Breast Cancer Risk After Diagnostic Gene Sequencing (BRIDGES)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,281.00
Summary
In BRIDGES, we aim to build a knowledge base to better define individual breast cancer risk. We bring together, in a multidisciplinary team, data and expertise from clinical genetics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, statistics, and gene biology. Specifically, we will use state-of-the art DNA screening to evaluate all suspected breast cancer genes in a large sample of breast cancer cases and controls. We will then use in silico and in vitro functional analyses to evaluate the likely pathogenicity o
The Role And Underlying Mechanisms Of Constitutional Epigenetic Silencing In Cancer Predisposition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$218,617.00
Summary
Familial and young onset bowel and uterine cancer are usually caused by the inheritance of spelling mistakes in the genetic code within a set of cancer-protection genes. Recently, some patients were identified with their gene switched off by paralysing chemicals instead. This study aims to identify additional cancer cases with gene paralysis, determine if this arises in the presence or absence of a genetic change in front of the gene, and how gene paralysis is transmitted to the next generation.
Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than ....Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than previously recognized.Read moreRead less
A Vulvar Cancer Cluster In Young Indigenous Women In Arnhem Land: Investigation Of Community Knowledge, Genetic Susceptibility And Supportive Care Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$711,841.00
Summary
Cancer of the vulva is 50 times more common in young Aboriginal women in Arnhem Land than in other women. Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which also causes cervical cancer, is the usual cause of this cancer; initial investigations have found that HPV is present in these cancers but is not the reason for the excessive incidence. This study will investigate local knowledge about this disease, and whether inherited susceptibility or an environmental cancer-causing substance are the cause of the excess.
Utility Of Genetic Screening For Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
Bowel cancer can be prevented by regular screening, however screening is not targeted to those most at risk and only 30% take up the offer. My research will determine how effective genetic testing of the general population might be as an innovative approach to target screening to those most at risk. I will use data from existing and funded studies that I lead, and will collaborate with colleagues in my research team that have the necessary expertise in this area, to address this question issue.
Identifying The Missing Heritability Of Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,104.00
Summary
One of the strongest risk factors for the development of breast cancer is having a close relative with the disease. Some advances have been made in understanding the specific genetic factors that underlie this susceptibility but these known genetic factors only explain about a third of the overall familial effects. This research will utilise our prior research, international research resources, new technology and supercomputing to identify the majority of genetic factors associated with breast c ....One of the strongest risk factors for the development of breast cancer is having a close relative with the disease. Some advances have been made in understanding the specific genetic factors that underlie this susceptibility but these known genetic factors only explain about a third of the overall familial effects. This research will utilise our prior research, international research resources, new technology and supercomputing to identify the majority of genetic factors associated with breast cancer susceptibility.Read moreRead less
Massively Parallel Sequencing And PCR Optimised For DNA-based Diagnostics And Discovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,664.00
Summary
The next generation of medical diagnostics and discovery in disease research will involve the marriage of PCR, a tool used to amplify large amounts of DNA from small starting quantities, and �next generation� sequencing, a way to sequence lots and lots of DNA on a single instrument run. This study aims to describe methods which allow scientists to screen hundreds of disease genes in hundreds of people simultaneously with high accuracy and high efficiency.
The proposed program of work aims to shed light on dietary, environmental and genetic factors that may be related to the risk of childhood cancers. Identifying these risk factors, and how they interact with each other, will provide clues as to how childhood cancers may be prevented. The research program includes a number of Australian and international studies, which will involve collaboration between doctors and research scientists from a range of disciplines.