Research Focus
The Functional Genetics Laboratory combines genetics and functional genomics to pinpoint the key genes and pathways implicated in the development of both breast and ovarian cancers.
We are interested in understanding how inherited and/or acquired genetic variants located in noncoding DNA contribute to cancer development. More particularly, we investigate regions that are either transcribed into functional RNAs such as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) or those that act as DNA regulatory elements such as enhancers.
Identifying the lncRNAs affected by noncoding genetic variants and the protein coding genes they regulate is necessary to identify therapeutic opportunities for primary and secondary cancer prevention. These can be achieved by identifying novel targets or using existing therapies that can be repurposed for the prevention or treatment of either breast and ovarian cancers.
Gallery
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Understanding how common genetic variants associated with cancer risk contribute to cancer development
Understanding lncRNA mechanisms governing breast and ovarian cancer development and progression
Identify novel lncRNAs in the human breast and ovaries using high-throughput sequencing data
Past Research Projects
High-throughput mapping of promoter-enhancer interactions to identify new cancer risk genes
Research Team
Dr Haran Sivakumaran
Dr Xue Lu
Isabela Almeida
Sneha Nair
Funding
- National Breast Cancer Foundation
- National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
Publications
Bitar et al, Redefining normal breast cell populations using long noncoding RNAs. Nucleic Acids Research. 2023. PMID: 37144467
Moradi Marjaneh et al, Non-coding RNAs underlie genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Genome Biology. 2020. PMID: 31910864.
Beesley et al, Chromatin interactome mapping at 139 independent breast cancer risk signals. Genome Biology. 2020. PMID: 31910858.
Further Information
- Breast Cancer Association Consortium
- Associate Professor Joseph (Sefi) Rosenbluh, Monash University