Pancreatic cancer
The overall goal of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Group is to improve outcomes for individuals with pancreatic cancer through genomic discovery efforts as part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), the development of early detection and novel therapeutic strategies based on molecular phenotyping (the construction, recording and analysis of phenotypes) and the delineation and implementation of biomarkers that facilitate clinical decision making. Professor Biankin heads the Pancreatic Cancer Research Group, an internationally recognised leader in this field oversees a program of research which is based on:
- Discovery Genomics and Bioinformatics through the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative.
- Developing and implementing personalised medicine strategies for pancreatic cancer through defining molecular phenotypes (the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of the cancer), and the identification of biomarkers of prognosis and therapeutic responsiveness with clinical utility.
- Identifying key drivers and biomarkers of pancreatic cancer through studying the earliest changes in the pancreas tissue (how a normal pancreas cell, whose function is to secrete digestive enzymes, is turned into a cancer cell.
- Defining the molecular pathology of precursor lesions of pancreatic cancer to facilitate early detection.
- Enhancing clinical development and health care policy and practice through the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Network, the Australian Familial Pancreatic Cancer Cohort study, and contributions to clinical trials in Australia.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is among the most common malignancies. Our research in colon cancer is focused on understanding how and why cancer develops and how it should be best treated.
Find out more about our researchers’ research by clicking on their profiles listed on our Research Staff page.