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Working towards early diagnosis

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Circular RNA’s as potential biomarkers for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Funding from the Dust Diseases Board, United States Department of Defense and the Revesby Worker’s club, supports our research work to develop of a minimally invasive screening process for individuals with known exposure to asbestos.

This project aims to identify and validate new blood-based biomarkers to facilitate an improved and less invasive diagnosis of mesothelioma. Success in this research will ensure asbestos-exposed individuals are diagnosed accurately and earlier before disease symptoms present and/or reach an advanced stage. This  will facilitate a prompt administration of treatment strategies that will have a greater likelihood of improving the overall survival and quality of life of the patient.

Quick Facts

PCR-technique now completely established and optimised.

Preclinical: the technique is being applied to an extensive range of biospecimens held in the ADDRI Biobank to test the objectives.

Next step: expected outcome following the preclinical work is to recruit people with a known history of asbestos exposure to participate in a Clinical Trial.

A successful outcome will ensure we can apply this technique in a clinical setting to begin early diagnosis of patients, leading to prompt treatment strategies.

About the Researcher…

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Dr Ben Johnson

Post-Doc Fellow

Dr Ben Johnson joined ADDRI in June 2019. Ben attained his PhD in 2015 from the Western Sydney University. Prior to being employed at ADDRI, Dr Johnson was a Research Officer at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research where he gained sound experience in a range of molecular biology/biochemistry-based techniques, human cell culture and data analysis. Since completing his PhD, Dr Johnson has continued to further develop his medical research skills and has presented his findings at national conferences and published several research articles in peer-reviewed journals.

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Grants

Publications

publications icon Leptospermum extract (QV0) suppresses pleural mesothelioma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo by mitochondrial dysfunction associated apoptosis
publications icon Preclinical models and resources to facilitate basic science research on malignant mesothelioma–a review
publications icon The role of E-cadherin and microRNA on FAK inhibitor response in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)
publications icon Characterisation of the DNA sequence specificity, cellular toxicity and cross-linking properties of novel bispyridine-based dinuclear platinum complexes
publications icon The Use of Immunohistochemistry, Fluorescence in situ Hybridization, and Emerging Epigenetic Markers in the Diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM): A Review
publications icon The interactions of novel mononuclear platinum-based complexes with DNA
publications icon Exploring MicroRNA and exosome involvement in malignant pleural mesothelioma drug response
publications icon CDKN2A and MTAP Are Useful Biomarkers Detectable by Droplet Digital PCR in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Potential Alternative Method in Diagnosis Compared to Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation

Our Research Projects

We conduct biomedical (preclinical), clinical and public health research into asbestos-related diseases with findings enabling improved methods of prevention, diagnostic, therapeutic procedures, and treatments.

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