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)

61 - 80 of 157 works

2018

Journal Article

The potential role of miRNAs and exosomes in chemotherapy in ovarian cancer

Alharbi, Mona, Zuñiga, Felipe, Elfeky, Omar, Guanzon, Dominic, Lai, Andrew, Rice, Gregory E., Perrin, Lewis, Hooper, John and Salomon, Carlos (2018). The potential role of miRNAs and exosomes in chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. Endocrine-Related Cancer, 25 (12), R663-R685. doi: 10.1530/erc-18-0019

The potential role of miRNAs and exosomes in chemotherapy in ovarian cancer

2018

Journal Article

Proteomic analysis of exosomes reveals an association between cell invasiveness and exosomal bioactivity on endothelial and mesenchymal cell migration

Sharma, Shayna, Alharbi, Mona, Kobayashi, Miharu, Lai, Andrew, Guanzon, Dominic, Zuñiga, Felipe, Ormazabal, Valeska, Palma, Carlos, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Rice, Gregory E., Hooper, John D. and Salomon, Carlos (2018). Proteomic analysis of exosomes reveals an association between cell invasiveness and exosomal bioactivity on endothelial and mesenchymal cell migration. Clinical Science, 132 (18), 2029-2044. doi: 10.1042/CS20180425

Proteomic analysis of exosomes reveals an association between cell invasiveness and exosomal bioactivity on endothelial and mesenchymal cell migration

2018

Journal Article

Evidence that cell surface localization of serine protease activity facilitates cleavage of the protease activated receptor CDCP1

He, Yaowu, Reid, Janet C., He, Hui, Harrington, Brittney S., Finlayson, Brittney, Khan, Tashbib and Hooper, John D. (2018). Evidence that cell surface localization of serine protease activity facilitates cleavage of the protease activated receptor CDCP1. Biological Chemistry, 399 (9), 1091-1097. doi: 10.1515/hsz-2017-0308

Evidence that cell surface localization of serine protease activity facilitates cleavage of the protease activated receptor CDCP1

2018

Journal Article

L1 retrotransposon heterogeneity in ovarian tumor cell evolution

Nguyen, Thu H. M., Carreira, Patricia E., Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Schauer, Stephanie N., Fagg, Allister C., Richardson, Sandra R., Davies, Claire M., Jesuadian, J. Samuel, Kempen, Marie-Jeanne H. C., Troskie, Robin-Lee, James, Cini, Beaven, Elizabeth A., Wallis, Tristan P., Coward, Jermaine I. G., Chetty, Naven P., Crandon, Alexander J., Venter, Deon J., Armes, Jane E., Perrin, Lewis C., Hooper, John D., Ewing, Adam D., Upton, Kyle R. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2018). L1 retrotransposon heterogeneity in ovarian tumor cell evolution. Cell Reports, 23 (13), 3730-3740. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.05.090

L1 retrotransposon heterogeneity in ovarian tumor cell evolution

2018

Conference Publication

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor impacts on osteomacs and bone marrow macrophages - implications for prostate cancer osteoblastic lesion formation

Millard, Susan, Wu, Andy, Kaur, Simran, He, Yaowu, Batoon, Lena, Hooper, John and Pettit, Allison (2018). Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor impacts on osteomacs and bone marrow macrophages - implications for prostate cancer osteoblastic lesion formation. Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Montréal, Quebéc, Canada, Sep 28-Oct 01, 2018. Hoboken, NJ, United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.3621

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor impacts on osteomacs and bone marrow macrophages - implications for prostate cancer osteoblastic lesion formation

2018

Conference Publication

Integrative Analysis of Multi-Omics Exosomal Data for Identifying Multi-Markers for Susceptibility to Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer

Alharbi, Mona, Lai, Andrew, Guanzon, Dominic, Sharma, Shayna, Palma, Carlos, Zuniga, Felipe, Rice, Gregory E., Perrin, Lewis, Hooper, John D. and Salomon, Carlos (2018). Integrative Analysis of Multi-Omics Exosomal Data for Identifying Multi-Markers for Susceptibility to Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer. 65th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society-for-Reproductive-Investigation (SRI), San Diego Ca United States, 6-10 March 2018. Thousand Oaks, CA United States: Sage.

Integrative Analysis of Multi-Omics Exosomal Data for Identifying Multi-Markers for Susceptibility to Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer

2017

Journal Article

Tumor-derived exosomes in ovarian cancer - liquid biopsies for early detection and real-time monitoring of cancer progression

Sharma, Shayna, Zuñiga, Felipe, Rice, Gregory E., Perrin, Lewis C., Hooper, John D. and Salomon, Carlos (2017). Tumor-derived exosomes in ovarian cancer - liquid biopsies for early detection and real-time monitoring of cancer progression. Oncotarget, 8 (61), 104687-104703. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.22191

Tumor-derived exosomes in ovarian cancer - liquid biopsies for early detection and real-time monitoring of cancer progression

2017

Journal Article

Kallikrein-related peptidase 4 induces cancer-associated fibroblast features in prostate-derived stromal cells

Kryza, Thomas, Silva, Lakmali M., Bock, Nathalie, Fuhrman-Luck, Ruth, Stephens, Carson, Gao, Jin, Samaratunga, Hema, Lawrence, Mitchell, Hooper, John D., Dong, Ying, Risbridger, Gail and Clements, Judith A. (2017). Kallikrein-related peptidase 4 induces cancer-associated fibroblast features in prostate-derived stromal cells. Molecular Oncology, 11 (10), 1307-1329. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.12075

Kallikrein-related peptidase 4 induces cancer-associated fibroblast features in prostate-derived stromal cells

2017

Journal Article

The emerging roles of extracellular vesicles as communication vehicles within the tumor microenvironment and beyond

Sullivan, Ryan, Maresh, Grace, Zhang, Xin, Salomon, Carlos, Hooper, John, Margolin, David and Li, Li (2017). The emerging roles of extracellular vesicles as communication vehicles within the tumor microenvironment and beyond. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 8 (AUG) 194, 194. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00194

The emerging roles of extracellular vesicles as communication vehicles within the tumor microenvironment and beyond

2017

Journal Article

Plasmin(ogen) serves as a favorable biomarker for prediction of survival in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Zhao, Shuo, Dorn, Julia, Napieralski, Rudolf, Walch, Axel, Diersch, Sandra, Kotzsch, Matthias, Ahmed, Nancy, Hooper, John D., Kiechle, Marion, Schmitt, Manfred and Magdolen, Viktor (2017). Plasmin(ogen) serves as a favorable biomarker for prediction of survival in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Biological Chemistry, 398 (7), 765-773. doi: 10.1515/hsz-2016-0282

Plasmin(ogen) serves as a favorable biomarker for prediction of survival in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer

2017

Journal Article

Expression of CDCA3 is a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in non–small cell lung cancer

Adams, Mark N., Burgess, Joshua T., He, Yaowu, Gately, Kathy, Snell, Cameron, Zhang, Shu-Dong, Hooper, John D., Richard, Derek J. and O'Byrne, Kenneth J. (2017). Expression of CDCA3 is a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in non–small cell lung cancer. Journal of Thoracic Oncology, 12 (7), 1071-1084. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2017.04.018

Expression of CDCA3 is a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in non–small cell lung cancer

2017

Journal Article

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of CDCP1 shed from the cell surface and present in colorectal cancer serum specimens

Chen, Yang, Harrington, Brittney S., Lau, Kevin C. N., Burke, Lez J., He, Yaowu, Iconomou, Mary, Palmer, James S., Meade, Brian, Lumley, John W. and Hooper, John D. (2017). Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of CDCP1 shed from the cell surface and present in colorectal cancer serum specimens. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 139, 65-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2017.02.047

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of CDCP1 shed from the cell surface and present in colorectal cancer serum specimens

2017

Conference Publication

Exosomal content in the plasma of patients with ovarian cancer reflect tumor state and induce the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in target cells

Sharma, Shayna, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Kline, Richard, Wade, Katrina, Estes, Jacob, Palma, Carlos, Guanzon, Dominic, Lai, Andrew, Hooper, John, Rice, Gregory E. and Salomon, Carlos (2017). Exosomal content in the plasma of patients with ovarian cancer reflect tumor state and induce the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in target cells. 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), Orlando, FL, United States, 15-18 March 2017. Thousand Oaks, CA, United States: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/1933719117699773

Exosomal content in the plasma of patients with ovarian cancer reflect tumor state and induce the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in target cells

2017

Journal Article

Mapping transmembrane residues of proteinase activated recpetor 2 (PAR2) that influence ligand-modulated calcium signaling

Suen, J.Y., Adams, M. N., Lim, J., Madala, P.K., Xu, W, Cotterell, A., He, Y., Yua, Mei-Kwan, Hooper, J. D. and Fairlie, D.P. (2017). Mapping transmembrane residues of proteinase activated recpetor 2 (PAR2) that influence ligand-modulated calcium signaling. Pharmacological Research, 117, 328-342. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.12.020

Mapping transmembrane residues of proteinase activated recpetor 2 (PAR2) that influence ligand-modulated calcium signaling

2017

Journal Article

MUC13 overexpression in renal cell carcinoma plays a central role in tumor progression and drug resistance

Sheng, Yonghua, Ng, Choa Ping, Lourie, Rohan, Shah, Esha T., He, Yaowu, Wong, Kuan Yua, Seim, Inge, Oancea, Iulia, Morais, Christudas, Jeffery, Penny L., Hooper, John, Gobe, Glenda C. and Mcguckin, Michael A. (2017). MUC13 overexpression in renal cell carcinoma plays a central role in tumor progression and drug resistance. International Journal of Cancer, 140 (10), 2351-2363. doi: 10.1002/ijc.30651

MUC13 overexpression in renal cell carcinoma plays a central role in tumor progression and drug resistance

2017

Conference Publication

Ovarian cancer cells transfer resistance to chemotherapy to other cells via exosomes

Alharbi, Mona, Kline, Richard, Wade, Katrina, Estes, Jacob, Hooper, John, Rice, Gregory E. and Salomon, Carlos (2017). Ovarian cancer cells transfer resistance to chemotherapy to other cells via exosomes. 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), Orlando, FL, United States, 5-18 March 2017. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.

Ovarian cancer cells transfer resistance to chemotherapy to other cells via exosomes

2017

Journal Article

Osteoporosis-Related Health Behaviors in Men With Prostate Cancer and Survivors Exploring Osteoporosis Knowledge, Health Beliefs, and Self-Efficacy

Lassemillante, Annie-Claude M., Skinner, Tina L., Hooper, John D., Prins, John B. and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2017). Osteoporosis-Related Health Behaviors in Men With Prostate Cancer and Survivors Exploring Osteoporosis Knowledge, Health Beliefs, and Self-Efficacy. American Journal of Men’s Health, 11 (1), 13-23. doi: 10.1177/1557988315615956

Osteoporosis-Related Health Behaviors in Men With Prostate Cancer and Survivors Exploring Osteoporosis Knowledge, Health Beliefs, and Self-Efficacy

2017

Journal Article

Pericellular regulation of prostate cancer expressed kallikrein-related peptidases and matrix metalloproteinases by cell surface serine proteases

Reid, Janet C., Matsika, Admire, Davies, Claire M., He, Yaowu, Broomfield, Amy, Bennett, Nigel C., Magdolen, Viktor, Srinivasan, Bhuvana, Clements, Judith A. and Hooper, John D. (2017). Pericellular regulation of prostate cancer expressed kallikrein-related peptidases and matrix metalloproteinases by cell surface serine proteases. American Journal of Cancer Research, 7 (11), 2257-2274.

Pericellular regulation of prostate cancer expressed kallikrein-related peptidases and matrix metalloproteinases by cell surface serine proteases

2016

Journal Article

In vitro evidence that KLK14 regulates the components of the HGF/Met axis, pro-HGF and HGF-activator inhibitor 1A and 1B

Reid, Janet C., Bennett, Nigel C., Stephens, Carson R., Carroll, Melanie L., Magdolen, Viktor, Clements, Judith A. and Hooper, John D. (2016). In vitro evidence that KLK14 regulates the components of the HGF/Met axis, pro-HGF and HGF-activator inhibitor 1A and 1B. Biological Chemistry, 397 (12), 1299-1305. doi: 10.1515/hsz-2016-0163

In vitro evidence that KLK14 regulates the components of the HGF/Met axis, pro-HGF and HGF-activator inhibitor 1A and 1B

2016

Journal Article

MUC13 protects colorectal cancer cells from death by activating the NF-κB pathway and is a potential therapeutic target

Sheng, Y. H., He, Y., Hasnain, S. Z., Wang, R., Tong, H., Clarke, D. T., Lourie, R., Oancea, I., Wong, K. Y., Lumley, J. W., Florin, T. H., Sutton, P., Hooper, J. D., McMillan, N. A. and McGuckin, M. A. (2016). MUC13 protects colorectal cancer cells from death by activating the NF-κB pathway and is a potential therapeutic target. Oncogene, 36 (5), 700-713. doi: 10.1038/onc.2016.241

MUC13 protects colorectal cancer cells from death by activating the NF-κB pathway and is a potential therapeutic target

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

    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

    Investigations into genetic aberrations underlying recurrent ovarian cancer

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Geoff Faulkner

  • 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

    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

Completed supervision

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