My research interest resides in expression proteomics which is the study of the regulation of protein expression in function of cell activity, external stimuli and diseases. This interest began during my Master in biomedical technology (1991) at the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium). It further developed during my PhD at the University of Sydney (1998) and a postdoctoral position in the institute of biochemistry and cellular genetic in Bordeaux (France) where I studied the proteomic changes associated with muscle development and yeast fermentation. In 2001, I continued my research career at the University of Hawaii, learning molecular biology techniques. I joined UNE in 2004 and since then successfully established proteome analysis at UNE and recently set up a medium-scale proteomic mass spectrometry facility. Currently, using proteomic approaches, I aim to understand the role of cytoskeletal proteins in tumor cell invasion, metastasis and cancer drug resistance. BAppSc, MSc (UCL), PhD (USyd) Protein dynamics Proteome analysis by electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

J.V.F. Coumans, D. Gau, A. Poljak, V. Wasinger, P. Roy, P. Moens. Green fluorescent protein expression triggers proteome changes in breast cancer cells. Experimental cell research, 320 (1): 33-45, 2013. J.V.F Coumans, J. Harvey, D. Backhouse, A. Poljak, M.J. Raftery, Nehl, D. et al. Proteomic assessment of host-associated microevolution in the fungus Thielaviopsis basicola. Environmental microbiology, 13 (3): 576-588, 2011. J.V.F Coumans and D. Backhouse (2010). Protein analysis of abiotic and biotic stress response during cotton vegetative growth. In Peter T. Jenkins (eds) "The Sugar Industry and Cotton Crops" Nova Science Publishers, Inc.,(ISBN: 978-1-61668-439-6), New York, pp 127-145. J.V.F. Coumans, P.D.J. Moens, A. Poljak, S. Al-Jaaidi, L. Pereg and M.J. Raftery. Plant extract induced changes in the proteome of the soilborne pathogenic fungus Thielaviopsis basicola. Proteomics, 10 (8): 1573-1591, 2010. (IF: 4.8, cited 8 times) J.V.F. Coumans, A. Poljak, M. J. Raftery, D. Backhouse and L. Pereg-Gerk. Analysis of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) root proteomes during a compatible interaction with the black root rot fungus Thielaviopsis basicola. Proteomics, 9, 335-345, 2009. J.V.F. Coumans and C.G. dos Remedios. Actin-binding proteins in mouse C2 myoblasts and myotubes: A combination of affinity chromatography and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Electrophoresis, 19, 826-833, 1998. J.V.F. Coumans, I. Humphery-Smith and C.G. dos Remedios. 2-D Gel Electrophoresis of Actin-Binding Proteins Isolated by Affinity Chromatography from Human Skeletal Muscle. Electrophoresis, 18, 1079-1085, 1997. J.V.F. Coumans, T. Yeoh, R. Seeto, A. Keogh, V. Chang, P. Gunning, E. Hardeman and C. G. dos Remedios. Variations in the relative mRNA levels of actins and myosin heavy chains do not produce corresponding differences in their proteins in the adult human heart. J. Mol. Cel. Cardiol. 29, 895-905, 1997.