Molecular Oncology

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Molecular Oncology - Research at Peter Mac

The Molecular Oncology laboratory investigates new targets for cancer treatment that control cell growth, division and differentiation.

Research Focus

The interaction between the MYC oncogene and the PI3K pathway in regulating cancer progression and maintenance. Fundamental mechanisms of regulation of cell growth by MYC. Targeting CHK1 kinase for cancer treatment. Targeting BRAF Kinase for cancer treatment Targeting retinoic acid receptors for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).

Research Overview

Our research program aims to link detailed knowledge of the fundamental molecular processes that control cell growth, division and differentiation to the development of new cancer treatments. Our work focuses on three main lines of investigation: understanding the role of oncogenes including MYC in cell growth and using this knowledge to develop new therapeutic strategies to treat MYC-driven cancer; targeting the checkpoint responses of human cancer to enhance the efficacy of DNA-damaging therapeutics; performing genetic screens to understand mechanisms of action of BRAF inhibitors, and investigating novel retinoids in regulating self-renewal and differentiation in models of cancer. We utilise a number of model systems to interrogate these processes, including: transgenic and gene-targeted models of cancer in myeloid cells, lymphoid cells and epithelial cells; human cancer cells, including the use of RNA-interference models of target and gene modulation; and cellular models of myeloid differentiation.