Associate Professor Rick Sturm
Associate Professor

Rick Sturm

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 37380

Background

Our work on human pigmentation genetics has allowed understanding of normal variation in this physical trait and the associated genotypic risk for skin cancer. The genes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the cellular mechanisms that result in the tanning response of melanocytes after UV-exposure of the skin are actively being investigated.

Assoc. Prof Rick Sturm is group leader in the Dermatology Research Centre within the Frazer Institue.

Availability

Associate Professor Rick Sturm is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Clinical sciences Genetics

Research interests

  • Skin, hair, eye colour and cancer � MC1R/OCA2, the genetic links

    Pigmentary traits such as red hair and fair skin, moles, eye colour, lack of tanning ability and propensity to freckle have been identified as genetic risk factors for skin cancer when combined with the environmental risk factor of high ultraviolet exposure. The major areas of investigation are the role of the OCA2 gene in directing eye colour, and the role of human melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene variants in directing skin phototype and response to UV-induced ligand binding and receptor activation. The MC1R coding sequence is highly polymorphic in human populations and we have examined MC1R variant allele frequencies in the general community as well as a collection of adolescent dizygotic and monozygotic twins with defined pigmentation characteristics. Subscription required to access this paper Variant allele frequencies have also been determined in several case-control studies of sporadic melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and in familial melanoma kindreds collected within Australia. These studies have shown that three MC1R alleles � Arg151Cys, Arg160Trp and Asp294His � were associated with increased risk in all forms of skin cancer and with penetrance and age of onset in familial melanoma in CDKN2A mutation carriers. There is a significant MC1R variant allele heterozygote carrier effect on skin phototype and skin cancer risk, which indicates that these alleles do not behave in a strictly recessive manner.

  • Characterisation of melanoblast stem cell differentiation

    The process of development and differentiation of the melanocytic cell lineage is being investigated using primary melanoblast and melanocyte cells cultured in vitro from human skin. This will provide information to allow the genes and processes involved in melanoma tumour formation and metastasis to be examined. These studies focus on the identification and molecular characterisation of the genes involved in melanocyte function.

  • Mechanisms of melanoma metastasis

    Expression of the �3 integrin gene in melanoma in situ has been found to be the single most important marker of metastasis yet discovered. Experiments to investigate the effects of this expression has involved the use of Adenoviral gene transduction of the �3 integrin subunit into radial growth phase (RGP) melanoma cell lines and differential gene screening. A skin reconstruction model was used to assay the invasivness of RGP melanoma cells after ectopic �3 integrin expression and these studies have discovered induction of the anti-adhesive protein osteonectin is required for melanoma metastasis.

Search Professor Rick Sturm’s works on UQ eSpace

244 works between 1985 and 2024
All (244) Journal Article (199) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (37) Other Outputs (2)

1 - 20 of 244 works

Featured

2012

Journal Article

Human pigmentation genes under environmental selection

Sturm, Richard A. and Duffy, David L. (2012). Human pigmentation genes under environmental selection. Genome Biology, 13 (9) 248, 248.1-248.15. doi: 10.1186/gb-2012-13-9-248

Human pigmentation genes under environmental selection

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Inverse expression states of the BRN2 and MITF transcription factors in melanoma spheres and tumour xenografts regulate the NOTCH pathway

Thurber, A. E., Douglas, G., Sturm, E. C., Zabierowski, S. E., Smit, D. J., Ramakrishnan, S. N., Hacker, E., Leonard, J. H., Herlyn, M. and Sturm, R. A. (2011). Inverse expression states of the BRN2 and MITF transcription factors in melanoma spheres and tumour xenografts regulate the NOTCH pathway. Oncogene, 30 (27), 3036-3048. doi: 10.1038/onc.2011.33

Inverse expression states of the BRN2 and MITF transcription factors in melanoma spheres and tumour xenografts regulate the NOTCH pathway

Featured

2009

Journal Article

Genetics of human iris colour and patterns

Sturm, Richard A. and Larsson, Mats (2009). Genetics of human iris colour and patterns. Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research, 22 (5), 544-562. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2009.00606.x

Genetics of human iris colour and patterns

Featured

2009

Journal Article

Molecular genetics of human pigmentation diversity

Sturm, Richard A. (2009). Molecular genetics of human pigmentation diversity. Human Molecular Genetics, 18 (R1), R-9-R-17. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp003

Molecular genetics of human pigmentation diversity

Featured

2009

Journal Article

Analysis of Cultured Human Melanocytes Based on Polymorphisms within the SLC45A2/MATP, SLC24A5/NCKX5, and OCA2/P Loci

Cook, Anthony L., Chen, Wei, Thurber, Amy E., Smit, Darren J., Smith, Aaron G., Bladen, Timothy G., Brown, Darren L., Duffy, David L., Pastorino, Lorenza, Bianchi-Scarra, Giovanna, Leonard, J. Helen, Stow, Jennifer L. and Sturm, Richard A. (2009). Analysis of Cultured Human Melanocytes Based on Polymorphisms within the SLC45A2/MATP, SLC24A5/NCKX5, and OCA2/P Loci. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 129 (2), 392-405. doi: 10.1038/jid.2008.211

Analysis of Cultured Human Melanocytes Based on Polymorphisms within the SLC45A2/MATP, SLC24A5/NCKX5, and OCA2/P Loci

Featured

2008

Journal Article

A single SNP in an evolutionary conserved region within intron 86 of the HERC2 gene determines human blue-brown eye colour

Sturm, Richard A., Duffy, David L., Zhao, Zhen Zhen, Leite, Fabio P.N., Stark, Mitchell S., Hayward, Nicholas K., Martin, Nicholas G. and Montgomery, Grant W. (2008). A single SNP in an evolutionary conserved region within intron 86 of the HERC2 gene determines human blue-brown eye colour. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 82 (2), 424-431. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2007.11.005

A single SNP in an evolutionary conserved region within intron 86 of the HERC2 gene determines human blue-brown eye colour

2024

Journal Article

Uncovering molecular mechanisms for amelanotic/hypopigmented primary cutaneous melanoma

Sturm, Richard A., Smit, Darren J., Duffy, David L., McLean, Catriona, Scolyer, Richard A., McArthur, Grant A., Papenfuss, Anthony T., Stark, Mitchell S., Soyer, H. Peter and Mar, Victoria J. (2024). Uncovering molecular mechanisms for amelanotic/hypopigmented primary cutaneous melanoma. British Journal of Dermatology ljae336. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljae336

Uncovering molecular mechanisms for amelanotic/hypopigmented primary cutaneous melanoma

2024

Journal Article

POT1 and multiple primary melanomas: the dermatological phenotype

Maas, Ellie J., DeBortoli, Emily, Nathan, Vaishnavi, Freeman, Ned P., Mothershaw, Adam, Smit, Darren J., Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Aoude, Lauren G., Stark, Mitchell S., Sturm, Richard A., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2024). POT1 and multiple primary melanomas: the dermatological phenotype. Journal of Medical Genetics, 61 (9) jmg-2023-109637, 1-4. doi: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109637

POT1 and multiple primary melanomas: the dermatological phenotype

2024

Journal Article

Automated Detection of Pigmented Iris Freckles using a Deep Neural Network for Cutaneous Melanoma Risk

Naranpanawa, Nathasha, Jayasinghe, Dilki, Sturm, Richard A., Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Janda, Monika, Eriksson, Anders, Soyer, H. Peter and Chandra, Shekhar S. (2024). Automated Detection of Pigmented Iris Freckles using a Deep Neural Network for Cutaneous Melanoma Risk. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.04.029

Automated Detection of Pigmented Iris Freckles using a Deep Neural Network for Cutaneous Melanoma Risk

2024

Journal Article

Assessing the genetic risk of nodular melanoma using a candidate gene approach

Stark, Mitchell S., Sturm, Richard A., Pan, Yan, Smit, Darren J., Kommajosyula, Varsha, Lee, Katie J., Jagirdar, Kasturee, McLean, Catriona, Duffy, David L., Soyer, H. Peter and Mar, Victoria J. (2024). Assessing the genetic risk of nodular melanoma using a candidate gene approach. British Journal of Dermatology, 190 (2), 199-206. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljad365

Assessing the genetic risk of nodular melanoma using a candidate gene approach

2024

Journal Article

The ATM Ser49Cys variant effects ATM function as a regulator of oncogene-induced senescence

Atkinson, Caroline, McInerney-Leo, Aideen, Proctor, Martina, Lanagan, Catherine, Stevenson, Alexander, Dehkhoda, Farhad, Caole, Mary, Maas, Ellie, Ainger, Stephen, Pritchard, Antonia, Johansson, Peter, Leo, Paul, Hayward, Nicholas, Sturm, Richard, Duncan, Emma and Gabrielli, Brian (2024). The ATM Ser49Cys variant effects ATM function as a regulator of oncogene-induced senescence. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25 (3) 1664, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/ijms25031664

The ATM Ser49Cys variant effects ATM function as a regulator of oncogene-induced senescence

2024

Other Outputs

Pigmented Iris Freckle Data 

Naranpanawa, Nathasha, Chandra, Shekhar S. and Sturm, Richard A. (2024). Pigmented Iris Freckle Data . The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/355ad45

Pigmented Iris Freckle Data 

2023

Journal Article

H3K4me3 remodeling induced acquired resistance through O-GlcNAc transferase

Menon, Dinoop Ravindran, Hammerlindl, Heinz, Gimenez, Gregory, Hammerlindl, Sabrina, Zuegner, Elmar, Torrano, Joachim, Bordag, Natalie, Emran, Abdullah Al, Giam, Maybelline, Denil, Simon, Pavelka, Norman, Tan, Aik-Choon, Sturm, Richard A., Haass, Nikolas K., Rancati, Giulia, Herlyn, Meenhard, Magnes, Christoph, Eccles, Michael R., Fujita, Mayumi and Schaider, Helmut (2023). H3K4me3 remodeling induced acquired resistance through O-GlcNAc transferase. Drug Resistance Updates, 71 100993, 100993. doi: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100993

H3K4me3 remodeling induced acquired resistance through O-GlcNAc transferase

2023

Journal Article

MITF E318K: A rare homozygous case with multiple primary melanoma

Wallingford, Courtney K., Maas, Ellie J., Howard, Antonia, DeBortoli, Emily, Bhanja, Deboshmita, Lee, Katie, Mothershaw, Adam, Jagirdar, Kasturee, Willett, Rod, Betz‐Stablein, Brigid, Sturm, Richard A., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen M. (2023). MITF E318K: A rare homozygous case with multiple primary melanoma. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 37 (1), 68-73. doi: 10.1111/pcmr.13122

MITF E318K: A rare homozygous case with multiple primary melanoma

2023

Journal Article

GOLM1: expanding our understanding of melanoma susceptibility

Maas, Ellie J., Wallingford, Courtney K., DeBortoli, Emily, Smit, Darren J., Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Aoude, Lauren G., Stark, Mitchell S., Sturm, Richard A., Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2023). GOLM1: expanding our understanding of melanoma susceptibility. Journal of Medical Genetics, 60 (9) jmg-2023-109348, 1-3. doi: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109348

GOLM1: expanding our understanding of melanoma susceptibility

2023

Journal Article

The MC1R r allele does not increase melanoma risk in MITF E318K carriers

Wallingford, Courtney K., Demeshko, Anastassia, Krishnakripa, Asha Krishnankutty, Smit, Darren J., Duffy, David L., Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Pflugfelder, Annette, Jagirdar, Kasturee, Holland, Elizabeth, Mann, Graham J., Primiero, Clare A., Yanes, Tatiane, Malvehy, Josep, Badenas, Cèlia, Carrera, Cristina, Aguilera, Paula, Olsen, Catherine M., Ward, Sarah V., Haass, Nikolas K., Sturm, Richard A., Puig, Susanna, Whiteman, David C., Law, Matthew H., Cust, Anne E., Potrony, Miriam, Soyer, H. Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M. (2023). The MC1R r allele does not increase melanoma risk in MITF E318K carriers. British Journal of Dermatology, 188 (6), 770-776. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljad041

The MC1R r allele does not increase melanoma risk in MITF E318K carriers

2023

Journal Article

Skin cancer excisions and histopathology outcomes when following a contemporary population‐based cohort longitudinally with 3D total‐body photography

Soyer, H. Peter, O’Hara, Montana, V. Silva, Carina, Horsham, Caitlin, Jayasinghe, Dilki, Sanjida, Saira, Schaider, Helmut, Aitken, Joanne, Sturm, Richard A., Prow, Tarl, Menzies, Scott W. and Janda, Monika (2023). Skin cancer excisions and histopathology outcomes when following a contemporary population‐based cohort longitudinally with 3D total‐body photography. Skin Health and Disease, 3 (2) e216, e216. doi: 10.1002/ski2.216

Skin cancer excisions and histopathology outcomes when following a contemporary population‐based cohort longitudinally with 3D total‐body photography

2022

Journal Article

Amelanotic/hypopigmented melanoma in a sibship with oculocutaneous albinism

Maas, Ellie J, Wallingford, Courtney K, McGuire, Jessica J, Rutjes, Chantal, Smit, Darren J, Betz-Stablein, Brigid, Sturm, Richard A, Soyer, H Peter and McInerney-Leo, Aideen M (2022). Amelanotic/hypopigmented melanoma in a sibship with oculocutaneous albinism. The Journal of Dermatology, 49 (11), 1183-1187. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.16528

Amelanotic/hypopigmented melanoma in a sibship with oculocutaneous albinism

2022

Journal Article

The Eumelanin Human Skin Colour Scale: a proof-of-concept study

Dadzie, Ophelia E., Sturm, Rick A., Fajuyigbe, Damilola, Petit, Antoine and Jablonski, Nina G. (2022). The Eumelanin Human Skin Colour Scale: a proof-of-concept study. British Journal of Dermatology, 187 (1), 99-104. doi: 10.1111/bjd.21277

The Eumelanin Human Skin Colour Scale: a proof-of-concept study

2022

Journal Article

Reciprocal regulation of BRN2 and NOTCH1/2 signaling synergistically drives melanoma cell migration and invasion

Fane, Mitchell E., Chhabra, Yash, Spoerri, Loredana, Simmons, Jacinta L., Ludwig, Raquelle, Bonvin, Elise, Goding, Colin R., Sturm, Richard A., Boyle, Glen M., Haass, Nikolas K., Piper, Michael and Smith, Aaron G. (2022). Reciprocal regulation of BRN2 and NOTCH1/2 signaling synergistically drives melanoma cell migration and invasion. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 142 (7), 1845-1857. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.12.039

Reciprocal regulation of BRN2 and NOTCH1/2 signaling synergistically drives melanoma cell migration and invasion

Past funding

  • 2018
    Targeted and personalised early detection of melanoma using a 3D teledermatology network
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2024
    ACRF Cancer Ultrastructure and Function Facility
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Epigenetic remodelling driving acquired permanent drug resistance in melanoma cells
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2021
    Centre of Research Excellence for the Study of Naevi
    NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Human pigmentation pathway in UV-protection and mechanisms of melanoma risk
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Investigation of the molecular basis of human nevogenesis and melanoma initiation
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Next-generation cell analysis: Automated high-throughput 3D microscope and multimode microplate reader
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Genetic polymorphisms associated with clinical and dermoscopic naevus signature patterns
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Investigating the role of NR4A nuclear receptors in melanocytic DNA repair and tumorigenicity
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    NHMRC Research Fellowship: Human pigmentation genetics, melanocyte biology and skin cancer
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Functional assessment of new melanoma genomic mutations
    Worldwide Cancer Research
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Analytical flow cytometer for cell and developmental biology and drug discovery applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Ligand interactions of the MC1R receptor and cellular consequences for melanocyte responses to UV-damage
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Quantitave real-time PCR instrumentation for rapid, high-throughput gene expression studies.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Effects of nevogenesis susceptibility genes and phenotypic correlation with dermoscopic characteristics of nevi
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Investigating the BRN2/MITF axis in melanoma sphere formation and as a therapeutic target for metastatic melanoma
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Quantitative real-time PCR instrumentation for rapid, high-throughput gene expression studies
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Real time cell analysis for biological and drug discovery applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Investigating the role of the NR4A nuclear receptor family in melanocyte function and tumorigenesis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Molecular, genetic and cellular analysis of melanisation in human pigmentation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2016
    The ACRF Cancer Biology Imaging Facility
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Analytical flow cytometer for high throughput cell biology and drug discovery applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Spheroid cell growth in melanocytic development and differentiation
    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 - 2010
    MC1R polymorphisms associated with skin cancer risk phenotypes
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Combined genetic and cellular analysis of melanisation to study variation in human pigmentation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Melanocytic spheroids as a model for melanoma development and metastasis
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Elucidating PPARgamma regulations of melanocytic cell function and tumorigenesis
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Elucidating PPARy function: implications for melanocytic cell function
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Parallel genetic and cellular analysis of melanogensis: A new paradigm to study variation in pigmentation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Role of Beta3 integrin induced osteonectin expression in melanoma metastasis
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    The role of MC1R Polymorphism in skin cancer risk phenotypes
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2007
    NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Pathways from genotype and environment to melanoma
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Functional Analysis of Human MC1R Polymorphisms in Directing Melanocyte Phenotype
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2000
    MSHR Gene Variation in Skin Cancer
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Human Pigmentation Genes and Skin Cancer
    Cancer Bequest Fund
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Skin colour and cancer
    Government Employees Medical Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Role of the Brn-2 POU-transcription factor in directing the melanocytic cell phenotype
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Human pigmentation gene alleles
    NHMRC Project Grant - Standard
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Rick Sturm is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Rick Sturm directly for media enquiries about:

  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Carcinoma
  • Eye colour
  • Genetics
  • Hair colour
  • Human pigmentation
  • Melanoma
  • Pigmentation - human skin
  • Skin cancer
  • Skin colour
  • Skin tanning
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Sun cancer
  • Sun damage
  • Sun exposure
  • Tanning - of skin

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