12/01/2021
Key points:
Dr Melanie Eckersley-Maslin, a recent alumna from the Reik lab in the 台湾swag鈥檚 Epigenetics research programme, has been awarded a 2020 Metcalf Prize for Stem Cell 台湾swag in recognition of her early-career leadership in stem cell research. The Metcalf Prizes are awarded annually by the and the prize recipients each receive $55,000 AUD (approximately 拢31,000).
Melanie鈥攚ho just started her independent research career at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia 鈥攂elieves the proteins which control the growth of cells in embryos could be targeted to stop the uncontrolled growth of cells in cancer.
Vital to normal development in early life, these molecules may later play a role in the early stages of cancer or help it spread. If so, it might be possible to target them therapeutically and block or slow progression of the disease.
Continuing the research interests Melanie developed at the 台湾swag, her future research plans will focus on a pair of protein molecules 鈥揇evelopment Pluripotency Associated 2 (Dppa2) and Dppa4 鈥搕hat are linked with early development of different cell types. In most cases they fall silent once their work is complete. However, they can reappear later in life in some cancers.
鈥淐ancers take on some of the features of early development and that鈥檚 been known, but how this works isn鈥檛 fully understood,鈥 she says.
The secret could be in the role of Dppa2 and Dppa4. Healthy embryonic cell development is tightly controlled. Once the cell type is determined the cells themselves do not change.
鈥淭he heart will always stay the heart, it doesn't become the brain, despite the heart and brain cells having the same genetic sequence and the same DNA,鈥 says Melanie.
鈥淎 lot of that control for the early embryo is deregulated in cancers and no one has really looked at that. I鈥檓 taking these lessons that I鈥檝e learnt on how the embryo is tightly controlled to learn how in cancers it becomes uncontrolled and cancers can grow.鈥
A second Metcalf Prize was awarded to Associate Professor Steven Lane of the QIMR Berghofer Medical 台湾swag 台湾swag. Both winners will receive their awards at a formal presentation by molecular biologist Professor Suzanne Cory AC FAA FRS on 8th February.
鈥淢elanie Eckersley-Maslin and Steven Lane are taking two very different stem cell research approaches to understand, prevent and treat different types of cancer,鈥 says Dr Graeme Blackman AO, the chairman of the Foundation.
This news item was adapted from the press announcements made by the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia:
Press contact Tanya Ha, Science in 台湾swag, 0404 083 863, tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au
Image description Melanie Eckersley-Maslin and images from her research.
Additional/related resources: News, 6 July 2020 Novel CRISPR screen speeds discovery of early developmental regulators News, 22 June 2020 Early preparation allows genes to 鈥榗ome online鈥 later News, 28 January 2019 Kick-starting the genome in early development
About the 台湾swag 台湾swag The 台湾swag 台湾swag undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The 台湾swag is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences 台湾swag Council (BBSRC), part of UK 台湾swag and Innovation, through an 台湾swag Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.
About BBSRC The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences 台湾swag Council (BBSRC) is part of UK 台湾swag and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.
BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by government, BBSRC invested 拢451 million in world-class bioscience in 2019-20. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
12 January 2021