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)

101 - 120 of 165 works

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

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

2014

Conference Publication

Targeting the cell surface protein Cdcp1 in a model of advanced ovarian cancer

Harrington, B., Davies, C. M., Wallace, S. J., He, Y., Armes, J. E., Perrin, L. C. and Hooper, J. D. (2014). Targeting the cell surface protein Cdcp1 in a model of advanced ovarian cancer. London, United Kingdom: B M J Group.

Targeting the cell surface protein Cdcp1 in a model of advanced ovarian cancer

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

2013

Journal Article

Alpha-tomatine synergises with paclitaxel to enhance apoptosis of androgen-independent human prostate cancer PC-3 cells in vitro and in vivo

Lee, Sui-Ting, Wong, Pooi-Fong, Hooper, John David and Mustafa, Mohd Rais (2013). Alpha-tomatine synergises with paclitaxel to enhance apoptosis of androgen-independent human prostate cancer PC-3 cells in vitro and in vivo. Phytomedicine, 20 (14), 1297-1305. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2013.07.002

Alpha-tomatine synergises with paclitaxel to enhance apoptosis of androgen-independent human prostate cancer PC-3 cells in vitro and in vivo

2013

Conference Publication

An Essential Role For Transferrin Receptor 2 In Erythropoiesis During Iron Restriction

Wallace, Daniel F., McDonald, Cameron J., Secondes, Eriza S., Ostini, Lesa, Rishi, Gautam, Hooper, John D., Velasco, Gloria, Ramsay, Andrew J., Lopez-Otin, Carlos and Subramaniam, V. Nathan (2013). An Essential Role For Transferrin Receptor 2 In Erythropoiesis During Iron Restriction. 55th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Hematology, New Orleans La, Dec 07-10, 2013. WASHINGTON: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.

An Essential Role For Transferrin Receptor 2 In Erythropoiesis During Iron Restriction

2013

Journal Article

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

Lee, Sui-Ting, Wong, Pooi-Fong, He, Hui, Hooper, John David and Mustafa, Mohd Rais (2013). 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, 8 (2), e57708-e57708. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057708

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

2013

Book Chapter

The Human Tissue Kallikrein and Kallikrein-related Peptidase Family

Clements, Judith A., Hooper, John D. and Dong, Ying (2013). The Human Tissue Kallikrein and Kallikrein-related Peptidase Family. Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes. (pp. 2747-2756) edited by Neil D. Rawlings and Guy Salvesen. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-382219-2.00606-2

The Human Tissue Kallikrein and Kallikrein-related Peptidase Family

2013

Conference Publication

The prevalence of osteoporosis in men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lassemillante, Annie-Claude, Hooper, John, Prins, John, Doi, Suhail and Wright, Olivia (2013). The prevalence of osteoporosis in men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Prostate Cancer World Congress & 14th Australasian Prostate Cancer Conference, Melbourne Australia, 6–10 August 2013. West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/bju.12293

The prevalence of osteoporosis in men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2013

Journal Article

Stratum basale keratinocyte expression of the cell-surface glycoprotein CDCP1 during epidermogenesis and its role in keratinocyte migration

McGovern, J. A., Heinemann, J. R., Burke, L. J., Dawson, R., Parker, T. J., Upton, Z., Hooper, J. D. and Manton, K. J. (2013). Stratum basale keratinocyte expression of the cell-surface glycoprotein CDCP1 during epidermogenesis and its role in keratinocyte migration. British Journal of Dermatology, 168 (3), 496-503. doi: 10.1111/bjd.12119

Stratum basale keratinocyte expression of the cell-surface glycoprotein CDCP1 during epidermogenesis and its role in keratinocyte migration

2013

Book Chapter

Matriptase-2

Ramsay, Andrew J., Kwarciak, Agnieszka, Hooper, John D., Lopez-Otin, Carlos and Velasco, Gloria (2013). Matriptase-2. Handbook of proteolytic enzymes. (pp. 2975-2983) edited by Neil D. Rawlings and Guy Salvensen. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-382219-2.00650-5

Matriptase-2

2013

Conference Publication

Clinically Identified Tmprss6 Mutations Result in Either Trafficking Defects or Inability to Cleave Hemojuvelin

Bennett, Nigel C., McDonald, Cameron J., Wallace, Daniel F., Hooper, John D., Lopez-Otin, Carlos and Subramaniam, V. Nathan (2013). Clinically Identified Tmprss6 Mutations Result in Either Trafficking Defects or Inability to Cleave Hemojuvelin. BioIron 2013: 5th Meeting of the International BioIron Society, University College London UK, April 14 – 18, 2013. Hoboken, United States: Jossey Bass, Ed. & Pub.. doi: 10.1002/ajh.23453

Clinically Identified Tmprss6 Mutations Result in Either Trafficking Defects or Inability to Cleave Hemojuvelin

2012

Journal Article

Evidence for steroidogenic potential in human prostate cell lines and tissues

Bennett, Nigel C., Hooper, John D., Lambie, Duncan, Lee, Cheok S., Yang, Tao, Vesey, David A., Samaratunga, Hemamali, Johnson, David W. and Gobe, Glenda C. (2012). Evidence for steroidogenic potential in human prostate cell lines and tissues. American Journal of Pathology, 181 (3), 1078-1087. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.06.009

Evidence for steroidogenic potential in human prostate cell lines and tissues

2012

Journal Article

Blocking of CDCP1 cleavage in vivo prevents Akt-dependent survival and inhibits metastatic colonization through PARP1-mediated apoptosis of cancer cells

Casar, B., He, Y., Iconomou, M., Hooper, J. D., Quigley, J. P. and Deryugina, E. I. (2012). Blocking of CDCP1 cleavage in vivo prevents Akt-dependent survival and inhibits metastatic colonization through PARP1-mediated apoptosis of cancer cells. Oncogene, 31 (35), 3924-3938. doi: 10.1038/onc.2011.555

Blocking of CDCP1 cleavage in vivo prevents Akt-dependent survival and inhibits metastatic colonization through PARP1-mediated apoptosis of cancer cells

2012

Journal Article

Selective cleavage of human sex hormone-binding globulin by kallikrein-related peptidases and effects on androgen action in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

Sanchez, Washington Y., de Veer, Simon J., Swedberg, Joakim E., Hong, Eui-Ju, Reid, Janet C., Walsh, Terry P., Hooper, John D., Hammond, Geoffrey L., Clements, Judith A. and Harris, Jonathan M. (2012). Selective cleavage of human sex hormone-binding globulin by kallikrein-related peptidases and effects on androgen action in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Endocrinology, 153 (7), 3179-3189. doi: 10.1210/en.2012-1011

Selective cleavage of human sex hormone-binding globulin by kallikrein-related peptidases and effects on androgen action in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

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

    Understanding the function of CDCP1 and its potential as a theranostic target for cholangiocarcinoma

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

    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

  • 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

Completed supervision

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