Rob Ramsay has had a long standing research commitment to understanding bowel and breast cancer using mouse models with defined genetic defects. These sophisticated models replicate various stages of cancer development and some have profound effects on normal tissue biology. He also uses molecular tools to investigate how genes are controlled. These approaches are providing direct input into the development of therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.
Investigation Of DUSP5 As A Novel Tumour Suppressor Gene In Colon Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,268.00
Summary
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in Australia. Understanding the genetic causes of this disease are essential to developing new treatment strategies. The goal of this study is to understand the role of the DUSP5 gene in colon cancer. The findings of this study has the potential to further our understanding of how colon cancers arise and for identifying patients likely to respond to specific existing treatments.
Role Of The EHF Transcription Factor In Regulating The Differentiation Status Of Colon Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,950.00
Summary
New treatment strategies for colon cancer are urgently needed. This application will test a novel approach for treating colon cancer based on the re-induction of differentiation of colon cancer cells, by reactivating a gene called EHF. We expect this to reduce the propensity for colon cancer cells to spread to distant organs and to increase their sensitivity to chemotherpay. This has the potential to significantly benefit the clinical management of patients with this disease.
Role Of Chromatid Cohesion In Colon Biology And Carcinogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$628,422.00
Summary
Rad21 is a gene, present in many species and essential for accurate chromosome separation and DNA damage repair. Based on its known function in different species, we predict that its� dysfunction fuels cancer progression by promoting genetic instability, which is commonly associated with human cancers. This study will use unique mouse mutant models to investigate the function of this potential cancer-causing gene in colon cancer.
Strategies For Enhancing The Treatment Of Colon Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,785.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related death in Australia. Strategies to improve outcomes for these patients are urgently needed. This NHMRC SRF Fellowship will seek to identify new molecules in cancer cells which can be targeted to treat this disease, and to discover genes which can be used to improve patient response to treatment.
Reversing The Biomechanical Dysregulation Of Cancer Cell Signalling To Improve Targeted Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,447.00
Summary
The limited success of cancer drugs is dependent on many factors including the physical properties (stiffness) of a tumour. In particular whether a tumour is soft or stiff affects how it responds to treatment. Combining classical biology with engineering to generate 3D models that mimic tumours, along with cutting-edge imaging technology, we will determine how we can target the physical properties of tumours together with already approved cancer drugs to improve treatment and patient outcome.
Mechanistic Basis Of AP-1-regulated Gene Expression During Colorectal Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,802.00
Summary
The spread of colorectal cancers in the body poses a major clinical problem for which current treatment options are inadequate. This project aims to unravel how a specific DNA-binding protein regulates the expression of genes involved in the spread of these cancers. The research is expected to provide a better mechanistic understanding of how disease progression occurs and to identify novel strategies to treat aggressive tumours.
Global Characterization Of The Src-regulated Kinome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$591,334.00
Summary
This proposal aims to use new cutting-edge techniques to globally characterize the impact of a particular cancer-causing gene, or oncogene, on the expression and function of an important family of regulatory proteins, termed kinases, in cancer cells. This will identify proteins critical for cancer cell growth and survival that represent potential targets for therapy.
Identification Of Novel Treatment Strategies For Human Cancers Through Integrative Phosphoproteomics And Kinomics.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,409.00
Summary
This proposal aims to use new cutting-edge techniques to characterize, at a global level, changes in growth regulatory signals in cancer cells. This will identify proteins critical for cancer growth that represent potential targets for therapy. In addition it will highlight ways to select the most effective treatments for individual patients. The ultimate outcome of this work will be improved treatment strategies for cancer patients, and hence reduced morbidity and mortality.
Defining Biomarkers Of Colorectal Cancer Prevention By Dietary Agents And Translation To Human Intervention Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$632,924.00
Summary
This research will explore dietary agents for their ability to regulate the damage to DNA that is responsible for causing bowel cancer. The plan is to identify a dietary approach that will effectively reduce the risk of colon cancer. The science will be tested in animal models followed by initial human experiments aimed at testing the relevance to humans.