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

181 works between 1998 and 2026
All (181) Journal Article (133) Other Outputs (3) Conference Publication (38) Book Chapter (7)

141 - 160 of 181 works

2011

Journal Article

Cellular settings mediating Src substrate switching between focal adhesion kinase tyrosine 861 and CUB-domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) tyrosine 734

Wortmann, Andreas, He, Yaowu, Christensen, Melinda E., Linn, Mayla, Lumley, John W., Pollock, Pamela M., Waterhouse, Nigel J. and Hooper, John D. (2011). Cellular settings mediating Src substrate switching between focal adhesion kinase tyrosine 861 and CUB-domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) tyrosine 734. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 206 (49), 42303-42315. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.227462

Cellular settings mediating Src substrate switching between focal adhesion kinase tyrosine 861 and CUB-domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) tyrosine 734

2011

Journal Article

The role of palmitoylation in signalling, cellular trafficking and plasma membrane localization of protease-activated receptor-2

Adams, Mark N., Christensen, Melinda E., He, Yaowu, Waterhouse, Nigel J. and Hooper, John D. (2011). The role of palmitoylation in signalling, cellular trafficking and plasma membrane localization of protease-activated receptor-2. PLoS One, 6 (11) e28018, 1-14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028018

The role of palmitoylation in signalling, cellular trafficking and plasma membrane localization of protease-activated receptor-2

2011

Journal Article

Structure, function and pathophysiology of protease activated receptors

Adams, Mark N., Ramachandran, Rithwik, Yau, Mei-Kwan, Suen, Jacky Y., Fairlie, David P., Hollenberg, Morley D. and Hooper, John D. (2011). Structure, function and pathophysiology of protease activated receptors. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 120 (3), 248-282. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.01.003

Structure, function and pathophysiology of protease activated receptors

2010

Journal Article

Proteolysis-induced N-terminal ectodomain shedding of the integral membrane glycoprotein CUB domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) is accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation of its C-terminal domain and recruitment of Src and PKC delta

He, Yaowu, Wortmann, Andreas, Burke, Les J., Reid, Janet C., Adams, Mark N., Abdul-Jabbar, Ibtissam, Quigley, James P., Leduc, Richard, Kirchhofer, Daniel and Hooper, John D. (2010). Proteolysis-induced N-terminal ectodomain shedding of the integral membrane glycoprotein CUB domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) is accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation of its C-terminal domain and recruitment of Src and PKC delta. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 285 (34), 26162-26173. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.096453

Proteolysis-induced N-terminal ectodomain shedding of the integral membrane glycoprotein CUB domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) is accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation of its C-terminal domain and recruitment of Src and PKC delta

2010

Journal Article

The cutting edge: Membrane-anchored serine protease activities in the pericellular microenvironment

Antalis, Toni M., Buzza, Marguerite S., Hodge, Kathryn M., Hooper, John D. and Netzel-Arnett, Sarah (2010). The cutting edge: Membrane-anchored serine protease activities in the pericellular microenvironment. Biochemical Journal, 428 (3), 325-346. doi: 10.1042/BJ20100046

The cutting edge: Membrane-anchored serine protease activities in the pericellular microenvironment

2010

Journal Article

Molecular cell biology of androgen receptor signalling

Bennett, Nigel C., Gardiner, Robert A., Hooper, John D., Johnson, David W. and Gobe, Glenda C. (2010). Molecular cell biology of androgen receptor signalling. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 42 (6), 813-827. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2009.11.013

Molecular cell biology of androgen receptor signalling

2009

Journal Article

Androgen Receptor and Caveolin-1 in Prostate Cancer

Bennett, Nigel, Hooper, John D., Lee, C. Soon and Gobe, Glenda C. (2009). Androgen Receptor and Caveolin-1 in Prostate Cancer. IUBMB Life, 61 (10), 961-970. doi: 10.1002/IUB.244

Androgen Receptor and Caveolin-1 in Prostate Cancer

2009

Journal Article

The Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Serine Protease PRSS21 (Testisin) Imparts Murine Epididymal Sperm Cell Maturation and Fertilizing Ability

Sarah Netzel-Arnett, Thomas H. Bugge, Rex A. Hess, Kay Carnes, Brett W. Stringer, Anthony L. Scarman, John D. Hooper, Ian D. Tonks, Graham F. Kay and Toni M. Antalis (2009). The Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Serine Protease PRSS21 (Testisin) Imparts Murine Epididymal Sperm Cell Maturation and Fertilizing Ability. Biology of Reproduction, 81 (5), 921-932. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.109.076273

The Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Serine Protease PRSS21 (Testisin) Imparts Murine Epididymal Sperm Cell Maturation and Fertilizing Ability

2009

Journal Article

Substrate-guided design of a potent and selective kallikrein-related peptidase inhibitor for kallikrein 4

Swedberg, Joakim E., Nigon, Laura V., Reid, Janet C., de Veer, Simon J., Walpole, Carina M., Stephens, Carson R., Walsh, Terry P., Takayama, Thomas K., Hooper, John D., Clements, Judith A., Buckle, Ashley M. and Harris, Jonathan M. (2009). Substrate-guided design of a potent and selective kallikrein-related peptidase inhibitor for kallikrein 4. Chemistry and Biology, 16 (6), 633-643. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2009.05.008

Substrate-guided design of a potent and selective kallikrein-related peptidase inhibitor for kallikrein 4

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

Current funding

  • 2026 - 2027
    Panc-PET - a molecular-imaging trial to guide targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer
    Pankind Accelerator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    The EARLY study: Evaluating the Specificity and feasibility of the EARLY Test for Ovarian Cancer Detection
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    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

  • 2024 - 2025
    Receptor-directed precision medicines for pancreatic cancer
    Pankind New Treatment Grant
    Open grant
  • 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

    Factors impacting receptor processing in response to peptide and antibody ligands

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Justin Goh

  • 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

    Evaluation of the ability of Trac-Immune Platformgenerated receptor targeting antibodies to bind in trans, induce receptor super-clustering and effect cancer cell killing when formatted as antibody-drug conjugates

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Enhancing immune responses to cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Honorary Professor Brian Gabrielli

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the role of Extracellular Vesicles in chemoresistance to ovarian cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dominic Guanzon, Professor Andrew Martin, Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing new strategies to overcome immune suppression in cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Sherry Wu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genomic and epigenomic correlates of prostate cancer therapy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Hon Assoc Professor Adam Ewing

  • 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

    Investigating the therapeutic potential of circular RNAs in ovarian cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Jason Lee

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing novel strategies to overcome immune suppression in cancer

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Sherry Wu

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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