Cancer Genetics and Functional Genomics Research Group
Research Group Head
The work of the Cancer Genetics and Functional genomics research group directed by A/Professor Ron Firestein is focused on using functional and integrated genomic approaches to understanding the basic underpinnings of cancer. Major themese in the lab are listed below:
- Integrative genomic approaches to identify new oncogenic drivers in cancer. Our lab has undertaken sophisticated integrative genomic analyses of colorectal, lung and breast cancers. Using innovative functional genomic screens (CRISPR, shRNA/siRNA) we have uncovered a number of novel oncogenic drivers and dissected their mechanistic input into cancer signalling pathways. Importantly, two of these targets have led to novel small molecule programs that are currently in drug development (CDK8 and LDHB).
- Identification and characterisation of Wnt pathway regulators in colon cancer. While a post-doc at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, we identified CDK8 as a colon cancer oncogene that regulates the Wnt/b-catenin pathway (Firestein R. et al Nature 2008). Since then, my group has developed mouse models and in vivo systems to characterise the function of CDK8 and its paralog, CDK19, in normal homeostasis, development and cancer progression. We have also collaborated with other groups to develop targeted therapies to upstream regulators of the Wnt pathway.
- Elucidation of novel cancer therapeutic biomarkers in preclinical models and clinical samples. Our recent work has identified an important role for enhancer mediated transcripts, i.e. eRNAs, as biomarkers for distinct cancer states and predicting therapeutic response. We are now working to systematically characterise eRNA function and expression in tumours using state of the art genomic editing technologies.
Research Projects
- Targeting the epigenetic regulators in colon cancer
- Defining the role of Mediator kinase in cancer
- Overcoming chemoresistance in colon cancer
Research Group
Dr Marius Dannappel, Postdoctoral Scientist
Dr Sylvia Mahara, Postdoctoral Scientist
Dr Dhanya Sooraj, Children's Cancer Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Postdoctoral Scientist
Hui Kheng Chua, Research Assistant, Research Support Staff
Anh Doan, Research Assistant, Research Support Staff
Stephanie Gordon, Research Assistant, Research Support Staff
Fathima Yoosuf, Senior Technical Assistant, Research Support Staff
Dr Wan Amir Wan Hassan, Masters Student
Julie Courtier, Honours Student
Jia Jian (JJ) Loh, Honours Student
Selected publications
McCleland M….Firestein R (2016) CCAT1 is an enhancer template RNA that predicts BET sensitivity in colorectal cancer. Clin Invest 126:639-52.
In this study, we show for the first time that a long non-coding RNA can be used as a biomarker to predict the efficacy to a targeted epigenetic therapeutic.
Storm E….Firestein et al (2016) Targeted therapy directed against PTPRK-RSPO3 fusion-positive colorectal tumours inhibit stem cell function and promote differentiation. Nature 529:97-100.
This study describes the development of a novel therapeutic antibody targeting colon cancers marked by RSPO3 translocations and Wnt dependence.
Juntilla M….Firestein R et al (2015) Targeting LGR5+ Cells with an Antibody-drug conjugate for the treatment of colon cancer. Sci Transl Med 7:314.
We show here that targeting the LGR5 stem cell marker is efficacious in preclinical models of colon cancer.
Adler AS…Firestein R (2014) An integrative analysis of colon cancer identifies an essential function for PRPF6 in tumour growth. Genes Dev 28:1068-84.
This study showed how the tri-snRNP spliceosome regulates tumour growth via preferential splicing of discrete oncogenic variants.
Jaiswal BS…Firestein R (2013) et Oncogenic ERBB3 mutations in human cancer. Cancer Cell 23:603-17.
This study reports the identification of ERBB3 activating mutations in colon and gastric cancer and shows how ERBB3 mutant tumours may be targeted with current therapeutic strategies.