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Melissa is no longer active in research, and so is unable to supervise new students.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

101 - 120 of 146 works

2005

Journal Article

Identification of two evolutionarily conserved and functional regulatory elements in intron 2 of the human BRCA1 gene

Wardrop, Stacey L., Brown, Melissa A. and kConFab Investigators (2005). Identification of two evolutionarily conserved and functional regulatory elements in intron 2 of the human BRCA1 gene. Genomics, 86 (3), 316-328. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2005.05.006

Identification of two evolutionarily conserved and functional regulatory elements in intron 2 of the human BRCA1 gene

2005

Journal Article

Roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A and B in cell proliferation

He, Y. W., Brown, M. A., Rothnagel, J. A., Saunders, N. A. and Smith, R. (2005). Roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A and B in cell proliferation. Journal of Cell Science, 118 (14), 3173-3183. doi: 10.1242/jcs.02448

Roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A and B in cell proliferation

2005

Journal Article

Method for the generation and cultivation of functional three-dimensional mammary constructs without exogenous extracellular matrix

Timmins, N. E., Harding, F. J., Smart, C. E., Brown, M. A. and Nielsen, L. K. (2005). Method for the generation and cultivation of functional three-dimensional mammary constructs without exogenous extracellular matrix. Cell And Tissue Research, 320 (1), 207-210. doi: 10.1007/s00441-004-1064-6

Method for the generation and cultivation of functional three-dimensional mammary constructs without exogenous extracellular matrix

2005

Conference Publication

Altered cytokeratin and vimentin expression in mammary epithelial cells with disrupted BRCA1 function

Smart, C. E., Simpson, K. J., Manning, N. W., Karunaratne, S. M., Edwards, S., Yap, A. S. K., Rothnagel, J. A., Visvader, J. E., Lindeman, G. J. and Brown, M. A. (2005). Altered cytokeratin and vimentin expression in mammary epithelial cells with disrupted BRCA1 function. Familial Cancer 2005: Research and Practice, Couran Cove, 30 Aug - 3 Sept, 2005.

Altered cytokeratin and vimentin expression in mammary epithelial cells with disrupted BRCA1 function

2005

Conference Publication

Regulation of BRCA1 by Heregulin

French, J. D., Saunus, J. M., Wardrop, S. L. and Brown, M. A. (2005). Regulation of BRCA1 by Heregulin. Familial Cancer 2005: Research and Practice, Couran Cove, 30 Aug - 3 Sept, 2005.

Regulation of BRCA1 by Heregulin

2005

Conference Publication

Prediction of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation status using post-irradiation assays of lymphoblastoid cell lines is compromised by inter-cell line phenotypic variability

Brown, M. A., Chenevix-Trench, G., French, J. D., Hobson, K., KConFab Investigators, Lovelock, P. K., Marsh, A., McKay, M., Pandeya, N., Sculley, T., Southey, M. C., Sprung, C. N., Spurdle, A. B. and Wong, E. M. (2005). Prediction of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation status using post-irradiation assays of lymphoblastoid cell lines is compromised by inter-cell line phenotypic variability. Familial Cancer 2005: Research and Practice, Couran Cove, 30 August - 3 September, 2005.

Prediction of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation status using post-irradiation assays of lymphoblastoid cell lines is compromised by inter-cell line phenotypic variability

2005

Conference Publication

Hur post-transcriptionally regulates BRCA1: involvement of elements in the BRCA1 3' untranslated region

Saunus, J. M., Wardrop, S. L., French, J. D., Beveridge, D. J., Hatchell, E. C., Gason, A. A., Simpson, K.J., Leedman, P. J. and Brown, M. A. (2005). Hur post-transcriptionally regulates BRCA1: involvement of elements in the BRCA1 3' untranslated region. Molecular Approaches to Controlling Cancer, New York, 3-5 June, 2005.

Hur post-transcriptionally regulates BRCA1: involvement of elements in the BRCA1 3' untranslated region

2005

Conference Publication

Evolutionary conservation analysis may help identify functional exonic splice enhancer motifs in BRCA1 and BRCA2

Brown, M. A., Chenevix-Trench, G., Lovelock, P. K., Pettigrew, C., Spurdle, A. B., Tavtigian, S. and Wayte, N. J. (2005). Evolutionary conservation analysis may help identify functional exonic splice enhancer motifs in BRCA1 and BRCA2. Familial Cancer 2005: Research and Practice, Couran Cove, Queensland, 30 August - 3 September, 2005.

Evolutionary conservation analysis may help identify functional exonic splice enhancer motifs in BRCA1 and BRCA2

2005

Conference Publication

Genetic and immunohistopathological evaluation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 unclassified variants

Chenevix-Trench, G., Healey, S. C., Lakhani, S., Brinkworth, R. I., KConFab, K. C. F., Marsh, A., Brown, M. A., Easton, D. F., Tavtigian, S., Goldgar, D. E. and Spurdle, A. B. (2005). Genetic and immunohistopathological evaluation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 unclassified variants. Familial Cancer 2005: Research and Practice, Couran Cove, Queensland, 30 August - 3 September, 2005.

Genetic and immunohistopathological evaluation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 unclassified variants

2005

Journal Article

Molecular characterization and cancer risk associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 splice site variants identified in multiple-case breast cancer families

Tesoriero, A. A., Wong, E. M., Jenkins, M. A., Hopper, J. L., KConFab, K. C. F., Brown, M. A., Chenevix-Trench, G., Spurdle, A. B. and Southey, M. C. (2005). Molecular characterization and cancer risk associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 splice site variants identified in multiple-case breast cancer families. Human Mutation, 26 (5), 495-495. doi: 10.1002/humu.9379

Molecular characterization and cancer risk associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 splice site variants identified in multiple-case breast cancer families

2005

Conference Publication

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1)

Wardrop, S. L., Saunus, J. M., French, J. D., Leedman, P. J. and Brown, M. A. (2005). Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1). National Cancer Research Institute Conference, Birmingham, UK, 2-5 Oct, 2005.

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1)

2004

Journal Article

MMTV-trBrca 1 mice display strain-dependent abnormalities in vaginal development

Simpson, K. J., Wati, M. R., Deans, A. J., Lindeman, G. J. and Brown, M. A. (2004). MMTV-trBrca 1 mice display strain-dependent abnormalities in vaginal development. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 48 (7), 675-678. doi: 10.1387/ijdb.041849ks

MMTV-trBrca 1 mice display strain-dependent abnormalities in vaginal development

2004

Journal Article

Brca1 inactivation induces p27Kip1-dependent cell cycle arrest and delayed development in the mouse mammary gland

Deans, Andrew J., Simpson, Kaylene J., Trivett, Melanie K., Brown, Melissa A. and McArthur, Grant (2004). Brca1 inactivation induces p27Kip1-dependent cell cycle arrest and delayed development in the mouse mammary gland. Oncogene, 23 (36), 6136-6145. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207805

Brca1 inactivation induces p27Kip1-dependent cell cycle arrest and delayed development in the mouse mammary gland

2004

Journal Article

Roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A/B in cell growth

He, Y., Brown, M. A., Rothnagel, J. A., Saunders, N. A. and Smith, R. (2004). Roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A/B in cell growth. Molecular Biology of The Cell, 15, 252A-253A.

Roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A/B in cell growth

2002

Conference Publication

Identification of cis and trans regulators in the BRCA1 3'untranslated region

Saunus, J. M., Wardrop, S. L. and Brown, M. A. (2002). Identification of cis and trans regulators in the BRCA1 3'untranslated region. ComBio 2002, Sydney, Australia, 29 September - 3 October, 2002. Kent Town, South Australia:

Identification of cis and trans regulators in the BRCA1 3'untranslated region

2002

Conference Publication

A role for BRCA1 in mammary epithelial morphogenesis, differentiation and adhesion

Manning, N. W., Simpson, K. J., Karunaratne, S. M., Yap, A. S. K., Visvader, J. E., Lindeman, G. J. and Brown, M. A. (2002). A role for BRCA1 in mammary epithelial morphogenesis, differentiation and adhesion. Australian Health & Medical Research Conference, Melbourne, Australia, November, 2002.

A role for BRCA1 in mammary epithelial morphogenesis, differentiation and adhesion

2002

Journal Article

Expression of a truncated Brca1 protein delays lactational mammary development in transgenic mice

Brown, M. A., Nicolai, H., Howe, K., Katagiri, T., Lalani, E., Simpson, K. J., Manning, N. W., Deans, A., Chen, P., Khanna, K. K., Wati, M. R., Griffiths, B. L., Xu, C. F., Stamp, G. W. H. and Solomon, E. (2002). Expression of a truncated Brca1 protein delays lactational mammary development in transgenic mice. Transgenic Research, 11 (5), 467-478. doi: 10.1023/A:1020348025139

Expression of a truncated Brca1 protein delays lactational mammary development in transgenic mice

2002

Conference Publication

Identification of critical regulatory elements in the breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA1) gene

Wardrop, S. L., Lane, T. and Brown, M. A. (2002). Identification of critical regulatory elements in the breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA1) gene. ComBio 2002, Sydney, Australia, 29 September - 3 October, 2002. Kent Town, South Australia:

Identification of critical regulatory elements in the breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA1) gene

2002

Conference Publication

Investigating a role for BRCA1 in telomere maintenance

French, J., Manning, N.W., Robinson, S. E., Karunaratne, S. M., Reddel, R. and Brown, M. A. (2002). Investigating a role for BRCA1 in telomere maintenance. Australian Telomere Workshop, Sydney, Australia, 2002. Kent Town, South Australia:

Investigating a role for BRCA1 in telomere maintenance

2002

Journal Article

Germline BRCA1 promoter deletions in UK and Australian familial breast cancer patients: Identification of a novel deletion consistent with BRCA1 :psi VBRCA1 recombination

Brown, M. A., Lo, L. J., Catteau, A., Xu, C. F., Lindeman, G. J., Hodgson, S. and Solomon, E. (2002). Germline BRCA1 promoter deletions in UK and Australian familial breast cancer patients: Identification of a novel deletion consistent with BRCA1 :psi VBRCA1 recombination. Human Mutation, 19 (4), 435-442. doi: 10.1002/humu.10055

Germline BRCA1 promoter deletions in UK and Australian familial breast cancer patients: Identification of a novel deletion consistent with BRCA1 :psi VBRCA1 recombination

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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