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)

81 - 100 of 165 works

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Availability

Honorary Professor John Hooper is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

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

For media enquiries about Honorary Professor John Hooper's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au