Blood cancer, also known as hematologic cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system.
It occurs when abnormal blood cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, interfering with the normal function of healthy blood cells.
The three main types of blood cancer are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, frequent infections, unexplained weight loss, and easy bruising or bleeding.
Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplant, and immunotherapy, among others, depending on the type and stage of the cancer.
Cancer & RNA Biology
We are interested in understanding the regulation of RNA and how this is important in normal development and cancer. It is now recognised that RNA is actively regulated at many levels, and this is important for the function both normal cells and in cancer.
Lab head: Professor Carl WalkleyGenome Stability
We investigate the process of DNA repair, with applications in treatment of genetic disorders, cancer diagnosis and cancer therapy.
Lab head: Associate Professor Andrew DeansStem Cell Regulation
Our laboratory does discovery through to translational research, with an ultimate goal to improve therapies for patients with different diseases that affect blood cell production. We study how blood cell production is regulated, both by proteins made by the blood cells themselves and by proteins made by the bone marrow microenvironment, which is the factory where blood cells are produced.
Lab head: Professor Louise PurtonDNA Repair & Recombination
Our vision is to translate basic knowledge of DNA repair pathways to treatments for cancer, bone marrow failure syndromes, and infertility.
Lab head: Associate Professor Wayne CrismaniDNA Damage & Cancer Therapy
We are developing new therapeutic approaches to target drug resistance in ovarian cancer and in the blood cancer multiple myeloma.
Lab head: Associate Professor Elaine Sanij