Gene Function and Therapies Staff

 Melanie Carless

 
  BSc, BHSc Hons I graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Applied Biology with Honours in Health Science. I am in the process of completing my PhD. The primary focus of my research is the genetics of Skin Cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer in Australia and can result in not only mortality and high morbidity but is also responsible for millions of dollars in treatment each year. Solar keratoses (SKs) have been described as the first recognisable stage of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the most malignant of all NMSCs. If therapies for skin cancer can be targeted at these lesions, it is possible that progression to more malignant phenotypes can be prevented. During my research I have identified various genes involved in the development of SKs, including glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) M1 and T1, and am now examining more closely their function, in particular their response to ultra-violet (UV) radiation. A number of skin samples have undergone exposure to varying doses of ultraviolet radiation and expression levels of GSTM1 and GSTT1 are now being examined. Additionally, I am looking at whole chromosomal and regional analysis of NMSC to determine regions involved in development and progression of skin cancer. In particular, a region of chromosome 15 has been implicated in SCC but not in SK. This region is being examined more closely to determine genes that may be involved in progression to a more malignant phenotype.