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)

81 - 100 of 157 works

2016

Journal Article

CD169+ macrophages mediate pathological formation of woven bone in skeletal lesions of prostate cancer

Wu, Andy C., He, Yaowu, Broomfield, Amy, Paatan, Nicoll J., Harrington, Brittney S., Tseng, Hsu-Wen, Beaven, Elizabeth A., Kiernan, Deirdre M., Swindle, Peter, Clubb, Adrian B., Levesque, Jean-Pierre, Winkler, Ingrid G., Ling, Ming-Tat, Srinivasan, Bhuvana, Hooper, John D. and Pettit, Allison R. (2016). CD169+ macrophages mediate pathological formation of woven bone in skeletal lesions of prostate cancer. Journal of Pathology, 239 (2), 218-230. doi: 10.1002/path.4718

CD169+ macrophages mediate pathological formation of woven bone in skeletal lesions of prostate cancer

2016

Journal Article

Cell line and patient-derived xenograft models reveal elevated CDCP1 as a target in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Harrington, Brittney S., He, Yaowu, Davies, Claire M., Wallace, Sarah J., Adams, Mark N., Beaven, Elizabeth A., Roche, Deborah K., Kennedy, Catherine, Chetty, Naven P., Crandon, Alexander J., Flatley, Christopher, Oliveira, Niara B., Shannon, Catherine M., deFazio, Anna, Tinker, Anna V., Gilks, C. Blake, Gabrielli, Brian, Brennan, Donal J., Coward, Jermaine I., Armes, Jane E., Perrin, Lewis C. and Hooper, John D. (2016). Cell line and patient-derived xenograft models reveal elevated CDCP1 as a target in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 114 (4), 417-426. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2015.471

Cell line and patient-derived xenograft models reveal elevated CDCP1 as a target in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

2016

Journal Article

New crossroads for potential therapeutic intervention in cancer - intersections between CDCP1, EGFR family members and downstream signaling pathways

He, Yaowu, Harrington, Brittney S. and Hooper, John D. (2016). New crossroads for potential therapeutic intervention in cancer - intersections between CDCP1, EGFR family members and downstream signaling pathways. Oncoscience, 3 (1), 5-8. doi: 10.18632/oncoscience.286

New crossroads for potential therapeutic intervention in cancer - intersections between CDCP1, EGFR family members and downstream signaling pathways

2016

Conference Publication

The role of cancer stem cells in colorectal cancer metastasis

Kemp, M. C., Pummer, J., He, Y., Hooper, J., Reuter, B., Borgovan, T., Zhang, X., Sullivan, R., Maresh, G., Green, H., Del Valle, L., Margolin, D. and Li, L. (2016). The role of cancer stem cells in colorectal cancer metastasis. Southern Regional Meeting of the American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR), New Orleans, LA, United States, Feb 18-20, 2016. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/jim-2015-000035.415

The role of cancer stem cells in colorectal cancer metastasis

2016

Journal Article

Potent small agonists of protease activated receptor 2

Yau, Mei-Kwan, Suen, Jacky Y., Xu, Weijun, Lim, Junxian, Liu, Ligong, Adams, Mark N., He, Yaowu, Hooper, John D., Reid, Robert C. and Fairlie, David P. (2016). Potent small agonists of protease activated receptor 2. ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 7 (1), 105-110. doi: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5b00429

Potent small agonists of protease activated receptor 2

2016

Conference Publication

Targeting Apoptosis as a Novel Therapy for Myc-Driven Medulloblastoma

Ji, Pengxiang, Genovesi, Laura, He, Yaowu, Hooper, John and Wainwright, Brandon (2016). Targeting Apoptosis as a Novel Therapy for Myc-Driven Medulloblastoma. 17th International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO), Liverpool England, 12-15 June 2016. United States: Oxford University Press.

Targeting Apoptosis as a Novel Therapy for Myc-Driven Medulloblastoma

2016

Journal Article

Elevated CDCP1 predicts poor patient outcome and mediates ovarian clear cell carcinoma by promoting tumor spheroid formation, cell migration and chemoresistance

He, Y., Wu, A. C., Harrington, B. S., Davies, C. M., Wallace, S. J., Adams, M. N., Palmer, J. S., Roche, D. K., Hollier, B. G., Westbrook, T. F., Hamidi, H., Konecny, G. E., Winterhoff, B., Chetty, N. P., Crandon, A. J., Oliveira, N. B., Shannon, C. M., Tinker, A. V., Gilks, C. B., Coward, J. I., Lumley, J. W., Perrin, L. C., Armes, J. E. and Hooper, J. D. (2016). Elevated CDCP1 predicts poor patient outcome and mediates ovarian clear cell carcinoma by promoting tumor spheroid formation, cell migration and chemoresistance. Oncogene, 35 (4), 468-478. doi: 10.1038/onc.2015.101

Elevated CDCP1 predicts poor patient outcome and mediates ovarian clear cell carcinoma by promoting tumor spheroid formation, cell migration and chemoresistance

2016

Conference Publication

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

Sheng, Yong H., He, Yaowu, Hasnain, Sumaira Z., Wang, Ran, Tong, Hui, Clarke, Daniel T., Lourie, Rohan, Oancea, Lulia, Wong, Kuanyau, Lumley, John W., Florin, Timothy H., Sutton, Philip, Hooper, John. D., Mcmillan, Nigel A. and Mcguckin, Michael A. (2016). MUC13 protects colorectal cancer cells from death by activating the NF-Kb pathway and is a potential therapeutic target. AACR 107th Annual Meeting on Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, New Orleans, Los Angeles, 16-20 April 2016 . Philadelphia, PA, United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2016-3564

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

2015

Journal Article

Cancer stem cell markers in prostate cancer: An immunohistochemical study of ALDH1, SOX2 and EZH2

Matsika, Admire, Srinivasan, Bhuvana, Day, Christopher, Mader, Sabina Ann, Kiernan, Deirdre Margaret, Broomfield, Amy, Fu, Jinlin, Hooper, John D., Kench, James G. and Samaratunga, Hemamali (2015). Cancer stem cell markers in prostate cancer: An immunohistochemical study of ALDH1, SOX2 and EZH2. Pathology, 47 (7), 622-628. doi: 10.1097/PAT.0000000000000325

Cancer stem cell markers in prostate cancer: An immunohistochemical study of ALDH1, SOX2 and EZH2

2015

Journal Article

Tissue engineered humanized bone supports human hematopoiesis in vivo

Holzapfel, Boris M., Hutmacher, Dietmar W., Nowlan, Bianca, Barbier, Valerie, Thibaudeau, Laure, Theodoropoulos, Christina, Hooper, John D., Loessner, Daniela, Clements, Judith A., Russell, Pamela J., Pettit, Allison R., Winkler, Ingrid G. and Levesque, Jean-Pierre (2015). Tissue engineered humanized bone supports human hematopoiesis in vivo. Biomaterials, 61, 103-114. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.04.057

Tissue engineered humanized bone supports human hematopoiesis in vivo

2015

Journal Article

Functional analysis of matriptase-2 mutations and domains: Insights into the molecular basis of iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia

McDonald, Cameron J., Ostini, Lesa, Bennett, Nigel, Subramaniam, Nanthakumar, Hooper, John, Velasco, Gloria, Wallace, Daniel F. and Nathan Subramaniam, V. (2015). Functional analysis of matriptase-2 mutations and domains: Insights into the molecular basis of iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia. American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology, 308 (7), C539-C547. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00264.2014

Functional analysis of matriptase-2 mutations and domains: Insights into the molecular basis of iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia

2015

Journal Article

A critical role for murine transferrin receptor 2 in erythropoiesis during iron restriction

Wallace, Daniel F., Secondes, Eriza S., Rishi, Gautam, Ostini, Lesa, McDonald, Cameron J., Lane, Steven W., Vu, Therese, Hooper, John D., Velasco, Gloria, Ramsay, Andrew J., Lopez-Otin, Carlos and Subramaniam, V. Nathan (2015). A critical role for murine transferrin receptor 2 in erythropoiesis during iron restriction. British Journal of Haematology, 168 (6), 891-901. doi: 10.1111/bjh.13225

A critical role for murine transferrin receptor 2 in erythropoiesis during iron restriction

2015

Journal Article

Prevalence of osteoporosis in prostate cancer survivors II: a meta-analysis of men not on androgen deprivation therapy

Lassemillante, Annie-Claude M., Doi, Suhail A. R., Hooper, John D., Prins, John B. and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2015). Prevalence of osteoporosis in prostate cancer survivors II: a meta-analysis of men not on androgen deprivation therapy. Endocrine, 50 (2), 344-354. doi: 10.1007/s12020-015-0536-7

Prevalence of osteoporosis in prostate cancer survivors II: a meta-analysis of men not on androgen deprivation therapy

2015

Conference Publication

EGF-induced recycling of the cancer promoting protein CDCP1

Adams, Mark N., Harrington, Brittney S., He, Yaowu, Davies, Claire M., Wallace, Sarah J., Chetty, Naven P., Crandon, Alexander J., Oliveira, Niara B., Shannon, Catherine M., Coward, Jermaine I., Lumley, John W., Perrin, Lewis C., Armes, Jane E. and Hooper, John D. (2015). EGF-induced recycling of the cancer promoting protein CDCP1. 15th International Biennial Congress of the Metastasis Research Society, Heidelberg, Germany, June 28th–July 1st, 2014. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Netherlands. doi: 10.1007/s10585-015-9708-3

EGF-induced recycling of the cancer promoting protein CDCP1

2015

Journal Article

EGF inhibits constitutive internalization and palmitoylation-dependent degradation of membrane-spanning procancer CDCP1 promoting its availability on the cell surface

Adams, M. N., Harrington, B. S., He, Y., Davies, C. M., Wallace, S. J., Chetty, N. P., Crandon, A. J., Oliveira, N. B., Shannon, C. M., Coward, J. I., Lumley, J. W., Perrin, L. C., Armes, J. E. and Hooper, J. D. (2015). EGF inhibits constitutive internalization and palmitoylation-dependent degradation of membrane-spanning procancer CDCP1 promoting its availability on the cell surface. Oncogene, 34 (11), 1375-1383. doi: 10.1038/onc.2014.88

EGF inhibits constitutive internalization and palmitoylation-dependent degradation of membrane-spanning procancer CDCP1 promoting its availability on the cell surface

2014

Journal Article

Activation of membrane-bound proteins and receptor systems: a link between tissue kallikrein and the KLK-related peptidases

Dong, Ying, Harrington, Brittney S., Adams, Mark N., Wortmann, Andreas, Stephenson, Sally-Anne, Lisle, Jessica, Herington, Adrian, Hooper, John D. and Clements, Judith A. (2014). Activation of membrane-bound proteins and receptor systems: a link between tissue kallikrein and the KLK-related peptidases. Biological Chemistry, 395 (9), 977-990. doi: 10.1515/hsz-2014-0147

Activation of membrane-bound proteins and receptor systems: a link between tissue kallikrein and the KLK-related peptidases

2014

Journal Article

Prevalence of osteoporosis in prostate cancer survivors: a meta-analysis

Lassemillante, Annie-Claude M., Doi, Suhail A. R, Hooper, John D., Prins, John B. and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2014). Prevalence of osteoporosis in prostate cancer survivors: a meta-analysis. Endocrine, 45 (3), 370-381. doi: 10.1007/s12020-013-0083-z

Prevalence of osteoporosis in prostate cancer survivors: a meta-analysis

2014

Conference Publication

Investigation of mice deficient in matriptase-2, Hfe and transferrin receptor 2 reveals a novel non-hepatic role for Tfr2 in erythropoiesis

Wallace, D. F., Secondes, E. S., Rishi, G., Ostini, L., Mcdonald, C. J., Lane, S. W., Hooper, J. D., Lopez-Otin, C. and Subramaniam, V. N. (2014). Investigation of mice deficient in matriptase-2, Hfe and transferrin receptor 2 reveals a novel non-hepatic role for Tfr2 in erythropoiesis. Australian Gastroenterology Week 2014, Broadbeach, Australia, 22-24 October 2014. Richmond, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/jgh.12736_6

Investigation of mice deficient in matriptase-2, Hfe and transferrin receptor 2 reveals a novel non-hepatic role for Tfr2 in erythropoiesis

2014

Conference Publication

A New Marker of Poor Outcome and Potential Therapeutic Target in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma

Hooper, J., He, Y., Wu, A., Harrington, B., Davies, C., Wallace, S., Gilks, B., Perrin, L. and Armes, J. (2014). A New Marker of Poor Outcome and Potential Therapeutic Target in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma. 15th Biennial Meeting of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 8-11 November 2014. London, United Kingdom: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. doi: 10.1097/01.IGC.0000457075.08973.89

A New Marker of Poor Outcome and Potential Therapeutic Target in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma

2014

Journal Article

Expression profiles and functional associations of endogenous androgen receptor and caveolin-1 in prostate cancer cell lines

Bennett, Nigel C., Hooper, John D., Johnson, David W. and Gobe, Glenda C. (2014). Expression profiles and functional associations of endogenous androgen receptor and caveolin-1 in prostate cancer cell lines. Prostate, 74 (5), 478-487. doi: 10.1002/pros.22767

Expression profiles and functional associations of endogenous androgen receptor and caveolin-1 in prostate cancer cell lines

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: 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing new strategies to overcome immune suppression in cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sherry Wu

Completed supervision

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