In recognition of their pioneering research, a team of Melbourne scientists from WEHI and Monash University have been selected as finalists in this year’s Australian Museum Eureka Awards.
Associate Professor Anne Voss and Professor Jonathan Bailey
The team is in the running for the 2022 UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research for developing an entirely new and innovative approach to cancer treatment that essentially “kills cancer cells” without the harmful side effects caused by conventional treatments. puts to sleep”.
The research team, which includes WEHI Professor Anne Voss and Associate Professor Tim Thomas and Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) Professor Jonathan Bell, has been searching for a new class of drugs for more than a decade that can inhibit growth. can. and the spread of tumors, without damaging the DNA of cells.
Kills cancer patients through uncontrolled/abnormal cell proliferation. Instead of damaging DNA, as many cancer treatments do, this new class of drugs causes irreversible cell cycle exit, which has been described as “putting cancer cells to sleep” or cellular senescence. Is.
Professor Voss said the new class of drugs could provide an exciting option for people living with cancer, as well as delay cancer prevention.
“We are extremely excited about the potential of this new class of drugs as an entirely new weapon to fight cancer, and it is an honor that our team has been recognized in the finalists of the Eureka Awards,” he said.
Professor Bell, director of the MIPS-based Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility (ATMCF), said the research effort requires strong collaboration between experts in cancer research, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, as well as invaluable support from partners and funders. also required.
“This research has been more than a decade in the making and has been made possible because of the perseverance and commitment of the researchers and supporters who have helped us get to this point,” said Professor Bell.
Associate Professor Thomas said: “We are incredibly grateful for this nomination and for the recognition of the importance of this research. Cancer is a devastating disease affecting the lives of millions of people worldwide, and new safe and effective There remains an urgent need for treatment.”
The Australian Museum Eureka Awards honor excellence in the areas of research and innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science, and are presented annually in partnership with some of the country’s leading scientific institutions, government organisations, universities and corporations.
The Eureka Prize winners will be announced via live broadcast on Wednesday, August 31 at 7.15 pm. To register, visit the Australian Museum’s website.
This work was supported by the NHMRC, CRC for Cancer Therapeutics and WEHI.
