Honorary Professor John Hooper
Honorary Professor

John Hooper

Email: 

Background

1991-94 BSc Honours I (Chemistry) University of Queensland, University Medal

1995-99 PhD (Cancer Pathology) University of Queensland

1999-00 Post-Doctoral Fellow, Queensland University of Technology

2001-03 NHMRC CJ Martin/RG Menzies Fellow, Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, CA, USA

2003-05 NHMRC CJ Martin/RG Menzies Fellow, Queensland University of Technology

2005-09 NHMRC RD Wright Fellow, Queensland University of Technology

2010-15 Associate Professor, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland

2012-16 ARC Future Fellow, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland

2016- Professor of Cancer Biology, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland

Availability

Honorary Professor John Hooper is:
Available for supervision

Research interests

  • Cancers of the reproductive system and gastrointestinal tract

    Our focus is on the identification and evaluation of molecular targets and biomarkers of cancer. As much as possible our research employs disease relevant models that incorporate patient tumours. We have developed a successful R&D pipeline to identify cell surface receptors that are enriched in cancer for the purpose of targeting them for delivery of radiation and cytotoxins for cancer detection and treatment. This has culminated in a PET-CT imaging clinical trial evaluating a new radio-imaging agent to guide targeted therapy for ovarian cancer. My team is expert in generating and employing in vitro, ex vivo and mouse models of cancer, using patient specimens for much of this work. We have extensive experience in cell and molecular biology, protein analysis, including generation, purification and characterisation of recombinant proteins from insect and mammalian cells, enzymology, wide field fluorescent and confocal microscopy of live and fixed specimens, flow cytometry analysis and fluorescent activated cell sorting, bioluminescent and PET/CT imaging of mouse models of cancer, and histological and immunohistochemical analysis of mouse xenografts and patient tumours. We also have expertise in radio- and cytotoxin-labelling of biomolecules using these for detection and treatment of cancer in preclinical models. Our discovery and translational research activities are supported by close collaborations with medical specialists involved in treatment and diagnosis of cancer at Mater, Royal Brisbane and Women’s, Wesley, and Princess Alexandra Hospitals.

Research impacts

My major research contributions are in the identification and evaluation of molecular targets and biomarkers for cancers of the ovary, pancreas, prostate and bowel. At a molecular level my focus is on cell surface receptors, proteolytic enzymes, intracellular signal transducers, mediators of metabolism and protein post-translational modifications. Most recently we have developed a successful R&D pipeline to identify cell surface receptors that are enriched in cancer for the purpose of targeting them for delivery of radiation and cytotoxins for cancer detection and treatment. This has culminated in a PET-CT imaging clinical trial evaluating a new radio-imaging agent to guide targeted therapy for ovarian cancer. My team is expert in generating and employing in vitro, ex vivo and mouse models of cancer, using patient specimens for much of this work. We have extensive experience in cell and molecular biology, protein analysis, including generation, purification and characterisation of recombinant proteins from insect and mammalian cells, enzymology, wide field fluorescent and confocal microscopy of live and fixed specimens, flow cytometry analysis and fluorescent activated cell sorting, bioluminescent and PET/CT imaging of mouse models of cancer, and histological and immunohistochemical analysis of mouse xenografts and patient tumours. We also have expertise in radio- and cytotoxin-labelling of biomolecules using these for detection and treatment of cancer in preclinical models. Our discovery and translational research activities are supported by close collaborations with medical specialists involved in treatment and diagnosis of cancer at Mater, Royal Brisbane and Women’s, Wesley, and Princess Alexandra Hospitals. To date my research has attracted ~$11M in funding, producing 4 patents and 95 papers.

Search Professor John Hooper’s works on UQ eSpace

157 works between 1999 and 2024
All (157) Journal Article (115) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (34) Other Outputs (2)

21 - 40 of 157 works

2023

Journal Article

Management of high and low risk malignant polyps – a population wide analysis

Zammit, Andrew P., Panahi, Seyed E., Brown, Ian, Hooper, John D., Clark, David A. and Riddell, Andrew D. (2023). Management of high and low risk malignant polyps – a population wide analysis. Colorectal Disease, 25 (1), 66-74. doi: 10.1111/codi.16328

Management of high and low risk malignant polyps – a population wide analysis

2022

Journal Article

CBL0137 impairs homologous recombination repair and sensitizes high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma to PARP inhibitors

Lu, Xue, He, Yaowu, Johnston, Rebecca L., Nanayakarra, Devathri, Sankarasubramanian, Sivanandhini, Lopez, J. Alejandro, Friedlander, Michael, Kalimutho, Murugan, Hooper, John D., Raninga, Prahlad V. and Khanna, Kum Kum (2022). CBL0137 impairs homologous recombination repair and sensitizes high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma to PARP inhibitors. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research, 41 (1) 355, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s13046-022-02570-4

CBL0137 impairs homologous recombination repair and sensitizes high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma to PARP inhibitors

2022

Conference Publication

Development of antibody-drug conjugates targeting the CDCP1 receptor for the treatment of Triple negative and metastatic breast cancer

Gough, M., Kwah, K., Khan, T., He, Y., Pyke, C., Ratnayake, G., Snell, C., Hooper, J. and Kryza, T. (2022). Development of antibody-drug conjugates targeting the CDCP1 receptor for the treatment of Triple negative and metastatic breast cancer. 13th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-13), Barcelona, Spain, 16-18 November 2022. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0959-8049(22)01571-4

Development of antibody-drug conjugates targeting the CDCP1 receptor for the treatment of Triple negative and metastatic breast cancer

2022

Journal Article

CUB Domain-Containing Protein 1 (CDCP1) is a rational target for the development of imaging tracers and antibody-drug conjugates for cancer detection and therapy

Khan, Tashbib, Lyons, Nicholas J., Gough, Madeline, Kwah, Kayden K.X., Cuda, Tahleesa J., Snell, Cameron E., Tse, Brian W., Sokolowski, Kamil A., Pearce, Lesley A., Adams, Timothy E., Rose, Stephen E., Puttick, Simon, Pajic, Marina, Adams, Mark N., He, Yaowu, Hooper, John D. and Kryza, Thomas (2022). CUB Domain-Containing Protein 1 (CDCP1) is a rational target for the development of imaging tracers and antibody-drug conjugates for cancer detection and therapy. Theranostics, 12 (16), 6915-6930. doi: 10.7150/thno.78171

CUB Domain-Containing Protein 1 (CDCP1) is a rational target for the development of imaging tracers and antibody-drug conjugates for cancer detection and therapy

2022

Journal Article

Timing of surveillance colonoscopy following malignant colorectal polypectomy in Queensland

Zammit, Andrew P., Brown, Ian, Hooper, John D., Clark, David A. and Riddell, Andrew D. (2022). Timing of surveillance colonoscopy following malignant colorectal polypectomy in Queensland. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 93 (3), 606-611. doi: 10.1111/ans.18069

Timing of surveillance colonoscopy following malignant colorectal polypectomy in Queensland

2022

Conference Publication

Intraoperative identification of colorectal cancer lesions using indocyanine green labelled antibodies in preclinical murine models

Lyons, Nicholas, Hooper, John, Clark, David, Riddell, Andrew and Kryza, Thomas (2022). Intraoperative identification of colorectal cancer lesions using indocyanine green labelled antibodies in preclinical murine models. Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Annual Congress, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 3-5 May 2022. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press . doi: 10.1093/bjs/znac245.093

Intraoperative identification of colorectal cancer lesions using indocyanine green labelled antibodies in preclinical murine models

2022

Conference Publication

EP-369 examining EphA2 expression in colorectal cancer

Lyons, Nicholas, Hooper, John, Kryza, Thomas, Clark, David and Riddell, Andrew (2022). EP-369 examining EphA2 expression in colorectal cancer. Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland Annual Congress, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 2022. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znac245.094

EP-369 examining EphA2 expression in colorectal cancer

2022

Journal Article

A population‐based study of the management of rectal malignant polyps and the use of trans‐anal surgery

Zammit, Andrew P., Brown, Ian, Hooper, John D., Clark, David A. and Riddell, Andrew D. (2022). A population‐based study of the management of rectal malignant polyps and the use of trans‐anal surgery. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 92 (11), 2949-2955. doi: 10.1111/ans.17917

A population‐based study of the management of rectal malignant polyps and the use of trans‐anal surgery

2022

Journal Article

Protease‐activated receptor‐2 dependent and independent responses of bone cells to prostate cancer cell secretory products

Pagel, Charles N., Kularathna, Pamu K., Sanaei, Reza, Young, Neil D., Hooper, John D. and Mackie, Eleanor J. (2022). Protease‐activated receptor‐2 dependent and independent responses of bone cells to prostate cancer cell secretory products. The Prostate, 82 (6), 723-739. doi: 10.1002/pros.24316

Protease‐activated receptor‐2 dependent and independent responses of bone cells to prostate cancer cell secretory products

2022

Journal Article

Erratum: Alpha-Tomatine Attenuation of In Vivo Growth of Subcutaneous and Orthotopic Xenograft Tumors of Human Prostate Carcinoma PC-3 Cells Is Accompanied by Inactivation of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Signaling (PLoS ONE (2013) 8:2 (e57708) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057708)

Lee, Sui-Ting, Wong, Pooi-Fong, He, Hui, Hooper, John David and Mustafa, Mohd Rais (2022). Erratum: Alpha-Tomatine Attenuation of In Vivo Growth of Subcutaneous and Orthotopic Xenograft Tumors of Human Prostate Carcinoma PC-3 Cells Is Accompanied by Inactivation of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Signaling (PLoS ONE (2013) 8:2 (e57708) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057708). PLoS ONE, 17 (5 May) e0268234. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268234

Erratum: Alpha-Tomatine Attenuation of In Vivo Growth of Subcutaneous and Orthotopic Xenograft Tumors of Human Prostate Carcinoma PC-3 Cells Is Accompanied by Inactivation of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Signaling (PLoS ONE (2013) 8:2 (e57708) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057708)

2022

Journal Article

Patient and pathological predictors of management strategy for malignant polyps following polypectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Zammit, Andrew P., Lyons, Nicholas J., Chatfield, Mark D., Hooper, John D., Brown, Ian, Clark, David A. and Riddell, Andrew D. (2022). Patient and pathological predictors of management strategy for malignant polyps following polypectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Colorectal Disease, 37 (5), 1035-1047. doi: 10.1007/s00384-022-04142-6

Patient and pathological predictors of management strategy for malignant polyps following polypectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021

Journal Article

Protease-activated receptor-2 promotes osteogenesis in skeletal mesenchymal stem cells at the expense of adipogenesis: involvement of interleukin-6

Sanaei, R., Kularathna, P. K., Taghavi, N., Hooper, J. D., Pagel, C. N. and Mackie, E. J. (2021). Protease-activated receptor-2 promotes osteogenesis in skeletal mesenchymal stem cells at the expense of adipogenesis: involvement of interleukin-6. Bone Reports, 15 101113, 101113. doi: 10.1016/j.bonr.2021.101113

Protease-activated receptor-2 promotes osteogenesis in skeletal mesenchymal stem cells at the expense of adipogenesis: involvement of interleukin-6

2021

Journal Article

Elevating CDCA3 levels enhances tyrosine kinase inhibitor sensitivity in TKI-resistant EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer

Sahin, Katherine B., Shah, Esha T., Ferguson, Genevieve P., Molloy, Christopher, Kalita-de Croft, Priyakshi, Hayes, Sarah A., Hudson, Amanda, Colvin, Emily, Kamitakahara, Hannah, Harvie, Rozelle, Hasovits, Csilla, Khan, Tashbib, Duijf, Pascal H. G., Howell, Viive M., He, Yaowu, Bolderson, Emma, Hooper, John D., Lakhani, Sunil R., Richard, Derek J., O’Byrne, Kenneth J. and Adams, Mark N. (2021). Elevating CDCA3 levels enhances tyrosine kinase inhibitor sensitivity in TKI-resistant EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer. Cancers, 13 (18) 4651, 4651. doi: 10.3390/cancers13184651

Elevating CDCA3 levels enhances tyrosine kinase inhibitor sensitivity in TKI-resistant EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer

2021

Journal Article

Preclinical molecular PET-CT imaging targeting CDCP1 in colorectal cancer

Cuda, Tahleesa J., He, Yaowu, Kryza, Thomas, Khan, Tashbib, Tse, Brian W., Sokolowski, Kamil A., Liu, Cheng, Lyons, Nicholas, Gough, Madeline, Snell, Cameron E., Wyld, David K., Rose, Stephen, Riddell, Andrew D., Stevenson, Andrew R. L., Thomas, Paul A., Clark, David A., Puttick, Simon and Hooper, John D. (2021). Preclinical molecular PET-CT imaging targeting CDCP1 in colorectal cancer. Contrast Media and Molecular Imaging, 2021 3153278, 3153278. doi: 10.1155/2021/3153278

Preclinical molecular PET-CT imaging targeting CDCP1 in colorectal cancer

2021

Journal Article

Preclinical Evaluation of a Fluorescent Probe Targeting Receptor CDCP1 for Identification of Ovarian Cancer

He, Yaowu, Khan, Tashbib, Kryza, Thomas, Jones, Martina L., Goh, Justin B., Lyons, Nicholas J., Pearce, Lesley A., Lee, Michael D, Gough, Madeline, Rogers, Rebecca, Davies, Claire M,, Gilks, C. Blake, Hodgkinson, Thomas, Lourie, Rohan, Barry, Sinead C., Perrin, Lewis C., Williams, Charlotte C., Puttick, Simon, Adams, Timothy E., Munro, Trent P., Hooper, John D. and Chetty, Naven (2021). Preclinical Evaluation of a Fluorescent Probe Targeting Receptor CDCP1 for Identification of Ovarian Cancer. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 18 (9) acs.molpharmaceut.1c00401, 3464-3474. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00401

Preclinical Evaluation of a Fluorescent Probe Targeting Receptor CDCP1 for Identification of Ovarian Cancer

2021

Journal Article

Extracellular vesicle transmission of chemoresistance to ovarian cancer cells is associated with hypoxia-induced expression of glycolytic pathway proteins, and prediction of epithelial ovarian cancer disease recurrence

Alharbi, Mona, Lai, Andrew, Sharma, Shayna, Kalita-De Croft, Priyakshi, Godbole, Nihar, Campos, America, Guanzon, Dominic, Salas-Burgos, Alexis, Carrion, Flavio, Zuñiga, Felipe A., Perrin, Lewis, He, Yaowu, Pejovic, Tanja, Winters, Carmen, Morgan, Terry, Hooper, John D., Rice, Gregory E. and Salomon, Carlos (2021). Extracellular vesicle transmission of chemoresistance to ovarian cancer cells is associated with hypoxia-induced expression of glycolytic pathway proteins, and prediction of epithelial ovarian cancer disease recurrence. Cancers, 13 (14) 3388, 1-26. doi: 10.3390/cancers13143388

Extracellular vesicle transmission of chemoresistance to ovarian cancer cells is associated with hypoxia-induced expression of glycolytic pathway proteins, and prediction of epithelial ovarian cancer disease recurrence

2021

Journal Article

Substrate-biased activity-based probes identify proteases that cleave receptor CDCP1

Kryza, Thomas, Khan, Tashbib, Lovell, Scott, Harrington, Brittney S., Yin, Julia, Porazinski, Sean, Pajic, Marina, Koistinen, Hannu, Rantala, Juha K., Dreyer, Tobias, Magdolen, Viktor, Reuning, Ute, He, Yaowu, Tate, Edward W. and Hooper, John D. (2021). Substrate-biased activity-based probes identify proteases that cleave receptor CDCP1. Nature Chemical Biology, 17 (7), 776-783. doi: 10.1038/s41589-021-00783-w

Substrate-biased activity-based probes identify proteases that cleave receptor CDCP1

2021

Journal Article

The CDCP1 signalling hub: a target for cancer detection and therapeutic intervention

Khan, Tashbib, Kryza, Thomas, Lyons, Nicholas J., He, Yaowu and Hooper, John D. (2021). The CDCP1 signalling hub: a target for cancer detection and therapeutic intervention. Cancer Research, 81 (9) canres.2978.2020, QF1-QF11. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2978

The CDCP1 signalling hub: a target for cancer detection and therapeutic intervention

2021

Journal Article

Histone modifying enzymes in gynaecological cancers

Ramarao-Milne, Priya, Kondrashova, Olga, Barry, Sinead, Hooper, John D., Lee, Jason S. and Waddell, Nicola (2021). Histone modifying enzymes in gynaecological cancers. Cancers, 13 (4) 816, 1-21. doi: 10.3390/cancers13040816

Histone modifying enzymes in gynaecological cancers

2021

Journal Article

A nucleotide analog prevents colitis associated cancer via Β-catenin independently of inflammation and autophagy

Sheng, Yong Hua, Giri, Rabina, Davies, Julie, Schreiber, Veronika, Alabbas, Saleh, Movva, Ramya, He, Yaowu, Wu, Andy, Hooper, John, McWhinney, Brett, Oancea, Iulia, Kijanka, Gregor, Hasnain, Sumaira, Lucke, Andrew J., Fairlie, David P., McGuckin, Michael A., Florin, Timothy H. and Begun, Jakob (2021). A nucleotide analog prevents colitis associated cancer via Β-catenin independently of inflammation and autophagy. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 11 (1), 33-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.05.012

A nucleotide analog prevents colitis associated cancer via Β-catenin independently of inflammation and autophagy

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    It glows, it goes - a targeted contrast agent for fluorescence guided ovarian cancer surgery
    TdC Senior Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2026
    A new radio-imaging agent to guide targeted therapy for epithelial ovarian cancer
    NHMRC MRFF EPCDR - Ovarian Cancer Research
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    ACRF Facility for Targeted Radiometals in Cancer (AFTRiC)
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Theranostic agents for improved detection and treatment of advanced breast cancer
    National Breast Cancer Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Targeting MUC13 to Sensitise Colorectal Cancer to Therapy (NHMRC Project Grant led by the University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Validation of a Novel Exosomal Biomarker Panel for the Detection of Ovarian Cancer - Liquid Biopsies to Monitor the Oncogenic Transformation of The Ovary
    Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Investigating the efficacy of intratumoral delivery of immune checkpoint inhibitors in epithelial ovarian cancer
    AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Nuclear medicine suite for animals
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    A novel theranostic for pancreatic cancer
    Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Tumour-derived exosomes as a signature of ovarian cancer - liquid biopsies as indicators of tumour progression
    Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    A novel protease and growth factor regulated signalling system in ovarian cancer
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Micro CT Scanner
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Macrophages facilitate prostate cancer bone metastasis.
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Targeting CDCP1 to reduce tumour burden and ascites in clear cell ovarian cancer
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2015
    The role of the cancer stem cells in colorectal cancer metastasis
    UQ-Ochsner Seed Fund for Collaborative Research - DVCR funds
    Open grant
  • 2013
    A novel molecular pathway in cancer
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    A novel Src regulated protease activated signalling pathway in hematogenous metastasis
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant

Availability

Honorary Professor John Hooper is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigations into genetic aberrations underlying recurrent ovarian cancer

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Geoff Faulkner

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Novel theranostic targets for metastatic colorectal cancer

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor David Clark

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cancer-associated post-translational modifications of the receptor CDCP1 Background:

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Factors impacting receptor processing in response to peptide and antibody ligands

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jodi Saunus

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Molecular and cellular determinants of CDCP1 targeted, payload-delivery antibodies.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the function of CDCP1 and its potential as a theranostic target for cholangiocarcinoma

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biomarker driven diagnostic and therapeutic innovations in breast cancer

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genomic and epigenomic correlates of prostate cancer therapy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adam Ewing

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterisation of EV-associated lipids in the progression of ovarian cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dominic Guanzon, Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo, Dr Andrew Lai

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing new strategies to overcome immune suppression in cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sherry Wu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing novel strategies to overcome immune suppression in cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sherry Wu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Enhancing immune responses to cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jazmina Gonzalez Cruz, Professor Brian Gabrielli

Completed supervision

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