Wang, Sarah Zhao, Sarah Chaw, Emma
Broughton, Fiona Chan, Akshee Shah, Rachel Dunn, Bonita Garton
(BOralH)
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Funding acknowledgement
The work of the group is undertaken at the UQ Centre for
Clinical Research based at the Royal Brisbane & Women's
Hospital at Herston and is funded by grants from the National
Health & Medical Research Council, the Australian Dental
Research Foundation, the RBWH Foundation, and the Dental Board of
Queensland.
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Potential PhD Projects
- Identification of clinically useful molecular biomarkers to
improve diagnostic and prognostic practices in the management of
oral cancer
- Development and characterisation of a human oral mucosa
equivalent (HOME) on human de-epidermised dermis scaffolds
- Isolation and characterisation of adult human oral epithelial
stem cells
- Comparative molecular profiling of adult human epithelial stem
cells from histopathologically normal versus dysplastic oral
epithelium
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Collaborations
The group has several important collaborations including:
A/Professor Michael McCullough at the Melbourne Dental School,
Professor Zee Upton at QUT, Dr Pritinder Kaur at the Peter MaCallum
Cancer Centre in Melbourne, and Dr David Fielding from Thoracic
Medicine at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
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