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
- Media expert
Fields of research
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
2000
Journal Article
Cloning of the cDNA and localization of the gene encoding human NRBP, a ubiquitously expressed, multidomain putative adapter protein
Hooper, John D., Baker, Elizabeth, Ogbourne, Steven M., Sutherland, Grant R. and Antalis, Toni M. (2000). Cloning of the cDNA and localization of the gene encoding human NRBP, a ubiquitously expressed, multidomain putative adapter protein. Genomics, 66 (1), 113-118. doi: 10.1006/geno.2000.6167
2000
Journal Article
Localization, expression and genomic structure of the gene encoding the human serine protease testisin
Hooper, John D., Bowen, Natalie, Marshall, Heidi, Cullen, Lara M., Sood, Raman, Daniels, Rachael, Stuttgen, Melanie A., Normyle, John F., Higgs, Douglas R., Kastner, Daniel L., Ogbourne, Steven M., Pera, Martin F., Jazwinska, Elizabeth C. and Antalis, Toni M. (2000). Localization, expression and genomic structure of the gene encoding the human serine protease testisin. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1492 (1), 63-71. doi: 10.1016/S0167-4781(00)00071-3
2000
Journal Article
Localization of the mosaic transmembrane serine protease corin to heart myocytes
Hooper, J. D., Scarman, A. L., Clarke, B., Normyle, J. F. and Antalis, T. M. (2000). Localization of the mosaic transmembrane serine protease corin to heart myocytes. European Journal of Biochemistry, 267 (23), 6931-6937. doi: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.2000.01806.x
2000
Conference Publication
Localization, structure and regulation of the human PRSS14 gene encoding the serine proteinase Testisin
Antalis, T. M., Boucaut, K. J., Normyle, J. F., Fitzpatrick, D. R. and Hooper, J. (2000). Localization, structure and regulation of the human PRSS14 gene encoding the serine proteinase Testisin. 91st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, San Francisco, 1-5 Apr, 2000. Philadelphia, U.S.A.: American Association for Cancer Research.
1999
Journal Article
Testisin, a new human serine proteinase expressed by premeiotic testicular germ cells and lost in testicular germ cell tumors
Hooper, J. D., Nicol, D. L., Dickinson, J. L., Eyre, H. J., Scarman, A. L., Normyle, J. F., Stuttgen, M. A., Douglas, M. L., Loveland, K. A. L., Sutherland, G. R. and Antalis, T. M. (1999). Testisin, a new human serine proteinase expressed by premeiotic testicular germ cells and lost in testicular germ cell tumors. Cancer Research, 59 (13), 3199-3205.
1998
Other Outputs
Identification and characterisation of the novel putative serine proteinases testisin and HTSP, and the novel protein MuDPNP
Hooper, John D. (1998). Identification and characterisation of the novel putative serine proteinases testisin and HTSP, and the novel protein MuDPNP. PhD Thesis, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/57d9809
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
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
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
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Profiling of Immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM and IgA Isotype Immune Responses and Development of Autoantibody Biomarkers for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating New Therapeutic Targets for Clear Cell Cancers
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Theranostics: Molecular Imaging and Molecularly-Directed Radionuclide Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Thesis Title: Investigation into the role of the cell surface glycoprotein CDCP1 in high-grade serous ovarian cancer progression
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brian Gabrielli
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Biomarker driven diagnostic and therapeutic innovations in breast cancer
Associate Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Opportunities for epigenetic therapies in ovarian cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jason Lee
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression by Exosomal Proteins and miRNAs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
New Strategies for Identification of Therapeutic Target of Ovarian Cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo
-
2018
Master Philosophy
The effects of Rab13 derived from lymph node stromal cell extracellular vesicles on the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Li Li
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Dysregulation of EGF-trafficking in squamous cell carcinoma and cetuximab resistance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Simpson
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting Apoptosis as A Novel Therapy for Medulloblastoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Genovesi, Professor Brandon Wainwright
-
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Androgen receptor, caveolin-1 and androgen self-sufficiency in prostate cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Johnson
Media
Enquiries
Contact Honorary Professor John Hooper directly for media enquiries about their areas of expertise.
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: