Research Projects
HPB Research Group
Liver Malignancy
top of pageCancer research is a strong focus within our group in particular colorectal liver metastases as well as primary liver cancer. We have established and characterised a clinically relevant mouse model of this disease which has enabled us to perform in depth investigation of novel treatment methods. These include Vascular Targeting Agents which rapidly shut down tumour blood supply while preserving the normal liver, Macromolecular Drugs which are selectively retained within tumours, Immune therapies which stimulate the immune response to tumours, and the role of the Renin Angiotensin system in tumour growth. Our research goals are to develop combination therapies which will ultimately lead to improved therapeutics to treat this disease, and our position within the Hospital means that we aim to oversee the translation of these therapies into clinical practice.
- Targeting the Tumour Microvasculature - Enhancing the effects of Vascular Disrupting Agents.
- Renin angiotensin system: Role in colorectal cancer.
- Lymphatic Patterns in Human Primary and Secondary Liver Tumours
- Effect of liver tumour differentiation on tumour recurrence after liver resection
Liver Transplantation
top of pageOur research program for Liver Transplantation uses rat models which reproduce the characteristics of organ procurement injury and of acute rejection. Both these events lead to loss of grafted organs in real life and our biomedical research is focused on novel therapies that may overcome these obstacles. These include investigation of preservative solutions that can safely maintain a donor organ for longer periods, the role of complement inhibitors, and the use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the outcomes of liver transplantation. Investigation of the mechanisms of action of HBO therapy in ischaemia preservation and reperfusion injury (IPRI) is an active area of research within our group.
Liver Regeneration
top of pageThe liver is a unique organ capable of rapid regenartion. The processes that influence this phenomenon and not fully understood. Furthermore the potential for liver regeneration to influence the behavious of micrometastases has profound implications in clinical practice. We have established mouse models of varying degrees of liver resection to investigate the molecular changes controlling regeneration and its influence on tumour growth.
- Molecular Mechanisms of Tumour Stimulation in Liver Regeneration
- RAS and Kupffer cells: Role in liver regeneration and tumorigenesis
- Impact of liver resection on the patterns of early tumour recurrence
Pancreatic Diseases
top of pageAcute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas which in its most severe form causes significant morbidity and mortality. Few therapies are available that modify the natural course of the disease and prediction of progression to the severe form is difficult. Management deals mostly with supportive therapies and treatment of complications. HBO therapy has been shown to be effective in modifying the severity of pancreatitis. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanning may allow early assessment of microcirculatory disturbances and provide a prognostic predictor. This project is a national collaborative study involving the Ludwig Institute, Austin Hospital and the Hyperbaric Unit at the Alfred Hospital.
- The role of micro-PET in the assessment of hypoxia and progression of severe acute pancreatitis
- Apoptosis in Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Regulatory Peptide Research Group
The following are broad descriptions. Within each research project individual sub-projects are designed to be novel, interesting and appropriate to a researcher or student’s interests.
Gastrin in Cancer
- The role of the gastrin family in the development of colorectal cancer
- Role of proGastrin Releasing Peptide in prostate cancer: relationship to disease progression and outcome
Gastrin Releasing Peptide
- Interaction between Gastrin-releasing Peptide and its receptor
- Role of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide in the normal and diseased kidney
- The biology of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide
Cancer Biology Research Group
The development of many cancers is controlled by growth factors. Our research focuses on the role of precursors of the peptide hormone gastrin as growth factors in colon cancer. With funding from the NHMRC and the US National Institutes of Health we have demonstrated that the biological activity of gastrin precursors is absolutely dependent on the presence of ferric ions. With our Australian and French collaborators we are now exploring the therapeutic implications of this discovery in human colon cancer cell lines in vitro and in animal models and human tumours. The long-term objective of our work is to develop novel treatments for colon cancer.
The Cancer Biology Research Group is led by an NHMRC Research Fellow with a track record of publication in high impact journals. We welcome enquiries from students interested in Honours and research higher degrees (MS, DMedSc, PhD).
Gastrin in Cancer
- Role of PAK1 in the regulation of colorectal cancer growth by gastrins
- Gastrin, hypoxia and cancer
Gastrin in Homeostatsis
Gastrin Releasing Peptide
- Gastrin-Releasing Peptide as a growth factor in colorectal cancer
- Gastrin precursors as growth factors in colorectal cancer