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The main thrust of our work is to explore the regulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the genesis and progression of leukaemia.  To this end we have focused on the role the bcr-abl and related genes that are potent inhibitors of apoptosis and contributes significantly to the survival of leukaemia cells.

Bcr-abl does this by several pathways including the PI3 kinase Akt pathway.  In several recent published papers we have shown that this gene regulates calcium fluxes to and from the endoplasmic reticulum, contributing to tumour resistance. We have identified a series of genes that are over expressed and contribute to tumour progression and the most interesting of these is osteopontin. We have also collaborated with the pharmaceutical company Novartis using Gleevec a drug that interferes with bcr-abl mediated signalling pathways.  This has been very useful in our studies to explore cell survival signals in leukaemia cells. 

Recent publications include:

Eur J Haematol. 2006 May;76(5):369-83; Blood. 2006 May 15;107(10):4003-10.

Redox Rep. 2005;10(5):237-45; J Biol Chem. 2006 Feb 3;281(5):2441-50;

J Leukoc Biol. 2005 Jul;78(1):289-300