Cancer Research at the Royal Melbourne Hospital
Page content: Department/Institution Offering Unit |
Unit Points |
Contacts |
Overall Objectives |
Content |
Assessment Breakdown |
Student Numbers |
Unit Code
00663
Department/Institution Offering Unit
Department of Surgery
The University of Melbourne
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Level 5, Clinical Sciences Building
Royal Parade
Parkville
Victoria 3050 Australia
web: www.surgeryrmh.unimelb.edu.au/
Unit Points
Research Points: 100
Coursework Points: 0
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Contacts
Unit Coordinator/s:
Dr Chris Hovens
Department of Surgery
University of Melbourne
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Level 5, Clinical Sciences Building
Parkville
Victoria 3050 Australia
tel: +61 3 9342 7704
fax: +61 3 9347 7695
email: chovens@unimelb.edu.au
Alternative Contact:
Dr Hongjian Zhu
Department of Surgery
University of Melbourne
Level 5, Clinical Sciences Building
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Parkville 3050
tel: +61 3 8344 5492
fax: +61 3 9347 6488
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Overall Objectives
-
Provide an introduction to advanced biomedical research in molecular tumour biology
- Enable the acquisition of research skills in specific areas
- Encourage the development of the abilities to think both independently and critically through the continual analysis and evaluation of experimental data
- Improve oral and written communication skills
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Content
Coursework: None
Research: Students undertake a research project under the close supervision of a member of staff. Students are required to complete a literature review based on their research project, attend departmental seminars, prepare a thesis, and present their research findings in a departmental seminar. Thus, the subject is designed to involve students in every aspect of the scientific research process, from experimental design, through data collection and report preparation, to report presentation.
The research interests of the department are focused on aspects of solid tumour research (including brain, prostate, head & neck cancers). Techniques used in our research include light, electron, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, cell and tissue culture and advanced molecular biology.
Sample Research Topics:
1. Loss of cytostatic regulation of TGF-? during EGFR-driven tumor development
Our recent discovery (Nature Medicine 2005 Aug;11(8):845-52) that sustained hyperactivation of Stat3 causes stomach tumors through induction of Smad7 and therefore the loss of cytostatic regulation by TGF-? has established a novel molecular axis underlining human stomach cancer development. Our current preliminary results indicate that the Stat3-Smad7-TGF-? tumor-mediating molecular axis may be applicable to other types of human cancers and that overexpressed EGFR is likely to be a pathologically relevant upstream activator of Stat3. Since EGFR overexpression is frequently observed in head&neck and brain tumors, this project aims to determine the causal relationship between EGFR overexpression and reduced TGF-b signaling activity in head & neck and brain tumor patients.
Project Supervisor: Dr Hongjian Zhu
2. Intrinsic tumor angiogenesis and expansion of TGF-? signaling network
Tumor angiogenesis is a critical prerequisite for both tumor growth and invasion. Traditionally, endothelial cells are believed to be the only cell type forming the blood vessels. The discovery of tumor "vasculogenic mimicry" suggests the possibility of blood vessels being made up by tumor cells. The cellular and molecular processes of either tumor angiogenesis or vasculogenic mimicry remain to be defined. Recently, using oncogenic Ras and TGF-? signaling, we have succeeded in inducing the normal epithelial MDCK cells into invasive mesenchymal tumor cells and to transdifferentiate into functional endothelial-like cells in vitro. The later transdifferentiation was dependent on the expansion of TGF-? signaling pathways, namely Smad2,3 and Smad1,5. This project aims to establish the relevance of this in vitro finding using in vivo systems.
Project Supervisor: Dr Hongjian Zhu
3. Spatial and temporal regulation of tumor suppressor PTEN
The PTEN gene is one of the most mutated tumor suppressor genes in human cancers. Its functional importance in tumor and neuronal development is well established, however, there is very little knowledge about how the PTEN itself is regulated. Our recent findings of PTEN cellular translocation from cytosol to membrane, nucleus and nucleolus and its unexpected activity leads us to a unique position to fully explore novel upstream regulations of PTEN.
Project Supervisor: Dr Hongjian Zhu
4. TBC.
5. TBC.
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Assessment Breakdown
Research Component: 100 points
Research Report (up to 10,000 words): 75%
Oral presentation: 10%
Supervisor Evaluation: 15%
Coursework Component: 0 points
N/A
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Student Numbers
Number of places available:
1 (Peter Lock)
2 (Chris Hovens)
3 (Hongjian Xhu)
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