Comprehensive Assessment Of Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors For Melanoma: A Population-based Family Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,679.00
Summary
Excessive sunlight can cause melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. However, there are other factors including a person's genetic make-up that are thought to put some people at higher risk. Many 'healthy' people have small changes in their genes that might make them more likely to develop melanoma. We need to know more about these genetic factors. Our study will investigate how particular small genetic changes influence a person's likelihood of developing melanoma.
Epimutations As Germ-line Defects In Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,925.00
Summary
Traditionally familial cancers were thought to be caused and inherited by spelling mistakes within the genetic code of cancer prevention genes. Our group has found that a 'chemical coat' around the MLH1 gene, causing it to be switched off, can also be inherited in some cases of bowel cancer, without any mistakes within the gene's code. We will determine if this 'coat' causes other types of cancer and if this runs in families. We also hope to find out how the coat is formed and may be reversed.
The Role Of Melanoma Tumour Antigen P97 (Melanotransferrin) In Melanoma Tumourigenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,242.00
Summary
The Role of Melanoma Tumour Antigen p97 (Melanotransferrin) in Melanoma Tumourigenesis Melanotransferrin (MTf) is a homologue of the iron transport protein, transferrin, and was one of the first well characterised melanoma tumour antigens. Our published studies have shown that MTf plays an important role in melanoma tumourigenesis in vivo. In this proposal, we will assess if it is associated with melanoma progression in patient samples and examine its role in melanoma growth and metastasis.
Susceptibility Of The Basal Layer Of Human Epidermis To UVA Oxidative Damage Due To Pheomelanin And Suboptimal DNA Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$559,354.00
Summary
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. It is important to understand how sunlight causes skin cancer and the wavelengths involved in order to devise effective preventative and therapeutic strategies. Our proposal is that the cells in the skin that give rise to the most common forms of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, are particularly vulnerable to UVA. We aim to study why this is the case and whether this vulnerability can be prevented.