
Overview
Background
Professor Brandon Wainwright AM is Co-Director of the Children’s Brain Cancer Centre and leads a laboratory within the UQ Diamantina Institute focused on understanding the genetic pathways behind medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumour that occurs predominantly in children. He is Chair of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Australia, Chair of the Advisory Board of the Robinson Research Institute and Chair of the Board of the South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute (SAIGENCI), and serves on the boards the Australian Genome Research Facility as well as several national and international scientific review committees, including the MRFF Brain Tumour Roadmap Committee.
Professor Wainwright completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at The University of Adelaide, after which he secured a postdoctoral fellowship with St Mary's Hospital at Imperial College London. During his six years at Imperial he worked on the first human genome project and also became a Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellow. He returned to Australia in 1990 to join UQ's Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology (now IMB) and led the Institute for Molecular Biology until 2019.
Professor Wainwright is a geneticist, renowned for discovering the genetic pathway that causes most human cancer. He is skilled in molecular genetics, where he is using genetic approaches to dig through DNA and find the genes that cause disease. He commenced using these skills to locate the cystic fibrosis gene, but it was when isolating a gene responsible for a rare form of brain cancer called Medulloblastoma, that he discovered the role of the ‘Hedgehog Pathway' in common human cancer.
Availability
- Professor Brandon Wainwright is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research interests
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Cancer and cell signalling
Skin cancer is a major public health issue in Australia, with the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer costing our community more than $264 million each year. Moreover, brain tumours remain the most common cause of cancer-related death in children and of these, medulloblastoma is the most commonly diagnosed. Our laboratory has made great progress in understanding the genetic pathways behind the most common form of skin cancer in Australia, Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), and medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumour that occurs predominantly in children. Having mapped and isolated the Naevoid Basel Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS) gene called Patched, which is the driver for a medical condition where affected individuals have a predisposition for developing BCC and medulloblastoma, we were able to identify the Patched gene as a controller of a molecular signalling pathway called the Hedgehog pathway. The Hedgehog pathway is a set of genetic mutations that contribute to the development of a wide range of tumour types, including lung, pancreatic and ovarian cancer. By examining this pathway and how it interacts with other genetic pathways, our scientists have gained a better understanding of the normal development of the skin and cerebellum, a part of the brain that controls motor functions. By manipulating the strength of the Hedgehog pathway we believe stem cell populations can be expanded or can be induced to become cancerous. Our lab has identified the core genetic components that lead to the development of medulloblastoma. This work will enable the therapeutic targeting of every medulloblastoma, not just a subset, leading to more powerful clinical trials and ultimately more effective treatment options.
Works
Search Professor Brandon Wainwright’s works on UQ eSpace
2010
Journal Article
Canonical Notch signaling is not required for the growth of Hedgehog pathway-induced medulloblastoma
Julian, E., Dave, R. K., Robson, J. P., Hallahan, A. R. and Wainwright, B. J. (2010). Canonical Notch signaling is not required for the growth of Hedgehog pathway-induced medulloblastoma. Oncogene, 29 (24), 3465-3476. doi: 10.1038/onc.2010.101
2010
Journal Article
International network of cancer genome projects
Hudson, T. J., Anderson, W., Aretz, A., Barker, A. D., Grimmond, S. M., Pearson, J. V., Cloonan, N., Gardiner, B. A., Waddell, N. J., Wilson, P. J., Wainwright, B. J. and The International Cancer Genome Consortium (2010). International network of cancer genome projects. Nature, 464 (7291), 993-998. doi: 10.1038/nature08987
2010
Journal Article
Wnt2 regulates progenitor proliferation in the developing ventral midbrain
Sousa, Kyle M., Villaescusa, J. Carlos, Cajanek, Lukas, Ondr, Jennifer K., Castelo-Branco, Goncalo, Hofstra, Wytske, Bryja, Vitezslav, Palmberg, Carina, Bergman, Tomas, Wainwright, Brandon, Lang, Richard A. and Arenas, Ernest (2010). Wnt2 regulates progenitor proliferation in the developing ventral midbrain. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 285 (10), 7246-7253. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.079822
2009
Journal Article
Patched 1 is a crucial determinant of asymmetry and digit number in the vertebrate limb
Butterfield, N. C., Metzis, V, McGlinn, E, Bruce, S. J., Wainwright, B. J. and Wicking, C (2009). Patched 1 is a crucial determinant of asymmetry and digit number in the vertebrate limb. DEVELOPMENT, 136 (20), 3515-3524. doi: 10.1242/dev.037507
2009
Journal Article
The hedgehog receptor Patched1 regulates myeloid and lymphoid progenitors by distinct cell-extrinsic mechanisms
Siggins, S. L., Nguyen, N. Y. N., McCormack, M. P., Vasudevan, S, Villani, R, Jane, S. M., Wainwright, B. J. and Curtis, D. J. (2009). The hedgehog receptor Patched1 regulates myeloid and lymphoid progenitors by distinct cell-extrinsic mechanisms. BLOOD, 114 (5), 995-1004. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-03-208330
2009
Journal Article
Ptch1 is required locally for mammary gland morphogenesis and systemically for ductal elongation
Moraes, R. C., Chang, H, Harrington, N, Landua, J. D., Prigge, J. T., Lane, T. F., Wainwright, B. J., Hamel, P. A. and Lewis, M. T. (2009). Ptch1 is required locally for mammary gland morphogenesis and systemically for ductal elongation. DEVELOPMENT, 136 (9), 1423-1432. doi: 10.1242/dev.023994
2009
Journal Article
Patched1 deletion increases N-Myc protein stability as a mechanism of medulloblastoma initiation and progression
Thomas, W. D., Chen, J, Gao, Y. R., Cheung, B, Koach, J, Sekyere, E, Norris, M. D., Haber, M, Ellis, T, Wainwright, B and Marshall, G. M. (2009). Patched1 deletion increases N-Myc protein stability as a mechanism of medulloblastoma initiation and progression. ONCOGENE, 28 (13), 1605-1615. doi: 10.1038/onc.2009.3
2009
Conference Publication
The interaction of Sonic Hedgehog and Notch signalling in medulloblastoma
Haase, E, Hallahan, A and Wainwright, B (2009). The interaction of Sonic Hedgehog and Notch signalling in medulloblastoma. 16th Annual Conference of the International-Society-of-Development-Biologists, Edinburgh Scotland, Sep 06-10, 2009. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. doi: 10.1016/j.mod.2009.06.496
2008
Journal Article
Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia
Smart, Chanel E., Clarke, Catherine, Brooks, Kelly M., Raghavendra, Ashwini, Brewster, Brooke L., French, Juliet D., Hetherington, Rehan, Fleming, Jean S., Rothnagel, Joseph A., Wainwright, Brandon, Lakhani, Sunil R. and Brown, Melissa A. (2008). Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 112 (2), 237-241. doi: 10.1007/s10549-007-9859-2
2008
Journal Article
Medulloblastoma can be initiated by deletion of Patched in lineage-restricted progenitors or stem cells
Yang, Zeng-Jie, Ellis, Tammy L., Markant, Shirley L., Read, Tracy-Ann, Kessler, Jessica D, Melissa Bourboulas, Schuller, Ulrich, Machold, Robert, Fishell, Gord, Rowitch, David H., Wainwright, Brandon J. and Wechsler-Reya, Robert J. (2008). Medulloblastoma can be initiated by deletion of Patched in lineage-restricted progenitors or stem cells. Cancer Cell, 14 (2), 135-145. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2008.07.003
2008
Journal Article
Expression of the NET family member Zfp503 is regulated by hedgehog and BMP signaling in the limb
McGlinn, Edwina, Richman, Joy M., Metzis, Vicki, Town, Liam, Butterfield, Natalie C., Wainwright, Brandon J. and Wicking, Carol (2008). Expression of the NET family member Zfp503 is regulated by hedgehog and BMP signaling in the limb. Developmental Dynamics, 237 (4), 1172-1182. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21508
2008
Journal Article
Sonic Hedgehog regulates Hes1 through a novel mechanism that is independent of canonical Notch pathway signalling
Ingram, W. J., McCue, K. I., Tran, T. H., Hallahan, A. R. and Wainwright, B. J. (2008). Sonic Hedgehog regulates Hes1 through a novel mechanism that is independent of canonical Notch pathway signalling. Oncogene, 27 (10), 1489-1500. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210767
2008
Journal Article
Nasal abnormalities in cystic fibrosis mice independent of infection and inflammation
Hilliard, Tom N., Zhu, Jie, Farley, Ray, Escudero-Garcia, Sara, Wainwright, Brandon J., Jeffery, Peter K., Griesenbach, Uta, Bush, Andrew, Davies, Jane C. and Alton, Eric W. F. W. (2008). Nasal abnormalities in cystic fibrosis mice independent of infection and inflammation. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 39 (1), 19-25. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2007-0284OC
2007
Journal Article
Novel neutrophil-derived proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicate an exaggerated inflammatory response in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients
McMorran, Brendan J., Patat, Severine A. Ouvry, Carlin, John B., Grimwood, Keith, Jones, Alun, Armstrong, David S., Galati, John C., Cooper, Peter J., Byrnes, Catherine A., Francis, Paul W., Robertson, Colin F., Hume, David A., Borchers, Christoph H., Wainwright, Claire E. and Wainwright, Brandon J. (2007). Novel neutrophil-derived proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicate an exaggerated inflammatory response in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients. Clinical Chemistry, 53 (10), 1782-1791. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2007.087650
2007
Conference Publication
Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia
Smart, C. E., Clarke, C., Brooks, K. M., Raghavendra, A., Brewster, B. L., French, J. D., Hetherington, R., Fleming, J. S., Rothnagel, J. A., Wainwright, B., Lakhani, S. R. and Brown, M. A. (2007). Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia. Australian Breast Cancer Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 2007.
2007
Journal Article
Wnt2 coordinates the commitment of mesoderm to hematopoietic, endothelial, and cardiac lineages in embryoid bodies
Wang, H., Gilner, J. B., Bautch, V. L., Wang, D. Z., Wainwright, B. J., Kirby, S. L. and Patterson, C. (2007). Wnt2 coordinates the commitment of mesoderm to hematopoietic, endothelial, and cardiac lineages in embryoid bodies. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 282 (1), 782-791. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M606610200
2007
Conference Publication
Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia
Brewster, Brooke, Brooke, Kelly, Brown, Melissa Anne, Clarke, C., Fleming, J. S., French, J. D., Hetherington, Rehan, Lakhani, Sunil, Raghavendra, Ashwini, Rothnagel, Joseph, Smart, Chanel and Wainwright, Brandon (2007). Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia. kConFab Familial Breast Cancer Conference, Couran Cove, Queensland, 21-24 August 2007.
2007
Journal Article
Chimeric constructs endow the human CFTR Cl(-)channel with the gating behavior of murine CFTR
Scott-Ward, T. S., Cai, Z. W., Dawson, E. S., Doherty, A., Da Paula, A. C., Davidson, H., Porteous, D. J., Wainwright, B. J., Amaral, M. D., Sheppard, D. N. and Boyd, A. C. (2007). Chimeric constructs endow the human CFTR Cl(-)channel with the gating behavior of murine CFTR. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, 104 (41), 16365-16370. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0701562104
2007
Journal Article
Sendai virus-mediated CFTR gene transfer to the airway epithelium
Ferrari, S., Griesenbach, U., Iida, A., Farley, R., Wright, A. M., Zhu, J., Munkonge, F. M., Smith, S. N., You, J., Ban, H., Inoue, M., Chan, M., Singh, C., Verdon, B., Argent, B. E., Wainwright, B., Jeffery, P. K., Geddes, D. M., Porteous, D. J., Hyde, S. C., Gray, M. A., Hasegawa, M. and Alton, E. W. F. W. (2007). Sendai virus-mediated CFTR gene transfer to the airway epithelium. Gene Therapy, 14 (19), 1371-1379. doi: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302991
2007
Conference Publication
Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia
Brewster, Brooke, Brooks, Kelly, Brown, Melissa Anne, Clarke, C., Fleming, J. S., French, J. D., Hetherington, Rehan, Lakhani, Sunil, Raghavendra, Ashwini, Rothnagel, Joseph, Smart, Chanel and Wainwright, Brandon (2007). Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia. Gordon Research Conference: Mammary Gland Biology, Newport, RI, 10-15 June 2007.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Brandon Wainwright is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
A new therapy for paediatric brain tumours.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joseph Yunis
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of the blood brain barrier in the successful treatment of brain tumours in children
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
New treatments for children with medulloblastoma.
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Complex neoantigen prediction in cancers
Associate Advisor
Completed supervision
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting Apoptosis as A Novel Therapy for Medulloblastoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Genovesi
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Relationship between Patched and Sox9 in Regulating Skin Stem Cells, Wound Response and Skin Tumorigenesis
Principal Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic Regulation of Development and Disorders of the Cerebellum
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Genovesi
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Dicer in Cerebellar Development and Hedgehog-Mediated Medulloblastoma
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of N-myc and C-myc in Skin Development and in Hedgehog Pathway-Induced Tumorigenesis
Principal Advisor
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
The role of Patched1 during development of the mouse cerebellum and regulation of neural stem cells in medulloblastoma
Principal Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The molecular basis of medulloblastoma: interaction of hedgehog and Notch signalling in brain development and cancer
Principal Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Hedgehog signalling in lung development and airway regeneration
Principal Advisor
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of the Host Immune Response in Cystic Fibrosis Mice.
Principal Advisor
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
IDENTIFICATION OF NOVEL DOWNSTREAM TARGETS OF SONIC, INDIAN AND DESERT HEDGEHOG
Principal Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
THE STRUCTURE-FUNCTION ANALYSIS OF THE PATCHED PROTEIN
Principal Advisor
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
EFFECTS OF SONIC, DESERT AND INDIAN HEDGEHOG SIGNALLING IN SKIN
Principal Advisor
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
DOWNSTREAM TARGETS OF PATCHED, THE GENE RESPONSIBLE FOR NEVOID BASAL CELL CARCINOMA SYNDROME
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation into network-defined novel targeted therapies for medulloblastoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Genovesi
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
An exploration of unsolved central nervous system white matter disorders with next-generation sequencing
Associate Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The role of Nuclear Factor One transcription factors in cerebellar development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Piper
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
A computational analysis of transcription factor interactions and binding guided by epigenetics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Piper, Professor Mikael Boden
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Novel genes regulated by the hedgehog pathway, and their contribution to limb and craniofacial development
Associate Advisor
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
THE GENETICS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
Associate Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
MOLECULAR EVENTS IN HEDGEHOG SIGNALLING: REGULATION BY VESICULAR TRAFFICKING AND STEROLS
Associate Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
TRANSCRIPTIONAL ANALYSIS OF MACROPHAGE SIGNALLING IN RESPONSE TO LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Hume
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
IDENTIFICATION OF NOVEL GLI3 DEPENDENT TRANSCRIPTS IN THE DEVELOPING VERTEBATE LIMB
Associate Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
THE MOLECULAR GENETICS OF MAMMALIAN SEX DETERMINATION
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Brandon Wainwright directly for media enquiries about:
- brain cancer
- brain tumour
- genetics
- genomics
- health research
- medical research
- medulloblastoma
- science policy
- scientific leadership
- skin cancer
- tumours
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