Faculty/School

Faculty of Health

School of Biomedical Sciences

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health

Supervisors

Dr Charles Bidgood
Position
Research Associate
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health
Dr Jennifer Gunter
Position
Senior Research Fellow
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health

Overview

Metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for the deaths of 375,000 men each year because tumours develop resistance to therapies that block activity of the androgen receptor, the major molecular driver of prostate cancer. New treatment strategies are aimed at understanding and targeting the molecular mechanisms tumours adopt to escape therapy.  Through studying the molecular and metabolic changes in tumour cells under therapy pressure, we have identified a metabolic adaptation that enables tumours to thrive under therapy pressure using altered mitochondrial respiration. Overall, our research is aimed at finding an effective way to block this adaptation and starve the tumour cells through inhibition of the enzyme HIBCH.  Specifically, this project aims to evaluate lead and emerging compounds (drugs) we have identified, by screening the metabolic and molecular response to candidate HIBCH inhibitors in our pipeline.

Research engagement

This project will involve some study of the literature to ensure the theory behind the project is clear.  The majority of this project will be hands-on laboratory-based cell  and biochemical assays to establish the effects of our top candidate drugs on read-outs of HIBCH enzyme activity.

Research activities

We have identified a number of candidate drugs that our in silico and other analyses have strongly suggested will have HIBCH inhibitory activity. Working day-to-day with the supervisors and other students in the lab, you will screen these drugs for their effects on 1)  HIBCH enzyme activity, 2) prostate cancer cell viability, 3) prostate cancer cell metabolism.

Outcomes

This project will identify the most promising compound structure classes to pursue as HIBCH inhibitors. Once shortlisted, these structures may be directly tested in vivo in suitable PDX models. Alternatively, the compounds may form the base structure to create bespoke compound libraries for further screening or modified directly to create more favourable drug profiles.

Skills and experience

No experience is required. Just enthusiasm.

Start date

4 November, 2024

End date

21 February, 2025

Location

Translational Research Institute

Additional information

There is adequate funding available for the consumables required for this project to proceed. There will be 2-3 people available every day to assist the VRES candidate. All required facilities are available at the TRI.

Keywords

Contact

Jenni Gunter  jennifer.gunter@qut.edu.au  07  34437337