Familial Cancer Laboratory


Associate Professor Joanne Young
T  +61 7 3362 0490
E  JoanneY@qimr.edu.au

 

 

Key Publications

Current Projects

Student Projects

 

Genetics of Serrated Neoplasia Study

About serrated polyps

As we grow older, small growths called polyps appear in the large bowel or colon. There are two main types; adenomas and serrated polyps.

Occasionally, a person will develop advanced serrated polyps, which are associated with an increased risk of cancer of the colon. These advanced serrated polyps can run in families or can be associated with cigarette smoking. In some patients they can be especially numerous.

The aim of our project is to understand how these polyps form in members of a family. To do this we will look for alterations in genes which may be inherited from your parents. An understanding of how genes act to make some of us susceptible to advanced or multiple serrated polyps will contribute significantly to prevention of colon cancer. We are also studying the effects of smoking, hormones and obesity on the expression of serrated neoplasia.

Collaborative studies

Collaborative studies, including novel and combined analysis of GSN datasets are welcome. Please contact Dr Joanne Young (Joanne.Young@qimr.edu.au) or Dr Dan Buchanan (Daniel.Buchanan@qimr.edu.au).