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

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Cancer cell biology Cancer diagnosis Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) Oncology and carcinogenesis

Research interests

  • Cancers of the urological system, gynaecological 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 and bladder 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 phase 1 PET-CT imaging clinical trials evaluating the safety and tumour/normal biodistribution of a new radio-imaging agent to guide targeted therapy for ovarian and bladder 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 ~$17M in funding, producing 4 patents and 128 papers.

Search Professor John Hooper’s works on UQ eSpace

165 works between 1999 and 2025
All (165) Journal Article (123) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (34) Other Outputs (2)

21 - 40 of 165 works

2023

Journal Article

The roles of proteases in prostate cancer

Koistinen, Hannu, Kovanen, Ruusu‐Maaria, Hollenberg, Morley D., Dufour, Antoine, Radisky, Evette S., Stenman, Ulf‐Håkan, Batra, Jyotsna, Clements, Judith, Hooper, John D., Diamandis, Eleftherios, Schilling, Oliver, Rannikko, Antti and Mirtti, Tuomas (2023). The roles of proteases in prostate cancer. IUBMB Life, 75 (6), 493-513. doi: 10.1002/iub.2700

The roles of proteases in prostate cancer

2023

Journal Article

Discovery and validation of serum glycoprotein biomarkers for high grade serous ovarian cancer

Dutt, Mriga, Hartel, Gunter, Richards, Renee S., Shah, Alok K., Mohamed, Ahmed, Apostolidou, Sophia, Gentry‐Maharaj, Aleksandra, Hooper, John D., Perrin, Lewis C., Menon, Usha, Hill, Michelle M. and Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group (2023). Discovery and validation of serum glycoprotein biomarkers for high grade serous ovarian cancer. Proteomics - Clinical Applications, 17 (4) 2200114, 1-16. doi: 10.1002/prca.202200114

Discovery and validation of serum glycoprotein biomarkers for high grade serous ovarian cancer

2023

Journal Article

Combined thioredoxin reductase and glutaminase inhibition exerts synergistic anti-tumor activity in MYC-high high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

Raninga, Prahlad V., He, Yaowu, Datta, Keshava K., Lu, Xue, Maheshwari, Uma R., Venkat, Pooja, Mayoh, Chelsea, Gowda, Harsha, Kalimutho, Murugan, Hooper, John D. and Khanna, Kum Kum (2023). Combined thioredoxin reductase and glutaminase inhibition exerts synergistic anti-tumor activity in MYC-high high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Molecular Therapy, 31 (3) 212011, 729-743. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.12.011

Combined thioredoxin reductase and glutaminase inhibition exerts synergistic anti-tumor activity in MYC-high high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

2023

Conference Publication

Abstract P4-07-26: Development of CDCP1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate for Triple negative and metastatic breast cancer

Gough, Madeline, Khan, Tashbib, Kwah, Kayden, He, Yaowu, Ratnayake, Gishan, Pyke, Christopher, Snell, Cameron, Hooper, John and Kryza, Thomas (2023). Abstract P4-07-26: Development of CDCP1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate for Triple negative and metastatic breast cancer. 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, TX United States, 6-10 December 2022. Philadelphia, PA United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs22-p4-07-26

Abstract P4-07-26: Development of CDCP1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate for Triple negative and metastatic breast cancer

2023

Journal Article

Reactive oxygen species as mediators of disease progression and therapeutic response in colorectal cancer

Lyons, Nicholas, Giri, Rabina, Begun, Jakob, Clark, David A, Proud, David, He, Yaowu, Hooper, John and Kryza, Thomas (2023). Reactive oxygen species as mediators of disease progression and therapeutic response in colorectal cancer. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, 39 (1-3), 186-205. doi: 10.1089/ars.2022.0127

Reactive oxygen species as mediators of disease progression and therapeutic response in colorectal cancer

2023

Journal Article

In comparison with polypectomy, colorectal resection is associated with improved survival for patients diagnosed with malignant polyps

Zammit, Andrew P., Hooper, John D., Brown, Ian, Clark, David A. and Riddell, Andrew D. (2023). In comparison with polypectomy, colorectal resection is associated with improved survival for patients diagnosed with malignant polyps. Colorectal Disease, 25 (2), 261-271. doi: 10.1111/codi.16369

In comparison with polypectomy, colorectal resection is associated with improved survival for patients diagnosed with malignant polyps

2023

Journal Article

Missing parameters in malignant polyp histology reports: can appropriate decisions be made?

Zammit, Andrew P., Brown, Ian, Hooper, John D., Clark, David A. and Riddell, Andrew D. (2023). Missing parameters in malignant polyp histology reports: can appropriate decisions be made?. Pathology, 55 (1), 58-63. doi: 10.1016/j.pathol.2022.06.007

Missing parameters in malignant polyp histology reports: can appropriate decisions be made?

2023

Journal Article

Malignant polyps in the COVID ‐19 era: a population‐based analysis

Zammit, Andrew P., Brown, Ian, Hooper, John D., Clark, David A. and Riddell, Andrew D. (2023). Malignant polyps in the COVID ‐19 era: a population‐based analysis. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 93 (4), 932-938. doi: 10.1111/ans.18253

Malignant polyps in the COVID ‐19 era: a population‐based analysis

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

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

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

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

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

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

Availability

Honorary Professor John Hooper is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Cellular targets for cancer detection and treatment

    The project involves the use of state-of-the-art in silico and omics approaches to identify antigens that are suitable targets for delivery of radioactive and cytotoxic payloads to cancers. Candidates will be validated by analysis of patient tumours and normal organs.

  • Agents for targeted delivery of cytotoxins to cancer

    A range of screening approaches will be employed to identify organic compounds, peptides and antibodies that bind with high affinity and specificity to antigens enriched on the surface of cancer cells. The efficacy of these agents for delivery of payloads to cancer will be evaluated using cellular and mouse models of cancer.

  • Disrupting metabolsim to improve cancer treatment efficacy

    The project will employ disease-relevant in vitro mouse models to test metabolism modulating approaches to improve the efficacy of current anti-cancer treatments.

  • Targeting cell division to significatly improve the effectiveness of ovarian cancer treatments

    The project will employ nanoparticle formulations of cell division disrupting drugs against patient-derived in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

    Novel Theranostic Targets for Colorectal Cancer

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor David Clark

  • 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

    Development of antibody-drug conjugates against hard-to-cure solid cancers

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Brett Paterson, Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genomic and epigenomic correlates of prostate cancer therapy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor 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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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