Cancer Research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Unit Code

00429

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Trescowthick Research Laboratories
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
St. Andrew's Place
East Melbourne
Victoria Australia

web: www.petermac.org/research/students/

Unit Points

Research Points: 100

Coursework Points: 0

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Dr Grant MacArthur
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Locked Bag #1 A'Beckett Street
Melbourne
Victoria 8006 Australia

tel: +61 3 9656 1616, Page 1212
fax: +61 3 9656 1411
email: grant.mcarthur@petermac.org

Dr Caroline Owen
Education and Communication Officer (Research)
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Locked Bag #1 A'Beckett Street
Melbourne
Victoria 8006 Australia

tel: +61 3 9656 1930
fax: +61 3 9656 1411
email: caroline.owen@petermac.org

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Overall Objectives

Identification of specific molecular abnormalities in tumours, and defining their contribution to the cancer process, is leading to important changes in how cancer treatment is managed in the future. Such knowledge will allow tailoring of treatments to be more effective in the setting of the individual patient's genetic makeup and disease process. Our program therefore offers clinical and laboratory based projects that cover a range of research problems related to cancer development, progression or treatment, some with a definite clinical application and others that involve more basic questions of biological regulation. The broad program areas include clinical oncology, cancer imaging, molecular oncology, tumour and radiation biology, cancer immunology, molecular and cellular biology and molecular pharmacology. Individual projects are described on the attached pages. Each project is designed to allow the student to investigate a specific question or hypothesis and to work as part of a research team under the supervision of a senior clinician or scientist who is a specialist in the area of study. In addition to hands-on research, students will be encouraged to become familiar with the literature in the field and to contribute intellectually to day-to-day planning and shaping the outcome of the project. Students will also participate in the full academic program of the Institute including Research and Clinical Seminar Programs, Inter-discipline Research Planning Sessions and Research Team Meetings. There is also an opportunity to attend multidisciplinary clinics in the students' area of interest.

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Content

Coursework: N/A

Research: Laboratory-based Cancer Research

Sample Research Topics:

1. Phase I study of PET - FDG18 in high grade, advanced prostate cancer
2. Trafficking & interactions of the tumour suppressor, Discs large
3. Molecular pathology of familial cancer.
4. Molecular prediction of therapeutic response in cancer.

Find a more detailed list of projects

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 100 points
Research Report (up to 9,000 words): 65%
Oral presentation of results (assessed by a panel within the Institute): 10%
Research capability (assessed by the project supervisor): 15%
Research Training: 10%

Coursework Component:
N/A

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Student Numbers

Number of places available: 15