Professor David Kennaway

Professor David Kennaway
 Position Grant-Funded Researcher (E)
 Org Unit Women's and Children's Health
 Email david.kennaway@adelaide.edu.au
 Telephone 831 34090
 Location Floor/Room 6 ,  Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences ,   North Terrace

  • Biography/ Background

    Current Appointments

    Circadian Physiology Group Members

    Professor David Kennaway Senior Research Fellow
    Dr Tamara Varcoe Research Fellow
    Mr Mark Salkeld Research Assistant
    Mr Hong Liu
    		 Research Assistant
     

  • Qualifications

    • 1978  PhD, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide (Dr RF Seamark, supervisor).

    • 1973  Hons (First class), Disciplines of Physiology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide.

    • 1972  BSc, University of Adelaide.

  • Awards & Achievements

    Awards

    • 2006 Most Outstanding Contribution to the Discipline (Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

    • 2006 Most Outstanding Research Training and Mentorship Award (Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

    • 1980 Australian JC "Five Outstanding Young Australians" Award

    • 1977 Organon Award - Endocrine Society of Australia (best presentation at the annual scientific meeting)

    Professional Associations

    Leadership

    •  Foundation Chair Australasian Chronobiology Society

    Society Membership

    European Biological Rhythms Society
    Society for Research on Biological Rhythms
    International Neuroendocrinology Federation
    Society for Reproductive Biology
    Endocrine Society of Australia
    Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity
    Australasian Chronobiology Society
    Australian Neuroendocrinology Group
    Australian Society for Medical Research

     

  • Research Interests

    More than 1.4 million Australians work outside normal working hours. Shift work and increased light exposure at night has been associated with poor sleep and fatigue, resulting in workplace accidents and incidents. But there is now emerging evidence that shift work is a significant public health issue, with the workers being at significantly higher risk of developing or exacerbating chronic diseases. Since 2009 there have been more than 50 workplace-based studies reporting increased risk of Metabolic Syndrome, in particular vascular events, diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance, elevated BMI/obesity, as well as adverse impacts on fertility/pregnancy and increased risk of breast, ovary and prostate cancers.

    We do not yet know why night-time activity and daytime sleep increase the risk of developing or exacerbating chronic diseases; but one strong possibility is that this lifestyle disrupts fundamental cellular circadian rhythms that are essential for normal physiological functions.

    In 2012 the American Medical Association adopted a policy statement on night-time lighting and human health. They concluded that among the diseases exacerbated by circadian disruption are: “obesity, diabetes, depression and mood disorders, and reproductive problems. ... Due to the nearly ubiquitous exposure to light at inappropriate times relative to endogenous circadian rhythms, [we need] further multidisciplinary research on occupational and environmental exposure to light-at-night, the risk of cancer and effects on various chronic diseases.”

    I have made major contributions to our understanding of circadian physiology and through unique and significant cutting-edge research, have revealed how disrupted circadian and cell rhythms affect major physiological systems. My group, for example, was the first to show that circadian rhythm disruption during pregnancy pre-disposes the offspring to metabolic disorders later in life.

    I am now working towards understanding the consequences of shift work on the metabolic health of men and women, the fertility of women and the health of their children. While animal models cannot replicate actual human shift work, a key innovation in the project will be our approach of simulating the circadian rhythm disruption of human shift work, such as altered light/dark cycles, timed food access, and diet quality, all of which also will be tested in humans. The outcome will be a significantly deeper understanding of the physiological effects of shift work; this is likely to increase the health of shift workers and their families by driving changes in such factors as roster design, illumination of workplaces and exercise and dietary advice.

    My research program will pursue two themes:

    (1)        The impact of circadian rhythm disruption on metabolic control;

    (2)       The impact of circadian rhythm disruption on fertility, pregnancy outcomes and long-term health of offspring.

  • Publications

    Publications up to end 2014:

    Go to my Researcher Profile above (http://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/david.kennaway) for my most recent publications.

     

    1.      KENNAWAY, D. J. Are the proposed benefits of melatonin-rich foods too hard to swallow? Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2014) Accepted for publication.

    2.      Swinbourne, A. M., Kelly, J. M., Kind, K. L., KENNAWAY, D. J. and van Wettere, W. H. E. J. The effects of season and moderate nutritional restriction on ovarian function and oocyte nuclear maturation in cycling gilts. Theriogenology (2014) Accepted for publication.

    3.      KENNAWAY, D. J., Varcoe, T. J., Voultsios, A., Salkeld, M. D., Rattanatray, L., Boden, M. J. Acute inhibition of casein kinase 1δ/ε rapidly delays peripheral clock gene rhythms. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. (2014) Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 25245819

    4.      Akison, L. K., Boden, M. J., KENNAWAY, D. J., Russell, D. L., Robker, R. L. Progesterone receptor (PGR) dependent regulation of genes in the oviducts of female mice Physiological Genomics (2014): 46(16):583-92 PMID: 24916968: RGMS ID P01869552

    5.      Varcoe, T. J., Gatford, K. L., Voultsios, A., Salkeld, M. D., Boden, M. J., Rattanatray, L., KENNAWAY, D. J. Rapidly alternating photoperiods disrupt central and peripheral rhythmicity and decrease plasma glucose, but do not affect glucose tolerance or insulin secretion in sheep Experimental Physiology (2014) 99:1214-28: PMID: 24951500: RGMS ID P01869550

    6.      KENNAWAY, D. J. Light at night, melatonin and breast cancer. Chronobiology International (2014) 31, 297-98: PMID: 24328783: RGMS ID P01619217

    7.      Lovato, N., Lack, L., Wright, H., KENNAWAY, D. J. Evaluation of a brief treatment program of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia in older adults. Sleep (2014) 37, 117-26: PMID: 24470701: RGMS ID P01572419

    8.      Abu Shamsi, N., Salkeld, M. D., Rattanatray, L., Voultsios, A., Varcoe, T. J., Boden, M. J., KENNAWAY, D. J. Metabolic consequences of timed feeding in mice. Physiology & Behavior (2014) 128, 188-201: PMID: 24534172: RGMS ID P01703888

    9.      van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Kaisler-Smith, C., Terry, R., Weaver, A., Herde, P., KENNAWAY, D. J., Hughes, P.E., Kind, K. Boar contact, but not PG600, is an effective stimulant of ovulation during early lactation. Livestock Science (2013) 155, 454-58: RGMS ID P01619242

    10.  Varcoe, T. J.; Boden, M. J.; Voultsios, A.; Salkeld, M. D.; Rattanatray, L.; KENNAWAY, D. J. Characterisation of the maternal response to chronic phase shifts during gestation in the rat: implications for fetal metabolic programming. PLoS One (2013) 8, e53800 -: PMID: 23342007: RGMS ID P01326628

    11.  Kentish, S. J., Frisby, C. L., KENNAWAY, D. J., Wittert, G. A., Page, A. J. Circadian variation in gastric vagal afferent mechanosensitivity. Journal of Neuroscience (2013) 33, 19238-42: PMID: 24305819: RGMS ID P01619211

    12.  Athorn, R. Z.; Stott, P.; Bouwman, E. G.; Chen, T. Y.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Langendijk, P. Effect of feeding level on progesterone concentration in the vena cava during early pregnancy in gilts. Reproduction Fertility and Development (2013) 25, 531-8: PMID: 23464500: RGMS ID P01326614

    13.  KENNAWAY, D. J.; Varcoe, T. J.; Voultsios A.; Boden, M. J. Global loss of Bmal1 expression alters adipose tissue hormones, gene expression and glucose metabolism. PLoS One (2013) 8, e65255 -: PMID: 23750248: RGMS ID P01417682

    14.  Weaver, A. C.; Kelly, J. M.; Kind, K. L.; Gatford, K. L.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Herde, P. J.; van Wettere, W. H. E. J. Oocyte maturation and embryo survival in nulliparous female pigs (gilts) is improved by feeding a lupin-based high fibre diet. Reproduction Fertility and Development (2013) 25, 1216-23: PMID: 23257568: RGMS ID P01326622

    15.  Lovato, N., Lack, L., Wright, H., & KENNAWAY, D. J. Predictors of improvement in subjective sleep quality reported by older adults following group-based Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for sleep maintenance and early morning awakening insomnia. Journal of Sleep Medicine (2013) 14, 888-93: PMID: 23871260: RGMS ID P01572417

    16.  Terry, R., Kind, K. L., Hughes, P. E., KENNAWAY, D.J., Herde, P. J., van Wettere, W. H. Split weaning increases the incidence of lactation oestrus in boar-exposed sows. Animal Reproduction Science (2013) 142, 48-55: PMID: 24051168: RGMS ID P01619229

    17.  KENNAWAY, D. J.; Owens, J. A.; Voultsios, A.; Wight, N. Adipokines and adipocyte function in Clock mutant mice that retain melatonin rhythmicity. Obesity (2012) 20, 295-305: PMID: 21918578: RGMS ID P01067044

    18.  Boden, M. J.; Varcoe, T. J.; KENNAWAY, D. J. Circadian regulation of reproduction: from gamete to offspring. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology (2013) 113, 387-97: PMID: 23380455: RGMS ID P01326625

    19.  Ogeil, R. P.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Salkeld, M. D.; Rajaratnam, S. M. W.; Broadbear, J. H. MDMA induces Per1, Per2 and c-fos gene expression in rat suprachiasmatic nuclei. Psychopharmacology (2012) 220, 835-843: PMID: 22038537: RGMS ID P01067047

    20.  Zhou, X.; Ferguson, S. A.; Matthews, R.W.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach G. D. Mismatch between subjective alertness and objective performance under sleep restriction is greatest during the biological night. Journal of Sleep Research (2012) 21, 40-49: PMID: 21564364: RGMS ID P01033107

    21.  KENNAWAY, D. J.; Boden, M. J.; Varcoe, T. J. Circadian rhythms and fertility. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (2012) 349, 56-61: PMID: 21872642: RGMS ID P01067045

    22.  Pitcher, J. B.; Riley, A. M.; Doeltgen, S. H.; Kurylowicz, L.; Rothwell, J. C.; McAllister, S. M.; Smith, A. E.; Clow, A.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Ridding, M. C. Physiological evidence consistent with reduced neuroplasticity in human adolescents born preterm. Journal of Neuroscience (2012) 32, 16410-16416: PMID: 23152623: RGMS ID P01326607

    23.  Matthews, R. W.; Ferguson, S. A.; Zhou, X.; Kosmadopoulos, A.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. Simulated driving under the influence of extended wake, time of day and sleep restriction. Accident Analysis and Prevention (2012) 45S, 55-61: PMID: 22239933: RGMS ID P01067049

    24.  Ferguson, S. A.; Baker, A.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Lamond, N.; Dawson, D. Sleep and circadian rhythms in mining operators: limited evidence of adaptation to night shifts. Applied Ergonomics (2012) 43, 695-701: PMID: 22133975: RGMS ID P01067046

    25.  Sargent, C.; Darwent. D.; Ferguson, S. A.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. Sleep restriction masks the influence of the circadian process on sleep propensity. Chronobiology International (2012) 29, 565-71: PMID: 22621352: RGMS ID P01138737

    26.  Ferguson, S. A.;Paech, G. M.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. The influence of circadian time and sleep dose on subjective fatigue ratings. Accident Analysis and Prevention (2012) 45S, 50-54: PMID: 22239932: RGMS ID P01067048

    27.  Paech, G. M.; Ferguson, S. A.; Sargent, C.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. The relative contributions of the homeostatic and circadian processes to sleep regulation under conditions of severe sleep restriction. Sleep (2012) 35, 941-948: PMID: 22754040: RGMS ID P01326599

    28.  Matthews, R. W.; Ferguson, S. A.; Zhou, X.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. Time-of-day mediates the influences of extended wake and sleep restriction on simulated driving. Chronobiology International (2012) 29, 572-9: PMID: 22621353: RGMS ID P01225448

    29.  Varcoe, T. J.; Wight, N.; Voultsios, A.; Salkeld, M. D.; KENNAWAY, D. J. Chronic phase shifts of the photoperiod throughout pregnancy programs glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in the rat. PLoS One (2011) 6, e18504 -: PMID: 21494686: RGMS ID P00925168

    30.  Zhou X.; Ferguson, S. A.; Matthews, R. W.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. Dynamics of neurobehavioural performance variability under forced desynchrony: evidence of state instability. Sleep (2011) 34, 57-63: PMID: 21203373: RGMS ID P00784302

    31.  Zhou, X.; Ferguson, S. A.; Matthews, R. W.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. Sleep, wake and phase dependent changes in neurobehavioural function under forced desynchrony. Sleep (2011) 34, 931-41: PMID: 21731143: RGMS ID P00810589

    32.  KENNAWAY, D. J. Clock genes at the heart of depression. Journal of Psychopharmacology (2010) 24, Suppl 5-14: : RGMS ID P00784307

    33.  Paech, G. M.; Ferguson, S. A.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; Williams, L.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. A 28 hour day, sleep and a single beat period; revisiting forced desynchrony studies? Ergonomia IJE&HF (2010) 32, 125-132:  RGMS ID P01067051

    34.  Darwent, D.; Ferguson, S. A.; Sargent, C.; Paech, G.; Zhou, X.; Matthews, R.; Williams, L.; Dawson, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. Contribution of core body temperature, prior wake time and sleep stages to cognitive throughput performance during forced desynchrony. Chronobiology International (2010) 27, 898-910: PMID: 20636204: RGMS ID P00101128

    35.  Zhou, X.; Ferguson, S. A.; Matthews, R. W.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach G. D. Inter-individual differences in neurobehavioural performance in response to increasing homeostatic sleep pressure Chronobiology International (2010) 27, 922-933:  RGMS ID P00101341

    36.  Roach, G. D.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Ferguson, S. A. Lost in transit: The journey of ingestible temperature sensors through the human digestive tract. Ergonomia IJE&HF (2010) 32, 49-61:  RGMS ID P01067050

    37.  KENNAWAY, D. J. Re: "Salivary and gingival crevicular fluid melatonin in periodontal health and disease". Journal of Periodontology (2010) 81, 1102:  RGMS ID P00784316

    38.  Firth, B. T.; Christian, K. A.; Belan, I.; KENNAWAY, D. J. Melatonin rhythms in the Australian freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni): a reptile lacking a pineal complex? Journal of Comparative Physiology B (2010) 180, 67-72:  RGMS ID P_5113641

    39.  Boden, M. J.; Varcoe, T. J.; Voultsios, A.; KENNAWAY, D. J. Reproductive biology of female Bmal1 null mice. Reproduction (2010) 139, 1077-1090:  RGMS ID P00044696

    40.  Ferguson, S. A.; Baker, A.; Lamond, N.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Dawson, D. Sleep in a live-in mining operation: the influence of start times and restricted non-work activities. Applied Ergonomics (2010) 42, 71-75: PMID: 20615493: RGMS ID P00559839

    41.  Zhou X.; Ferguson, S. A.; Matthews, R. W.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. Sleep, wake and phase dependent changes in subjective alertness. Living in a 24/7 world: The impact of circadian disruption on sleep, work and health. Sargent C, Darwent D, Roach GD (Eds). Proceedings Australasian Chronobiology Society. (2010):  19-23: RGMS ID P00784289

    42.  Heath, G.; Sargent, C.; Darwent, D.; Ferguson, S. A.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Hampton, L. K.; Matthews, R. W.; Roach, G. D. Subjective mood is influenced by sleep-related and circadian processes in a forced desynchrony protocol with severe sleep restriction. Living in a 24/7 world: The impact of circadian disruption on sleep, work and health. Sargent C, Darwent D, Roach GD (Eds). Proceedings Australasian Chronobiology Society. (2010):  7-11: RGMS ID P00784278

    43.  Sargent, C.; Ferguson, S. A.; Darwent, D.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. The influence of circadian phase and prior wake on neuromuscular function. Chronobiology International (2010) 27, 911-921 RGMS ID P00784311

    44.  Hampton, L. K.; Darwent, D.; Matthews, R. W.; Heath, G.; Ferguson, S. A.; Sargent, C.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. The influence of circadian phase and prior wake on positive and negative mood during a sleep-restricted forced desynchrony protocol Living in a 24/7 world: The impact of circadian disruption on sleep, work and health. Sargent C, Darwent D, Roach GD (Eds). Proceedings Australasian Chronobiology Society. (2010):  13-14: RGMS ID P00784283

    45.  Matthews, R. W.; Ferguson, S. A.; Zhou, X.; Darwent, D.; Sargent, C.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Roach, G. D. The interactive influence of the internal body clock and prior wake on task vigilance. Ergonomia IJE&HF (2010) 32, 37-48:  RGMS ID P01067052

    46.  McFarlane, A. C.; Barton, C. A.; Briggs, N.; KENNAWAY, D. J. The relationship between urinary melatonin metabolite excretion and posttraumatic symptoms following traumatic injury. Journal of Affective Disorders (2010) 127, 365-369:  RGMS ID P00101347

    47.  Fagan, A. B.; KENNAWAY, D. J.; Oakley, A. P. Pinealectomy in the chicken: a good model of scoliosis? European Spine Journal (2009) 18, 1154-1159:  RGMS ID P_5113663

     

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Entry last updated: Tuesday, 29 Mar 2022

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