Surgery and Molecular Oncology

Research within Surgery and Molecular Oncology

| Research Overview | Facilities | Funding |

Molecular Oncology
Research into cancer is multi-disiplinary, with interests in basic biochemistry and molecular biology aligning with major initiatives in clinical research aimed at creating an environment that supports Translational Research.

Professor Sir David Lane leads an internationally recognized group investigating the cell biology and biochemistry of the tumour suppressor gene p53 and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer, including: elucidation of the pathways involving the p53 inducible gene Scotin; identification of small non-genotoxic activators; mechanisms of p53 ubiquitination and degradation; identification and analysis of PCNA interacting molecules

Breast cancer research includes p53, novel therapeutics, gene array approaches to drug resistance and studies of radiation tissue responses

Sigma ligands as cancer therapeutics

Role of thiol antioxidants in cell signaling and degenerative disease

Studies on molecular and cellular responses to radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Clinical Research

Screening for colorectal cancer

Intraoperative radiotherapy for breast and GI cancers

Phase 1, 2 and 3 cancer trials in GI and breast cancer with conventional and novel therapies including intraoperative chemotherapy for gastric cancer

Postoperative adhesions

The development of cryotherapy and radio-frequency heating as effective means of treating metatastic deposits in the liver

Clinical audits of GI and breast cancer mortality and morbidity

Surgical Technology
The Surgical Technology Group conducts research on a broad front, which includes the ergonomics of surgical practice, surgical applications of shape memory alloy, minimal access surgery (MAS) instrumentation, mathematical modeling, ultrasound sonoelastography and sonoporation. Specific current research topics within this portfolio include:

Advanced MAS instruments for suturing

Infrared endoscopy

Instrument support arms

Detection of tumours using ultrasound imaging

Cellular response to ultrasound and sonoporation