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)

61 - 80 of 165 works

2019

Conference Publication

"Theranostics" - radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer in preclinical cancer models

Cuda, T., Thomas, P., Rose, S., Puttick, S. and Hooper, J. (2019). "Theranostics" - radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer in preclinical cancer models. 32nd Annual Congress of the European-Association-of-Nuclear-Medicine (EANM), Barcelona, Spain, 12-16 October 2019. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.

"Theranostics" - radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer in preclinical cancer models

2019

Journal Article

CDCP1 enhances Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer promoting nuclear localization of β-catenin and E-cadherin

He, Yaowu, Davies, Claire M., Harrington, Brittney S., Hellmers, Linh, Sheng, Yonghua, Broomfield, Amy, McGann, Thomas, Bastick, Kate, Zhong, Laurie, Wu, Andy, Maresh, Grace, McChesney, Shannon, Yau Wong, Kuan, Adams, Mark N., Sullivan, Ryan C., Palmer, James S., Burke, Lez J., Ewing, Adam D., Zhang, Xin, Margolin, David, Li, Li, Lourie, Rohan, Matsika, Admire, Srinivasan, Bhuvana, McGuckin, Michael A., Lumley, John W. and Hooper, John D. (2019). CDCP1 enhances Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer promoting nuclear localization of β-catenin and E-cadherin. Oncogene, 39 (1), 219-233. doi: 10.1038/s41388-019-0983-3

CDCP1 enhances Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer promoting nuclear localization of β-catenin and E-cadherin

2019

Journal Article

MUC13 promotes the development of colitis-associated colorectal tumors via β-catenin activity

Sheng, Yong Hua, Wong, Kuan Yau, Seim, Inge, Wang, Ran, He, Yaowu, Wu, Andy, Patrick, Maya, Lourie, Rohan, Schreiber, Veronika, Giri, Rabina, Ng, Choa Ping, Popat, Amirali, Hooper, John, Kijanka, Gregor, Florin, Timothy H., Begun, Jakob, Radford, Kristen J., Hasnain, Sumaira and McGuckin, Michael A. (2019). MUC13 promotes the development of colitis-associated colorectal tumors via β-catenin activity. Oncogene, 38 (48), 7294-7310. doi: 10.1038/s41388-019-0951-y

MUC13 promotes the development of colitis-associated colorectal tumors via β-catenin activity

2019

Journal Article

Ovarian cancer-derived exosomes promote tumor metastasis in vivo an effect modulated by the invasiveness capacity of their originating cells

Alharbi, Mona, Lai, Andrew, Guanzon, Dominic, Palma, Carlos, Zuñiga, Felipe, Perrin, Lewis, He, Yaowu, Hooper, John D and Salomon, Carlos (2019). Ovarian cancer-derived exosomes promote tumor metastasis in vivo an effect modulated by the invasiveness capacity of their originating cells. Clinical Science, 133 (13), CS20190082-1419. doi: 10.1042/cs20190082

Ovarian cancer-derived exosomes promote tumor metastasis in vivo an effect modulated by the invasiveness capacity of their originating cells

2019

Conference Publication

GALIUM-68-PSMA-617 AS A NOVEL PET-CT MARKER FOR DISEASE STRATIFYING METASTATIC COLORECTAL CANCER: A PROSPECTIVE PILOT STUDY

Cuda, T., Riddell, A., Thomas, P., Puttick, S. and Hooper, J. (2019). GALIUM-68-PSMA-617 AS A NOVEL PET-CT MARKER FOR DISEASE STRATIFYING METASTATIC COLORECTAL CANCER: A PROSPECTIVE PILOT STUDY. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

GALIUM-68-PSMA-617 AS A NOVEL PET-CT MARKER FOR DISEASE STRATIFYING METASTATIC COLORECTAL CANCER: A PROSPECTIVE PILOT STUDY

2019

Conference Publication

Ovarian cancer cell invasiveness regulates their exosomes which induces oncogenic potential and cancer progression in vivo

Alharbi, Mona G., Lai, Andrew, Zuniga, Felipe, Perrin, Lewis, He, Yaowu, Hooper, John D. and Salomon, Carlos (2019). Ovarian cancer cell invasiveness regulates their exosomes which induces oncogenic potential and cancer progression in vivo. 66th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), Paris, France, March 12-16, 2019. Thousand Oaks, CA, United States: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/1933719119834079

Ovarian cancer cell invasiveness regulates their exosomes which induces oncogenic potential and cancer progression in vivo

2019

Conference Publication

Circulating exosomal miRNAs from women with ovarian cancer for early detection and real-time monitoring of disease progression

Sharma, Shayna, Lai, Andrew, Guanzon, Dominic, Morgan, Terry, Perrin, Lewis C., Hooper, John D. and Salomon, Carlos (2019). Circulating exosomal miRNAs from women with ovarian cancer for early detection and real-time monitoring of disease progression. 66th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), Paris, France, 12-16 March 2019. Thousand Oaks, CA, United States: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/1933719119834079

Circulating exosomal miRNAs from women with ovarian cancer for early detection and real-time monitoring of disease progression

2019

Conference Publication

"Theranostics": radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer

Cuda, T., Hooper, J., Puttick, S., He, Y., Kryza, T. and Khan, T. (2019). "Theranostics": radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM) 49th ASM, Adelaide, Australia, 26-28 April 2019. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia.

"Theranostics": radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer

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

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

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