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Honorary Professor John Hooper
Honorary Professor

John Hooper

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Overview

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 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.

Works

Search Professor John Hooper’s works on UQ eSpace

165 works between 1999 and 2025

141 - 160 of 165 works

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

2001

Journal Article

Identification and characterization of KLK14, a novel kallikrein serine protease gene located on human chromosome 19q13.4 and expressed in prostate and skeletal muscle

Hooper, John D., Bui, Loan T., Rae, Fiona K., Harvey, Tracey J., Myers, Stephen A., Ashworth, Linda K. and Clements, Judith A. (2001). Identification and characterization of KLK14, a novel kallikrein serine protease gene located on human chromosome 19q13.4 and expressed in prostate and skeletal muscle. Genomics, 73 (1), 117-122. doi: 10.1006/geno.2000.6490

Identification and characterization of KLK14, a novel kallikrein serine protease gene located on human chromosome 19q13.4 and expressed in prostate and skeletal muscle

2001

Journal Article

Organization and chromosomal localization of the murine Testisin gene encoding a serine protease temporally expressed during spermatogenesis

Scarman, Anthony L., Hooper, John D., Boucaut, Kerry J., Sit, Mae-Le, Webb, Graham C., Normyle, John F. and Antalis, Toni M. (2001). Organization and chromosomal localization of the murine Testisin gene encoding a serine protease temporally expressed during spermatogenesis. European Journal of Biochemistry, 268 (5), 1250-1258. doi: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.2001.01986.x

Organization and chromosomal localization of the murine Testisin gene encoding a serine protease temporally expressed during spermatogenesis

2001

Journal Article

Type II transmembrane serine proteases - Insights into an emerging class of cell surface proteolytic enzymes

Hooper, John D., Clements, Judith A., Quigley, James P. and Antalis, Toni M. (2001). Type II transmembrane serine proteases - Insights into an emerging class of cell surface proteolytic enzymes. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 276 (2), 857-860. doi: 10.1074/jbc.R000020200

Type II transmembrane serine proteases - Insights into an emerging class of cell surface proteolytic enzymes

2001

Journal Article

The expanded human kallikrein (KLK) gene family: genomic organisation, tissue-specific expression and potential function.

Clements, Judith, Hooper, John, Dong, Ying and Harvey, Tracey (2001). The expanded human kallikrein (KLK) gene family: genomic organisation, tissue-specific expression and potential function.. Biological Chemistry, 382 (1), 5-14. doi: 10.1515/BC.2001.002

The expanded human kallikrein (KLK) gene family: genomic organisation, tissue-specific expression and potential function.

2001

Conference Publication

Identification and characterization of a novel gene STAG1 is up-regulated in renal cell carcinoma

Rae, F., Hooper, J.D., Nicol, D. L. and Clements, J.A. (2001). Identification and characterization of a novel gene STAG1 is up-regulated in renal cell carcinoma. 2001 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Urological Society of Australasia, Coolum, Australia, March 2001. Australia: Blackwell Publishing Asia.

Identification and characterization of a novel gene STAG1 is up-regulated in renal cell carcinoma

2000

Journal Article

Tissue-specific expression patterns and fine mapping of the human kallikrein (KLK) locus on proximal 19q13.4

Harvey, TJ, Hooper, JD, Myers, SA, Stephenson, SA, Ashworth, LK and Clements, JA (2000). Tissue-specific expression patterns and fine mapping of the human kallikrein (KLK) locus on proximal 19q13.4. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 275 (48), 37397-37406. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M004525200

Tissue-specific expression patterns and fine mapping of the human kallikrein (KLK) locus on proximal 19q13.4

Supervision

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

    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

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

    Principal 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

    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

Completed supervision

Media

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