Browse Research Staff by Research Area Professor Minoti Apte     South Western Sydney Clinical School Statement of Interests: Pancreatitis is a major complication of alcohol abuse. The pathogenesis of alcohol-induced pancreatic injury is a major interest. Pancreatic fibrosis is a characteristic feature of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Mechanisms responsible for pancreatic fibrogenesis, in particular the role of pancreatic stellate cells in the fibrosis of chronic pancreatitis as well as pancreatic cancer is being studied. National and international collaborations have been set up to study the role of pancreatic stellate cells in the local and distant spread of pancreatic cancer. More... Dr Romain Barres     School of Medical Sciences - Exercise Physiology Program Statement of Interests: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains a complex and multifaceted disease, the exact causes of which have yet to be resolved. While genetic predisposition can contribute to the development of T2DM, diet and physical activity can also have a positive impact on insulin sensitivity. Epigenetic modifications provide a mechanism by which external environmental factors such as exercise and diet can modify genetic predisposition for health and disease. My research activity is focused on the mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders with particular attention on human skeletal muscle. We identified that changes in the metabolic environment could lead to a dynamic epigenetic modulation of genes that have been implicated in the control of insulin sensitivity and the development of T2DM and related metabolic disorders. More... Dr Alison Butt     St Vincent's Clinical School - Department of Medicine Statement of Interests: Human cancers are characterised by a disruption of normal cellular growth due to defects in the control of both cell proliferation and cell death (apoptosis). Apoptosis is a physiological form of cell death with distinct morphological and biochemical characteristics. Current therapies for the treatment of human cancers, including ionising radiation and chemotherapeutic drugs, kill tumour cells by inducing apoptosis, so understanding how the process of cell death is regulated in normal and cancerous cells is an important goal for effective treatment. Current projects include defining the molecular mechanisms of estrogen- and antiestrogen-mediated survival/apoptosis in breast cancer models and characterising the apoptotic effects of novel therapeutics for breast cancer. More... Mr Jinbiao Chen     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: In the field of cell and molecular biology, the regulation of transcription factors is of particular interest. More... Dr Ying Cheng     School of Women's and Children's Health Statement of Interests: More... Dr Raymond A Clarke     St George Clinical School - Department of Medicine Statement of Interests: Cancer biomarkers can reflect the causal pathway linking disease to outcome. Prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) is a highly specific biomarker upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa). In order to understand the role of PCA3 we investigated the organization and evolution of the PCA3 gene locus. We identified 4 new transcription start sites in an extended form of PCA3, 2 new exons, exons 2a and 2b, and evidence for 4 new polyadenylation sites. PCR amplification based on the new exon sequences provided excellent discrimination between PCA3 expression in PCa, PCa metastases and BPH. At the genomic level PCA3 is embedded in the opposite (anti-sense) orientation in a second gene, BMCC1 / PRUNE2, that contains a BNIP2 and Cdc42GAP homology (BCH) domain capable of interacting with RhoA and RhoC, determinants of cellular transformation and metastasis, respectively. Comparative genomic analysis demonstrates that PCA3 emerged in mammals and recently evolved in primates and the upstream region of the BMCC1 isoform 1 (BMCC1-1) that flanks the PCA3 gene has only recently evolved. We also demonstrated that BMCC1-1 – like PCA3 – is upregulated in PCa tissue and metastases and in PCa cell lines. We are now investigating the relationship between BMCC1 upregulation and prostate cancer progression. More... Professor Roger Daly     St Vincent's Clinical School - Department of Medicine Statement of Interests: My research focuses on mechanisms of tyrosine kinase signalling and how these are deregulated in disease states, particularly cancer. Three projects concern proteins involved in either the transmission of signals within the cell or the regulation of these signalling events. These proteins are Gab2, cortactin and Grb14. Overexpression of Gab2, which is found in a subset of breast cancers, increases not only the proliferation of cancer cells but also their invasive properties. The latter effect suggests that Gab2 may promote cancer cell spread throughout the body. High levels of cortactin are found in some breast and head and neck cancers, and we have identified that this protein increases resistance to a new drug currently in clinical development. Together with researchers in the Garvan Institute Diabetes Program, we are studying how Grb14, and related proteins, regulate the metabolic and growth-promoting effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factors. In addition, we are applying the latest mass spectrometry-based approaches to the definition of phosphoprotein profiles associated with particular cancer subtypes, with the aim of identifying novel therapeutic targets and prognostic markers. More... Associate Professor Andrew Day     School of Women's and Children's Health Statement of Interests: Host pathogen interactions in the gut and gastrointestinal inflammatory responses with regards to Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Helicobacter pylori infection. Roles of S100 proteins in gut inflammation. Roles of other inflammatory mediators in the gut. Host responses to infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and the contributions played by gastrointestinal epithelial cell cytokines during infection Roles of probiotics and nutriceuticals in gastrointestinal diseases More... Dr Paul De Souza     St George Clinical School Statement of Interests: Five broad areas of research interests: 1) Translational drug development in cancer (preclinical to early Phase clinical trials of novel treatments), and 2) Urological cancers, including renal, bladder and prostate cancer, and their mechanisms of drug resistance 3) Neurological cancer, especially glioblastoma multiforme 4) Angiogenesis and biomarkers in cancer 5) Quality of Life in cancer patients More... Dr Anthony Don     UNSW Cancer Research Centre Statement of Interests: Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a potent and essential signaling metabolite that promotes cell proliferation, migration, and survival, amongst other higher physiological roles. We use biochemistry and molecular biology techniques to investigate the molecular basis for cell proliferation and survival mediated by S1P, and to study the known contribution that this molecule makes to the dysregulated survival of cancer cells. We are also investigating how the immediate biosynthetic precursors to S1P, ceramide and sphingosine, promote cell death (in direct contrast to S1P). In this regard we are interested in the design and synthesis of sphingosine analogues as a new class of anti-cancer agents. Our hypothesis is that when these molecules reach a threshhold intracellular concentration, they flick a molecular "switch", causing a change in the cell state from proliferation/survival to apoptosis. More... Associate Professor Sally Dunwoodie     St Vincent's Clinical School Statement of Interests: The genetic analysis of development in the mouse has direct relevance to the molecular basis of congenital abnormalities and other pathological conditions, such as neoplasia, in humans. Consequently current research in the laboratory focuses on: Identifying and characterising genes relevant to mammalian embryonic development; Notch signaling and the role of Delta-like3 (Dll3) in vertebral column formation; and the role of HIF1a (hypoxia inducible factor 1) and Cited2 in formation and function of the heart and placenta. More... Dr Thomas Fath     School of Medical Sciences Statement of Interests: The primary research focus of the lab is on the regulation of the cytoskeleton in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease with a particular interest in the microfilament system. For this we employ cell and tissue cultures, prepared from genetically modified mice which express altered levels of the actin dynamics-regulating protein tropomyosin. Other projects in the lab focus on the role of the cytoskeleton in early neuronal development. Recent outcome of these projects demonstrate that tropomyosin isoforms regulate early processes such as neurite formation in an isoform-specific manner. More... Dr Caroline Ford     UNSW Cancer Research Centre Statement of Interests: Our research aims to establish a novel therapy for triple-negative (TNB) and Tamoxifen resistant breast cancer patients, who currently have limited therapeutic options. By reconstituting Wnt-5a signalling, via a Wnt-5a derived hexapeptide, tumours are rendered sensitive to presently available endocrine therapy. This hexapeptide also functions as an effective anti-metastatic therapy which is important as over 90% of deaths from breast cancer are related to spread of the tumour to distal organs. Research is now focused on elucidating the signaling pathway and epigenetic changes leading to these effects. Research is performed in collaboration with groups in Sweden and Finland. More... Associate Professor John Grygiel     St Vincent's Clinical School - Department of Medicine Statement of Interests: Molecular mechanisms in cancer More... Dr Jenny Gunton     St Vincent's Clinical School Statement of Interests: Diabetes develops when the beta-cells in the pancreas are no longer able to make enough insulin to control blood glucose levels. My research interest is to understand the mechanisms behind beta-cell failure in type 1 diabetes (childhood onset / IDDM), type 2 diabetes (adult-onset / NIDDM) and diabetes in pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes). More... Dr Michelle Henderson     School of Women's and Children's Health Statement of Interests: The major focus is on research projects directed at understanding the aggressive nature of childhood cancers such as neuroblastoma and leukaemia. These involve cellular and molecular biological experiments aimed at investigating the role of members of the multidrug transporter gene family in determining clinical outcome of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma and other malignancies. Other aspects include studies into the mechanism of relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and identification of novel therapeutics for infant leukaemia. More... Dr Luke Hesson     Prince of Wales Clinical School Statement of Interests: Research within the Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory aims to investigate the genetic and epigenetic basis of colon cancer. More... Dr Mark Hill     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Anatomy Statement of Interests: My current research in the Cell Biology Laboratory is looking at the skeleton within each cell and the biological mechanisms use to change and regulate shape. The description of these mechanisms leads to a better understanding of, and perhaps influence on, these changes occurring in disease, development and during cell repair. Analysis in the School employs the powerful tools of molecular biology, tissue culture and image analysis techniques. More... Dr Tzong-Tyng Hung     Prince of Wales Clinical School Statement of Interests: Secondary bone lesions (bone metastasis) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in prostate cancer. The mechanisms of bone metastasis is still unclear. In order to study bone metastasis, we have developed murine models that are bone metastatic. Using various imaging and detection systems (microCT scans for small animals, Bioluminescence imaging, Fluorescent imaging and ultrasound) we are able to monitor development of bone metastatic lesions and pinpoint the site of bone tumours. Importantly, our models involve immune competent mice, which allows us to investigate the role of immune cells on the development of secondary bone tumours in prostate cancer and also evaluate potential therapies which include immunotherapies. More... Professor Wendy Jessup     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: Our major research objective is to develop knowledge of the mechanism, nature and impact of sterol accumulation in human disease, with particular emphasis on the generation and biology of the macrophage foam cell in atherosclerosis. We have ongoing interests in the processes which mediate lipid accumulation by macrophages, including lipoprotein modifications that promote uptake of lipid (such as oxidation), and processes by which macrophages export cholesterol, and by which atherosclerosis may be reversed. Knowledge gained from these studies addresses fundamental issues of cholesterol traffic within the macrophage foam cell. Extensions of these studies into the areas of inflammation and leucocyte activation will allow us to investigate how cholesterol and inflammation are linked. More... Dr Xing-Mai Jiang     St George Clinical School Statement of Interests: Autoimmune thrombocytopenia is a common complication of therapy with a large number of drugs. In most cases, antibodies bind to the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex in a drug-dependant fashion and bring about increased platelet clearance by the reticuloendothelial system resulting in drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DIT). The binding sites of GPIX-specific quinine-induced antibodies have been located in this lab. By using recombinant and soluble GPIba, Ibb, and GPIX protein fragments, models on drug-to-GPIb/IX, and antibody-to-GPIb/IX binding can be set up to demonstrate the molecular and structural bases of HIT, DIT, and ITP. More... Associate Professor Maria Kavallaris     School of Women's and Children's Health Statement of Interests: All living cells rely on cellular architecture, made up of the cytoskeleton to work. The microtubule cytoskeleton plays a critical role in cell division and our research focuses on the fundamental aspects of the tubulin/microtubule system, centring around the mitotic spindle axis and its role in cell division. To gain a fundamental understanding of the cytoskeleton in cell division, we have developed molecular, cellular and proteomic tools and coupled this with drug probes to identify microtubule protein function. This fundamental research is informing the field on how to design and target antimitotic agents used in cancer therapy. More... Dr Mary Kavurma     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: the cellular changes in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease are of particular interest, especially in context with TRAIL or TNF ligand/receptor signalling pathways More... Dr Anthony Kee     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Anatomy Statement of Interests: Interests are in the fields of muscle physiology and cell biology. Particularly interested in aspects of novel structural and cytoskeletal proteins and complexes and their involvement in normal muscle physiology and disease processes. Diseases of interest include muscular dystrophy and other congenital myopathies, diabetes and obesity. Have an interest in treatment of muscle diseases, including exercise. More... Professor Levon Khachigian     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: Cardiovascular disease and cancer remain the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of these and a myriad of related diseases is underpinned by molecular and cellular changes in our blood vessels. Professor Levon Khachigian’s research is uncovering key networks of transcriptional control and inducible gene-regulatory circuits that lead to vascular disease. The group is also developing new experimental drugs that have the potential to treat a diverse range of health problems, from cancer and inflammation through to eye and heart disease. Professor Khachigian’s research program has two major objectives: 1. To better understand how harmful genes are controlled in vascular cells. This arm investigates signaling and transcriptional mechanisms of pro-inflammatory cytokine-dependent gene expression, post-translational mechanisms that modify protein behavior, proteinase control, the isolation and characterization of new genes induced or repressed by vascular cell injury, and the molecular control of vascular cell migration and proliferation. The group has considerable expertise in animal models of neointima formation, angiogenesis, tumor growth, myocardial ischemia, and inflammation. 2. To develop new vascular therapeutic agents. The lab is harnessing the outcomes of its fundamental research by pioneering the development of novel “anti-gene-” and “gene-therapeutic” strategies targeting key regulatory genes in a myriad of vascular disorders. This involves strategic collaborations with a range of clinical specialists, academics and drug development consultants. -------> PhD and Hons projects are available in both these research streams in Khachigian Lab in 2010. If you’re interested, please email l.khachigian@unsw.edu.au asap, sending your CV. More... Associate Professor Murray Killingsworth     South Western Sydney Clinical School Statement of Interests: Chronic inflammatory processes in cancer and retinal degeneration. Cell debris clearing by macrophages, stimulation of pathologic angiogenesis and development of fibrosis are studied using transmission electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry and histochemistry. More... Dr Maija Kohonen-Corish     St Vincent's Clinical School - Department of Medicine Statement of Interests: Our area of expertise is colorectal and lung cancer genetics/epigenetics and we currently have both translational and experimental research projects. We examine the gene profiles of resected tumour tissues and correlate them with patient clinical outcomes. The challenge is to work out which key gene alterations and biomarkers are the most useful for determining prognosis and treatment outcomes, in order to improve the clinical management of patients. We have also identified new genes that are inactivated through epigenetic mechanisms in cancer, and want to understand the biological significance of these gene defects using cell line and mouse models. More... Dr Lu Liu     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pharmacology Statement of Interests: Neurochemicals and receptors in regulation of gut function More... Associate Professor Richard Lock     School of Women's and Children's Health Statement of Interests: In the field of cancer the major focus is in defining molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in relapsed childhood leukaemia. New experimental models of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia have been developed that will be used to delineate mechanisms of programmed cell death (apoptosis) and investigate novel biological characteristics of the disease. In addition, these experimental models will be used test novel therapeutic agents/strategies for management of the high-risk or relapsed patient. More... Dr Lionel Lourenco-Dias     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: Dr Lionel Lourenço-Dias is a molecular biologist with specific interests in vascular biology. More... Dr Fabio Luciani     Centre for Infection and Inflammation Research Statement of Interests: In the field of medical sciences, the roles of mathematical modeling and statistical analysis are becoming indispensable. Modeling infectious diseases, in particular HCV and Tuberculosis, are the major area of research. This includes modeling cellular processing of antigens, within host evolution of the pathogens and of specific immune response, and finally the transmission dynamics of the disease and host heterogeneity More... Dr Mark Lutherborrow     St Vincent's Clinical School - Blood Stem Cells and Cancer Research Statement of Interests: My research interests are projects centred on transcription networks operating in haematopoietic malignancies and stem cells, in particular the interplay of mRNAs and microRNAs in the acute leukaemia setting. More specifically these interests include: - Identification of diagnostic and prognostic gene expression profiles in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. - The role of microRNAs in myeloid differentiation. - Characterisation of the response of multiple myeloma cells to chemotherapeutic agents. - Predictive techniques to identify mRNA targets of microRNAs More... Dr Karen MacKenzie     School of Women's and Children's Health Statement of Interests: Molecular mechanisms that control cell proliferation, and promote immortalisation and tumorigenic conversion of human cells, including haematopoietic stem and mesenchymal cells. Current research is focussed on the role of telomeres, telomerase, oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes and antiapoptotic pathways in carcinogenesis and haematopoiesis. More... Professor Elizabeth Musgrove     St Vincent's Clinical School - Department of Medicine Statement of Interests: Major research interest is understanding the control of cell cycle progression in breast cancer cells, in particular the molecular mechanisms by which steroid hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) regulate this process. More... Dr Matthew Naylor     St Vincent's Clinical School Statement of Interests: The signalling pathways that control normal development are often disrupted during cancer. Current research aims to understanding the mechanisms behind the regulation of cell fate decisions during these processes and the progression to metastatic disease. In this context understanding the interaction between a cell and its microenvironment is also a focus of the lab. Integrins provide cells with both a positional identity and coordinate the melee of growth factor and hormone signals to the cell. The initiation and progression of cancer is dependent on the ability of a cell to acquire the means to circumvent this regulation and as such modulation of integrin function has the potential to alter tumour phenotype. More... Dr Philippa O'Brien     St Vincent's Clinical School Statement of Interests: The molecular basis of epithelial ovarian cancer is poorly understood. Our laboratory is using contemporary microarray-based genomic tools in to identify genes involved in the development and progression of ovarian cancer, with the aim of identifying new clinical biomarkers. Our current primary focus is to identify epigenetically regulated genes in ovarian cancer, including epigenetically silenced tumour suppressor genes, and epigenetic changes that occur in the very early stages of ovarian cancer. We are also investigating the potential of epigenetic alterations as the basis of new detection tests for early stage curable disease, and as novel therapeutic targets. More... Dr Peter Osborne     UNSW Cancer Research Centre Statement of Interests: We are interested in understanding gene regulation and gene regulatory networks in various cell lineages. More... Dr Stephen Palmer     School of Medical Sciences Statement of Interests: 1.Understanding the role of the gene Gtf2ird1 in brain development and human behaviour and its contribution towards the characteristic features of Williams-Beuren syndrome. 2. Understanding the gene regulatory networks involved in the control of muscle fibre type in order to develop strategies to combat the effects of disease and ageing. More... Ms Nalini Pather     School of Medical Sciences Statement of Interests: In the field of medical education, collaborative work with collegues as Macquarie University and in South Africa and the USA is concerned with curriculum design and assessment. In the field of cell biology, collaborative work with colleagues in South Africa relates to wound healing and the role of keratinocyte and fibrocyte cell migration. In the field of tissue regeneration, collaborative work at the University of New South Wales focusses on the role of angiogenesis on muscle regeneration and stem cell therapy. In the field of clinical anatomy, collaborative work with clinicians in South Africa and USA is concerned anatomy in relation to new endoscopic surgical procedures. More... Dr Jose Perdomo     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: Dr Perdomo's interest is the post-translational modifications of transcription factors that regulate the commitment and differentiation of haematopoietic cells, especially megakaryocytes (the precursors of platelets) and erythrocytes (red blood cells). Of special interest is the modification of transcription factors by a small protein called SUMO. Modification with SUMO typically alters the function of target protein leading to important biological consequences such as differential gene expression. His main research interests are:- Identification of SUMO-modified proteins in megakaryocytes and erythroid cells; - Analysis of the role played by SUMO-modified proteins in cellular differentiation and proliferation; - The role of transcription factors in blood disorders such as thrombocythemia and polycythemia. Knowledge gained from this research will help elucidate fundamental aspects of blood development. More... Dr John Pimanda     Prince of Wales Clinical School Statement of Interests: Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) represent the best characterized adult multipotent stem cell population. Transcriptional regulation is a key mechanism controlling the formation and subsequent behaviour of HSCs. To investigate gene regulatory networks that operate during HSC specification, we use computational tools to predict regulatory elements of key haematopoietic transcription factor genes. We then filter these predictions using array based chromatin accessibility and transcription factor binding profiles. Transgenic mice are generated to test whether these predicted elements show tissue specific activity in the developing embryo. We also investigate mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell (MSCs)development to compare and contrast gene transcription between HSCs and MSCs. Knowledge of the normal transcriptional hierarchies of these cell types can be applied to better understand the dysregulation of these networks in the pathogenesis of cancer. To this end, we also study the biology of blood stem cell dyscrasias with a particular focus on the myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes. More... Dr Mohammed Pourgholami     St George Clinical School - Department of Surgery Statement of Interests: Research focuses on developing effective and safe drugs for the treatment of cancer. The research group which Dr Pourgholami and Professor Morris jointly lead have interests on a number of compounds that have produced promising laboratory results. Three of these potential agents have been patented and are currently undergoing clinical trials for safety and maximum tolerated dose. The group looks at various aspects of drug development from basic cell culture screening to pharmacology and preclinical testing leading to clinical trials. The main area of interest is the effect of drugs on pro-survival (anti-apoptotic) mediators. More... Dr Carl A Power     Prince of Wales Clinical School Statement of Interests: In the area of cancer biology in general and specifically prostate cancer biology. Research is focused on use of animal models to identify mechanisms of prostate cancer metastasis to bone, immune responses to prostate cancer and its bone metastases and preclinical assessment of treatments to prevent bone mets. More... Associate Professor Thomas Preiss     St Vincent's Clinical School - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Statement of Interests: Click to view research interests and key publications - http://www.victorchang.edu.au/research/ProfThomasPreiss.cfm?cid=79 More... Dr Georg Ramm     St Vincent's Clinical School Statement of Interests: The main research area is the study of intersections between cell signalling and membrane transport and to understand how extrinsic signals such as insulin, nutrient signals, or pro-inflammatory stimuli regulate the flux of molecules inside the cell. Research has been conducted on medically relevent processes such as GLUT4 trafficking (Type 2 diabetes), MHC class II trafficking (infection and immunity) and autophagy. The current research focuses on the regulation of autophagy by growth factors and nutrients. Autophagy occurs at low levels in all cell types and has a dual role in the protection from diseases as well as in their pathogenesis. More... Professor Pam Russell     Prince of Wales Clinical School - Department of Medicine Statement of Interests: The Oncology Research Centre has been working since 1992 on preclinical studies of cancer, mostly prostate and bladder cancer, but also other cancers, including ovarian, colon and sarcoma. There are four main research areas: molecular studies of how cancers progress; gene therapy (suicide and immunological genes) for advanced prostate cancer, studies of the biology of and treatment for tumours that spread to the bone, and studies using targeted nanoparticles to improve cancer imaging. Approaches include the use of conditionally replicative adenoviruses with both transcriptional control and surface modulation of the virus to target cancer cells and deliver genes into tumours, animal models, including the growth of human tumours in the tibia of immunosuppressed mice or after intracardiac injection, that allows spontaneous spread to other organs, and microarray to identify genes of importance in the invasive/metastatic process. In addition, we are involved in the development of an animal imaging facility that is closely aligned to a specific pathogen free facility for rodents, so that preclinical studies can be appropriately performed in a longitudinal fashion, following through individual mice over time. More... Associate Professor Kuldip Sidhu     School of Psychiatry Statement of Interests: Major focus of research in my lab is to use stem cells from both embryonic and non-embryonic sources and to develop therapeutic applications particularly for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and other neuronal diseases. We developed a joint-patent protected new hESC line, Endeavour-1 and a cloning technique that could be licenced from SESIAHS for obtaining various lineage specifications. My formal training in this field is from the WiCell, Wisconsin USA with Prof James Thomson, who propagated these cells in 1998 for the first time. My background in research is in the major field of reproductive biology with specialization in cell and molecular biology of gametes/embryos and assisted reproductive technology. The major breakthrough in my research has been the establishment of in vitro fertilization system for the possum, first for any Australian marsupials and the derivation of clones from various hESC lines and their lineage specifications. Recently we have produced an another human embryonic stem cell line from Australia called, Endeavour-2. Currently we have four major research programs, each with associated projects: 1.DEVELOPING A SKIN-TO-NEURON AUTOLOGOUS ADULT STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY 2.TOWARDS DEVELOPING STEM CELLS THERAPIES FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE 3.GENERATING DISEASE SPECIFIC STEM CELL LINES AS MODEL TO STUDY ALZHEIMER’S AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE 4.TISSUE ENGINEERING BY USING 3D PROPAGATION OF STEM CELLS USING BIOREACTOR More... Dr Duncan Sparrow     St Vincent's Clinical School Statement of Interests: The genetic analysis of development in the mouse has direct relevance to the molecular basis of congenital abnormalities and other pathological conditions, such as neoplasia, in humans. Consequently current research in our laboratory focuses on: Identifying and characterising genes relevant to mammalian embryonic development; Notch signaling and its role in somite and consequently vertebral column formation; and the roles of Cited1 and Cited2 in formation and function of the heart and placenta. More... Mr Alexander Swarbrick     St Vincent's Clinical School Statement of Interests: The large majority of breast cancers arise through sporadic genetic and epigenetic alterations during a woman's life. By identifying these alterations, we will greatly improve our ability to predict the behaviour of breast cancer and treat patients. By integrating cutting edge in vitro and in vivo models with studies of clinical specimens, Dr Swarbrick's laboratory is taking two approaches to identifying cancer-causing alterations. More... Dr Shane Thomas     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: The Redox Cell Signalling Laboratory focuses on two major research areas: More... Mr Mathew Traini     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: More... Ms Jenny Wong     Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute Statement of Interests: More... Dr Yan Yu     Prince of Wales Clinical School - Department of Surgery Statement of Interests: Dr Yan Yu is currently a Principal Hospital Scientist of Prince of Wales Hospital and the Section Head of Orthopaedic Pathology & Molecular Biology of the Surgical & Orthopaedic Research Laboratories. She is also a conjoint senior lecturer of the Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales. She obtained a PhD degree for her work on allergy and immunology from the University of Bern in Switzerland in 1992. She is one of the pioneers in the establishment of the Surgical & Orthopaedic Research Laboratories. Her research specialties range from animal surgery to tissue pathology, cell biology, protein analysis and molecular biology. Her research interests includes skeletal responses to injuries and/or implantations; osteoporosis and osteoporotic bone defect healing; osteogenesis and tumourigenesis of human osteosarcoma cell lines; mechanisms of osteosarcoma local growth and distance metastasis and targeted therapies; tendon healing; amongst others. More... Need to update your profile? Click here to login with your Staff ID, prefixed by a lower case "s" (eg s1234567), and UniPass to update your profile. If you have any problems please send an email to .

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