Professor Melissa Brown
Professor

Melissa Brown

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 51609

Background

Melissa is no longer active in research, and so is unable to supervise new students.

BIOGRAPHY

Melissa Brown completed her PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne in 1993, on the structure and regulation of genes encoding colony-stimulating factor receptors in human leukaemia.

She then undertook postdoctoral training at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (now Cancer Research UK) in London, funded firstly by an EMBO and then by an ICRF postdoctoral fellowship, working on the isolation and characterization of the first breast cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA1.

She joined The University of Queensland in 2000 as a Lecturer and is now a Professor and Executive Dean. In 2005 she undertook a six-month sabbatical at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology at The University of Oxford.

The focus of Melissa’s research is cancer genetics, in particular understanding the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of breast cancer genes and the impact of genetic variants on cancer risk and progression.

Availability

Professor Melissa Brown is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Genetics Oncology and carcinogenesis

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Melbourne
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Melbourne
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne

Research interests

  • Regulation and function of cancer susceptibility genes

    Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and results from abnormal expression or function of multiple tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes. Our laboratory is interested in the regulation and function of a number of breast cancer- associated genes including those encoding BRCA1, BRCA2, and a range of miRNAs. We use a wide variety of molecular and cellular techniques to study how the expression of these genes is regulated and to examine the molecular and cellular consequences of disrupting their function in breast epithelial cell-lines and the mammary gland of mouse models. Project 1: Regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 This project will involve identifying novel regulatory elements controlling the expression of the BRCA1 gene. We are especially interested in the 3�UTR of BRCA1 and miRNAs that target this region. This project will involve elucidating the structure, function and clinical relevance of functional elements in the BRCA1 3�UTR. These elements have the potential to form the basis of improved pre-symptomatic diagnostics for breast cancer. Project 2: Regulation of microRNA genes in advanced breast cancer The aim of this project is to identify and functionally characterize miRNA promoters and their downstream target genes. Particular interest will be given to miRNAs that may be susceptible to aberrant epigenetic regulation. These miRNA have the potential to be novel biomarkers for the identification and management of patients that are susceptible to advanced breast cancer. Project 3: Molecular & cellular consequences of disrupting breast cancer genes The aim of this project is to understand how changes in the regulation or function of breast cancer genes results in the development of breast cancer. This project will involve examining the effect of increasing and decreasing the expression of normal, variant and mutant forms of breast cancer genes on the expression of genes, including miRNAs, in breast epithelial cells. These molecules have the potential to be targets of novel therapeutic agents to treat breast cancer. Techniques: Bioinformatics, gene cloning and mutagenesis, mammalian cell culture and gene transfer, reporter gene assays, real-time PCR, Northern blotting, chromatin conformation assays, methylation specific DNA analysis, cell culture assays including cell proliferation and differentiation.

Search Professor Melissa Brown’s works on UQ eSpace

146 works between 1976 and 2023
All (146) Journal Article (111) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (34)

61 - 80 of 146 works

2010

Journal Article

Frequent somatic mutations of GATA3 in non-BRCA1/BRCA2 familial breast tumors, but not in BRCA1-, BRCA2- or sporadic breast tumors

Arnold, Jeremy M., Choong, David Y. H., Thompson, Ella R., kConFab, Waddell, Nic, Lindeman, Geoffrey J., Visvader, Jane E., Campbell, Ian G., Chenevix-Trench, Georgia, Brown, Melissa, Cummings, Margaret and Edwards, Stacey (2010). Frequent somatic mutations of GATA3 in non-BRCA1/BRCA2 familial breast tumors, but not in BRCA1-, BRCA2- or sporadic breast tumors. Breast Cancer Research And Treatment, 119 (2), 491-496. doi: 10.1007/s10549-008-0269-x

Frequent somatic mutations of GATA3 in non-BRCA1/BRCA2 familial breast tumors, but not in BRCA1-, BRCA2- or sporadic breast tumors

2010

Journal Article

Assessing interactions between the associations of common genetic susceptibility variants, reproductive history and body mass index with breast cancer risk in the breast cancer association consortium: a combined case-control study

Milne, Roger L., Gaudet, Mia M., Spurdle, Amanda B., Fasching, Peter A., Couch, Fergus J., Benitez, Javier, Arias Perez, Jose Ignacio, Zamora, M. Pilar, Malats, Nuria, dos Santos Silva, Isabel, Gibson, Lorna J., Fletcher, Olivia, Johnson, Nichola, Anton-Culver, Hoda, Ziogas, Argyrios, Figueroa, Jonine, Brinton, Louise, Sherman, Mark E., Lissowska, Jolanta, Hopper, John L., Dite, Gillian S., Apicella, Carmel, Southey, Melissa C., Sigurdson, Alice J., Linet, Martha S., Schonfeld, Sara J., Freedman, D. Michal, Mannermaa, Arto, Kosma, Veli-Matti ... Lakhani, Sunil (2010). Assessing interactions between the associations of common genetic susceptibility variants, reproductive history and body mass index with breast cancer risk in the breast cancer association consortium: a combined case-control study. Breast Cancer Research, 12 (6) R110, R110.1-R110.11. doi: 10.1186/bcr2797

Assessing interactions between the associations of common genetic susceptibility variants, reproductive history and body mass index with breast cancer risk in the breast cancer association consortium: a combined case-control study

2009

Journal Article

A novel synthetic adjuvant enhances dendritic cell function

Phillipps, Karen S. M., Wykes, Michelle N., Liu, Xue Q., Brown, Melissa, Blanchfield, Joanne T. and Toth, Istvan (2009). A novel synthetic adjuvant enhances dendritic cell function. Immunology, 128 (1), e582-e588. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2008.03038.x

A novel synthetic adjuvant enhances dendritic cell function

2009

Journal Article

Aberrant luminal progenitors as the candidate target population for basal tumor development in BRCA1 mutation carriers

Lim, Elgene, Vaillant, Francois, Wu, Di, Forrest, Natalie C., Pal, Bhupinder, Hart, Adam H., Asselin-Labat, Marie-Liesse, Gyorki, David E., Ward, Teresa, Partanen, Audrey, Feleppa, Frank, Huschtscha, Lily I., Thorne, Heather J., kConFab, Fox, Stephen B., Yan, Max, French, Juliet D., Brown, Melissa A., Smyth, Gordon K., Visvader, Jane E. and Lindemann, G. J. (2009). Aberrant luminal progenitors as the candidate target population for basal tumor development in BRCA1 mutation carriers. Nature Medicine, 15 (8), 907-913. doi: 10.1038/nm.2000

Aberrant luminal progenitors as the candidate target population for basal tumor development in BRCA1 mutation carriers

2009

Journal Article

Classifying MLH1 and MSH2 variants using bioinformatic prediction, splicing assays, segregation, and tumor characteristics

Arnold, Sven, Buchanan, Daniel D., Barker, Melissa, Jaskowski, Lesley, Walsh, Michael D., Birney, Genevieve, Woods, Michael O., Hopper, John L., Jenkins, Mark A., Brown, Melissa A., Tavtigian, Sean V., Goldgar, David E., Young, Joanne P. and Spurdle, Amanda B. (2009). Classifying MLH1 and MSH2 variants using bioinformatic prediction, splicing assays, segregation, and tumor characteristics. Human Mutation, 30 (5), 757-770. doi: 10.1002/humu.20936

Classifying MLH1 and MSH2 variants using bioinformatic prediction, splicing assays, segregation, and tumor characteristics

2009

Journal Article

Identification and characterization of a novel melanoma tumor suppressor gene on human chromosome 6q21

Fung, Jackie Mei-Wah Fung, Smith, Ross, Brown, Melissa A., Lau, Sze Hang, Xie, Dan, Lau, George K. and Guan, Xin-Yuan (2009). Identification and characterization of a novel melanoma tumor suppressor gene on human chromosome 6q21. Clinical Cancer Research, 15 (3), 797-803. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-1472

Identification and characterization of a novel melanoma tumor suppressor gene on human chromosome 6q21

2009

Conference Publication

The role of Orai1 and Stim2 in mammary epithelial cell calcium influx in the murine mammary gland

McAndrew, D., Kenny, P. A., Brown, M. A., Smart, C. E., Roberts-Thomson, S. J. and Monteith, G. R. (2009). The role of Orai1 and Stim2 in mammary epithelial cell calcium influx in the murine mammary gland. Combio2009, Christchurch, New Zealand, 6-10 Decemeber 2009. Canterbury, New Zealand: University of Canterbury.

The role of Orai1 and Stim2 in mammary epithelial cell calcium influx in the murine mammary gland

2008

Journal Article

Posttranscriptional regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 by the RNA binding protein HuR

Saunus, J., French, J.D., Edwards, S.L., Beveridge, D.J., Hatchell, E.C., Wagner, S.A., Stein, S.R., Davidson, A., Simpson, K.J., Francis, G.D., Leedman, P.J. and Brown, M.A. (2008). Posttranscriptional regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 by the RNA binding protein HuR. Cancer Research, 68 (22), 9469-9478. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-1159

Posttranscriptional regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 by the RNA binding protein HuR

2008

Journal Article

Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia

Smart, Chanel E., Clarke, Catherine, Brooks, Kelly M., Raghavendra, Ashwini, Brewster, Brooke L., French, Juliet D., Hetherington, Rehan, Fleming, Jean S., Rothnagel, Joseph A., Wainwright, Brandon, Lakhani, Sunil R. and Brown, Melissa A. (2008). Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 112 (2), 237-241. doi: 10.1007/s10549-007-9859-2

Targeted disruption of Brca1 in restricted compartments of the mouse mammary epithelia

2008

Journal Article

Colocalisation of predicted exonic splicing enhancers in BRCA2 with reported sequence variants

Pettigrew, Christopher A., Wayte, Nicola, Wronski, Ania, Lovelock, Paul K., Spurdle, Amanda B. and Brown, Melissa A. (2008). Colocalisation of predicted exonic splicing enhancers in BRCA2 with reported sequence variants. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 110 (2), 227-234. doi: 10.1007/s10549-007-9714-5

Colocalisation of predicted exonic splicing enhancers in BRCA2 with reported sequence variants

2008

Journal Article

BRCA1 and BRCA2 missense variants of high and low clinical significance influence lymphoblastoid cell line post-irradiation gene expression

Waddell, N, Ten Haaf, A, Marsh, A, Johnson, J, Walker, LC, Gongora, M, Brown, M, Grover, P, Girolami, M, Grimmond, S, Chenevix-Trench, G, Spurdle, AB and kConFab Investigators (2008). BRCA1 and BRCA2 missense variants of high and low clinical significance influence lymphoblastoid cell line post-irradiation gene expression. PLoS Genetics, 4 (5) e1000080, Article Number: e1000080. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000080

BRCA1 and BRCA2 missense variants of high and low clinical significance influence lymphoblastoid cell line post-irradiation gene expression

2008

Journal Article

Localization of plasma membrane and secretory calcium pumps in the mammary gland

Faddy, Helen M., Smart, Chanel E., Xu, Ren, Lee, Genee Y., Kenny, Paraic A., Feng, Mingye, Rao, Rajini, Brown, Melissa A., Bissell, Mina J., Roberts-Thomson, Sarah J. and Monteith, Gregory R. (2008). Localization of plasma membrane and secretory calcium pumps in the mammary gland. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 369 (3), 977-981. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.03.003

Localization of plasma membrane and secretory calcium pumps in the mammary gland

2008

Journal Article

Dynamic interactions between the promoter and terminator regions of the mammalian BRCA1 gene

Tan-Wong, Sue Mei, French, Juliet D., Proudfoot, Nicholas J. and Brown, Melissa A. (2008). Dynamic interactions between the promoter and terminator regions of the mammalian BRCA1 gene. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105 (13), 5160-5165. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0801048105

Dynamic interactions between the promoter and terminator regions of the mammalian BRCA1 gene

2008

Journal Article

Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein

French, J.D. and Brown, M.A. (2008). Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein. CurrentBioData

Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein

2008

Journal Article

Clinical classification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 DNA sequence variants: The value of cytokeratin profiles and evolutionary analysis - A report from the kConFab Investigators

Spurdle, A.B., Lakhani, S.R., Healey, S., Parry, S., Da Silva, L. M., Brinkworth, R.I., Hopper, J.L., Brown, M.A., Babikyan, D., Chenevix-Trench, G., Tavtigian, S.V. and Goldgar, D.E. (2008). Clinical classification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 DNA sequence variants: The value of cytokeratin profiles and evolutionary analysis - A report from the kConFab Investigators. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26 (10), 1657-1663. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2007.13.2779

Clinical classification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 DNA sequence variants: The value of cytokeratin profiles and evolutionary analysis - A report from the kConFab Investigators

2008

Conference Publication

Identification of functional regulatory elements in the non-coding regions of the BRCA1 gene

French, J. D., Edwards, S. L., Saunus, J. M., Tan-Wong, S. M., Brewster, B., Hardie, K. M., Leedman, P. J., Proudfoot, N. J. and Brown, M. A. (2008). Identification of functional regulatory elements in the non-coding regions of the BRCA1 gene. kConFab Familial Breast Cancer conference 2008, Couran Cove, Queensland, 2008.

Identification of functional regulatory elements in the non-coding regions of the BRCA1 gene

2008

Journal Article

Pre-mRNA splicing aberrations and cancer

Pettigrew, C.A. and Brown, M.A. (2008). Pre-mRNA splicing aberrations and cancer. Frontiers In Bioscience, 13 (13), 1090-1105. doi: 10.2741/2747

Pre-mRNA splicing aberrations and cancer

2008

Conference Publication

Calcium channels in the mammary gland: Expression and function in lactation, and potential breast cancer targets

McAndrew, D., Rice, M. L., Smart, C. E., Brown, M. A., Roberts-Thomson, S. J. and Monteith, G. R. (2008). Calcium channels in the mammary gland: Expression and function in lactation, and potential breast cancer targets. Australian Health and Medical Research Congress (AHMRC) 2008, Brisbane, Australia, 16-21 November 2008. Sydney, Australia: AHMRC.

Calcium channels in the mammary gland: Expression and function in lactation, and potential breast cancer targets

2008

Conference Publication

Dynamic interactions between the promoter and terminator regions of the mammalian BRCA1 gene

French, J. D., Tan-Wong, S. M., Edwards, S., Smart, C. E., Proudfoot, N. J. and Brown, M. A. (2008). Dynamic interactions between the promoter and terminator regions of the mammalian BRCA1 gene. Fifth European Gordon Research Conference on Mammary Gland Biology, Lucca (Barga), Italy, 1-6 June 2008.

Dynamic interactions between the promoter and terminator regions of the mammalian BRCA1 gene

2007

Journal Article

Identification of BRCA1 missense substitutions that confer partial functional activity: potential moderate risk variants?

Lovelock, Paul K., Spurdle, Amanda B., Mok, Myth T. S., Farrugia, Daniel J., Lakhani, Sunil R., Healey, Sue, Arnold, Stephen, Buchanan, Daniel, kConFab Investigators, Couch, Fergus J., Henderson, Berik R., Goldgar, David E., Tavtigian, Sean V., Chenevix-Trench, Georgia and Brown, Melissa A (2007). Identification of BRCA1 missense substitutions that confer partial functional activity: potential moderate risk variants?. Breast Cancer Research, 9 (6: R82) R82, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/bcr1826

Identification of BRCA1 missense substitutions that confer partial functional activity: potential moderate risk variants?

Past funding

  • 2016 - 2019
    Clinical classification of regulatory variants in breast cancer susceptibility genes
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Profiling the intratumoural microbiome and host reactions in breast cancer tissue
    Wesley Merdical Research
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Exploiting the overexpression of a specific calcium permeable ion channel in breast cancer cells: a new pharmacological approach to targeting breast cancer.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Making Herceptin-resistant tumours Herceptin responsive: adapting new therapeutic potential from Head and Neck Cancer research to improve breast cancer outcomes
    National Breast Cancer Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014
    A confocal microscope for investigation of live bacterial and viral pathogens and for molecular cell biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2019
    Enabling Clinical Epigenetic Diagnostics: The Next Generation of Personalized Breast Cancer Care
    National Breast Cancer Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Examination of the Expression and Potential Role of Cancer Associated Viral Sequences in the Causation and Outcomes of Breast Cancer Patients
    Wesley Merdical Research
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    The role of BRCA non-coding mutations in breast cancer susceptibility
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    The Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer (NBCF Infrastructure Grant led by UoM)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2012
    An intergrated fluidic circuit system for digital PCR analysis, single-cell gene- expression, and high-throughput preparation of next-generation sequencing libraries.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Functional analysis of breast cancer susceptibility regions
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Transcriptional regulation of non-code RNA genes implicated in breast cancer
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Translating health discoveries into products
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Co-Investment Fund
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Cell culture facilities for studying host-pathogen interactions and immune function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    An integrated high -throughput fluorescence imaging facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Establishment of a digital Scanscope system for virtual microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Identifying long-range regulatory elements of the breast cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA1
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    The role of the BRCA1 3'UTR in breast cancer
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Two recently identified calcium transporters in lactation and during mammary epithelial cell apoptosis.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    The MYB gene as a model for global transcriptional regulation: stopping, starting and looping
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2013
    Novel strategies for prediction and control of advanced breast cancer via nanoscaled epigenetic-based biosensors
    National Breast Cancer Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    The role of the MYB oncogene in mammary carcinogenesis
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2008
    A high-throughput facility for the identification and analysis of gene regulatory elements and factors
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Investigating the role of gene loops in regulating gene expression
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007
    Early detection of breast cancer via nanoscaled biomarker discovery and diagnostics
    National Breast Cancer Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Noncoding RNAs as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in breast cancer
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Identification of new mutations that contribute to breast cancer
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Investigating the molecular and cellular origin of BRCA-1 associated breast tumours
    National Breast Cancer Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    The role of DEP-1 as a tumour suppressor in breast cancer
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_The role of DEP-1 as a tumour suppressor in breast cancer
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Identification Of Critical Gene Regulatory Elements Using A Combination Of Molecular Biology And Information Theory Approaches
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Investigating the Role of BRCA1 in Mammary Differentiation and Morphogenesis
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    Investigating the role of BRCA1 in mammary differentiation and morphogenesis
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    BRCA1, PML and telomere maintenance: understanding how abnormalities in chromosome ends contribute to breast cancer
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2002
    BRCA1 in DNA repair and tumourigenesis
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Identification of Critical Regulatory Elements in the BRCA1 Gene
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Understanding how molecular abnormalities contribute to breast cancer
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2001
    Molecular biology of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Melissa Brown is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Melissa Brown directly for media enquiries about:

  • Animal models of human diseases
  • Biology - cells
  • Biology - molecular
  • Breast cancer
  • Cancer - breast
  • Cancer - genetics
  • Cancer susceptibility genes
  • Cellular biology
  • Diseases - animal models of human diseases
  • Gene regulation
  • Genetics
  • Human diseases - animal models of
  • Molecular biology

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