Inherited determinants of cancer aetiology. Family history of cancer is a strong risk factor for many cancers. This project will aim to identify inherited factors influencing risk of developing cancer and those factors influencing the course of the disease and outcomes.
Identification of novel therapeutic targets for selectively eliminating cancer stem cells in paediatric leukaemia. Leukaemia is the most common form of cancer in children, and while the majority of children can be cured, those who relapse face a dire prognosis. It is widely believed that leukemic stem cells are responsible for relapse and this project will aim to unravel their underlying biology and identify new targets for therapeutic approaches to the disease.
Studying precancerous stem cells that cause T cell leukaemia. Recent research has identified abnormal stem cells that are the cause of T cell leukaemia. They are also resistant to therapeutics suggesting that they could be a cause of relapse. The aim of this project is to determine the abnormal pathways that cause these cells to become immortal and to determine new therapeutic strategies to eliminate them.