Epigenetics
Cancer cells deactivate large regions of DNA by a biochemical process called methylation. Our research focuses on understanding the process that triggers abnormal methylation and demethylation between normal and cancer cells. We have developed different methods to detect methylation changes during development and have noticed that these ‘epigenetic’ changes can take place across very large regions of DNA during cancer development. We are trying to work out the sequence of events so that we can try to reverse the process, as we believe these regions may contain genes that normally prevent the development of tumours.
Staff
 Senior Research OfficerDr Clare Stirzaker |
 Senior Science WriterDr Kate Patterson |
 Senior Bioinformatics OfficerDr Nicola Armstrong |
 Senior Research OfficerDr Phillippa Taberlay |
 Research OfficerDr Stephen Bradford |
 Research OfficerDr Shalima Nair (co-appointment with ACRF) |
 Senior Research AssistantJenny Song |
 Research OfficerDr Fatima Valdes Mora |
 Research OfficerDr Helen Lutgers |
 Research OfficerDr Elena Zotenko |
 Research AssistantWenjia Qu |
 Research AssistantDario Strbenac |
 PhD StudentZena Kassir |
 PhD StudentSaul Bert |
 PhD StudentAaron Statham |
 PhD StudentWarwick Locke |
News
There is no such thing as identical where twins are concerned
MEDIA RELEASE:
12 Oct 2011
Identical twins have identical genomes, but that is where it stops. There are subtle differences in their personalities, how they look, how they act and in their susceptibility to disease. How can this be? It depends on exactly how specific parts of the genome are affected by ‘methylation’, or the attachment of hydrocarbon molecules - ‘methyl groups’, that literally change the voice of the genome, silencing some genes and amplifying others, say Garvan scientists.
Seminal shift in how we view cancer development
MEDIA RELEASE:
26 Jul 2011
Garvan researchers have uncovered a process that will bring about a fundamental shift in our view of the epigenetic processes that lead to cancer. Epigenetics involves biochemical changes in our bodies that directly impact our DNA, making some genes active, while silencing others. The current finding shows that a mechanism underlying one such epigenetic manoeuvre appears to lock and unlock genes that prevent and trigger cancer.
How we can better ‘mine’ our genome for information
MEDIA RELEASE:
04 Nov 2010
New sequencing technologies are showing that structural change in the genome has a much greater impact on how we interpret the epigenome – the extra layer of information above the genome – than previously thought, say Garvan researchers.
