Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory
| Contact: | Dr Melissa Southey |
|---|---|
| Phone: | +61 3 8344 5799 |
| Fax: | +61 3 8344 4004 |
| Email: | msouthey@unimelb.edu.au |
| Website: | http://www.cge.unimelb.edu.au/laboratory/ |
The GEL laboratory studies
Genetic epidemiology involves a focus on population-based research, a focus on the joint effects of genes and the environment, and the incorporation of the underlying biology of the disease into its conceptual models.
The Laboratory is currently part of several large collaborative genetic epidemiological studies in conjunction with the Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology, The University of Melbourne; and the Cancer Epidemiology Centre, The Cancer Council Victoria. These studies include,
- Prostate Cancer Case-Control Study
- Prostate Cancer Family Study
- Early-Onset Prostate Cancer Family Study
- Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
- Prostate Cancer Case-Cohort Study
- Breast Cancer Case-Cohort Study
- Colorectal Cancer Case-Cohort Study
- Victorian Colorectal Cancer Family Study
- Australian Breast Cancer Family Study
- Mammographic Density Study
- Tasmanian Asthma Study
- Collaborative Family Registry for Breast Cancer Studies
- Collaborative Family Registry for Colorectal Cancer Studies
Key research areas are:
Breast, prostate and colorectal cancers.
Objectives
The Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory was established in the Pathology Department, University of Melbourne in December 2000 and is set up as a collaborative Laboratory for Genetic Epidemiological Studies, skilled and structured to meet the needs of studies that routinely require the management of large biological specimen collections and molecular analyses. The laboratory's structures and protocols enable systematic flow of large numbers of specimens from delivery to data/dispatch teamed with sophisticated molecular analyses to address specific biological questions.
Recent Achievements
One component and strength of all these studies is the incorporation (via expert collaboration) of multidisciplinary data including histopathological and molecular pathological measures (in collaboration with A/Profs Deon Venter and Jane Armes) with other molecular/genetic and epidemiological data. We also have strengths in the handling, storage and analysis of large numbers of bio-specimens.
Techniques
- Tissue Culture
- Molecular Biology
- Biospecimen Handling
- Immunohistochemistry
- Histopathology
Collaborations
University:
Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology: Prof John Hopper (Director), Dr Mark Jenkins
External:
- Cancer Council Victoria, Cancer Epidemiology Centre
- Prof Graham Giles (Director)
- Assoc Prof Dallas English
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research
- Dr Georgia Chenevix Trench
- Dr Amanda Spurdle
- Department of Medical Oncology, Westmead Hospital
- Dr Graham Mann
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute
- Dr Ian Campbell
International Collaborators:
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (USA)
- Dr Fred Li
- Coriell Institute for Medical Research (USA)
- Dr Jeanne Beck
Funding
- NHMRC
- CCV
- NIH (USA)
- The University of Melbourne
Recent Publications
- Lovelock PK, Healey S, Au W, Sum E, Tesoriero A, Wong EM, Hinson S, Brinkworth R, Bekessy A, Diez O, Izatt L, Solomon E, Jenkins M, Renard H, Hopper J, Waring P, Investigators K, Tavtigian SV, Goldgar D, Lindeman GJ, Visvader JE, Couch FJ, Henderson BR, Southey M, Chenevix-Trench G, Spurdle AB, Brown MA. 2005 Genetic, functional and histopathological evaluation of two C-terminal BRCA1 missense variants. J Med Genet. (in press)
- Southey MC, Jenkins MA, Mead L, Whitty J, Trivett M, Tesoriero AA, Smith LD, Jennings K, Grubb G, Royce SG, Walsh MD, Barker MA, Young JP, Jass JR, St John DJB, Macrae FA, Giles GG, Hopper JL. 2005 Use of molecular tumour characteristics to prioritise mismatch repair gene testing in early-onset colorectal cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology (in press)
- Southey MC, Tesoriero A, Young M-A, Holloway AJ, Jenkins MA, Whitty J, Misfud S, KCONFAB, McLachlan S, Venter DJ, Armes, JE. 2003. A specific GFP expression assay, penetrance estimate, and histological assessment for a putative splice site mutation in BRCA1. Human Mutation. 22:86-91.
- Severi G, Giles GG, Southey MC, Tesoriero A, Tilley W, Neufing P, Morris H, English DR, McCredie MR, Boyle P, Hopper JL. 2003 ELAC2/HPC2 polymorphisms, prostate-specific antigen levels, and prostate cancer.
J Natl Cancer Inst. 95(11):818-24 - Jenkins, M.A., Baglietto, L., Dite, G.S., Jolley, D.J., Southey, M.C., Whitty, J., Mead, L.J., St.John D.J.B., Macrae, F.A., Bishop, D.T., Venter, D.J., Giles, G.G., Hopper, J.L. 2002 After hMSH2 and hMLH1 what next? Analysis of three-generational population-based, early-onset colorectal cancer families. Int. J Cancer 102(2):166-71
- G.S. Dite, M.A. Jenkins, J.S. Hocking, G.G. Giles, M.R.E. McCredie, M. C. Southey, D. J. Venter, J.L. Hopper. 2003 Familial risks, early-onset breast cancer, and BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations.
J Natl Cancer Inst. 95(6):448-57.