Tehei, Moeava

Overview

Scientific research on the relation amongst dynamics, structure and function of proteins for optimisation of cancer treatment at the molecular drug target level. Elaboration of cancer therapies and imaging by combining the effects of targeted radiations and drugs or nanoparticles at the nano-scale level.

Top Publications

Year	Title

2021	First extensive study of silver-doped lanthanum manganite nanoparticles for inducing selective chemotherapy and radio-toxicity enhancement Published in Materials Science and Engineering C
2007	Neutron scattering reveals extremely slow water in a Dead Sea organism Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
2013	Cerium oxide nanoparticles: influence of the high-Z component revealed on radioresistant 9L cell survival under X-ray irradiation Published in Nanomedicine
2014	Correlation of the dynamics of native human acetylcholinesterase and its inhibited huperzine A counterpart from sub-picoseconds to nanoseconds Published in Journal of the Royal Society Interface
2016	First proof of bismuth oxide nanoparticles as efficient radiosensitisers on highly radioresistant cancer cells Published in Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2018	First in vitro evidence of modulated electro-hyperthermia treatment performance in combination with megavoltage radiation by clonogenic assay Published in Scientific Reports
2018	Thulium Oxide Nanoparticles: A new candidate for image-guided radiotherapy Published in Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express

Research Areas

0299 - OTHER PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Research Overview

- From Neutron Scattering and Instrumentation through Physical Chemistry to Human Health Applications
  
  Tehei is a recognized expert in the use of radiation (neutrons, X-rays and Synchrotron) to study biological systems. During his Ph.D. in Physics, Dr Tehei initiated neutron scattering experiments on complex biological samples (ribosomes, proteins, entire cells). He was financed by a competitive studentship from the Région Rhône-Alpes (France), and worked on the development of neutron scattering methods, coupled with protein purification and biochemical sample characterization. The studies were highly successful, yielding publications in high impact journals and the Thesis Prize from the French Neutron Society. His postdoctoral period in New Zealand fostered Tehei's capacity for high quality research in different biomedical/biotechnology fields. For his Ph.D. and postdoctoral works, he was awarded the Young Researcher Prize from the French Society of Biophysics. In 2004, he was physicist and co-manager of the backscattering instrument IN13 at the world leader neutron centre Institut Laue Langevin in Grenoble. In parallel with his neutron work on protein dynamics, he has used SANS and synchrotron radiation to characterize the structures of the systems studied.
  
  Dr Tehei's neutron studies of molecular dynamics in whole cells and in DHFR combined with his work on the medical beam line at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF-Grenoble-France), led to his interest in human health applications of his work and inspired him to develop an independent research program on the effects of radiation and drugs on various cell types in a cancer context.
  
  At the University of Wollongong from 2008, he initiated a collaborative interaction with Prof. Nick Dixon. Prof. Dixon strives for a better understanding of the relations between dynamics, structures and function of proteins in the multiprotein molecular machine that synthesizes and repairs DNA. The study of DNA replication and reparation not only reveal the elegance of the cellular world, but also has potential to guide the rational design of new therapeutics and to optimize our cancer treatment approach. Since January 2010, Tehei started to collaborate with all the investigators from the CMRP at the UOW and founded the team Targeted Nano Therapies at the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute.
  
  In 2014, Tehei moved in physics, and developed and became the academic program director of the new major Biomolecular physics. He was then appointed theme leader at the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP), leading the new advances in nanoparticle dose enhanced image guided research topic with a goal to ultimately translate this research to clinical practice.
  
  Media
- Innovative new treatment more deadly on cancer (Nov 2014)
- New brain cancer treatment twice as effective (Nov 2015)
- DR MOEAVA TEHEI JOINS AS AN EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER FOR SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (June 2016)
- INNOVATION IN RADIATION APPLICATIONS HOSTED AT UOW (May 2017)
- RESULTS FROM RECENT THREE MINUTE THESIS (3MT) COMPETITION (June 2017)
- PHD STUDENT, ELETTE ENGELS TAKES THE AIP POSTGRADUATE EXCELLENCE MEDAL (Nov 2017)
- CMRP HONOURED AT MEDPHYS 2017 (Dec 2017)
- PHYSICS PHD STUDENT GIVING NEW HOPE TO BRAIN CANCER SUFFERERS (March 2018)
- UOW RESEARCH HELPS SHED LIGHT ON AGGRESSIVE BRAIN CANCER (June 2018)
- NEW MULTIMODAL APPROACH TO TREAT BRAIN TUMORS (Nov 2018)
- Meet Wollongong's International Women's Day scholarship winners (March 2019)
- Brain cancer researcher receives Dr Margaret Gardiner Scholarship
- EIS students awarded PhD travel scholarship
- Improving our treatment of brain cancer
- Ultra-fine X-rays target brain cancer cells with precision
- CMRP continues impressive success rate with AINSE scholarships applications
- Research finds a potential new "silver bullet" nanoparticle to treat brain cancer
- Promising new therapy for inoperable brain cancers
- Sydney scientists have come up with a novel way to fight brain cancer
- Australian scientists trial world-first 'silver' brain cancer therapy | 7NEWS
- UOW brain cancer team boosted by anonymous $100k donation
- UOW receives $100,000 donation to support brain cancer research

Geographic Focus

Australia Country

Available as Research Supervisor

Available for Collaborative Projects

Head Of

Honours & Bachelor of Biomolecular Physics @ UOW School of Physics Academic Program Director 2018 -

Member Of

Animal House User Group Member
Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, CMRP Theme Leader -2014
Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute Diagnostics and Therapeutics Theme Leadership Group Member
The Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT) Member

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Year	Title
2021	Attenuation of UV absorption by poly(lactic acid)-iron oxide nanocomposite particles and their potential application in sunscreens Published In Chemical Engineering Journal
2021	First extensive study of silver-doped lanthanum manganite nanoparticles for inducing selective chemotherapy and radio-toxicity enhancement Published In Materials Science and Engineering C
2021	Incorporating clinical imaging into the delivery of microbeam radiation therapy Published In Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
2021	Oxi-Redox Selective Breast Cancer Treatment: An in Vitro Study of Theranostic In-Based Oxide Nanoparticles for Controlled Generation or Prevention of Oxidative Stress Published In ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
2021	X-TREAM protocol for in vitro microbeam radiation therapy at the Australian Synchrotron Published In Journal of Applied Physics
2020	Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor BI6727 sensitizes 9L gliosarcoma cells to ionizing irradiation Published In Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express
2020	Synthesis of methotrexate-loaded tantalum pentoxide–poly(acrylic acid) nanoparticles for controlled drug release applications Published In Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
2020	Advances in modelling gold nanoparticle radiosensitization using new Geant4-DNA physics models Published In Physics in Medicine and Biology
2020	Establishment of novel long-term cultures from EpCAM positive and negative circulating tumour cells from patients with metastatic gastroesophageal cancer Published In Scientific Reports
2020	Technical advances in X-ray microbeam radiation therapy Published In Physics in Medicine and Biology
2020	Thulium oxide nanoparticles as radioenhancers for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma Published In Physics in Medicine and Biology
2020	Toward personalized synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy Published In Scientific Reports
2019	Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor BI6727 sensitizes 9L gliosarcoma cells to ionizing irradiation Published In Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express
2019	Synthesis of methotrexate-loaded tantalum pentoxide–poly(acrylic acid) nanoparticles for controlled drug release applications Published In Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
2018	Biocompatible Bi(OH)3 nanoparticles with reduced photocatalytic activity as possible ultraviolet ﬁlter in sunscreens Published In Materials Research Bulletin
2018	First in vitro evidence of modulated electro-hyperthermia treatment performance in combination with megavoltage radiation by clonogenic assay Published In Scientific Reports
2018	High toxicity of Bi(OH)3 and α-Bi2O3 nanoparticles towards malignant 9L and MCF-7 cells Published In Materials Science and Engineering C: Materials for Biological Applications
2018	Investigation of track structure and condensed history physics models for applications in radiation dosimetry on a micro and nano scale in Geant4 Published In Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express
2018	Radiosensitisation enhancement effect of BrUdR and Ta2O5 NSPs in combination with 5-Fluorouracil antimetabolite in kilovoltage and megavoltage radiation Published In Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express
2018	Thulium Oxide Nanoparticles: A new candidate for image-guided radiotherapy Published In Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express
2018	TiO2/(BiO)2CO3 nanocomposites for ultraviolet filtration with reduced photocatalytic activity Published In Journal of Materials Chemistry C
2017	In vitro investigation of the dose-rate effect on the biological effectiveness of megavoltage X-ray radiation doses Published In Applied Radiation and Isotopes
2017	Nanostructures, concentrations and energies: an ideal equation to extend therapeutic efficiency on radioresistant 9L tumour cells using Ta2O5 ceramic nanostructured particles Published In Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express
2017	Synchrotron activation radiotherapy: Effects of dose-rate and energy spectra to tantalum oxide nanoparticles selective tumour cell radiosensitization enhancement Published In Journal of Physics: Conference Series
2016	First proof of bismuth oxide nanoparticles as efficient radiosensitisers on highly radioresistant cancer cells Published In Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2016	Local dose enhancement of proton therapy by ceramic oxide nanoparticles investigated with Geant4 simulations Published In Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2016	Multifunctional Fe2O3/CeO2 nanocomposites for free radical scavenging ultraviolet protection Published In RSC Advances: an international journal to further the chemical sciences
2016	Optimizing dose enhancement with Ta2O5 nanoparticles for synchrotron microbeam activated radiation therapy Published In Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2016	Study of the effect of ceramic TaO₅ nanoparticle distribution on cellular dose enhancement in a kilovoltage photon field Published In Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2016	Synthesis-dependent surface defects and morphology of hematite nanoparticles and their effect on cytotoxicity in vitro Published In ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
2015	Indirect radio-chemo-beta therapy: a targeted approach to increase biological efficiency of x-rays based on energy Published In Physics in Medicine and Biology
2014	Correlation of the dynamics of native human acetylcholinesterase and its inhibited huperzine A counterpart from sub-picoseconds to nanoseconds Published In Journal of the Royal Society Interface
2014	Engineering of bismuth oxide nanoparticles to induce differential biochemical activity in malignant and nonmalignant cells Published In Particle and Particle Systems Characterization
2014	High-Z nanostructured ceramics in radiotherapy: first evidence of Ta2O5-induced dose enhancement on radioresistant cancer cells in an MV photon field Published In Particle and Particle Systems Characterization
2014	Highly porous hematite nanorods prepared via direct spray precipitation method Published In Materials Letters
2014	Synthesis of potential theranostic system consisting of methotrexate-immobilized (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane coated α-Bi2O3 nanoparticles for cancer treatment Published In RSC Advances: an international journal to further the chemical sciences
2014	Thermal fluctuations in amphipol A8-35 particles: a neutron scattering and molecular dynamics study Published In Journal of Membrane Biology: an international journal for studies on the structure, function and genesis of biomembranes
2013	Cerium oxide nanoparticles: influence of the high-Z component revealed on radioresistant 9L cell survival under X-ray irradiation Published In Nanomedicine
2013	High hydrostatic pressure effects investigated by neutron scattering on lipid multilamellar vesicles Published In Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2013	Proofreading exonuclease on a tether: the complex between the E. coli DNA polymerase III subunits α, ε, θ and β reveals a highly flexible arrangement of the proofreading domain Published In Nucleic Acids Research
2013	Relation between dynamics, activity and thermal stability within the cholinesterase family Published In Chemico-Biological Interactions
2012	Activity and molecular dynamics relationship within the family of human cholinesterase Published In Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2012	Energy landscapes of human acetylcholinesterase and its huperzine A-inhibited counterpart Published In The Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Biophysical Chemistry, Biomaterials, Liquids, and Soft Matter
2012	Water in extremophiles Published In Biofutur
2012	Water in extremophiles [L'eau dans les extremophiles] Published In Biofutur
2010	Activity and dynamics of an enzyme, pig liver esterase, in near-anhydrous conditions Published In Biophysical Journal
2010	Elastic scattering studies of aligned DMPC multilayers on different hydrations Published In Spectroscopy: an international journal
2010	Erratum: Specific cellular water dynamics observed in vivo by neutron scattering and NMR (Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2010) 12 (10154-10160) DOI: 10.1039/c0cp01048k) Published In Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2010	Hydration dependent studies of highly aligned multilayer lipid membranes by neutron scattering Published In Journal of Chemical Physics
2010	Specific cellular water dynamics observed in vivo by neutron scattering and NMR. Published In Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2009	Dynamics of apomyoglobin in the x-toB transition and of partially unfolded aggregated protein Published In European Biophysics Journal
2009	From powder to solution: hydration dependence of human hemoglobin dynamics correlated to body temperature Published In Biophysical Journal
2009	From shell to cell: neutron scattering studies of biological water dynamics and coupling to activity Published In Faraday Discussions
2008	Down to atomic scale intracellular water dynamics Published In EMBO Reports
2008	Down to atomic-scale intracellular water dynamics Published In EMBO reports
2008	Erratum: Down to atomic-scale intracellular water dynamics (EMBO Reports (2008) vol. 9 (546-547) 10.1038/embor.2008.50) Published In EMBO Reports
2008	In vivo measurement of internal and global macromolecular motions in Escherichia coli Published In Biophysical Journal
2008	Molecular Biophysics: Understanding living processes, Neutrons and Health Published In Neutrons & Health, ESS Scandinavia report
2008	New sources and instrumentation for neutrons in biology Published In Chemical Physics
2008	New sources and instrumentation for neutrons in biology (vol 345, pg 133, 2008) Published In CHEMICAL PHYSICS
2008	Protein dynamics and stability: The distribution of atomic fluctuations in thermophilic and mesophilic dihydrofolate reductase derived using elastic incoherent neutron scattering Published In Biophysical Journal
2008	Solvent isotope effect on macromolecular dynamics in E coli Published In European Biophysics Journal
2007	Adaptation to high temperatures through macromolecular dynamics Published In The Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Journal
2007	Backscattering Spectrometer for the investigation of the dynamics of biological molecules Published In Materials Research Society
2007	Neutron scattering reveals extremely slow water in a Dead Sea organism Published In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
2002	Protein dynamics studied by neutron scattering Published In Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics
2002	The search for traces of life: The protective effect of salt on biological macromolecules Published In Extremophiles
2001	Fast dynamics of halophilic malate dehydrogenase and BSA measured by neutron scattering under various solvent conditions influencing protein stability Published In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
2000	Incoherent elastic neutron scattering as a function of temperature: A fast way to characterize in-situ biological dynamics in complex solutions Published In Journal De Physique. IV : JP

Conference Paper

Year	Title
2018	Drug and radio sensitivity profile of a primary CTC cell line derived from a patient with metastatic neuroendocrine tumour of the distal oesophagus Published In ESMO Open
2010	9th AINSE / ANBUG neutron scattering symposium Published In Conference Handbook
2010	Elastic scattering studies of aligned DMPC multilayers on different hydrations Published In SPECTROSCOPY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL

2000	Incoherent elastic neutron scattering as a function of temperature: A fast way to characterise in-situ biological dynamics in complex solutions Published In JOURNAL DE PHYSIQUE IV

Investigator On

Year	Title
2021	Enhancing synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy in vivo with high-Z nanoparticles Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Australian Synchrotron Access Program
2021	Investigation in vitro into the efficacy of radiosensitiser combinations in enhancing synchrotron radiation for pre-clinical rat studies Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Australian Synchrotron Access Program
2018	Enhancing synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy in vivo with high-Z nanoparticles Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Imaging and Medical Beamline
2018	Refining synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy techniques in vivo Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Australian Synchrotron Access Program
2015 - 2018	Design and application of new nanomaterials theranostic platforms for targeted treatment of cancer Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Project Grant
2015	Investigation of the effects of tantalum pentoxide and bismuth oxide nano particles on 9L gliosarcoma and MDCK non cancerour cells using both synchrotron generated broad and micro-beams monitored by the X-tream dosimetry system. Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
2014	Size-Exchusion Chromatography Coupled SAXS of Macromolecular Complexes: the Replisome and the Divisome Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Grant
2013	Size-exclusion chromatography coupled SAXS for structural measurement of replisomal and cell division proteins Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
2012	Helicase loading and translocation in Bacillus Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
2011	Helicase loading and translocation in Bacillus Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
2011	Mapping protein and water dynamics in replisomal macromolecular assemblies Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2011	Water dynamics measured in Halomonas, an ectoine producing bacterium Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2010	Dynamics studies of protein-protein and protein-drug complexes Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2009	Dynamics of Human Acetylcholinersterase Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2009	Mapping protein contacts and conformational changes in macromolecular assemblies Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Discovery Projects
2009	Mapping protein dynamics conformational changes in replisomal macromolecular assemblies Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2008	Dynamics Studies of Model Membranes and Membrane/Protein Complexes Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2007	Study of relationships between function, structure and dynamics of biological molecules by neutron scattering Awarded by: Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) Funding Scheme: Research Fellowships
	Contributions to Leica Dmi8 microscope Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Equipment Grant
	Investigation of the effects of thulium oxide nanoparticles and anti-cancer drugs on tumorous 9L gliosarcoma and MDCK non cancerous cells using micro-beams monitored by the X-tream dosimetry system Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Company P/L Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
	Investigation of the effects of thulium oxide nanoparticles and anti-cancer drugs on tumorous 9L gliosarcoma and MDCK non cancerous cells using micro-beams monitored by the x-tream dosimetry system and characterisation of DNA damage-repair with yH2AX Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Beamtime at the AS XAS Beamline
	Refining synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy techniques and Pre-emptive management protocol in vivo Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Australian Synchrotron Access Program
	Small animal stereotaxic instrument and microinjection unit Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Equipment Grant

Impact Story

Available as Research Supervisor

Potential Supervision Topics

Design and application of new nanomaterials theranostic platforms for targeted treatment of cancer
Investigations into the dynamics involved in the magnetic transitions in Nanoparticles
Oncothermia in normal and cancerous cell lines
Targeted Nano-Therapies - Investigating uptake and distribution of high-Z in rodents for optimized radiation therapies guided multi-imaging
Targeted Nano-Therapies - Synchrotron Microbeam Activated Radiation Therapy
Scientific research on the relation amongst dynamics, structure and function of proteins for optimisation of cancer treatment at the molecular drug target level. Elaboration of cancer therapies and imaging by combining the effects of targeted radiations and drugs or nanoparticles at the nano-scale level.

Biophysics, Nanomedicine, Radiation Biology, Neutron Scattering, Nanophysics, Solid State Physics

Teaching Activities

Biomolecular Physics Academic Program Director
PHYS369: Imaging, Structure and Dynamics of Living and Soft Matter Coordinator
PHYS476 Coordinator

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Degree	Research Title	Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy	Barium-doped Lanthanum Manganite Nanoparticles for Multi-modal Cancer Therapies
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	Multimodal Therapy: A Combination of Oncothermia, Microbeam Radiation Therapy and Nano Therapy	Hollis, Carolyn
Doctor of Philosophy	Radiation Dose Enhancement and Hyperthermia-induced Cancer Selective Cell Death Using Lanthanum Manganite	Khochaiche, Abass
Doctor of Philosophy	'Enhancement of Radiation Therapies Using High-Z Nanoparticles and Drugs'	Valceski, Michael
Doctor of Philosophy	Investigation into the Use of Lanthanide Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for the Theranostic Treatment of Cancer	Vogel, Sarah
Master of Research - EIS	In Silico Structural Optimization and Investigation of Bulk Lanthanum Manganite for Applications in Cancer Treatment	McIlquham, Jack

Outreach Overview

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER
Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group)

PEER REVIEWER IN SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
Nanoscale
Small
Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine
Physics Review Letters
Physics Review E, A
International Journal of Radiation Biology
BBA - General Subjects
Biophysical Journal
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Interfaces
Soft Matter
The Journal of Physical Chemistry
Journal of the American Chemical Society
The FEBS Journal
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
European Journal of Biophysics

Organizer Of Event

Innovation in Radiation Applications 2017

Education And Training

Ph.D. in Physics, Université Joseph Fourier (Grenoble I) 1999 - 2002

Full Name

Dr Moeava Tehei

Mailing Address

School of Physics - University of Wollongong

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences

Northfields Ave - Wollongong

NSW

2522

Australia

Top Publications

Year	Title

2021	First extensive study of silver-doped lanthanum manganite nanoparticles for inducing selective chemotherapy and radio-toxicity enhancement Published in Materials Science and Engineering C
2007	Neutron scattering reveals extremely slow water in a Dead Sea organism Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
2013	Cerium oxide nanoparticles: influence of the high-Z component revealed on radioresistant 9L cell survival under X-ray irradiation Published in Nanomedicine
2014	Correlation of the dynamics of native human acetylcholinesterase and its inhibited huperzine A counterpart from sub-picoseconds to nanoseconds Published in Journal of the Royal Society Interface
2016	First proof of bismuth oxide nanoparticles as efficient radiosensitisers on highly radioresistant cancer cells Published in Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2018	First in vitro evidence of modulated electro-hyperthermia treatment performance in combination with megavoltage radiation by clonogenic assay Published in Scientific Reports
2018	Thulium Oxide Nanoparticles: A new candidate for image-guided radiotherapy Published in Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express

Research Areas

0299 - OTHER PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Research Overview

- From Neutron Scattering and Instrumentation through Physical Chemistry to Human Health Applications
  
  Tehei is a recognized expert in the use of radiation (neutrons, X-rays and Synchrotron) to study biological systems. During his Ph.D. in Physics, Dr Tehei initiated neutron scattering experiments on complex biological samples (ribosomes, proteins, entire cells). He was financed by a competitive studentship from the Région Rhône-Alpes (France), and worked on the development of neutron scattering methods, coupled with protein purification and biochemical sample characterization. The studies were highly successful, yielding publications in high impact journals and the Thesis Prize from the French Neutron Society. His postdoctoral period in New Zealand fostered Tehei's capacity for high quality research in different biomedical/biotechnology fields. For his Ph.D. and postdoctoral works, he was awarded the Young Researcher Prize from the French Society of Biophysics. In 2004, he was physicist and co-manager of the backscattering instrument IN13 at the world leader neutron centre Institut Laue Langevin in Grenoble. In parallel with his neutron work on protein dynamics, he has used SANS and synchrotron radiation to characterize the structures of the systems studied.
  
  Dr Tehei's neutron studies of molecular dynamics in whole cells and in DHFR combined with his work on the medical beam line at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF-Grenoble-France), led to his interest in human health applications of his work and inspired him to develop an independent research program on the effects of radiation and drugs on various cell types in a cancer context.
  
  At the University of Wollongong from 2008, he initiated a collaborative interaction with Prof. Nick Dixon. Prof. Dixon strives for a better understanding of the relations between dynamics, structures and function of proteins in the multiprotein molecular machine that synthesizes and repairs DNA. The study of DNA replication and reparation not only reveal the elegance of the cellular world, but also has potential to guide the rational design of new therapeutics and to optimize our cancer treatment approach. Since January 2010, Tehei started to collaborate with all the investigators from the CMRP at the UOW and founded the team Targeted Nano Therapies at the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute.
  
  In 2014, Tehei moved in physics, and developed and became the academic program director of the new major Biomolecular physics. He was then appointed theme leader at the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP), leading the new advances in nanoparticle dose enhanced image guided research topic with a goal to ultimately translate this research to clinical practice.
  
  Media
- Innovative new treatment more deadly on cancer (Nov 2014)
- New brain cancer treatment twice as effective (Nov 2015)
- DR MOEAVA TEHEI JOINS AS AN EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER FOR SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (June 2016)
- INNOVATION IN RADIATION APPLICATIONS HOSTED AT UOW (May 2017)
- RESULTS FROM RECENT THREE MINUTE THESIS (3MT) COMPETITION (June 2017)
- PHD STUDENT, ELETTE ENGELS TAKES THE AIP POSTGRADUATE EXCELLENCE MEDAL (Nov 2017)
- CMRP HONOURED AT MEDPHYS 2017 (Dec 2017)
- PHYSICS PHD STUDENT GIVING NEW HOPE TO BRAIN CANCER SUFFERERS (March 2018)
- UOW RESEARCH HELPS SHED LIGHT ON AGGRESSIVE BRAIN CANCER (June 2018)
- NEW MULTIMODAL APPROACH TO TREAT BRAIN TUMORS (Nov 2018)
- Meet Wollongong's International Women's Day scholarship winners (March 2019)
- Brain cancer researcher receives Dr Margaret Gardiner Scholarship
- EIS students awarded PhD travel scholarship
- Improving our treatment of brain cancer
- Ultra-fine X-rays target brain cancer cells with precision
- CMRP continues impressive success rate with AINSE scholarships applications
- Research finds a potential new "silver bullet" nanoparticle to treat brain cancer
- Promising new therapy for inoperable brain cancers
- Sydney scientists have come up with a novel way to fight brain cancer
- Australian scientists trial world-first 'silver' brain cancer therapy | 7NEWS
- UOW brain cancer team boosted by anonymous $100k donation
- UOW receives $100,000 donation to support brain cancer research

Geographic Focus

Australia Country

Head Of

Honours & Bachelor of Biomolecular Physics @ UOW School of Physics Academic Program Director 2018 -

Member Of

Animal House User Group Member
Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, CMRP Theme Leader -2014
Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute Diagnostics and Therapeutics Theme Leadership Group Member
The Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT) Member

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Year	Title
2021	Attenuation of UV absorption by poly(lactic acid)-iron oxide nanocomposite particles and their potential application in sunscreens Published In Chemical Engineering Journal
2021	First extensive study of silver-doped lanthanum manganite nanoparticles for inducing selective chemotherapy and radio-toxicity enhancement Published In Materials Science and Engineering C
2021	Incorporating clinical imaging into the delivery of microbeam radiation therapy Published In Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
2021	Oxi-Redox Selective Breast Cancer Treatment: An in Vitro Study of Theranostic In-Based Oxide Nanoparticles for Controlled Generation or Prevention of Oxidative Stress Published In ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
2021	X-TREAM protocol for in vitro microbeam radiation therapy at the Australian Synchrotron Published In Journal of Applied Physics
2020	Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor BI6727 sensitizes 9L gliosarcoma cells to ionizing irradiation Published In Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express
2020	Synthesis of methotrexate-loaded tantalum pentoxide–poly(acrylic acid) nanoparticles for controlled drug release applications Published In Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
2020	Advances in modelling gold nanoparticle radiosensitization using new Geant4-DNA physics models Published In Physics in Medicine and Biology
2020	Establishment of novel long-term cultures from EpCAM positive and negative circulating tumour cells from patients with metastatic gastroesophageal cancer Published In Scientific Reports
2020	Technical advances in X-ray microbeam radiation therapy Published In Physics in Medicine and Biology
2020	Thulium oxide nanoparticles as radioenhancers for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma Published In Physics in Medicine and Biology
2020	Toward personalized synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy Published In Scientific Reports
2019	Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor BI6727 sensitizes 9L gliosarcoma cells to ionizing irradiation Published In Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express
2019	Synthesis of methotrexate-loaded tantalum pentoxide–poly(acrylic acid) nanoparticles for controlled drug release applications Published In Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
2018	Biocompatible Bi(OH)3 nanoparticles with reduced photocatalytic activity as possible ultraviolet ﬁlter in sunscreens Published In Materials Research Bulletin
2018	First in vitro evidence of modulated electro-hyperthermia treatment performance in combination with megavoltage radiation by clonogenic assay Published In Scientific Reports
2018	High toxicity of Bi(OH)3 and α-Bi2O3 nanoparticles towards malignant 9L and MCF-7 cells Published In Materials Science and Engineering C: Materials for Biological Applications
2018	Investigation of track structure and condensed history physics models for applications in radiation dosimetry on a micro and nano scale in Geant4 Published In Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express
2018	Radiosensitisation enhancement effect of BrUdR and Ta2O5 NSPs in combination with 5-Fluorouracil antimetabolite in kilovoltage and megavoltage radiation Published In Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express
2018	Thulium Oxide Nanoparticles: A new candidate for image-guided radiotherapy Published In Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express
2018	TiO2/(BiO)2CO3 nanocomposites for ultraviolet filtration with reduced photocatalytic activity Published In Journal of Materials Chemistry C
2017	In vitro investigation of the dose-rate effect on the biological effectiveness of megavoltage X-ray radiation doses Published In Applied Radiation and Isotopes
2017	Nanostructures, concentrations and energies: an ideal equation to extend therapeutic efficiency on radioresistant 9L tumour cells using Ta2O5 ceramic nanostructured particles Published In Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express
2017	Synchrotron activation radiotherapy: Effects of dose-rate and energy spectra to tantalum oxide nanoparticles selective tumour cell radiosensitization enhancement Published In Journal of Physics: Conference Series
2016	First proof of bismuth oxide nanoparticles as efficient radiosensitisers on highly radioresistant cancer cells Published In Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2016	Local dose enhancement of proton therapy by ceramic oxide nanoparticles investigated with Geant4 simulations Published In Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2016	Multifunctional Fe2O3/CeO2 nanocomposites for free radical scavenging ultraviolet protection Published In RSC Advances: an international journal to further the chemical sciences
2016	Optimizing dose enhancement with Ta2O5 nanoparticles for synchrotron microbeam activated radiation therapy Published In Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2016	Study of the effect of ceramic TaO₅ nanoparticle distribution on cellular dose enhancement in a kilovoltage photon field Published In Physica Medica: an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology
2016	Synthesis-dependent surface defects and morphology of hematite nanoparticles and their effect on cytotoxicity in vitro Published In ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
2015	Indirect radio-chemo-beta therapy: a targeted approach to increase biological efficiency of x-rays based on energy Published In Physics in Medicine and Biology
2014	Correlation of the dynamics of native human acetylcholinesterase and its inhibited huperzine A counterpart from sub-picoseconds to nanoseconds Published In Journal of the Royal Society Interface
2014	Engineering of bismuth oxide nanoparticles to induce differential biochemical activity in malignant and nonmalignant cells Published In Particle and Particle Systems Characterization
2014	High-Z nanostructured ceramics in radiotherapy: first evidence of Ta2O5-induced dose enhancement on radioresistant cancer cells in an MV photon field Published In Particle and Particle Systems Characterization
2014	Highly porous hematite nanorods prepared via direct spray precipitation method Published In Materials Letters
2014	Synthesis of potential theranostic system consisting of methotrexate-immobilized (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane coated α-Bi2O3 nanoparticles for cancer treatment Published In RSC Advances: an international journal to further the chemical sciences
2014	Thermal fluctuations in amphipol A8-35 particles: a neutron scattering and molecular dynamics study Published In Journal of Membrane Biology: an international journal for studies on the structure, function and genesis of biomembranes
2013	Cerium oxide nanoparticles: influence of the high-Z component revealed on radioresistant 9L cell survival under X-ray irradiation Published In Nanomedicine
2013	High hydrostatic pressure effects investigated by neutron scattering on lipid multilamellar vesicles Published In Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2013	Proofreading exonuclease on a tether: the complex between the E. coli DNA polymerase III subunits α, ε, θ and β reveals a highly flexible arrangement of the proofreading domain Published In Nucleic Acids Research
2013	Relation between dynamics, activity and thermal stability within the cholinesterase family Published In Chemico-Biological Interactions
2012	Activity and molecular dynamics relationship within the family of human cholinesterase Published In Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2012	Energy landscapes of human acetylcholinesterase and its huperzine A-inhibited counterpart Published In The Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Biophysical Chemistry, Biomaterials, Liquids, and Soft Matter
2012	Water in extremophiles Published In Biofutur
2012	Water in extremophiles [L'eau dans les extremophiles] Published In Biofutur
2010	Activity and dynamics of an enzyme, pig liver esterase, in near-anhydrous conditions Published In Biophysical Journal
2010	Elastic scattering studies of aligned DMPC multilayers on different hydrations Published In Spectroscopy: an international journal
2010	Erratum: Specific cellular water dynamics observed in vivo by neutron scattering and NMR (Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2010) 12 (10154-10160) DOI: 10.1039/c0cp01048k) Published In Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2010	Hydration dependent studies of highly aligned multilayer lipid membranes by neutron scattering Published In Journal of Chemical Physics
2010	Specific cellular water dynamics observed in vivo by neutron scattering and NMR. Published In Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2009	Dynamics of apomyoglobin in the x-toB transition and of partially unfolded aggregated protein Published In European Biophysics Journal
2009	From powder to solution: hydration dependence of human hemoglobin dynamics correlated to body temperature Published In Biophysical Journal
2009	From shell to cell: neutron scattering studies of biological water dynamics and coupling to activity Published In Faraday Discussions
2008	Down to atomic scale intracellular water dynamics Published In EMBO Reports
2008	Down to atomic-scale intracellular water dynamics Published In EMBO reports
2008	Erratum: Down to atomic-scale intracellular water dynamics (EMBO Reports (2008) vol. 9 (546-547) 10.1038/embor.2008.50) Published In EMBO Reports
2008	In vivo measurement of internal and global macromolecular motions in Escherichia coli Published In Biophysical Journal
2008	Molecular Biophysics: Understanding living processes, Neutrons and Health Published In Neutrons & Health, ESS Scandinavia report
2008	New sources and instrumentation for neutrons in biology Published In Chemical Physics
2008	New sources and instrumentation for neutrons in biology (vol 345, pg 133, 2008) Published In CHEMICAL PHYSICS
2008	Protein dynamics and stability: The distribution of atomic fluctuations in thermophilic and mesophilic dihydrofolate reductase derived using elastic incoherent neutron scattering Published In Biophysical Journal
2008	Solvent isotope effect on macromolecular dynamics in E coli Published In European Biophysics Journal
2007	Adaptation to high temperatures through macromolecular dynamics Published In The Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Journal
2007	Backscattering Spectrometer for the investigation of the dynamics of biological molecules Published In Materials Research Society
2007	Neutron scattering reveals extremely slow water in a Dead Sea organism Published In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
2002	Protein dynamics studied by neutron scattering Published In Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics
2002	The search for traces of life: The protective effect of salt on biological macromolecules Published In Extremophiles
2001	Fast dynamics of halophilic malate dehydrogenase and BSA measured by neutron scattering under various solvent conditions influencing protein stability Published In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
2000	Incoherent elastic neutron scattering as a function of temperature: A fast way to characterize in-situ biological dynamics in complex solutions Published In Journal De Physique. IV : JP

Conference Paper

Year	Title
2018	Drug and radio sensitivity profile of a primary CTC cell line derived from a patient with metastatic neuroendocrine tumour of the distal oesophagus Published In ESMO Open
2010	9th AINSE / ANBUG neutron scattering symposium Published In Conference Handbook
2010	Elastic scattering studies of aligned DMPC multilayers on different hydrations Published In SPECTROSCOPY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL

2000	Incoherent elastic neutron scattering as a function of temperature: A fast way to characterise in-situ biological dynamics in complex solutions Published In JOURNAL DE PHYSIQUE IV

Investigator On

Year	Title
2021	Enhancing synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy in vivo with high-Z nanoparticles Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Australian Synchrotron Access Program
2021	Investigation in vitro into the efficacy of radiosensitiser combinations in enhancing synchrotron radiation for pre-clinical rat studies Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Australian Synchrotron Access Program
2018	Enhancing synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy in vivo with high-Z nanoparticles Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Imaging and Medical Beamline
2018	Refining synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy techniques in vivo Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Australian Synchrotron Access Program
2015 - 2018	Design and application of new nanomaterials theranostic platforms for targeted treatment of cancer Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Project Grant
2015	Investigation of the effects of tantalum pentoxide and bismuth oxide nano particles on 9L gliosarcoma and MDCK non cancerour cells using both synchrotron generated broad and micro-beams monitored by the X-tream dosimetry system. Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
2014	Size-Exchusion Chromatography Coupled SAXS of Macromolecular Complexes: the Replisome and the Divisome Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Grant
2013	Size-exclusion chromatography coupled SAXS for structural measurement of replisomal and cell division proteins Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
2012	Helicase loading and translocation in Bacillus Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
2011	Helicase loading and translocation in Bacillus Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
2011	Mapping protein and water dynamics in replisomal macromolecular assemblies Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2011	Water dynamics measured in Halomonas, an ectoine producing bacterium Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2010	Dynamics studies of protein-protein and protein-drug complexes Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2009	Dynamics of Human Acetylcholinersterase Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2009	Mapping protein contacts and conformational changes in macromolecular assemblies Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Discovery Projects
2009	Mapping protein dynamics conformational changes in replisomal macromolecular assemblies Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2008	Dynamics Studies of Model Membranes and Membrane/Protein Complexes Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Access to Major Research Facility Program
2007	Study of relationships between function, structure and dynamics of biological molecules by neutron scattering Awarded by: Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) Funding Scheme: Research Fellowships
	Contributions to Leica Dmi8 microscope Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Equipment Grant
	Investigation of the effects of thulium oxide nanoparticles and anti-cancer drugs on tumorous 9L gliosarcoma and MDCK non cancerous cells using micro-beams monitored by the X-tream dosimetry system Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Company P/L Funding Scheme: Travel Grant
	Investigation of the effects of thulium oxide nanoparticles and anti-cancer drugs on tumorous 9L gliosarcoma and MDCK non cancerous cells using micro-beams monitored by the x-tream dosimetry system and characterisation of DNA damage-repair with yH2AX Awarded by: Australian Synchrotron Research Program Funding Scheme: Beamtime at the AS XAS Beamline
	Refining synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy techniques and Pre-emptive management protocol in vivo Awarded by: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Funding Scheme: Australian Synchrotron Access Program
	Small animal stereotaxic instrument and microinjection unit Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Equipment Grant

Impact Story

Potential Supervision Topics

Design and application of new nanomaterials theranostic platforms for targeted treatment of cancer
Investigations into the dynamics involved in the magnetic transitions in Nanoparticles
Oncothermia in normal and cancerous cell lines
Targeted Nano-Therapies - Investigating uptake and distribution of high-Z in rodents for optimized radiation therapies guided multi-imaging
Targeted Nano-Therapies - Synchrotron Microbeam Activated Radiation Therapy
Scientific research on the relation amongst dynamics, structure and function of proteins for optimisation of cancer treatment at the molecular drug target level. Elaboration of cancer therapies and imaging by combining the effects of targeted radiations and drugs or nanoparticles at the nano-scale level.

Biophysics, Nanomedicine, Radiation Biology, Neutron Scattering, Nanophysics, Solid State Physics

Teaching Activities

Biomolecular Physics Academic Program Director
PHYS369: Imaging, Structure and Dynamics of Living and Soft Matter Coordinator
PHYS476 Coordinator

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Degree	Research Title	Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy	Barium-doped Lanthanum Manganite Nanoparticles for Multi-modal Cancer Therapies
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	Multimodal Therapy: A Combination of Oncothermia, Microbeam Radiation Therapy and Nano Therapy	Hollis, Carolyn
Doctor of Philosophy	Radiation Dose Enhancement and Hyperthermia-induced Cancer Selective Cell Death Using Lanthanum Manganite	Khochaiche, Abass
Doctor of Philosophy	'Enhancement of Radiation Therapies Using High-Z Nanoparticles and Drugs'	Valceski, Michael
Doctor of Philosophy	Investigation into the Use of Lanthanide Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for the Theranostic Treatment of Cancer	Vogel, Sarah
Master of Research - EIS	In Silico Structural Optimization and Investigation of Bulk Lanthanum Manganite for Applications in Cancer Treatment	McIlquham, Jack

Outreach Overview

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER
Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group)

PEER REVIEWER IN SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
Nanoscale
Small
Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine
Physics Review Letters
Physics Review E, A
International Journal of Radiation Biology
BBA - General Subjects
Biophysical Journal
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Interfaces
Soft Matter
The Journal of Physical Chemistry
Journal of the American Chemical Society
The FEBS Journal
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
European Journal of Biophysics

Organizer Of Event

Innovation in Radiation Applications 2017

Education And Training

Ph.D. in Physics, Université Joseph Fourier (Grenoble I) 1999 - 2002

Full Name

Dr Moeava Tehei

Mailing Address

School of Physics - University of Wollongong

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences

Northfields Ave - Wollongong

NSW

2522

Australia

Geographic Location

University of Wollongong

Located In Facility

Building 4 Room G60

Orcid Id

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3654-6833 (confirmed)

Scopus Id

6506235955

Overview

Overview

Top Publications

Research Areas

Research Overview

Geographic Focus

Available as Research Supervisor

Affiliation

Available for Collaborative Projects

Head Of

Member Of

Publications

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Conference Paper

Funding

Investigator On

Impact

Impact Story

Supervision

Available as Research Supervisor

Potential Supervision Topics

Teaching Activities

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Service

Outreach Overview

Organizer Of Event

Background

Education And Training

Contact

Full Name

Mailing Address

Geographic Location

Located In Facility

Identity

Orcid Id

Scopus Id

Overview

Top Publications

Research Areas

Research Overview

Geographic Focus

Affiliation

Head Of

Member Of

Publications

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Conference Paper

Funding

Investigator On

Impact

Impact Story

Supervision

Potential Supervision Topics

Teaching Activities

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Service

Outreach Overview

Organizer Of Event

Background

Education And Training

Contact

Full Name

Mailing Address

Geographic Location

Located In Facility

Identity

Orcid Id

Scopus Id

Visualisations

Research Areas

Geographic Focus