Dr Jodi Saunus
Dr

Jodi Saunus

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Background

Dr Jodi Saunus is a senior fellow who specialises in translational research on metastatic breast cancer. Based at Brisbane’s Translational Research Institute, she was recruited by Mater Research in 2022 to help facilitate patient-focused research at the interface of biomedical R&D and clinical practice.

Dr Saunus has an honours degree in biochemistry and biomedical science, a PhD in breast cancer molecular genetics, and broad post-doctoral experience in immunology, molecular cell biology, pathology informatics, and early-phase investigator-initiated clinical trials. Her current portfolio focuses finding new ways to improve the clinical management of aggressive breast cancer, with a focus on triple-negative breast cancer, and the prevention and treatment of brain metastases. This work spans across multiple disciplines and capabilities, and broadly involves:

  • Molecular profiling of patient-donated blood and tumour tissue samples to identify features that can predict treatment response, or represent previously uncharacterised therapeutic targets.
  • Using experimental models of breast cancer metastasis to learn about the molecular mechanisms exploited by cancer cells to survive and grow in brain tissue.
  • Developing innovative treatment strategies that work differently to conventional cancer drugs, including alpha-particle endoradiotherapy and in-situ vaccination.

With an outstanding network of collaborators from academia and clinical practice, she has secured more than $6M to fund this work and has a track record of publishing in prominent biomedical research journals (e.g., Cancer Research, Nature, Science Translational Medicine, Nature Communications and The Journal of Pathology).

Peripherally, Jodi is a strong proponent of biospecimen banking, and clinician and consumer engagement in translational research.

Availability

Dr Jodi Saunus is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Genetics Immunology Information and Computing Sciences Oncology and carcinogenesis

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Biomarkers of triple-negative breast cancer progression and response to therapy

    Using published datasets, and tissue donated by Brisbane breast cancer patients, we're trying to identify new biomarkers of prognosis and treatment response in breast cancer.

  • Understanding how the triple-negative breast cancer transcriptome is rewired during tumour progression

    We apply mathematical approaches to analyse transcriptional networks in TNBC, illuminating how cell biology evolves during tumour development and post-treatment relapse.

  • Understanding the brain metastasis immune microenvironment

    In collaboration with immuno-oncology experts at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, we are studying the expression of common tumour antigens to develop strategies for vaccination against cancer.

  • Therapeutic antibody uptake in brain metastases

    Brain metastases are broadly refractory to existing systemic therapies. We believe that abnormal vascular function and interstitial fluid dynamics in these tumours may contribute more than previously appreciated. We aim to engineer molecular-targeted carriers that improve the effectiveness and reduce the side-effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Search Professor Jodi Saunus’s works on UQ eSpace

104 works between 2002 and 2025
All (104) Journal Article (67) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (33) Other Outputs (2)

81 - 100 of 104 works

2012

Conference Publication

Uncovering molecular mechanisms involved in metastasis to the brain

Saunus, Jodi M., Momeny, Majid, Da Silva, Leonard, Vargas, Ana Cristina, Al-Ejeh, Fares, Morrison, Brian, Khanna, Kum Kum, Grimmond, Sean, Chenevix-Trench, Georgia, Jeffree, Rosalind L., Waddell, Nicola, Simpson, Peter T. and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2012). Uncovering molecular mechanisms involved in metastasis to the brain. 14th International Biennial Congress of the Metastasis Research Society, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 2-5 September 2012.

Uncovering molecular mechanisms involved in metastasis to the brain

2012

Conference Publication

Defining mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis to brain

Saunus, Jodi (2012). Defining mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis to brain. New Zealand Society for Oncology Conference 2012, Wellington New Zealand, 3-4 May 2012.

Defining mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis to brain

2012

Journal Article

Molecular classification of breast carcinoma

Alizart, Michelle, Saunus, Jodi, Cummings, Margaret and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2012). Molecular classification of breast carcinoma. Diagnostic Histopathology, 18 (3), 97-103. doi: 10.1016/j.mpdhp.2011.12.003

Molecular classification of breast carcinoma

2012

Conference Publication

Role of HER3 in brain metastases from primary breast cancer

Saunus, Jodi M., Da Silva, Leonard, Momeny, Majid, Morrison, Brian, Lane, Annette, Smart, Chanel, Al-Ejeh, Fares, Khanna, Kum Kum, Chenevix-Trench, Georgia, Simpson, Peter T. and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2012). Role of HER3 in brain metastases from primary breast cancer. 24th Lorne Cancer Conference, Lorne, VIC, Australia, 9-12 February 2012.

Role of HER3 in brain metastases from primary breast cancer

2011

Journal Article

Accelerated wound healing phenotype in Interleukin 12/23 deficient mice

Matias, Marie A.T., Saunus, Jodi M., Ivanovski, Saso, Walsh, Laurence J. and Farah, Camile S. (2011). Accelerated wound healing phenotype in Interleukin 12/23 deficient mice. Journal of Inflammation-London, 8 (1) 39, 39-1-39-11. doi: 10.1186/1476-9255-8-39

Accelerated wound healing phenotype in Interleukin 12/23 deficient mice

2011

Journal Article

Molecular aspects of breast cancer metastasis to the brain

Saunus, Jodi M., Momeny, Majid, Simpson, Peter T., Da Silva, Leonard and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2011). Molecular aspects of breast cancer metastasis to the brain. Genetics Research International, 2011, 219189-1-219189-9. doi: 10.4061/2011/219189

Molecular aspects of breast cancer metastasis to the brain

2010

Journal Article

Early activation of the IL-23-17 axis in a murine model of oropharyngeal candidiasis

Saunus, J.M., Wagner, S.A., Matias, M.A., Hu, Y, Zaini, Z.M. and Farah, C.S. (2010). Early activation of the IL-23-17 axis in a murine model of oropharyngeal candidiasis. Molecular Oral Microbiology, 25 (5), 343-356. doi: 10.1111/j.2041-1014.2010.00570.x

Early activation of the IL-23-17 axis in a murine model of oropharyngeal candidiasis

2010

Conference Publication

Shifting phenotypes in primary human mammary epithelial culture

Smart, Chanel E., Saunus, Jodi M., Keith, Patricia, Vargas, Ana Cristina, Malik, Neelam, Clarke, Catherine, Simpson, Peter T. and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2010). Shifting phenotypes in primary human mammary epithelial culture. Sixth International Conference on Hormonal Oncogenesis, Tokyo, Japan, 12-16 September 2010.

Shifting phenotypes in primary human mammary epithelial culture

2010

Journal Article

Identification and functional analysis of novel BRCA1 transcripts, including mouse Brca1-Iris and human pseudo-BRCA1

Pettigrew, C. A., French, J. D., Saunus, J. M., Edwards, S. L., Sauer, A. V., Smart, C. E., Lundstrom, H. T., Wiesner, C., Spurdle, A. B., Rothnagel, J. A. and Brown, M. A. (2010). Identification and functional analysis of novel BRCA1 transcripts, including mouse Brca1-Iris and human pseudo-BRCA1. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 119 (1), 239-247. doi: 10.1007/s10549-008-0256-2

Identification and functional analysis of novel BRCA1 transcripts, including mouse Brca1-Iris and human pseudo-BRCA1

2009

Journal Article

Gene targeting demonstrates that inducible nitric oxide synthase is not essential for resistance to oral candidiasis in mice, or for killing of Candida albicans by macrophages in vitro

Farah, C. S., Saunus, J. M., Hu, Y., Kazoullis, A. and Ashman, R. B. (2009). Gene targeting demonstrates that inducible nitric oxide synthase is not essential for resistance to oral candidiasis in mice, or for killing of Candida albicans by macrophages in vitro. Oral Microbiology and Immunology, 24 (1), 83-88. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-302X.2008.00462.x

Gene targeting demonstrates that inducible nitric oxide synthase is not essential for resistance to oral candidiasis in mice, or for killing of Candida albicans by macrophages in vitro

2009

Conference Publication

Isolation of epithelial stem cells from normal and dysplastic oral epithelium

Saunus, Jodi M., Young, Tiffany J. and Farah. Camile S. (2009). Isolation of epithelial stem cells from normal and dysplastic oral epithelium. Gordon Research Conference: Molecular Mechanisms Controlling Normal and Cancer Stem Cells, Les Diablerets, Switzerland, 13-18 September 2009.

Isolation of epithelial stem cells from normal and dysplastic oral epithelium

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

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

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of resistance to oral Candida albicans infections

Saunus, J. M., Kazoullis, A. and Farah, C. S. (2008). Cellular and molecular mechanisms of resistance to oral Candida albicans infections. Frontiers In Bioscience, 13 (1), 5345-5358. doi: 10.2741/3085

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of resistance to oral Candida albicans infections

2007

Journal Article

Regulation of BRCA1 messenger RNA stability in human epithelial cell lines and during cell cycle progression

Saunus, Jodi M., Edwards, Stacey L., French, Juliet D., Smart, Chanel E. and Brown, Melissa A. (2007). Regulation of BRCA1 messenger RNA stability in human epithelial cell lines and during cell cycle progression. FEBS Letters, 581 (18), 3435-3442. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.06.046

Regulation of BRCA1 messenger RNA stability in human epithelial cell lines and during cell cycle progression

2007

Conference Publication

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

French, J. D., Wong, S. M., Saunus, J. M., Smart, C. E., Proudfoot, N. J. and Brown, M. A. (2007). Dynamic interactions between the promoter and terminator regions of the mammalian BRCA1 gene. Australian Breast Cancer Conference 2007, Melbourne, Australia, 19-20 November 2007.

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

2007

Conference Publication

Identification of novel mutation targets in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 and genes that encode regulators of BRCA1

Brewster, B., Brown, M. A., Edwards, S. L., French, J. D., Leedman, P., Proudfoot, N. J., Saunus, J. M., Southey, M., Tavtigian, S and Wong, S. M. (2007). Identification of novel mutation targets in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 and genes that encode regulators of BRCA1. kConFab Familial Breast Cancer Conference, Couran Cove, Queensland, 21-24 August 2007.

Identification of novel mutation targets in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 and genes that encode regulators of BRCA1

2006

Conference Publication

Identification of RNA-binding proteins that regulate BRCA1 expression

Saunus, Jodi M., French, Juliet D., Edwards, Stacey L., Beveridge, Dianne J., Hatchell, Esme C., Wagner, Sarah A., Gason, Alexandra A., Simpson, Kaylene J., Leedman, Peter J. and Brown, Melissa A. (2006). Identification of RNA-binding proteins that regulate BRCA1 expression. Familial Cancer 2006: Research and Practice. A combined meeting of kConFab, Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS) and the Family Cancer Clinics of Australia and New Zealand, Couran Cove, South Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia, 16-19 August 2006. Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium (kConFab).

Identification of RNA-binding proteins that regulate BRCA1 expression

2006

Other Outputs

Post-transcriptional regulation of BRCA1 : Investigation of the roles of RNA-binding proteins and cis-acting elements in the 3’untranslated region

Saunus, Jodi Marie (2006). Post-transcriptional regulation of BRCA1 : Investigation of the roles of RNA-binding proteins and cis-acting elements in the 3’untranslated region. PhD Thesis, School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/158183

Post-transcriptional regulation of BRCA1 : Investigation of the roles of RNA-binding proteins and cis-acting elements in the 3’untranslated region

2006

Conference Publication

Post-transcriptional regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 by Hu Antigen-R

Saunus, Jodi M., Wardrop, Stacey L., French, Juliet D., Beveridge, Dianne J., Hatchell, Esme C., Dinnis, Diane M., Gason, Alexandra A., Simpson, Kaylene J., Leedman, Peter J. and Brown, Melissa A. (2006). Post-transcriptional regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 by Hu Antigen-R. ComBio 2006, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 24-28 September, 2006.

Post-transcriptional regulation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 by Hu Antigen-R

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2028
    ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals
    ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    ACRF Facility for Targeted Radiometals in Cancer (AFTRiC)
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Identification and validation of novel classes of clinically relevant CD8 tumour antigens for cancer vaccination: supporting translational pipeline feasibility
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    New immunotherapeutic options for triple negative and brain metastatic breast cancer: next generation cancer vaccines exploiting new classes of tumour antigens
    National Breast Cancer Foundation Investigator Initiated Research Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Nanomedicine strategies for early detection and treatment of brain metastases
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Exploiting the Remodeling of Ca2+ Signaling in Breast Cancer Cell Microenvironments to Control Metastasis and to Specifically Target Brain Metastases
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Breast Cancer Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Repurposing pertuzumab for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer patients with HER2-positive brain metastases
    ANZBCTG Discretionary Funding - Research Seed Funding
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    The Brisbane Breast Bank
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Prospective study of breast cancer progression by content analysis of circulating exosomes in serially collected blood samples
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Applying Inducible Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cell Technology to Mammary Biology Research.
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Isolation of oral epithelial stem cells from normal and dysplastic oral mucosa
    Dental Research Grant Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Molecular validation of autofluorescence and narrow band imaging of oral cancer resection margins
    Dental Research Grant Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Isolation of Epithelial Stem Cells from Normal and Dysplastic Oral Epithelium.
    Ian Potter Foundation
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Jodi Saunus is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Development of new theranostic agents for metastatic breast cancer surveillance and treatment

    Most of the time, treatments for early breast cancer successfully prevent metastatic spread, but 10% of Australian patients still develop lethal recurrences within 5 years. Rather than waiting to see which patients develop symptoms of a possible relapse (e.g., headaches, respiratory symptoms), we are getting better at detecting metastasis early. Patients deemed to be at ‘high risk’ are offered regular PET or MRI scans, allowing earlier intervention and better quality-of-life. PET imaging of radioactive tracers is more specific than MRI, but the standard tracer used in oncology – [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) – is not useful for imaging the brain. We are seeking a student to help us develop agents that seek out tumour cells more specifically than FDG and can also be engineered to function as therapeutics. The project is flexible depending on the successful candidate’s expertise and interest (e.g., in vivo models of metastatic breast cancer, protein chemistry and/or molecular biology).

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Jodi Saunus directly for media enquiries about:

  • brain metastases
  • breast cancer
  • metastatic breast cancer
  • stage IV breast cancer

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