Harnessing Endogenous L1-mediated Mutagenesis To Elucidate New Candidate Genes For Liver Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$632,656.00
Summary
Retrotransposons are mobile genes that copy-and-paste themselves in our genome. Previously thought to represent “junk DNA”, retrotransposons are increasingly recognised to play major roles in biology. In a recent publication in Cell, we found that retrotransposons were highly active in some types of liver cancer, mutating key genes required to block tumour formation. In the current study, we will determine in greater depth how, and how often, these genes are involved in other types of liver canc ....Retrotransposons are mobile genes that copy-and-paste themselves in our genome. Previously thought to represent “junk DNA”, retrotransposons are increasingly recognised to play major roles in biology. In a recent publication in Cell, we found that retrotransposons were highly active in some types of liver cancer, mutating key genes required to block tumour formation. In the current study, we will determine in greater depth how, and how often, these genes are involved in other types of liver cancer.Read moreRead less
Identification Of Novel Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,093.00
Summary
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, with around 1 million cases diagnosed annually. These cancers can be caused by a combination of lifestyle/environmental and genetic factors. Genetics cause ~30% of colon cancers, although the cause is unexplained in ~2/3 of these cases. The aim of this project is to discover new colon cancer genes by extensive gene sequencing of multi-case unexplained colon cancer families, and screening of additional cases and cancer-free individuals.
Metagenomic Analysis To Determine The Prostate Microenvironment And The Aetiology Of Inflammatory Mediated Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,534.00
Summary
Infectious organisms have been implicated in the development of several different malignancies. This project aims to determine if this may also be applicable in prostate cancer and if so, to define which organism/s may be responsible, thus providing targets for improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies. The approach will be to identify DNA in the prostate tumour tissue that is foreign to the �normal� prostate environment and indicative of an invading organism.
Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than ....Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than previously recognized.Read moreRead less
Tracking The Origins And Drivers Of Metastasis In Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,022,600.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer but only 10% of men with it, will die from it. Our current ability to discriminate between cancers with an indolent course and those that are lethal is poor. This project will examine the mixture of tumour clones (subclones) that are present in prostate cancers and define and track those cancer subclones that break away from the prostate and lodge in distant sites, causing death.
CLINICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF GENETICALLY DEFINED GERMLINE SUB-GROUPS OF MELANOMA AND BREAST CANCER PATIENTS.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,949.00
Summary
In this project I will assess how cancer patients’ genetic makeup influences the nature and outcome of their cancer, especially in terms of how successful treatment is likely to be. We will show how key genetic variants influence cancer behaviour and by combining these genes we will have a better understanding of how to develop more successful treatments.
Characterising The Mutations, Signatures, Potential New Therapeutic Targets And Biomarkers In Malignant Mesothelioma Using Whole Genome Analysis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,219,288.00
Summary
Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive tumour that occurs principally in the pleura as a consequence of inhaling asbestos fibres. Currently there is no cure for malignant mesothelioma. Thus new therapeutic approaches are desperately needed. Such new approaches will require a detailed understanding of the genetic lesions of malignant mesothelioma. Therefore we will perform whole genome sequencing of a large cohort of malignant mesothelioma patients to identify mesothelioma-related alterations.
Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death globally. Symptoms may not develop until disease is advanced, so it is often incurable at diagnosis. Scientific developments have greatly improved our ability to test for the changes in DNA structure and function responsible for this deadly disease and its progression. This study examines whole lung cancer genomes then uses these findings to develop safer methods for detection based on changes in DNA sequence.
Genetics And Genomics Of Breast And Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$714,745.00
Summary
Our knowledge of the number and nature of the genes involved in breast and ovarian cancer is limited. To rapidly define the critical breast and ovarian cancer-causing genes my laboratory uses an integrative genomics approach whereby information from several genome-wide platforms are combined. A key initiative that will underpin much of our work is Lifepool, which is a unique cohort of 100,000 Victorian women attending BreastScreen that will support a range of research into breast cancer.