Tissue repair and cancer

Our group focuses on understanding the mechanism of common human cancer. In particular we study the paediatric brain tumour, medulloblastoma, and the most common form of cancer, basal cell carcinoma of the skin (BCC). Both of these tumour types are caused by aberrant regulation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway.

The Hh pathway is also important in normal embryonic development and stem cell regulation. Therefore, researchers examine both the cancerous state and normal tissue regulation. Researchers work at the interface between developmental biology and human/mouse genetics and genomics to gain new insights into how cancers occur, and how we might block their growth.

Traineeships, honours and PhD projects include

• Control of tumour – study of the paediatric brain tumour, medulloblastoma, and the most common form of cancer, basal cell carcinoma of the skin (BCC)
• Stem cell growth – examining interface between developmental biology and human/mouse genetics and genomics to gain new insights into how cancers occur, and how we might block their growth.