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
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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
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
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Available projects
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the function of CDCP1 and its potential as a theranostic target for cholangiocarcinoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
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Doctor Philosophy
Cancer-associated post-translational modifications of the receptor CDCP1 Background:
Principal Advisor
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Factors impacting receptor processing in response to peptide and antibody ligands
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Justin Goh
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the therapeutic potential of circular RNAs in ovarian cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jason Lee
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing novel strategies to overcome immune suppression in cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sherry Wu
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Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing immune responses to cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Brian Gabrielli
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing new strategies to overcome immune suppression in cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sherry Wu
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Doctor Philosophy
Genomic and epigenomic correlates of prostate cancer therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Hon Assoc Professor Adam Ewing
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of antibody-drug conjugates against hard-to-cure solid cancers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Brett Paterson, Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Theranostic Targets for Colorectal Cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Clark
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Dual antibody targeting of CDCP1 for Breast and Ovarian cancers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
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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
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Theranostics: Molecular Imaging and Molecularly-Directed Radionuclide Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Principal Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating New Therapeutic Targets for Clear Cell Cancers
Principal Advisor
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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: Honorary Professor Brian Gabrielli
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated lipids in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Lai, Dr Dominic Guanzon, Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Biomarker driven diagnostic and therapeutic innovations in breast cancer
Associate Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Opportunities for epigenetic therapies in ovarian cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jason Lee
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression by Exosomal Proteins and miRNAs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
New Strategies for Identification of Therapeutic Target of Ovarian Cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Dysregulation of EGF-trafficking in squamous cell carcinoma and cetuximab resistance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Simpson
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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
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting Apoptosis as A Novel Therapy for Medulloblastoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brandon Wainwright
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Androgen receptor, caveolin-1 and androgen self-sufficiency in prostate cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Johnson
Media
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