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National Research Program
PhD Scholarship (Clinical)
Researcher:
Dr Sophie Lee
Institute:
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
(WEHI)
Project title:
Better understanding the role of cancer-causing
genes in acute leukaemia development
Disease focus:
Leukaemia
Annual Funding: $55,000
Funding period:
2012-2014
Photo
Project summary
Dr Sophie Lee is investigating new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for acute
leukaemia.
Based at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Dr Lee is
working with Professor Andrew Roberts and Post Doctoral Fellow Dr Ashley Ng (who
received a Leukaemia Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2011).
Professor Roberts and Dr Ng have made significant discoveries regarding the role of the
gene ETS Related Gene (ERG) in acute leukaemia development.
ERG produces a protein which appears to play an important role in modifying adult blood
stem cell function. Over-expression of this gene in acute myeloid leukaemia and Tlymphoblastic leukaemia is associated with a poor prognosis.
Dr Lee is exploring the role in acute leukaemias and normal blood development of a
target gene identified by Dr Ng as regulated by ERG.
“I’m exploring the role of a stem cell gene which, when ‘turned on’ by the ERG protein,
appears to lead to abnormal blood cell production and leukaemia development,” said Dr
Lee.
“My research project includes explaining the role of this gene target in both leukaemia
development and normal blood cell formation as well as validating its interaction with the
ERG protein,” she said.
“Understanding the important genetic changes that can lead
development is an important step in developing new treatments.”
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blood
cancer