
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
2002
Journal Article
Gene complementation of airway epithelium in the cystic fibrosis mouse is necessary and sufficient to correct the pathogen clearance and inflammatory abnormalities
Oceandy, Delvac, McMorran, Brendan J., Smith, Stephen N., Schreiber, Rainer, Kunzelmann, Karl, Alton, Eric W. F. W., Hume, David A. and Wainwright, Brandon J. (2002). Gene complementation of airway epithelium in the cystic fibrosis mouse is necessary and sufficient to correct the pathogen clearance and inflammatory abnormalities. Human Molecular Genetics, 11 (9), 1059-1067. doi: 10.1093/hmg/11.9.1059
2002
Journal Article
Novel genes regulated by Sonic Hedgehog in pluripotent mesenchymal cells
Ingram, W. J., Wicking, C. A., Grimmond, S. M., Forrest, A. R. and Wainwright, B. J. (2002). Novel genes regulated by Sonic Hedgehog in pluripotent mesenchymal cells. Oncogene, 21 (53), 8196-8205. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205975
2002
Journal Article
Mutations in SUFU predispose to medulloblastoma
Taylor, M. D., Liu, L., Raffel, C., Hui, C. C., Mainprize, T. G., Zhang, X. Y., Agatep, R., Chiappa, S., Gao, L. Z., Lowrance, A., Hao, A. H., Goldstein, A. M., Stavrou, T., Scherer, S. W., Dura, W. T., Wainwright, B., Squire, J. A., Rutka, J. T. and Hogg, D. (2002). Mutations in SUFU predispose to medulloblastoma. Nature Genetics, 31 (3), 306-310. doi: 10.1038/ng916
2002
Journal Article
Generation of Diversity in the Innate Immune System: Macrophage Heterogeneity Arises From Gene-Autonomous Transcriptional Probability of Individual Inducible Genes
Ravasi, T., Wells, C., Forrest, A., Walsh, N., Underhill, D. M., Wainwright, B. J., Aderem, A., Grimmond, S. and Hume, D. A. (2002). Generation of Diversity in the Innate Immune System: Macrophage Heterogeneity Arises From Gene-Autonomous Transcriptional Probability of Individual Inducible Genes. Journal of Immunology, 168 (1), 44-50. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.1.44
2001
Journal Article
G551D CF mice display an abnormal host response and have impaired clearance of Pseudomonas lung disease
Mcmorran, B., Palmer, J., Lunn, D., Oceandy, D., Costelloe, E. O., Thomas, G., Hume, D. A. and Wainwright, B. J. (2001). G551D CF mice display an abnormal host response and have impaired clearance of Pseudomonas lung disease. AJP-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 281 (3), 740-747. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.2001.281.3.L740
2001
Conference Publication
Insights into the regulation of hedgehog signalling from subcellular localisation studies
Wicking, C. A., Evans, T., Wainwright, B. and Parton, R. (2001). Insights into the regulation of hedgehog signalling from subcellular localisation studies. -, -, -. Chicago, IL United States: University of Chicago Press.
2001
Journal Article
Mucus altering agents as adjuncts for nonviral gene transfer to airway epithelium
Ferrari, S., Kitson, C., Farley, R., Steel, R., Marriott, C., Parkins, D. A., Scarpa, M., Wainwright, B., Evans, M. J., Colledge, W. H., Geddes, D. M. and Alton, E. W. F. W. (2001). Mucus altering agents as adjuncts for nonviral gene transfer to airway epithelium. Gene Therapy, 8 (18), 1380-1386. doi: 10.1038/sj.gt.3301525
2001
Journal Article
Novel mutation in the Delta 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase gene in an Australian patient with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
Evans, T, Poh, A, Webb, C, Wainwright, B, Wicking, C, Glass, I, Carey, WF and Fietz, M (2001). Novel mutation in the Delta 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase gene in an Australian patient with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 103 (4), 344-347. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.1573
2000
Journal Article
Murine CFTR channel and its role in regulatory volume decrease of small intestine crypts
Valverde, Miguel A., Vázquez, Esther, Muñoz, Francisco J., Nobles, Muriel, Delaney, Stephen J., Wainwright, Brandon J., Colledge, William H. and Sheppard, David N. (2000). Murine CFTR channel and its role in regulatory volume decrease of small intestine crypts. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 10 (5-6), 321-328. doi: 10.1159/000016365
2000
Journal Article
The spectrum of patched mutations in a collection of Australian basal cell carcinomas
Evans, T, Boonchai, W, Shanley, S, Smyth, I, Gillies, S, Georgas, K, Wainwright, B, Chenevix-Trench, G and Wicking, C (2000). The spectrum of patched mutations in a collection of Australian basal cell carcinomas. Human Mutation, 16 (1), 43-48. doi: 10.1002/1098-1004(200007)16:13.0.CO;2-7
2000
Journal Article
G551D cystic fibrosis mice exhibit abnormal regulation of inflammation in lungs and macrophages
Thomas, Gordon R., Costelloe, E. A., Lunn, D. P., Stacey, K. J., Passey, R., McGlinn, E. C., McMorran, B. J., Ahadizadeh, A., Geczy, C. L., Wainwright, B. J. and Hume, D. A. (2000). G551D cystic fibrosis mice exhibit abnormal regulation of inflammation in lungs and macrophages. The Journal of Immunology, 164 (7), 3870-3877. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.7.3870
2000
Journal Article
Sequence variants of DLC1 in colorectal ovarian tumours
Wilson, PJ, McGlinn, E, Marsh, A, Evans, T, Arnold, J, Wright, K, Biden, K, Young, J, Wainwright, B, Wicking, C and Chenevix-Trench, G (2000). Sequence variants of DLC1 in colorectal ovarian tumours. Human Mutation, 15 (2), 156-165. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-1004(200002)15:2
1999
Journal Article
Isolation and characterization of human patched 2 (PTCH2), a putative tumour suppressor gene in basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma on chromosome 1p32
Smyth, I., Narang, M. A., Evans, T. M., Heimann, C., Nakamura, Y., Chenevix-Trench, G., Pietsch, T., Wicking, C. A. and Wainwright, B. J. (1999). Isolation and characterization of human patched 2 (PTCH2), a putative tumour suppressor gene in basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma on chromosome 1p32. Human Molecular Genetics, 8 (2), 291-297. doi: 10.1093/hmg/8.2.291
1999
Journal Article
Ectopic expression of Sonic Hedgehog from the human Keratin 1 promoter gives rise to limb abnormalities and skin lesions in transgenic mice.
Smyth, I, Bowles, J, Rothnagel, J, Wicking, C and Wainwright, B (1999). Ectopic expression of Sonic Hedgehog from the human Keratin 1 promoter gives rise to limb abnormalities and skin lesions in transgenic mice.. American Journal of Human Genetics, 65 (4), A371-A371.
1999
Journal Article
The in vivo effects of milrinone on the airways of cystic fibrosis mice and human subjects
Smith, Stephen N., Middleton, Peter G., Chadwick, Sharon, Jaffe, Adam, Bush, Katy A., Rolleston, Sarah, Farley, Ray, Delaney, Stephen J., Wainwright, Brandon, Geddes, Duncan M. and Alton, Eric W. F. W. (1999). The in vivo effects of milrinone on the airways of cystic fibrosis mice and human subjects. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 20 (1), 129-134. doi: 10.1165/ajrcmb.20.1.3278
1998
Journal Article
Regulation of murine cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channels expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells
Lansdell, K. A., Kidd, J. F., Delaney, S. J., Wainwright, B. J. and Sheppard, D. N. (1998). Regulation of murine cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channels expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Journal of Physiology, 512 (3), 751-764. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1998.751bd.x
1998
Journal Article
Novel susceptibility gene for late-onset NIDDM is localized to human chromosome 12q
Shaw, JTE, Lovelock, PK, Kesting, JB, Cardinal, J, Duffy, D, Wainwright, B and Cameron, DP (1998). Novel susceptibility gene for late-onset NIDDM is localized to human chromosome 12q. Diabetes, 47 (11), 1793-1796. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.47.11.1793
1998
Journal Article
CDX2, a human homologue of Drosophila caudal, is mutated in both alleles in a replication error positive colorectal cancer
Wicking, C, Simms, LA, Evans, T, Walsh, M, Chawengsaksophak, K, Beck, F, Chenevix-Trench, G, Young, J, Jass, J, Leggett, B and Wainwright, B (1998). CDX2, a human homologue of Drosophila caudal, is mutated in both alleles in a replication error positive colorectal cancer. Oncogene, 17 (5), 657-659. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1201971
1998
Journal Article
The effects of splice site mutations in patients with naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome
Smyth, , Wicking, C, Wainwright, B and Chenevix-Trench, G (1998). The effects of splice site mutations in patients with naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Human Genetics, 102 (5), 598-601. doi: 10.1007/s004390050747
1998
Journal Article
Comparison of the gating behaviour of human and murine cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channels expressed in mammalian cells
Lansdell, K. A., Delaney, S. J., Lunn, D. P., Thomson, S. A., Sheppard, D. N. and Wainwright, B. J. (1998). Comparison of the gating behaviour of human and murine cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channels expressed in mammalian cells. Journal of Physiology, 508 (2), 379-392. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1998.379bq.x
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
New treatments for children with medulloblastoma.
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
New treatments for children with medulloblastoma.
Principal Advisor
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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
A new therapy for paediatric brain tumours.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joseph Yunis
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Doctor Philosophy
Complex neoantigen prediction in cancers
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigation into network-defined novel targeted therapies for medulloblastoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Genovesi
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigation into network-defined novel targeted therapies for medulloblastoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Genovesi
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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