Dr. Kumara Kaluarachchi

Senior Lecturer Grade I

Department of Pharmacology

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Science

Rajarata University

Senior Research Officer   

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

Royal Childrens Hospital

Melbourne

Post-doctoral Research Associate                

Department of Biochemistry,

University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Post-doctoral research Officer

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

Royal Childrens Hospital

Melbourne 

Post-doctoral research associate   

Department of Orthopedic surgery

University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Senior Lecturer                                                                                                  

Department of Biochemistry,

Faculty of Medicine,

University of Peradeniya,

Sri Lanka.

Research postgraduate student

Department of Biochemistry and Department of Orthopedic surgery

University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong 

Lecturer (probationary)

Department of Biochemistry

Faculty of Medicine

University of Peradeniya

Sri Lanka

BDS (Sri Lanka), PhD (Hong Kong)

Link to Google Scholar Profile

Publications

1. Kaluarachchi K, Samaranayake L. The first report of the presence of collagen X in mammalian dentinal matrix. Morphologie. 2024 Sep;108(362):100778. doi: 10.1016/j.morpho.2024.100778. Epub 2024 Apr 4. PMID: 38579391. 

2. Lamandé SR, Yuan Y, Gresshoff IL, Rowley L, Belluoccio D, Kaluarachchi K, Little CB, Botzenhart E, Zerres K, Amor DJ, Cole WG, Savarirayan R, McIntyre P, Bateman JF.Mutations in TRPV4 cause an inherited arthropathy of hands and feet

         Nature Genetics. 2011 Oct 2. doi: 10.1038/ng.945.  PMID:  21964574

3. Kumara Kaluarachchi, Saranga Sumathipala, Navaratne Eriyagama, Dhammika Atapattu, Sarath Arseculeratne .The Identification of the Natural Habitat of Rhinosporidium seeberi with R. seeberi-Specific in situ Hybridization Probes

        J INFECT DIS ANTIMICROB AGENTS Jan.-April 2008 Vol 25 No 1 (25-32)

4. Sumeth Perera MW, Gunasinghe D, Perera PA, Ranasinghe A, Amaratunga P,  Warnakulasuriya S, Kaluarachchi K.

Development of an in vivo mouse model to study oral submucous fibrosis. J Oral Pathol Med. 2007 May;36(5):273-80.  PMID: 17448137

5. Shen G, Zhao Z, Kaluarachchi K, Bakr Rabie A.

Expression of type X collagen and capillary endothelium in condylar cartilage during osteogenic transition--a comparison between    adaptive remodelling and natural growth.

        Eur   J Orthod. 2006 Jun;28(3):210-6. PMID: 16679327.

6 . Shen G, Rabie AB,  Zhao ZH, Kaluarachchi K,

Forward deviation of the mandibular condyle enhances endochondral ossification of condylar cartilage indicated by increased expression of type X collagen.

        Arch Oral Biol. 2006 Apr;51(4):315-24. PMID: 16199001

7. Shen G, Hagg U, Rabie AB, Zhao Z, Kaluarachchi K,

Identification of temporal pattern of mandibular condylar growth: a molecular and biochemical experiment.

         Orthod Craniofac Res. 2005 May;8(2):114-22. PMID: 15888124

8 . Cheung, K. M., Kaluarachchi, K., Andrew, G., Lu, W., Chan, D., and Cheah K. S. An externally fixed femoral fracture model for mice.

         J Orthop Res 21(4), 685-690. 2003 Jul; PMID: 12798069

9. So CL, Kaluarachchi K, Tam PP, Cheah KS

Impact of mutations of cartilage matrix genes on matrix structure, gene activity and chondrogenesis.

        Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2001;9 Suppl A:S160-73.  PMID: 11680681

Book Chapters

Type X Collagen – A marker for endochondral ossification of the mandibular condyle

Up-to-date Ortho

Dental year book 2000 (in Japanese)

Selected Research Communications

1. Kaluarachchi, K. Presence of Collagen X in the Dentine of the Developing Tooth

Proceedings of the 15^th International Research Conference. General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University

http://ir.kdu.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/345/6182/Abstract_Book_IRC_2022_BAS-41.pdf?sequence=1

2. Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K, Manamendra-Arachchi K.N, Premarathne S.R, Adikari G, Jayatunga P.A

An odontological analysis of pre-historic human remains found in a shell midden at Pallemalla, Southern Sri Lanka. 84^th year Proceedings of Sri Lanka Dental Association, June 2017.

3. Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K., Gunasekara S.W. and Navaratne J. M.N.S. Freezing enhances detection of calcium oxalate crystals of urine. Proceedings of the Jubilee academic sessions, The Kandy society of medicine, Sri Lanka. 02-07-2003

4. Gunasinghe D., Athauda SBP., Fraser S, Perera PAJ, Samaranayake LP, and Kaluarachchi K. Induction of oral caners and pre-cancerous lesions by areca in mice. Annual Research Sessions - University of Peradeniya 2002. Sri Lanka (Commended paper)

5. Kaluarachchi, K., Gunasinghe, D, Cheung, K, and Cheah, K. S. Aggrecan could be used to assess the bone fracture healing process. Proceedings of the 24th annual academic sessions, The Kandy society of medicine, Sri Lanka. 2-16-2002

6. Kaluarachchi, K., Dissabandara, DLO, Kulasekara, KMKK, Gunasinghe, D, and Fraser, S. Toxic effects of gloriosa superba in the small intesdtinal epithelium. Proceedings of the 24th annual academic sessions, The Kandy society of medicine, Sri Lanka. 2-16-2002 (Best paper – Basic sciences category)

7. Cheung K.M.C, Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K, Lam S.P, Lu W.W, Andrew J.G, Kwan, K.M, Cheah K.S.E A reproducible radiological assessment score for fracture healing in mice. The international society for fracture repair. Hong Kong, 20^th – 23^rd September 2000.

8. Cheung K.M.C, Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K, Lam S.P, Lu W.W, Andrew J.G, Kwan, K.M, Cheah K.S.E The role of type X collagen in fracture repair. The international society for fracture repair. Hong Kong, 20^th – 23^rd September 2000.

9. Cheung K.M.C, Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K, Lam S.P, Lu W.W, Andrew J.G, Kwan K.M, Cheah K.S.E. A Mouse femoral external fixation model for the study of fracture repair. The international society for fracture repair. Hong Kong, 20^th – 23^rd September 2000.

10. Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K, Cheung K.M.C, Lam S.P, Lu W.W, Andrew J.G, Kwan K.M., Cheah K.S.E Histological and mechanical property abnormalities of bone fracture healing in the absence of collagen type X. 4th Research postgraduate symposium, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong. 14^th  – 17^th Nov 1999

11. Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K, Cheung K.M.C, Lam S.P, Lu W.W, Andrew J.G, Kwan K.M., Cheah K.S.E Histological and mechanical property abnormalities of bone fracture healing in the absence of collagen type X. 8^th Society for Chinese Bioscientists in America symposium, Hong Kong. July 1999.

12. Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K, Cheung K.M.C, Lam S.P, Lu W.W, Andrew J.G, Kwan K.M., Cheah K.S.E. Fracture healing in collagen type X deficient mice: abnormalities in structure and mechanical properties of the fracture callus. British Orthopaedic Research Society spring meeting. Liverpool, UK. March 1999,

13. Cheung K.M.C, Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K, Lam S.P, Lu W.W, Andrew J.G, Kwan K.M., Cheah K.S.E. The effect of lack of Collagen X on fracture healing. British Orthopaedic Association Meeting, Dublin, Ireland,

14. Kaluarachchi T.K.P.K, Cheung K.M.C, Lam S.P, Lu W.W, Andrew J.G, Kwan K.M., Cheah K.S.E. Abnormalities in fracture healing in the absence of collagen type X: Hong Kong Orthopaedic Association Annual Congress. Hong Kong. 22^nd August Nov. 1998.

15. Kaluarachchi TKPK, Tsang KY, Lau J, Kwan KM, Cheah KSE, Cheung KMC. Transgenic mouse models of human skeletal disorders Hong Kong Orthopaedic Association Annual Congress. Hong Kong. 22^nd August Nov. 1998.

16. Cheung KMC, Kaluarachchi TKPK, Lam SP, Lu W, Andrew G, Kwan KM, Cheah KSE: The role of collagen X on fracture repair and non-union. Department Research Day, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 22^nd August Nov.1998.

17. Kaluarachchi TKPK, Cheung KMC, Lam SP, Lu W, Andrew G, Kwan KM, Cheah KSE: Early results of the lack of collagen X on fracture healing. The The Hong Kong Othopaedic Association annual congress annual congress, Hong Kong 15^th –16^th 1997.

18. Cheung KMC, Kaluarachchi TKPK, Lam SP, Lu W, Andrew G, Kwan KM, Cheah KSE: External fixation fracture model of the mouse femur. The Hong Kong Othopaedic Association annual congress, Hong Kong. 15^th –16^th 1997.

Visiting Research Officer  

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

Royal Childrens Hospital

Melbourne

Visiting Post-doctoral research Officer

National University of Singapore

Singapore

Visiting Lecturer

Faculty of Dental Sciences

University of Peradeniya,

Sri Lanka.

Visiting Lecturer

MSc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry

Board of Study in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,

Postgraduate Institute of Science. University of Peradeniya,

Sri Lanka.

Deputy Proctor 

Department of Pharmacology

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Science

Rajarata University

Senior Student Counselor          

Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Senior Treasurer                             

Medical Students Union, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Licenses obtained

License to handle and conduct experiments on laboratory animals

From The Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Designated Radiation Worker License

From The Radioisotope Unit. The University of Hong Kong. Hong Kong

Research students trained

Principal Supervisor of the MPhill Project of Dr Sumeth Perera SJ PhD

Thesis title : Development of an animal model to study Oral Submucous Fibrosis using aqueous areca nut (Areca catechu) extract.

December 2005 University of Peradeniya

Volunteer work

Hon. Laboratory Consultant to the “Low cost Drug laboratory”,

Sri Lanka Eye Foundation, Center for Sight.

General Hospital, Kandy.