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
Media expert

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

172 works between 1998 and 2025
All (172) Journal Article (126) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (37) Other Outputs (3)

141 - 160 of 172 works

2009

Journal Article

The cell surface glycoprotein CDCP1 in cancer - Insights, opportunities, and challenges

Wortmann, Andreas, He, Yaowu, Deryugina, Elena I., Quigley, James P. and Hooper, John D. (2009). The cell surface glycoprotein CDCP1 in cancer - Insights, opportunities, and challenges. IUBMB Life, 61 (7), 723-730. doi: 10.1002/iub.198

The cell surface glycoprotein CDCP1 in cancer - Insights, opportunities, and challenges

2009

Conference Publication

Kallikrein-related proteases as novel therapeutic targets in prostate and ovarian cancer

Clements, J. A., Dong, Y., Loessner, D., Tan, O., Sieh, S., Reichert, J., Burke, L., Stephens, C., Lawrence, M., Stansfield, S., Swedberg, J., Ramsay, A., Hooper, J., Harris, J. and Hutmacher, D. (2009). Kallikrein-related proteases as novel therapeutic targets in prostate and ovarian cancer. 40th Annual Conference of the Society for Reproductive Biology, Clayton, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/srb09abs009

Kallikrein-related proteases as novel therapeutic targets in prostate and ovarian cancer

2009

Journal Article

Functional role of cell surface CUB domain-containing protein 1 in tumor cell dissemination

Deryugina, Elena I., Conn, Erin M., Wortmann, Andreas, Partridge, Juneth J., Kupriyanova, Tatyana A., Ardi, Veronica C., Hooper, John D. and Quigley, James P. (2009). Functional role of cell surface CUB domain-containing protein 1 in tumor cell dissemination. Molecular Cancer Research, 7 (8), 1197-1211. doi: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-09-0100

Functional role of cell surface CUB domain-containing protein 1 in tumor cell dissemination

2009

Journal Article

Matriptase-2 (TMPRSS6): A proteolytic regulator of iron homeostasis

Ramsay, Andrew J., Hooper, John D., Folgueras, Alicia R., Velasco, Gloria and Lopez-Otin, Carlos (2009). Matriptase-2 (TMPRSS6): A proteolytic regulator of iron homeostasis. Haematologica, 94 (6), 840-849. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2008.001867

Matriptase-2 (TMPRSS6): A proteolytic regulator of iron homeostasis

2008

Journal Article

The ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4-2 differentially interacts with and regulates members of the Tweety family of chloride ion channels

He, Yaowu, Hryciw, Deanne H., Carroll, Melanie L., Myers, Stephen A., Whitbread, Astrid K., Kumar, Sharad, Poronnik, Philip and Hooper, John D. (2008). The ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4-2 differentially interacts with and regulates members of the Tweety family of chloride ion channels. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283 (35), 24000-24010. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M803361200

The ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4-2 differentially interacts with and regulates members of the Tweety family of chloride ion channels

2008

Journal Article

N-glycosylation analysis of the human Tweety family of putative chloride ion channels supports a penta-spanning membrane arrangement: impact of N-glycosylation on cellular processing of Tweety homologue 2 (TTYH2)

He, Yaowu, Ramsay, Andrew, Hunt, Melanie, Whitbread, Astrid, Myers, Stephen and Hooper, John (2008). N-glycosylation analysis of the human Tweety family of putative chloride ion channels supports a penta-spanning membrane arrangement: impact of N-glycosylation on cellular processing of Tweety homologue 2 (TTYH2). Biochemical Journal, 412 (1), 45-55. doi: 10.1042/BJ20071722

N-glycosylation analysis of the human Tweety family of putative chloride ion channels supports a penta-spanning membrane arrangement: impact of N-glycosylation on cellular processing of Tweety homologue 2 (TTYH2)

2008

Journal Article

Kallikrein-related peptidase 4( KLK4)initiates intracellular signaling via protease-activated receptors(PARs):KLK4 and PAR-2 are co-expressed during prostate cancer progression

Ramsay, Andrew J., Dong, Ying, Hunt, Melanie L., Linn, MayLa, Samaratunga, Hemamali, Clements, Judith A. and Hooper, John D. (2008). Kallikrein-related peptidase 4( KLK4)initiates intracellular signaling via protease-activated receptors(PARs):KLK4 and PAR-2 are co-expressed during prostate cancer progression. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283 (18), 12293-12304. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M709493200

Kallikrein-related peptidase 4( KLK4)initiates intracellular signaling via protease-activated receptors(PARs):KLK4 and PAR-2 are co-expressed during prostate cancer progression

2008

Journal Article

A novel transcript from the KLKP1 gene is androgen regulated, down-regulated during prostate cancer progression and encodes the first non-serine protease identified from the human kallikrein gene locus

Myers, Stephen A., Kaushal, Aneel, Dong, Ying, Lai, John, Tan, Olivia L., Bui, Loan T., Hunt, Melanie L., Digby, Matthew R., Samaratunga, Hemamali, Gardiner, Robert A., Clements, Judith A. and Hooper, John D. (2008). A novel transcript from the KLKP1 gene is androgen regulated, down-regulated during prostate cancer progression and encodes the first non-serine protease identified from the human kallikrein gene locus. Prostate, 68 (4), 381-399. doi: 10.1002/pros.20685

A novel transcript from the KLKP1 gene is androgen regulated, down-regulated during prostate cancer progression and encodes the first non-serine protease identified from the human kallikrein gene locus

2008

Journal Article

Tissue-specific promoter utilisation of the kallikrein-related peptidase genes, KLK5 and KLK7, and cellular localisation of the encoded proteins suggest roles in exocrine pancreatic function

Dong, Ying, Matigian, Nick, Harvey, Tracey J., Samaratunga, Hemamali, Hooper, John D. and Clements, Judith A. (2008). Tissue-specific promoter utilisation of the kallikrein-related peptidase genes, KLK5 and KLK7, and cellular localisation of the encoded proteins suggest roles in exocrine pancreatic function. Biological Chemistry, 389 (2), 99-109. doi: 10.1515/BC.2008.013

Tissue-specific promoter utilisation of the kallikrein-related peptidase genes, KLK5 and KLK7, and cellular localisation of the encoded proteins suggest roles in exocrine pancreatic function

2008

Conference Publication

Prostatic trypsin-like kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and other prostate-expressed tryptic proteinases as regulators of signalling via proteinase-activated receptors (PARs)

Ramsay, Andrew J., Reid, Janet C., Adams, Mark N., Samaratunga, Hemamali, Dong, Ying, Clements, Judith A. and Hooper, John D. (2008). Prostatic trypsin-like kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and other prostate-expressed tryptic proteinases as regulators of signalling via proteinase-activated receptors (PARs). 2nd International Symposium on Kallikrein and Kallikrein-Related Peptidases (ISK 2007), Santorini, Greece, 16-18 October 2007. Berlin, Germany: Walter de Gruyter. doi: 10.1515/BC.2008.078

Prostatic trypsin-like kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and other prostate-expressed tryptic proteinases as regulators of signalling via proteinase-activated receptors (PARs)

2008

Journal Article

The type II transmembrane serine protease Matriptase-2 - identification, structural features, enzymology, expression pattern and potential roles

Ramsay, Andrew J., Reid, Janet C., Velasco, Gloria, Quigley, James P. and Hooper, John D. (2008). The type II transmembrane serine protease Matriptase-2 - identification, structural features, enzymology, expression pattern and potential roles. Frontiers in Bioscience, 13 (2), 569-579. doi: 10.2741/2702

The type II transmembrane serine protease Matriptase-2 - identification, structural features, enzymology, expression pattern and potential roles

2007

Journal Article

Potential physiological and pathophysiological roles for protease-activated receptor-2 in the kidney

Vesey, David A., Hooper, John D., Gobe, Glenda C. and Johnson, David W. (2007). Potential physiological and pathophysiological roles for protease-activated receptor-2 in the kidney. Nephrology, 12 (1), 36-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2006.00746.x

Potential physiological and pathophysiological roles for protease-activated receptor-2 in the kidney

2005

Journal Article

The membrane-anchored serine protease, TMPRSS2, activates PAR-2 in prostate cancer cells

Wilson, S, Greer, B, Hooper, J, Zijlstra, A, Walker, B, Quigley, J and Hawthorne, S (2005). The membrane-anchored serine protease, TMPRSS2, activates PAR-2 in prostate cancer cells. Biochemical Journal, 388 (3), 967-972. doi: 10.1042/BJ20041066

The membrane-anchored serine protease, TMPRSS2, activates PAR-2 in prostate cancer cells

2004

Book Chapter

The tissue kallikrein gene cluster

Clements, J. A., Hooper, John David, Odorico, D. M. and Dong, Y. (2004). The tissue kallikrein gene cluster. Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes / 1. Aspartic and metallo peptidases. (pp. 478-478) edited by Barrett, A. J., Rawlings, N. D. and Woessner, J. F.. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Academic Press.

The tissue kallikrein gene cluster

2003

Journal Article

Mouse matriptase-2: identification, characterization and comparative mRNA expression analysis with mouse hepsin in adult and embryonic tissues

Hooper, John D., Campagnolo, Luisa, Goodarzi, Goodarz, Truong, Tony N., Stuhlmann, Heidi and Quigley, James P. (2003). Mouse matriptase-2: identification, characterization and comparative mRNA expression analysis with mouse hepsin in adult and embryonic tissues. Biochemical Journal, 373 (3), 689-702. doi: 10.1042/BJ20030390

Mouse matriptase-2: identification, characterization and comparative mRNA expression analysis with mouse hepsin in adult and embryonic tissues

2003

Journal Article

Membrane anchored serine proteases: A rapidly expanding group of cell surface proteolytic enzymes with potential roles in cancer

Netzel-Arnett, Sarah, Hooper, John D., Szabo, Roman, Madison, Edwin L., Quigley, James P., Bugge, Thomas H. and Antalis, Toni M. (2003). Membrane anchored serine proteases: A rapidly expanding group of cell surface proteolytic enzymes with potential roles in cancer. Cancer and Metastasis Reviews, 22 (2-3), 237-258. doi: 10.1023/A:1023003616848

Membrane anchored serine proteases: A rapidly expanding group of cell surface proteolytic enzymes with potential roles in cancer

2003

Journal Article

Subtractive immunization using highly metastatic human tumor cells identifies SIMA135/CDCP1, a 135 kDa cell surface phosphorylated glycoprotein antigen

Hooper, John D., Zijlstra, Andries, Aimes, Ronald T., Liang, Hongyan, Claassen, Gisela F., Tarin, David, Testa, Jacqueline E. and Quigley, James P. (2003). Subtractive immunization using highly metastatic human tumor cells identifies SIMA135/CDCP1, a 135 kDa cell surface phosphorylated glycoprotein antigen. Oncogene, 22 (12), 1783-1794. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206220

Subtractive immunization using highly metastatic human tumor cells identifies SIMA135/CDCP1, a 135 kDa cell surface phosphorylated glycoprotein antigen

2003

Journal Article

Endothelial cell serine proteases expressed during vascular morphogenesis and angiogenesis

Aimes, RT, Zijlstra, A, Hooper, JD, Ogbourne, SM, Sit, ML, Fuchs, S, Gotley, DC, Quigley, JP and Antalis, TM (2003). Endothelial cell serine proteases expressed during vascular morphogenesis and angiogenesis. Thrombosis And Haemostasis, 89 (3), 561-572. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1613388

Endothelial cell serine proteases expressed during vascular morphogenesis and angiogenesis

2002

Journal Article

A quantitative analysis of rate-limiting steps in the metastatic cascade using human-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction

Zijlstra, A, Mellor, R, Panzarella, G, Aimes, RT, Hooper, JD, Marchenko, ND and Quigley, JP (2002). A quantitative analysis of rate-limiting steps in the metastatic cascade using human-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cancer Research, 62 (23), 7083-7092.

A quantitative analysis of rate-limiting steps in the metastatic cascade using human-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction

2001

Journal Article

TTYH2, a human homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster gene tweety, is located on 17q24 and upregulated in renal cell carcinoma

Rae, Fiona K., Hooper, John D., Eyre, Helen J., Sutherland, Grant R., Nicol, David L. and Clements, Judith A. (2001). TTYH2, a human homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster gene tweety, is located on 17q24 and upregulated in renal cell carcinoma. Genomics, 77 (3), 200-207. doi: 10.1006/geno.2001.6629

TTYH2, a human homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster gene tweety, is located on 17q24 and upregulated in renal cell carcinoma

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    The EARLY study: Evaluating the Specificity and feasibility of the EARLY Test for Ovarian Cancer Detection
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Early Detection of ovarian cancer using liquid biopsy analysis on circular RNAs
    Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
    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

  • 2023 - 2025
    It glows, it goes - a targeted contrast agent for fluorescence guided ovarian cancer surgery
    TdC Senior Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 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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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

    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 Justin Goh

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Dual antibody targeting of CDCP1 for Breast and Ovarian cancers

    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

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

    Principal Advisor

  • 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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