Harnessing the biology of a cell surface receptor to target poor outcome breast cancer

We collaborate with Professor John Hooper's (Mater Research Institute) research project on breast cancer, (NHMRC Ideas Grant 2046472, 2026-2010) which is the one of the most common cancers worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. This project focuses on targeting of a cell surface receptor that is highly upregulated in aggressive breast cancers and represents a promising avenue for improved diagnosis and treatment.

We combine advanced imaging with molecular and cellular approaches to understand how the cancer-associated receptor is organised and functions on cancer cells. Using super-resolution microscopy, we visualise its dynamics and nanoscale clustering in living cells with high spatial and temporal precision. We then investigate how the receptor interacts with therapeutic antibodies, identifying the mechanisms that drive receptor clustering, internalisation and downstream signalling.

This work will provide critical insights into how cell surface receptors can be effectively targeted, supporting the development of more precise and potent antibody-based therapies for breast cancer.