I am a cancer biologist determining the mechanisms controlling growth and proliferation of cancer cells and use transgenic models of malignancy and genetic approaches to identify new therapies for targeting growth control in the treatment of cancer.
Novel Targeting Of Therapy-resistant Prostate Cancer Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,978.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is treated by removing male hormones (androgens). Although the bulk of the tumour regresses, some cells remain and the cancer often grows back in an aggressive form. We will study new ways to eliminate therapy resistant cancer cells and thereby provide more lasting treatments for prostate cancer. Ultimately, we hope to inform the design of ground-breaking clinical trials that could re-shape the treatment paradigm of advanced prostate cancer.
To Determine Whether Myc-driven Transformation In Haematopoietic Cell Lineages Is Dependent On High-levels Of Myc Protein Expression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,896.00
Summary
Myc is an essential cellular protein but is also a common drive of cancer in multiple tissues. In blood cancers Myc is frequently overexpressed. In contrast, Myc is rarely overexpressed in early stage solid cancers, although often elevated levels at later stages. We will employ unique models of cancer in which Myc can be activated at different set levels at different times during blood cell development to address what the specific contributions of different levels of Myc are in the evolution of ....Myc is an essential cellular protein but is also a common drive of cancer in multiple tissues. In blood cancers Myc is frequently overexpressed. In contrast, Myc is rarely overexpressed in early stage solid cancers, although often elevated levels at later stages. We will employ unique models of cancer in which Myc can be activated at different set levels at different times during blood cell development to address what the specific contributions of different levels of Myc are in the evolution of blood cancers.Read moreRead less
Therapeutic Targeting Of Ribosome Biogenesis In Cancer And Ribosomopathies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
My fellowship application will build on my international leadership in understanding growth control in human disease. My vision is to uncover the molecular mechanisms governing the loss of normal control of the synthesis of the molecular machines, termed ribosomes, that are responsible for synthesising all cell proteins. I will translate these findings into new paradigms to treat patients suffering from diseases such as cancer and ribosomopathies, that are associated with ribosome dysfunction.
Restoration Of P53 Activity In Tumours: A New Approach Involving The P53 Coactivator ANKRD11.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,990.00
Summary
p53 is an important protein that functions as the body�s defence mechanism against cancer. Mutation of p53 is observed in over half of all tumours. Not only do these cancer mutations abolish the ability of p53 to protect against cancer, but it also endows the tumours with an ability to spread throughout the body, or metastasize. In this research project, we will identify and develop targets that will not only prevent the spread of new tumours, but it will also re-activate the anti-cancer functio ....p53 is an important protein that functions as the body�s defence mechanism against cancer. Mutation of p53 is observed in over half of all tumours. Not only do these cancer mutations abolish the ability of p53 to protect against cancer, but it also endows the tumours with an ability to spread throughout the body, or metastasize. In this research project, we will identify and develop targets that will not only prevent the spread of new tumours, but it will also re-activate the anti-cancer function in mutant p53 leading to tumour regression.Read moreRead less
Activation Of TERT Gene Expression In Breast Carcinogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$693,440.00
Summary
A key step in the development of most cancers is the switching on of an enzyme, telomerase, that allows cancer cells to keep growing without limit. We will study the molecular details of this step using new techniques for functional analyses of the genome in human breast cells grown in the laboratory. Blocking telomerase has great potential for cancer treatment, so analysing how this enzyme gets switched on may identify new strategies for achieving this for breast cancer - and other cancers.
Thyroid cancer is the commonest endocrine malignancy, and typically affects younger adults. Despite low mortality rates, local recurrence is not uncommon and re-operative surgery can cause significant morbidity. We are studying genetic variants in thyroid transcription factors associated with thyroid cancer predisposition. Our work will determine the mechanism of this association, and provide new strategies for early diagnosis and prevention of thyroid cancer.
Investigation Of The Molecular Basis Of Human Nevogenesis And Melanoma Initiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,220.00
Summary
The number of moles and lifetime exposure to solar UV are the major risk factors in melanoma development. A genetic association between the IRF4 gene and mole number and melanoma susceptibility has been reported. We propose that changes in the function of this gene will impact on the behaviour of melanocytes/melanoma cells, their response to UV radiation and interaction with surrounding cells. Understanding the function of this gene will provide crucial insight into the initiation of melanoma.
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.