The Molecular Signalling Laboratory examines cell signalling pathways that contribute to cancer and other diseases. In particular, the primary focus of our work is on the sphingolipid pathway, which can trigger increased cell survival, increased cell proliferation, and new blood vessel formation; three of the classic hallmarks of cancer. Indeed, we and others have established that sphingosine kinase, a central enzyme in the sphingolipid pathway, plays an important role in many different cancers, and is an attractive target for anti-cancer therapy. Our studies are directed in 3 main areas: (i) to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating sphingosine kinase in cancer, (ii) developing agents that target sphingosine kinase, or its regulation, as anti-cancer agents, and (iii) defining the downstream pathways important for sphingolipid-mediated cancer cell signalling.
To support research in the Molecular Signalling Laboratory at the Hanson Institute, please contact the Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Fund.