Reproductive
  Hormones
 
 

Research Trial:
Prince Henry's Institute is seeking non-smoking, healthy but overweight men aged 40-70 years for a study of testosterone treatment on body fat and cardiovascular disease.
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Craig's imageReproductive
Hormones


Group leader
A/Professor
David Robertson
Short CV [pdf]







Proteomics and ovarian cancer

Studies are proposed using new advances in proteomic research to study endocrine-related diseases by the identifying candidate biomarkers in biological fluids such as plasma. Proposed studies include the identification of cancer-specific proteins, cytokines and related signalling factors produced by the ovary, uterus and breast as candidate biomarkers of early stage disease. Further development of high resolution protein purification and sensitive detection procedures will be undertaken to detect these rare molecules.

Inhibin and activin

Inhibin is a key protein hormone involved in fertility. Its primary role is to inhibit the pituitary secretion of the fertility hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, which in turn controls the production of follicles in the ovary, and sperm in the testis. However little is known about the molecular mechanism(s) of inhibin action as the inhibin receptor remains unidentified. Recent data has also shown that inhibin appears to act on other sites in the body which is of considerable interest.

Major papers published by the this Group, described the use of a combined assay of inhibin and CA-125 as a diagnostic ovarian cancer marker. The development of this ovarian cancer diagnostic test will mean a blood sample can be taken to indicate the levels of inhibin in the blood – elevated levels suggesting the presence of ovarian cancer.

 
   
     
 
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