CANCER RESEARCH STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 - ACCELERATING DISCOVERY AND TRANSLATING RESEARCH - Peter MacCallum Cancer ...
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CANCER RESEARCH
STUDENT PROJECTS
2018
ACCELERATING
DISCOVERY AND
TRANSLATING
RESEARCH
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 1
CONTENTS
The following pages highlight some of the projects available for future students in 2018.
Projects are arranged alphabetically by research group. The following tables of contents and project summary pages will
help you find a particular project, research group or supervisor. If you are interested in a particular project, use the contact
details to follow up with the listed supervisors to learn more about the project.
Cancer Research Programs list of labs 27
with projects 2
Gorringe, Kylie 27
Projects Summary 3
Harvey, Kieran 28
Cancer Research Overveiw 7
Haupt, Ygal 29
Research Structure 8
Hicks, Rod 30
Platform Technologies 8
Johnstone, Ricky 30
Research Programs 10
Kats, Lev 30
Research Education Program 14
Loi, Sherene 31
The Sir Peter MacCallum
Martin, Olga 45
Department of Oncology 14
McArthur, Grant 32
The Comprehensive Cancer PhD Program 15
Oliaro, Jane 33
Becoming a Postgraduate Student 16
Papenfuss, Tony 34
Postgraduate Students 16
Pearson, Rick 35
Honours Students 16
Risbridger, Gail 36
Assisstance in the Applicaiton Process 16
Russell, Sarah 37
Why Study at Peter Mac?
Words from our Past Students 18 Stacker, Steven 37
Laboratory Research Program Tiganis, Tony 38
- Projects Descriptions by Lab Group 19
Voskoboinik, Ilia 39
Clinical Research - Projects Descriptions
Wickramasinghe, Vihandha 40
by Clinical Research Group 41
Clinical Research - Projects Descriptions 41
Why Study at Peter Mac?
Words from our Current Students 46 Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre 41
Cancer Experiences Research 41
Alphabetical listing of project decription
National Centre for Infections in Cancer 42
by research laboratory/group
Parkville Familial Cancer Centre 43
Achen, Marc 19
Physical Sciences 44
Boussioutas, Alex 19
Radiation Oncology 45
Busuttil, Rita 19
Bowtell, David 20
Britt, Kara 20
Brown, Kristen 21
Campbell, Ian 22
Cheng, Louise 23
Clemons, Nicholas 23
Cox, Andrew 24
Darcy, Phil 25
Darido, Charbel 25
Ellis, Sarah 26
Fellowes, Andrew 26
Goode, David
1
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has the largest cancer research site in Australia,
with more than 500 researchers, nurses and support staff working in Australia’s
most advanced cancer research centre.
Dedicated research is the key to better treatments, better care and cures for
cancer. This is a place where normal days are extraordinary – as are the people we
care for. Each day our team strives to provide the very best in cancer care, better
treatments and potential cures for all people affected by cancer.
Globally, we are facing one of the most pivotal times in the pursuit of cancer cures,
and Peter Mac stands at its forefront. Together, we aim to lead a new era of cancer
prevention, care and discovery, supported by state-of-the-art facilities at our new
home within the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre building,
In the words of our founder, Sir Peter MacCallum:
‘Nothing but the best is good enough for
the treatment of cancer’.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 2
PROJECTS SUMMARY
ACHEN, MARC BROWN, KRISTEN CLEMONS, NICK
The control of vascular remodeling Metabolic reprogramming and Developing therapeutic strategies to
in cancer by microRNAs chemotherapy resistance in triple- target mutant-p53 cancers
Supervisors: Prof. Marc Achen, Prof. negative breast cancer Supervisors: Dr. Nick Clemons, Prof.
Steven Stacker, Prof. Stephen Fox Supervisor: Dr. Kristin Brown Wayne Phillips
Cutting off the Fuel Supply to Starve Defining the functional drivers of
Cancer: Identifying metabolic oesophageal tumourigenesis
BOUSSIOUTAS, ALEX vulnerabilities in cancer Supervisors: Dr. Nick Clemons,
Twist as a regulator of EMT in gastric Supervisors: Dr. Kristen Brown, Prof. Wayne Phillips
cancer and its role in invasion Dr. Andrew Cox
Supervisors: A/Prof. Alex Boussioutas, Elucidating the protein interaction
Dr. Rita Busuttil network of serum- and glucocorticoid- COX, ANDREW
regulated kinase 1 (SGK1)
Functional characterisation of genes Fishing for metabolic clues: Role
involved in progression of gastric Supervisor: Dr. Kristin Brown of the Hippo/Yap pathway in
cancer reprogramming metabolism in liver
cancer
Supervisors: A/Prof. Alex Boussioutas,
Dr. Rita Busuttil CAMPBELL, IAN Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Cox
Role of the tumour Identification of genetic variation Metabolic rewiring in liver cancer:
microenvironment in gastric cancer predisposing to ovarian cancer Role of oxidative stress and the Nrf2
pathway
Supervisors: A/Prof. Alex Boussioutas, Supervisors: Prof. Ian Campbell, A/Prof.
Dr. Rita Busuttil Paul James Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Cox
The convergence of common SNPs and
rare variants as an explanation for a
BOWTELL, DAVID large proportion of hereditary breast DARCY, PHIL
cancer
Pre-Clinical Models of Cyclin E1 Enhancing the efficacy of Adoptive
Amplified High-Grade Serous Supervisors: Prof. Ian Campbell, A/Prof.
Paul James cellular Immunotherapy for cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Supervisor: A/Prof. Phil Darcy, Dr. Paul
Supervisors: Prof. David Bowtell, Identification of novel breast cancer Beavis
Dr. Jessica Beach Analysis of predisposition genes
heterogeneity and chemotherapy Supervisors: Peof. Ian Campbell, A/Prof.
resistance in ovarian cancer Paul James
DARIDO, CHARBELL
Supervisors: Prof. David Bowtell,
Dr. Liz Christie, Dr David Goode Investigating the requirements of
CHENG, LOUISE pro-inflammatory signaling in skin
and head & neck Squamous Cell
How does amino acid metabolism affect Carcinomas
BRITT, KARA tumour growth? Supervisor: Dr. Charbel Darido
Developing breast cancer Supervisors: Dr. Francesca Froldi, Dr. Identification of the cell of origin
preventatives by mimicking parity’s Louise Cheng of Grhl3-deficient head and neck
protective role squamous cell carcinoma
How do tumours grow at the expense of
Supervisor: Dr. Kara Britt other tissues? Supervisor: Dr. Charbel Darido
Finding a therapy for triple negative Supervisors: Dr. Francesca Froldi, Dr.
breast cancer patients Louise Cheng
Supervisors: Dr. Kara Britt, Prof. Robin ELLIS, SARAH
Anderson, Prof. Kelly Phillips Identification of factors mediating
dedifferentiation in regeneration How loss of the polarity protein,
Reversing mammographic density to Par3, alters intracellular signaling
decrease breast cancer risk Supervisors: Dr. Louise Cheng, Dr. Patricia
pathways to drive Acute Myeloid
Jusef
Supervisors: Dr. Kara Britt, Prof. Rik Leukemia
Thompsonn, Prof. Michael Henderson Supervisors: A/Prof. Sarah Ellis, A/Prof
Phil Darcy
3PROJECTS SUMMARY
SCRIB acts as an oncogene in T-ALL HAUPT, YGAL LOI, SHERENE
by activating signaling pathways that
control proliferation Exploration of novel approaches to Understanding host anti-tumour
anti-cancer treatment: manipulation immunity in preclinical models of
Supervisors: A/Prof. Sarah Ellis, of mutant p53 breast cancer: biological interactions
A/Prof. Phil Darcy and mechanisms of PIK3CA
Supervisors: Dr. Sue Haupt, Prof. Ygal
mutations
Haupt
Supervisors: A/Prof. Sherene Loi,
Restoration of tumour suppression
FELLOWES, ANDREW by using the ubiquitin proteasomal
Prof Wayne Phillips, Dr. Joyce Teo
Clinical Trials Database Design and system as an anti-cancer approach: Development of new therapeutic
Implementation tumour suppressor regulation by approaches for the treatment of
MDM2/MDMX complex and E6AP Breast Cancer patients: Projects 1
Supervisors: Dr. Andrew Fellowes, and 2
Mr. Anthony Bell, Mr Ken Doig, Mr Supervisors: Dr. Sue Haupt, Prof. Ygal
Gareth Reid. Haupt Supervisors: Dr. Mariam Mansour,
A/Prof. Sherene Loi
Molecular Pathology Workflow Restoration of tumour suppression
Metrics Data Visualisation by using the ubiquitin proteasomal Understanding host anti-tumour
system as an anti-cancer approach: immunity in preclinical models of
Supervisors: Dr. Andrew Fellowes,
characterisation of candidate breast cancer: mechanisms evading
Mr. Anthony Bell, Mr Christopher
proteins in prostate cancer the immune system
Welsh, Mr Gareth Reid
Supervisor: Dr. Cristina Gamell, Supervisors: A/Prof. Sherene Loi,
Prof. Ygal Haupt A/Prof Phil Darcy
GOODE, DAVID
The Evolutionary Genomics of Cancer HICKS, ROD McARTHUR, GRANT
Formation and Progression
Understanding the mechanisms of Functional genomics of BRAF driven
Supervisor: Dr. David Goode
neuroendocrine tumour response to glycolysis in BRAFV600 melanoma
radionuclide therapy Supervisors: Dr. Lorey Smith, Prof.
Supervisors: Dr. Carleen Cullinane, Grant McArthur
GORRINGE, KYLIE Prof. Rod Hicks
Impact of targeted therapy
Personalised risk evaluation in DCIS on the melanoma immune
microenvironment
Supervisors: Dr. Kylie Gorringe, Prof.
Ian Campbell JOHNSTONE, RICKY Supervisors: Dr. Karen Sheppard,
Investigating the role of CRLF2/JAK2 Prof. Grant McArthur
Personalised risk evaluation in DCIS
Signaling in high-risk B-cell Acute Targeting CDK4 in melanoma
Supervisors: Dr. Kylie Gorringe, Prof. Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)
Ian Campbell Supervisors: Dr. Karen Sheppard,
Supervisor: Prof. Ricky Johnstone Prof. Grant McArthur
MYC: oncogenic sensitisation of
cancers to therapeutic inhibition of
HARVEY, KIERAN RNA polymerase I transcription
KATS, LEV
Control of tissue growth and cancer Supervisors: Dr. Gretchen Poortinga,
by the Hippo pathway Development of targeted therapy
Prof. Rick Pearson, Prof. Grant
for acute myeloid leukaemia
Supervisors: Dr. Joep Vissers, Prof. McArthur
with mutations in isocitrate
Kieran Harvey
dehysdrogenase Novel drug combinations targeting
A novel personalised medicine chromatin and RNA polymerase I
Supervisor: Dr. Lev Kats
approach for the treatment of the transcription in multiple myleloma
asbestos-related cancer, malignant Supervisors: Dr. Gretchen Poortinga,
mesothelioma A/Prof. Simon Harrison, Prof. Grant
Supervisors: Dr. Joep Vissers, McArthur
Prof. Kieran Harvey
Watching the Hippo pathway in real
time in growing organs
Supervisors: Prof. Kieran Harvey,
Dr. Lucas Dent
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 4PROJECTS SUMMARY
OLIARO, JANE RISBRIDGER, GAIL Are angiogenesis receptors drivers
of epithelial malignancies?
Novel therapies to enhance anti- New human models for rapid
tumour immune responses preclinical testing of prostate cancer Supervisors: Prof. Steven Stacker,
Supervisor: Dr. Jane Oliaro, Dr. Conor Prof. Marc Achen, Prof. Stephen Fox
Supervisor: Prof. Gail Risbridger
Kearney Role of prostaglandins in tumour
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer
The role of DOCK8 in immune cell metastasis
Supervisor: Prof. Gail Risbridger, Dr.
biology
Luc Furic, Dr. Roxanne Toivavan Supervisors: Prof. Steven Stacker,
Supervisor: Dr. Jane Oliaro, Dr. Conor Prof. Marc Achen
Kearney Defining epigenome changes in the
tumour microenvironment
The regulation of cytotoxic
Supervisor: Prof. Gail Risbridger
lymphocyte activity in cancer
Pre-clinical testing of novel TIGANIS, TONY
Supervisor: Dr. Jane Oliaro, Dr. Conor
Kearney combination therapies in mouse Metabolic Reprogramming in Liver
models of prostate cancer Cancer
Supervisor: Dr. Luc Furic
Supervisors: Prof Toy Tiganis,
Dr. Florian Wiede
PAPENFUSS, TONY Using T cells to eradicate cancer
Analytic methods for detecting and RUSSELL, SARAH Supervisors: Prof Tony Tiganis,
making sense of somatic genomic Single cell pedigree analysis to Dr. Florian Weide
rearrangements understand the mechanisms of fate Understanding how obesity drives
Supervisor: Prof. Tony Papenfuss, determinationSHACKLETON, MARK the development of liver cancer
Dr. Daniel Cameron Understanding intra-patient disease Supervisors: Prof Tony Tiganis,
Clinical cancer bioinformatics heterogeneity in human melanoma Dr. Florian Weide
Supervisor: Prof. Tony Papenfuss, Supervisors: Dr. Mark Shackleton, Dr.
Prof. Stephen Fox Clare Fedele
Formation and Evolution of The significance of melanin pigment WICKRAMASINGHE, VIHANDHA
Neochromosomes in melanoma progression
Mechanisms of regulating gene
Supervisor: Prof. Tony Papenfuss, Supervisors: Dr. Mark Shackleton, expression via selective mRNA
Dr. Alan Rubin Dr. Clare Fedele transport
Hippo – a new signaling pathway for Supervisor: Dr. Vi Wickramasinghe
cancer targeting
Impact of alternative mRNA splicing
PEARSON, RICK Supervisors: Dr. Mark Shackleton, on the human proteome
A/Prof. Kieran Harvey
Impact of targeted therapy Supervisor: Dr. Vi Wickramasinghe
on the melanoma immune during T cell development, leukemia,
microenvironment and immune responses
Supervisors: Dr. Jian Kang, Prof. Rick Supervisor: Dr. Sarah Russell
Pearson
AKT driven senescence and cancer
Supervisors: Dr. Keefe Chan, Prof. Rick STACKER, STEVEN
Pearson Understanding the role of the Ryk
Activation of nucleolar-specific DNA receptor in cancer
damage response as a therapeutic Supervisors: Prof. Steven Stacker,
strategy for ovarian cancer Dr. Michael Halford, Prof. Stephen Fox
Supervisors: Dr. Elaine Sanij, Prof. Rick Understanding the signaling
Pearson networks within lymphatic
endothelial cells
Supervisors: Prof. Steven Stacker, Prof.
Marc Achen, Prof. Stephen Fox
5PROJECTS SUMMARY: CLINICAL RESEARCH
AUSTRALIAN CANCER Management and outcomes PHYSICAL SCIENCES
SURVIVORSHIP CENTRE of hepatitis B in patients with
malignancy Development of machine learning
Patient-reported outcomes in techniques to predict and grade
survivors of melanoma, breast and Supervisors: Dr. Ben Teh, Prof. Monica prostate cancer in digital pathology
colorectal cancer Slavin data
Supervisors: A/Prof. Michael Jefford, Determination of the epidemiology Supervisors: Dr. Hayley Reynolds,
Dr. Paula Rodger, Dr. Karolina LIsy, and risk factors for infection Dr. Nick Hardcastle, Prof. Annette
Amanda Piper in patients with peripheral and Haworth
cutaneous T-cell lymphom
Understanding the experiences and
needs of cancer survivors Supervisors: Prof. Miles Prince,
Dr. Ben Teh
Supervisors: A/Prof. Michael Jefford, RADIATION ONCOLOGY
Dr. Karolina Lisy Treatment resistance and metastatic
properties of tumour cells mobilised
during radiotherapy treatment of
PARKVILLE FAMILIAL CANCER patients with non-small cell lung
CANCER EXPERIENCES CENTRE cancer
RESEARCH
Understanding Breast and Ovarian Supervisors: A/Prof. Olga Martin, Dr.
Map and appraise patterns of care Cancer Families: the Variants in Benjamin Blyth
for people with melanoma utilising Practice (ViP) study
the DHHS Optimal Care Pathway Impact of histological type and
Supervisor: A/Prof. Paul James lympho-vascular space invasion
Supervisors: Dr. Donna Milne, A/Prof. (LVSI) on patterns of failure in stage
Karla Gough, Amelia Hyatt 1 and 2 endometrial cancer patients
Determining the Assessing the treated with curative intent
introduction of a novel personalized
Supervisors: Dr. Ming-Yin Lin, Prof.
genome-based breast cancer risk
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR Kaylash Narayan
assessment to women at a familial
INFECTIONS IN CANCER risk
Supervisors: A/Prof. Alison Trainer,
Epidemiology of Staphylococcus A/Prof. Paul James
aureus bloodstream infections in
patients with cancer
Supervisor: A/Prof. Leon Worth
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 6CANCER RESEARCH OVERVIEW
Peter Mac’s commitment to research
is based on the belief that treatment
informed by research, and research
informed by treatment, is the key to
progressing better cancer care.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is Cancer is a complex set of diseases,
Australia’s only public hospital solely and modern cancer research institutes
dedicated to cancer, and home to the such as Peter Mac conduct research
largest research group in Australia. covering a diversity of topics that
range from laboratory-based studies
For over 65 years, Peter Mac has
into the fundamental mechanisms of
been providing high quality treatment
cell growth, translational studies that
and multidisciplinary care for cancer
seek more accurate cancer diagnosis,
patients and their families.
clinical trials with novel treatments,
Our 2,500-strong team is the largest and research aimed to improve
specialised cancer workforce in the supportive care.
country, and includes more than 500
The proximity and strong collaborative
researchers.
links of clinicians and scientists
Together, we are dedicated to working provides unique opportunities for
with local and international partners medical advances to be moved from
to minimise the impact of cancer in the ‘bench to the bedside’ and for
our communities. In the words of Sir clinically orientated questions to
Peter MacCallum, ‘Nothing but the guide our research agenda. As such,
best is good enough for the treatment our research programs are having a
of cancer’. profound impact on the understanding
of cancer biology and are leading
to more effective and individualised
patient care.
7RESEARCH STRUCTURE
Cancer Research Division Cohort studies give not only our Platform Technologies
researchers, but researchers
Peter Mac’s comprehensive and worldwide, access to a vast array of Peter Mac has platform technologies
internationally renowned cancer ethically collected clinical samples that underpin our research and allow
laboratories seek fundamental and associated clinical data. our researchers to be internationally
biological and biomedical discoveries, competitive in an increasingly
and aim to facilitate the development technology-driven environment.
and application of these discoveries to Clinical Research
Peter Mac’s core technologies and
their full therapeutic potential. At Peter Mac there are many expertise are also made available to
The Cancer Research Division at Peter specialised groups actively engaged external researchers on a collaborative
Mac is home to over 450 laboratory- in clinical research. Our aim is to or costrecovery basis, thereby increasing
based scientists and support staff, improve treatment, and care and research output in the wider bioscience
including approximately 120 higher experience outcomes of cancer community. Key technologies at Peter
degree (mainly PhD) and Honours patients and their support networks. Mac include:
students. Supported by nine core Research in the clinical services is
technology platforms, our research Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting
included in the following areas:
laboratories are organized into This facility provides researchers with
programs of laboratory-based and • Allied Health access to state-of-the-art equipment
translational research: • Australian Cancer Survivorship and expertise that enables isolation,
Centre separation and analysis of cell
• Organogenesis and Cancer
populations based on their biological and
• Cancer Experiences Research therapeutic properties.
• Cancer Genetics & Genomics
• Cancer Imaging and Diagnostics Flow cytometry is a powerful technique
• Cancer Immunology for the analysis of individual cells within
• Cancer Medicine
complex populations. It is used in both
• Cancer Therapeutics • Cancer Surgery and Anaesthesia research and clinical settings, and has
an important role in the translation of
• Familial Cancer Research knowledge from the research setting to
• Translational Haematology
• Infections Diseases the clinical area (translational research).
• Oncogenic Signalling and Growth Centre for Advanced Histology and
• Pain and Palliative Care
Control Microscopy
• Pharmacy
• Gastrointestinal Cancer The Centre for Advanced Histology
• Physical Sciences and Microscopy (CAHM) underpins a
• Prostate Cancer • Radiation Oncology and Therapy multitude of cancer research projects
with four core platforms:
• Victorian Epigenetics Group
• Tumour Angiogenesis and • Optical Microscopy: state-of-the-art
Microenvironment • Cancer Services: high-end optical microscopes including
• Breast laser scanning confocal microscopes,
• Cancer Metabolism a multi-modal super resolution
• Gynae-oncology microscope and multiphoton microscope,
• Computational Biology a dual laser multiphoton microscope, and
• Genitorurinary oncology
a laser capture microscope.
Our core facilities and platform • Haematology
• Electron Microscopy, inclusive of both
technologies are the backbone of
• Head and Neck transmission and scanning electron
our research and ensure that the
microscopy.
researchers are outfitted with the • Lung
equipment and expertise needed to • Image Analysis, and Histology.
facilitate their research. An important • Melanoma and Skin
The facility also provides ancillary
role of the core platform technologies • Neuro-oncology equipment for the processing of cells
is to also identify, import, and develop
• Paediatrics and Late Effects and tissues for optical and electron
new technologies.
microscopy. Researchers utilising the
Peter Mac is home to many large, • Sarcoma facility receive the appropriate support,
group [cohort] studies collecting • Lower Gastrointestinal training, and advice from technical
biospecimens, blood samples and specialist staff members.
survey data from people with cancer • Upper Gastrointestinal
to build large open-access resources Functional Genomics
• Cancer of Unknown Primary
for innovative research projects. The Victorian Centre for Functional
Genomics (VCFG) offers biomedical
Some studies also collect information
researchers Australia-wide the ability
from people who have never had
to perform novel discovery-based
cancer.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 8RESEARCH STRUCTURE
functional interrogation of all collaboration with researchers, of transgenic and gene-targeted mice.
genes in the genome, or of selected clinicians, the Molecular Pathology Peter Mac’s Animal Ethics Committee
boutique collections, using multiple and the Bioinformatics’ teams to (AEC) has an important role in overseeing
platforms including CRISPR/cas9, enable and develop tools for the the ethical conduct of any work involving
small interfering RNA (siRNA), micro translation of genomic information the use of animals for scientific purposes,
RNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA into clinical practice. conforming to the NHMRC Australian
(lncRNA) & short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Code of Practice for the Care and Use of
Bioinformatics Consulting Core Animals for Scientific Purposes.
The VCFG also facilitates small scale
The Bioinformatics Consulting Core
drug screens using commercially Molecular Pathology
at the Research Division of Peter Mac
available compounds or your own. A
provides services and know-how Molecular Pathology is a central platform
dedicated team of experts help guide
for the analyses of high-throughput to successful translational research by
the process from assay optimisation,
genomics data. Bioinformaticians providing robust Diagnostic molecular
to screening and analysis. The facility
and postdoctoral scientists of the analyses of tumours. Molecular Pathology
has established a Reverse Phase
Core work alongside laboratory and at Peter Mac provides diagnostic testing
Protein Array platform, another high
clinical researchers to ensure their for familial breast and colorectal cancer,
throughput discovery technology that
biological assumptions and the and is a national reference centre for
allows for rapid quantitation of the
translational relevance of studies testing for specific mutations in cancer
expression of native and phosphor-
are fully considered when building samples.
specific protein isoforms in very small
and analysing models of biological
sample populations. The VCFG also Molecular Imaging
systems. The Core contributes to
offers Short Tandem Repeat (STR)
experimental design, grant application The Centre for Cancer Imaging is a world
profiling for cell line authentication.
and the analysis and publication of leader in the clinical use of PET scanning
The VCFG primarily operates a genomic and transcriptomic data. Data in cancer. The facility includes three
‘researcher driven, staff assisted’ types analysed by the Core include chemists, contains a cyclotron, two small
model whereby the researcher is whole-exome sequencing, targeted animal PET scanners for translational
embedded in the facility, trained on re-sequencing, RNA-sequencing and research and automated production
appropriate equipment and fully different types of microarray data. facilities for a number of novel tracers.
supported by the VCFG team. These tracers provide the capacity to
Research Computing Facility image diverse biological processes
Molecular Genomics The Research Computing Facility is including hypoxia, lipid synthesis, cell
The Molecular Genomics Core facility responsible for administering Peter proliferation and amino acid transport.
offers researchers access to state- Mac’s Computing Cluster and Linux
of-the-art genomics technology environment, providing leadership Biostatistics
platforms, providing service and in the area of data governance, Peter Mac is the leading biostatistical
expertise in conducting genomics managing the Research Data centre focusing on cancer clinical
experiments. The facility operates Repository/Archive, administering trials in Australia. The centre provides
three major platforms: Illumina cloud computing resources, and statistical expertise for national cancer
Sequencing, Nanostring nCounter and providing specialised software trials groups including the Trans Tasman
QX200 Droplet Digital PCR. solutions and/or systems to support Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) and the
research. The facility also provides Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma
The HiSeq2500 is mainly used for
training for the software systems they Study Group (ALLG).
whole-genome DNA resequencing
administer and general bioinformatics.
and exome sequencing. The facility Clinical Trials Support
also has access to the Illumina Tissue Bank Peter Mac currently has a team
NexSeq500 for use in the development
Peter Mac is the host institute for of research nurses to support a
of clinical-grade assays for tumour
the Australian Biospecimen Bank a sophisticated clinical and translational
profiling, to support patient care and
federally funded project to enable research program. These nurses provide
clinical research. The NanoString
national cancer sample collection and necessary skills to coordinate phase-I
nCounter Analysis System is part of
facilitated access to tissue resources. first-in-man clinical trials involving
a new wave of genomic technologies
The Tissue bank provides researchers complex procedures such as tumor
for the rapid and reliable analysis
with ethically collected, high quality biopsies for evaluation of molecular
of nucleic acids at single-molecule
human tissue, blood and data samples targets, serial PET scans and complex
resolution. The QX200 Droplet Digital
for their investigative projects; it also pharmacokinetic sampling.
PCR (ddPCR) System provides
supports clinical trials at Peter Mac
absolute quantification of target DNA Radiation and Cancer Imaging
by processing and storing blood and
or RNA molecules for a wide variety of
tissue specimens in accordance with State-of-the-art radiation and imaging
applications. At Peter Mac it is mainly
trial-specific protocols. equipment underpins Peter Mac’s efforts
used to measure cancer biomarkers,
such as mutations and copy number to enhance the delivery of radiation
Transgenic and SPF Facility therapy, both as a single modality and,
variation states, with high sensitivity
We currently breed and maintain increasingly, as a combined modality
and resolution.
approximately 20,000 mice, therapy using novel chemotherapy and
The facility staff work in close representing over 130 different strains targeted therapy agents.
9CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Organogenesis and Cancer Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/organogenesis-cancer-program
Kieran Harvey Lab (Program head) Despite being a fundamental part of life, we still lack a clear
understanding of how individual organs know how to grow to the
Louise Cheng Lab
right size and maintain this size. The roles of stem and progenitor
Andrew Cox Lab cells in the growth of different organs are also unclear, as is the
impact of diet and nutrition on organ growth. To investigate these
The primary focus of the Organogenesis & Cancer questions our program leverages the unique strengths that are
offered by different experimental systems including Drosophila,
program is to investigate the process of organ zebrafish, mice and organoid cultures. We also collaborate
development and how failure of organogenesis with clinicians from within the VCCC network to examine how
contributes to cancer. deregulation of organogenesis signalling networks drive cancers
such as melanoma, mesothelioma, glioblastoma and hepatocellular
carcinoma.
Cancer Genetics and Genomics Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/cancer-genetics-genomics -program
David Bowtell Lab (Program head) The CGG program applies genomic technologies to large patient
cohorts, with a particular focus on breast, ovarian and prostate
Ian Campbell Lab (Program head)
cancer. Familial (KConFab, ViP) and population-based (Lifepool)
Tony Papenfuss Lab breast and ovarian (Australian Ovarian Cancer Study) cancer
cohorts are embedded in the program and are highly enabling of the
Kylie Gorringe Lab
research program due to the large numbers of patient samples with
Kara Britt Lab rich clinical information and associated biospecimens. More recently
the program has established CASCADE, a unique rapid autopsy
Cancer is fundamentally a polygenic disorder,
study that provides an enabling platform for a variety of solid and
imparted by germline and somatic mutation.
haematological malignancies. Sophisticated genomics, functional
With advances in DNA sequencing and other
genetics and bioinformatics capabilities are also highly enabling of
genomic technologies, it is feasible to obtain
the program.
high-dimensional genomic information about an
individual patient’s tumours and relate this to
clinical outcome.
Cancer Immunology Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/cancer-immunology -program
Joe Trapani Lab (Program head) The Cancer Immunology Program is identifying ways in which the
Ilia Voskoboinik Lab immune system can be harnessed to prevent and control cancer.
Michael Kershaw Lab We are interested in the very early stages of how immune cells
can pick up and respond to the presence of cancer cells. We have
Phil Darcy Lab demonstrated that specific toxins made by “killer T cells” can
Jane Oliaro Lab prevent the onset of certain cancers (immune surveillance), and are
developing genetic technologies to modify and expand the activity
Sarah Russell Lab of these cells to treat established malignancies. In addition, we are
Paul Neeson Lab defining the molecular means by which new classes of anti-cancer
drugs kill cancer cells, so that rational choices can be made on the
Ricky Johnstone Lab most appropriate cancer chemotherapy for a patient.
Tony Tiganis Lab
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 10CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Cancer Therapeutics Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/cancer-therapeutics -program
Grant MacArthur: Translational research Lab platform technologies, and pre-clinical model systems available
(Program head) within the Peter Mac to discover, develop, characterise and refine
Sarah-Jane Dawson Lab novel cancer therapeutics for clinical use.
Ben Solomon Lab
This integrated Program allows insight into fundamental aspects of
Rodney Hicks Lab cancer biology through the identification of novel tumour-suppressor
Sherene Loi Lab and tumour-initiating genes. We explore the functional relationships
between altered cancer genetics and aberrations to the cancer
Charbel Darido Lab epigenome, and a deeper understanding of the molecular events
that drive oncogenic signalling networks. These findings serve as a
Kristin Brown Lab
basis for extensive translation-based studies to determine the
The Cancer Therapeutics Program aims to potential therapeutic benefit of interfering with, or augmenting the
integrate various basic research activities, activity of key proteins involved in these signalling networks through
pharmacological intervention.
Translational Haematology Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/translational-haematology-program
Mark Dawson Lab (Program head) The Translational Haematology Program contains a diverse set of
Ricky Johnstone Lab laboratories that focus on understanding the molecular
pathogenesis of a range of haematological malignancies.
Sarah-Jane Dawson Lab
Lev Kats Lab The program spans the breadth of basic science and translational
medicine with the goal of identifying novel therapies that will
improve the outcome of patients with haematological cancers.
Oncogenic Signalling and Growth Control Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/oncogenic-signalling-growth-control -program
Rick Pearson Lab (Program head) Targeting these pathways is beginning to profoundly change the
management of patients with cancer. A key feature of oncogenic
Grant McArthur: Molecular Oncology Lab
signalling is a requirement for cells to grow and proliferate,
Vihandha Wickramasinghe Lab processes that are intimately linked to protein synthesis and the
provision of metabolic substrates for replication of cellular
Ygal Haupt Lab
components. Specifically, increases in ribosomal assembly, mRNA
translation and glycolysis are key downstream events in many of the
most important pathways involved in malignant transformation.
The global effort to understand the molecular
However, it is increasingly recognised that tumour heterogeneity
drivers of cancer is now coming to fruition with
both between lesions and within lesions in individual patients and
the identification of specific genomic events
development of resistance, represent fundamental challenges to
that influence signalling through key oncogenic
attainment of durable responses to targeted therapies. Unravelling
pathways.
the links between oncogenic signalling and their influence on cell
biology will be critical to designing new therapeutic approaches and
improving patient outcomes..
11CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Gastrointestinal Cancer Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/gastrointestinal-cancer-program
Wayne Phillips Lab (Program head) needs of patients by (i) addressing critical clinical questions related
to treatment and management of gastrointestinal cancer, (ii)
Rob RamsayLab (Program head)
exploring the cellular and molecular biology underlying the
Alex Boussioutas Lab development and progression of gastrointestinal malignancies, and
(iii) actively translating laboratory findings into the clinic.
Nicholas Clemons Lab
The program currently consists of four laboratory-based groups
Focussing on clinical, preclinical, and basic science with a focus on (gastric, oesophageal, colorectal, and anal) cancers,
research across all gastrointestinal cancers. and a surgical research team led by Professor Sandy Heriot. We
also have strong clinical links with additional surgeons and
oncologists with our Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre
The Peter Mac Gastrointestinal Cancer Program has
partners and other Melbourne hospitals offering extensive training
developed a world-class multi-disciplinary
opportunities for postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and
translational research program that responds to the
clinicians in basic, translational, and/or clinical research.
Tumour Angiogenesis and Microenvironment Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/tumour-angiogenesis-microenvironment -program
Marc Achen Lab (Program head) The interaction of these cells types with tumour cells can either
support or inhibit tumour progression. The spread of cancer to
Steven Stacker Lab (Program head)
lymph nodes and distant organs is a critical aspect of cancer
Stephen Fox Lab progression and is facilitated by lymphatic and blood vessels. The
cells that line these vessels (the endothelial cells) are the control
The program is interested in understanding the key points for changes to vessel structure and activity.
role played by the non-malignant cells within the The program provides broad opportunities for training of
tumour microenvironment, which includes stromal postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, pathology fellows and
cells, blood vascular endothelial cells, lymphatic clinically trained researchers in areas of basic scientific research,
translational research and molecular pathology.
endothelial cells and immune cells.
Prostate Cancer Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/prostate-cancer -program
Gail Risridger Lab (Program head) know how to grow to the right size and maintain this size.
Ygal Haupt Lab Research in this program includes but is not limited to:
• Which tumours are aggressive vs indolent and put men at high risk
The Prostate Cancer program is new to PMCI and of progressing to aggressive disease?
aims to answer significant questions that arise at • What returns predict tumour progression?
diagnosis and during treatment of men with
• What treatments can prolong and improve patient survival?
Prostate cancer.
The group uses patient specimens and clinically relevant models of
Despite being a fundamental part of life, we still lack prostate cancer to provide practice changing outcomes to benefit
a clear understanding of how individual organs men with prostate cancer.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 12CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Computational Biology Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/computational-biology-program
Tony Papenfuss Lab (Program head) Our research interests encompass: bioinformatics algorithm
and methods development; computational cancer biology;
David Goode: Lab
cancer evolution and genomics; software tool development; and
personalised medicine.
The Computational Biology Program uses
The program includes research laboratories, as well as the
mathematics, statistics and computing to generate Bioinformatics Consulting Core and the Research Computing Facility.
new discoveries in cancer. We develop new models,
Scientists come from a range of disciplines including biology,
algorithms and software tools, and apply these to
computer science, mathematics and statistics, as well as
make sense of cancer data. This includes whole software engineering. Many researchers in the program hold joint
genome, exome, transcriptome and epigenome appointment with other programs or institutes.
sequencing data.
Cancer Metabolism Program
https://www.petermac.org/research/programs/cancer-metabolism-program
Tony Tiganis Lab (Program head) Areas of interest in the program include understanding:
Rick Pearson lab - obesity and the metabolic syndrome increasing the risk of cancer
Andrew Cox Lab - obesity driving tumour growth
Kristin Brown lab - redox balance in tumour development
Louise Cheng Lab - nutrient availability and utilisation driving tumour growth
- metabolic heterogeneities in cancer
The ability of tumour cells to reprogram key - tumour metabolism altered to support cancer growth and spread
metabolic pathways to facilitate tumorigenesis
- mechanisms by which oncogenic pathways reprogram tumour
and metastasis is now recognised as one of the
metabolism
hallmarks of cancer.
- alterations in tumour metabolism influencing the immune
The Cancer Metabolism Program has been recently
response
established at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
and aims to understand the influence of obesity - alterations in immune cell metabolism influencing tumour growth
and metabolism on the development and growth of
- tumour metabolism promoting therapy resistance
cancer.
- ttargeting tumour-specific metabolic vulnerabilities for cancer
therapy
13RESEARCH EDUCATION PROGRAM
With strong links to local and international universities and research institutes, our re-
search education program provides a training and support framework for the academic
and professional development of our staff and students.
Peter Mac is home to over 100 research students undertaking postgraduate and honours research programs.
Most students completing projects at Peter Mac are enrolled through The University of Melbourne. We also host
students from all Universities throughout Australia and overseas
Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology
The Univerity of Melbourne’s Sir Peter and technology, enabling complex contributions to basic research,
MacCallum Department of Oncology research projects through access translational research and clinical
is located within the Peter MacCallum to cutting-edge core research trials for cancer.
Cancer Centre. technology platforms
Peter Mac and the Sir Peter
The Sir Peter Mac Department brings • a cancer stream-based and MacCallum Department of Oncology
to the university the strengths of holistic model of care where multi- also provides research placements
world-class laboratory and clinical disciplinary experts come together for medical research programs,
research conducted within a public to provide tailored treatment at all for international postgraduate
cancer hospital, including: stages of a patient’s disease, across students, for undergraduate students
all common and rare cancer types. associated with the Summer Vacation
• the largest cancer research group
Research Program, undergraduate
in Australia, with laboratory-based Postgraduate research students based work experience and undergraduate
researchers and clinicians working in clinical settings are supported by the research projects undertaken in the
side-by-side; Cancer Research Education program in laboratories.
• a strong academic program, addition to the support offered by their
clinical service teams. The Peter Mac Research Education
driven by internationally renowned
program formed the basis of the
laboratory and clinical researchers,
The co-location of research and recently approved Comprehensive
with a strong focus on educating
research training capability with a Cancer PhD program, described in the
future generations of cancer
hospital dedicated to cancer treatment following section.
researchers;
enables researchers and clinicians to
• highly sophisticated equipment work side-by-side to make significant
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 14The Comprehensive Cancer PhD program provides a training and support framework for the
academic and professional development of students undertaking cancer-related research
within the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance.
The University of Melbourne Comprehensive Cancer PhD Program provides a training and support framework for the
academic and professional development of students undertaking cancer-related research within one of the ten partners
organisations of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) alliance.
The innovative and integrated program aims to produce graduates ready to conduct world-class cancer research and set
them on a path to a broad range of career options.
The Program is designed to complement existing PhD activities by providing eligible students with opportunities to broaden
the scope of their research knowledge, professional development and career training, and to develop research and
professional skills that will help students to fulfill their career ambitions.
Tapping into the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience of the VCCC alliance partners, the program provides a
unique opportunity for multidisciplinary cancer-related PhD candidates to experience clinical and research activities across
the alliance.
The Comprehensive Cancer PhD (CCPhD) program was About the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer
launched in 2017. The program is managed by the Sir Centre Alliance
Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology (Univeirsty of
Melbourne), and all students engaged in postgraduate Founded in the holistic principles of the international-
studies at Peter Mac are enrolled in the CCPhD program, lyrecognised Comprehensive Cancer Centre model, the
regardless of which unvieirsty they are enrolled through. VCCC is a powerful alliance of 10 leading academic, re-
The Comprehensive Cancer PhD program builds on search and clinical institutions with a shared commitment
established conventional training for cancer research to working together to advance and accelerate cancer
students providing a coordinated program of skills, research research, education, treatments, prevention and care.
and career training in addition to usual PhD activities.
Specifically developed for students within VCCC alliance Individually these organisations are leaders in the sector,
partners, the program is designed to assist their academic each bringing particular strengths and specialities: togeth-
progress and timely completion, and to address emerging er they represent a formidable force working to control and
cancer research training needs. cure cancer. The nature and scale of the alliance fosters
collaborative opportunities that enable access to large
The program includes: cancer patient populations; facilitating key cancer research
1) Research skills development, including mastery of core and clinical trial pathways, and bolstering education and
technologies, cancer-specific seminars and presentations learning for cancer professionals.
and critical analysis through exposure to journal clubs.
For students in the Comprehensive Cancer PhD Program,
2) Professional and career development, including generic access to the alliance will provide opportunities to develop
and transferrable skills, mentoring, networking, leadership, a thorough understanding of the bench-to-bedside model
career opportunities, internships and placements. that is fundamental to the Comprehensive Cancer Centre
3) Communication skills development, including thesis and approach to integrated research.
journal writing skills, and oral or poster presentations skills.
https://www.petermac.org/education/comprehensive-cancer-
4) Optional internships/placements tailored to the student’s phd-program
interests and relevance to their PhD.
Email: ccphd@petermac.org
15BECOMING A STUDENT
We provide a world-class • Apply for candidature at The Students who have completed their
research education program at University of Melbourne or at an undergraduate degree at another
equivalent university when supervisor university in Australia or overseas are
a leading Australian cancer and project are confirmed. Univeristy also encouraged to contact us directly
research institution for students of Melbourne students enrol with The for further information on how to
from The University of Sir Peter MacCallum Department apply.
Melbourne and other national of Oncology, through the Faculty
Students interested in undertaking an
and international universities. of Medicine, Dentistry and Health
Honours project at Peter Mac need to:
Sciences.
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in
Peter Mac staff will work with
There are two general stages in biomedical research.
students to facilitate these processes.
preparing to become a student in our • Ensure their university/department
postgraduate and honours programs. • Apply for a postgraduate
apploves them conducting their
scholarship. Note the different
Students must: research project full time off-campus
deadlines that apply to different
at Peter Mac.
1. Find a project and supervisor for scholarships, and for local versus
their research program, and international scholarships. • Look through the available project
summaries and contact the project
2. Meet the University degree supervisor directly by phone or email.
eligibility and entry requirements.
Honours students • Discuss your interest in the project
Each year we accept students from with the supervisor.
biomedical science and science • Meet with potential supervisors at
Postgraduate students programs to undertake one-year, Peter Mac to discuss the project, your
Applicants for postgraduate student full time Honours projects in cancer- interests, visit the lab and meet others
positions at Peter Mac enrol through a related biomedical research. Students in the research group. At this meeting,
University program that approves your undertake all of their scientific supervisors will also want to view
project placement at Peter Mac. You research work on site at Peter Mac, your academic record.
must therefore satisfy the minimum while undertaking their course work
at the university department through • Apply for candidature at the
entry requirements at the university University, meeting the university’s
through which they plan to enrol which they are enrolled.
application and eligibility
Entry to the Peter Mac postgraduate Our honours students come to us with requirements.
program is based on the availability a range of majors and backgrounds
of projects, student suitability and including biochemistry, chemistry,
academic background. biomedical science, immunology, cell Assistance in the application
biology, medicine, pharmacology,
To undertake a postgraduate project at molecular biology, pathology,
process
Peter Mac, students need to: physiology, anatomy and other similar Further information about the
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in subjects. postgraduate and honours application
biomedical research. process is available online at:
Most of our Honours students
• Be happy to conduct your research are enrolled at The University of www.petermac.org/education/research-
candidature full time off-campus at Melbourne through departments education
Peter Mac. of the Faculty of Medicine,
For application assitance, contact:
Dentistry and Health Sciences,
• Look through the available project such as: Biochemistry & Molecular Research.EducationAdmin@petermac.
summaries and contact the project Biology, Pathology, Microbiology & org
supervisor directly by phone or email. Immunology, Anatomy & Cell Biology
• Discuss your interest in the project and Pharmacology.
with the supervisor.
• Meet with potential supervisors at
Peter Mac to discuss the project, your
interests, visit the lab and meet others
in the research group. At this meeting,
supervisors will also want to view
your academic record. International
students will ‘meet’ supervisors via
skype or similar.
• Meet univeristy eligibility
requirements for postgraudate degree
candidature.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 1617
WHY STUDY AT PETER MAC?
WORDS FROM OUR PAST RESEARCH STUDENTS
Collaborative interaction with national and international peers is a lynchpin of any vibrant program.
Peter Mac is continually seeking to work with the best worldwide and the world’s best are increasingly seeking out Peter
Mac researchers to interact with.
In speaking to past research students, it is immediately evident that the two factors most strongly influencing their
decision to join and stay at Peter Mac are firstly, the opportunity to be mentored by a strong and collegiate group of senior
researchers and secondly, the well-established research infrastructure that enabled them to perform virtually any type of
experiment they required at affordable cost.
This is a strong vindication of our strategy of identifying, seeding and supporting the growth of an enabling environment,
both in terms of talented senior personnel and a first-class research infrastructure.
“To make serious inroads against breast cancer, we are working to better
understand its genetic make-up, how cancer genes can affect the effectiveness
of breast cancer therapies, and how cancer genes alter over time.”
Clinician-researcher Dr Sherene Loi completed her PhD with in McArthur Molecular
Oncology Lab at Peter Mac during the decade she spent at the prestigious Institute
Jules Bordet in Brussels, Belgium. Returning to Peter Mac in 2013, she now heads
the Translational Breast Cancer Genomics Laboratory, and will lead a number of
international clinical trials of new combinations of therapies to promote enduring
survival for women with HER2-positive breast cancer.
Dr Sherene Loi
Medical Oncologist, Breast Cancer Service and Head, Translational Breast Cancer
Genomics Laboratory at Peter Mac
“Peter Mac’s Department of Oncology provided a unique opportunity to
balance patient-focused research with clinical practice and access to a
supportive network of engaging supervisors.”
Ben is an infectious diseases physician with primary clinical and research interests
in the area of infections in cancer patients. He completed his PhD in advancing the
management of infection in patients with myeloma through the Peter MacCallum
Department of Oncology. He has continued progressing novel approaches utilising
functional and numerical immune profiling to predict risk of infection in patients with
cancer as a post-doctoral clinical research fellow at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Dr Ben Teh
Infectious Diseases phsyician, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
“I chose to study at the Peter Mac because not only does it have world class
researchers working in conjunction with some of Australia’s best clinical
partners, but it also has the benefit of world leading core facilities run by
experienced, knowledgable and friendly staff.”
Alex commenced his PhD in 2014 after several years as a Research Assistant at
Peter Mac. An important aspect of his reseach was made possible by the Advanced
Micrsocopy Core facility, where Alex used live-cell microsocopy to investigate the
biology of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells interacting with tumor target cells.
Dr Alex Davenport
PhD Student, Neeson & Darcy Labs.
Awarded a Fight Cancer PhD Scholarship through Melbourne Health.
Now a Postdoctoral Research at the Unversity of Cambridge, UK.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 18AVAILABLE PROJECTS BY RESEARCH GROUP
ACHEN, MARC BOUSSIOUTAS, ALEX of this is due to no means to identify
and screen persons at risk of GC.
GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER Relatively little is known about the
TUMOUR ANGIOGENESIS PROGRAM key genetic events leading to IM. Our
PROGRAM laboratory is currently in the process
Twist as a regulator of EMT in gastric of completing the first comprehensive
https://www.petermac.org/research/ cancer and its role in invasion
labs/marc-achen analysis of IM in the world and we
Supervisors: Prof. Alex Boussioutas, have identified a number of candidate
The control of vascular remodeling Dr. Rita Busuttil genes which are likely to be involved
in cancer by microRNAs in the progression of IM to GC. These
Gastric cancer (GC) is often diagnosed could potentially be used to reliably
Supervisors: Prof. Marc Achen, Prof. at advanced stages, giving patients predict the progression to GC in
Steven Stacker, Prof. Stephen Fox a 5-year survival of less than 20%. humans enabling clinical stratification
Advanced stage GC is directly of individuals into high-risk groups.
The remodeling of blood vessels correlated with increased local
and lymphatic vessels in tumours is This project would involve functional
invasion of the cancer through the validation of these candidates using
critical for metastatic spread which is gastric wall and, at more advanced
the most lethal aspect of cancer*. We cell culture and organoid model
stages into adjacent structures systems
have extensive experience in studying Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition
key protein growth factors and cell (EMT) is one mechanism which has Key Words: Cancer Cell Biology,
surface receptors that drive these been proposed as a modulator of Gastric Cancer; Cancer Genetics;
processes, but there are many signaling invasion in GC as well as other cancer Genomics; Cancer Prevention,
pathways involved that are yet to be types. This project seeks to expand Organoid, Molecular Biomarkers,
characterized. MicroRNAs are a group on previous work in our laboratory Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers.
of small regulatory RNA molecules that exploring the role of TWIST, a master
can coordinately modulate expression of Target Students: PhD/postgraduate,
regulator of EMT, in gastric cancer. We Honours.
multiple proteins in a signaling pathway; have previously shown that TWIST is
they are central players in gene more highly expressed at the invasive
regulation. front of the tumor compared to its Role of the tumour
core indicating that EMT is occurring microenvironment in gastric cancer
This project will identify microRNAs that
in this area. It is conceivable that
regulate vascular remodeling in cancer. Supervisors: Prof. Alex Boussioutas,
reducing TWIST expression could
This, in turn, will lead to identification Dr. Rita Busuttil
be used as a means to decrease the
of novel signaling pathways required
invasive capacity of a cancer. This Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth
for tumour angiogenesis and
project will aim to further explore the most common cancer globally and
lymphangiogenesis (i.e. the growth of
role of TWIST in the invasion of GC and 7th in incidence in Australia. It has
blood vessels and lymphatics in tumors).
its potential utility as a therapeutic a poor survival rate which can be
The project will involve molecular and
target. A broad range of techniques attributed to the advanced stage
cell biology, vascular biology, systems
including bioinformatics, cell culture, at diagnosis in most patients. The
biology, pathology and bioinformatics.
shRNA lentivirus mediated gene molecular and cellular mechanisms
It will provide exciting opportunities for
knockdown, and molecular biology will underlying the development of GC
translational studies aimed at restricting
be applied. are not well described. Traditionally
the growth and spread of cancer.
Key Words: Gastric Cancer; Cancer cancer research involved studying the
*See Stacker, et al.; Lymphangiogenesis cancer cell itself. More recently, there
Diagnosis; Cancer Genetics; Genomics;
and lymphatic vessel remodelling in cancer. has been growing interest in studying
Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers.
Nature Reviews Cancer 14:159-172, 2014. the normal cells and molecules
Target Students: PhD/postgraduate, which surround the cancer cell. This
Key Words: Angiogenesis,
Honours. tumor microenvironment consists
Bioinformatics, Endothelial Regulation,
Gene Regulation of a variety of stromal cell types
including cells such as fibroblasts.
Target Students: PhD/postgraduate, Functional characterisation of genes It is believed that the dynamic
Honours. involved in progression of gastric communication between tumor cells
cancer and the surrounding cell types may
For more information about this
project contact: Supervisors: Prof. Alex Boussioutas, play a major role in cancer initiation,
Dr. Rita Busuttil progression and establishment of
Prof. Marc Achen metastatic disease.
marc.achen@petermac.org Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth
most common cancer globally. It The aim of this project is to investigate
has defined premalignant stages tumor-stromal interactions in gastric
and progresses through Intestinal cancer utilizing established and
Metaplasia (IM) in the majority of primary cell lines. Once the molecular
cases. GC is diagnosed at advanced pathways by which a tumor cell
stage resulting in poor prognosis. Part progresses has been elucidated it is
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