| Medicine home | About | Future students | Current students | Research | Alumni | Contact us |
| Staff (Intranet) | Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
| Medicine home | About | Future students | Current students | Research | Alumni | Contact us |
| Staff (Intranet) | Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
|
|
Dr Terry Kwok-SchueleinLecturer
Microbial Oncogenesis Laboratory Tel: +61-3-9902 9216 Fax: +61-3-9905 3726 Office: Room 231, Level 2, Building 76 (STRIP) Email: terry.kwok@med.monash.edu.au
Dr. Terry Kwok-Schuelein obtained her Ph.D. in 1998 from the University of Melbourne in Australia where she studied the structure and function of the Escherichia coli transcriptional regulatory protein TyrR. She carried out her post-doctoral study in the field of molecular pathogenesis and cellular microbiology at the Max Planck Institute of Infection Biology in Tuebingen, Germany. In 2003, she continued her post-doctoral research at Otto-von-Guericke University in Germany to further study the molecular basis of Helicobacter pylori infection. From 2006 to 2008, she was a senior research fellow at the University of Zürich in Switzerland focusing on antimicrobial drug discovery and RNA interference. Artist’s impression of Helicobacter pylori dwelling in the stomach (above) The Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine in 2005 and 2008 have been awarded to researchers who did pioneering work on Helicobacter pylori and human papilloma virus, pathogens which cause human stomach ulcer and cervical cancer, respectively. These significant discoveries bring us closer and closer to the understanding of how microbes cause cancers. Our passion is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which microbes induce cancers using Helicobacter-associated stomach and liver cancers as primary model systems. Our goal is to discover potential drug candidates to alleviate the burden of infections and infection-associated malignancies.
Research InterestUnderstanding the Molecular Basis of How Chronic Microbial Infections Cause Cancer
Chronic microbial infections are increasingly recognised as an inducer of various types of cancer. At least 15% of malignancies worldwide are attributed to infections by viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. A more thorough understanding of chronic infections and their causal relationship with cancer as well as the development of new therapeutics and diagnostic markers are of fundamental importance.
We use Helicobacter infections as model systems to identify the host receptors and signalling pathways involved in chronic bacterial infections, chronic inflammation and cancer. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and Helicobacter hepaticus (Hh) are rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria which colonise persistently in the human gastrointestinal tracts and liver, respectively. Hp and Hh are associated with adenocarcinoma in the stomach and liver, respectively. There has also been increasing evidence suggesting that Hp might be associated with hepatitis C cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The availability of well-established genetic tools and animal models in the field has made Helicobacter infection one of the most important model systems for understanding the biology of pathogen-induced cancers and the mechanisms by which chronic inflammation progresses to cancer. A New Role of Integrins in Hp-induced Chronic Inflammation and Oncogenesis
Integrins are eukaryotic receptors which play key roles in cell adhesion, migration, inflammatory responses and carcinogenesis. They are also key players in signal transduction and important drug targets. We have recently identified a novel surface protein of Hp, CagL, which interacts with the integrin receptors on human stomach epithelial cells. CagL is a component of the Type IV secretion (T4S) apparatus, a major virulence factor of Hp which can be envisaged as a macromolecular machine gun that “shoots” virulence factor(s) into human gastric epithelial cells. Data suggest that the docking of CagL on the host integrin receptor might act as a trigger of the “shooting” processes. Understanding the precise mechanism by which the T4S process occurs and influences the host cell functions remains a major focus in the field.
Our Research ApproachesIn collaboration with research teams in Australia, Germany and Switzerland, we aim to use a multi-disciplinary approach to understand the pathogenesis of Helicobacter-associated malignancies.
Our research aims to address the following key questions:
Techniques Employed in the Lab
Our research is based on a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing on expertises in the areas of biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology and genetics. Techniques used include:
FundingNational Health and Medical Research Council of Australia AffiliationAustralian Microbial Pathogenesis Program CollaborationsOur interdisciplinary approach is strongly supported by collaboration with research groups in Germany, Switzerland and within Australia. Recent Publications
Positions Available
Postdoctoral Research FellowWe are seeking a talented and enthusiastic scientist to join the research group as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work in the exciting and fast-growing areas of microbial carcinogenesis. The successful candidate will develop molecular and cell-based assays to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Helicobacter causes cancer. The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Biochemistry or Cell Biology. Strong background in cancer-related signal transduction, receptor biochemistry, angiogenesis, primary cell culture and/or 3-D cell culture would be advantageous. Experience in stem cell research would be an asset. If you are interested in applying your expertise to explore the exciting world of bacteria-host interactions and infectious cancer biology, you are most welcome to contact me for discussion of the available projects or new project ideas. International applicants are welcome. Attractive top-up salary will be offered to awardees of Australian or international postdoctoral fellowships. Duration: 12 months, extendable up to 36 months Application: Candidates should forward their CV, a cover letter and contact details of 3 referees to terry.kwok@med.monash.edu.au Research Assistant PositionA full-time Research Assistant position is available. We are seeking a highly-motivated person to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which certain microbial pathogens induce carcinogenesis. The project involves mutagenesis, protein purification and characterisation of cellular responses during infection using cell culture and animal models. The successful applicant will have a B.Sc. (Hons) degree and a strong undergraduate academic record. Laboratory experience in molecular biology, bacterial genetics, Western blot, immunoprecipitation and tissue culture would be advantageous. Enquiries are welcome. Salary range: $48,896-66,360 p.a. plus superannuation. Duration: 12 months Application: Candidates should forward their CV, a cover letter and contact details of 3 referees to terry.kwok@med.monash.edu.au PhD PositionsPhD postgraduate scholarships with an annual stipend of $20,007 (tax-free) are available for Australian citizens or permanent residents with a H1 or H2A Honours degree. The PhD projects available provide excellent training opportunities for PhD candidates to develop solid skills and knowledge in the fields of bacterial pathogenesis, cancer biology and biology of chronic inflammatory diseases. Candidates will have the unique advantage to work at the interface of prokaryotic and eukaryotic biology, developing skill in a large variety of fundamental techniques such as RNAi, eukaryotic cell culture, live cell imaging, confocal laser scanning microscopy, immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, ELISA, protein purification, protein-interaction analyses, mutagenesis, bacterial culture, etc. Someone who is enthusiastic in exploring the exciting world of bacteria-host interactions and infectious cancer biology is most welcome to contact me for further discussion of the projects. Application*: Please forward a brief CV, academic transcripts and contact details of 3 referees to terry.kwok@med.monash.edu.au * International applicants are advised to refer to the university's web sites on entry requirements, tuition fee, and scholarships prior to application. Honours PositionsHonours projects are available in our lab which enable the candidate to develop skills and knowledge in eukaryotic cell culture techniques, fundamental microbiological techniques including mutagenesis and bacterial culture, RNAi, immunostaining, Western blotting, ELISA, confocal laser scanning microscopy, live cell imaging, etc. Someone who is enthusiastic in learning about the exciting secrets of bacterial pathogenesis, bacteria-host interactions and infectious cancer biology is most welcome to apply. Application: Please forward a brief CV, academic transcripts and contact details of at least 2 referees to terry.kwok@med.monash.edu.au
Where to Find Us
Our lab is located on the second floor in building 76 as part of the modern Science Technology Research and Innovation Precinct (STRIP). The precinct is equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities including:
Last updated on 11 February 2009 
|
