Leukaemia Foundation Laboratory

Group Leader

Professor Andrew Boyd

Summary

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterised by an abnormal proliferation of blood cells, usually white blood cells, or leukocytes. There are four main types of leukaemia, each with its own characteristics and treatment.

The laboratory is exploring the biology of leukaemia and other cancers through studies of leukaemia-associated proteins. A major project is to understand the function of Eph and ephrin membrane proteins in cancer. Members of these protein families are highly expressed in many human cancers where, by actively promoting de-adhesion of cells, they contribute to tumour spread and invasion. The laboratory explores how these proteins function in a number of cancers through work in animal models and through in vitro studies.

Pre-clinical models have shown that both antibodies which target Eph proteins and soluble forms of their ephrin ligands can be used to target tumours and inhibit tumour growth.

This laboratory includes the Brain Cancer Research Unit.

Conditions researched

• Leukaemia
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain tumours (glioma, blastoma)
• Prostate cancer
• Colorectal cancer

Current research

• Investigating the role of Eph and ephrin membrane proteins in cancer
• Exploring the use of EphA4 inhibitors in spinal cord injury
• Exploring the protein Fat1 as a candidate target for new therapeutics

Staff

Group Leader: Professor Andrew Boyd

Team Head: Dr Steven Lane

Postdoctorate staff: Dr Nirmitha Herath, Dr Jason Lickliter, Dr Mark Spanevello, Dr Brett Stringer, Dr Trina Yeadon

Research Assistants: Ke Chen, Joanne Cox, Bryan Day, Bridget Douglas, Michelle Down, Jenny McCarron, Jenny Reeder, Melissa Scott, Fiona Smith

Postgraduate students: Mark Coulthard, Shannon Duffy, Eugene Lau, Con Stylianou, Michael Ting

Funding

We are grateful for the support from the following agencies:

• Leukaemia Foundation