Cancer and the Environment

Major projects in this area include:

Low level radiation

Effect of low level radiation on DNA repair, protective effects and agents, bystander effects.

Investigators: A/Prof Pam Sykes, Dr Rebecca Ormsby and others
Further information: A/Prof Dr Pam Sykes

Dietary interventions for prevention of cancer

We are especially studying resistant starch, probiotics and other dietary interventions for prevention of colorectal cancer.

There are several projects in this area, including several supported by food industry partners.

Investigators: Prof Graeme Young, Prof Lynne Cobiac, Dr Richard LeLeu, Dr Ying Hu and others.
Further information: Dr Richard LeLeu

Metabolism of carcinogens and other xenobiotics

Study of xenobiotic-metabolising enzymes that are important for removal of cancer-causing chemicals from the body; Pharmacogenomic studies that assist in prediction of cancer risk incorporating genetic, dietary and drug detoxification information.

Investigators: Prof Peter Mackenzie and others
Further information: Prof Peter Mackenzie

Profile: Radiation in low doses has benefits (Prof Pam Sykes)

A Flinders-based research team, investigating the link between low-level radiation and a possible protective response against DNA damage has recently received US$1,000,000 from the US Department of Energy to further its work.

The research is unlocking vital clues on the effects of low-level radiation, having developed an extremely sensitive test, unlike any other in the world and thousands of times more sensitive, to detect genetic damage in cells caused by low doses of radiation.

Their work has lead to a new understanding of how cells respond to low-level radiation damage, the type of damage sometimes experienced in everyday life. They have shown that cells possess their own capability to protect themselves against such damage; this is activated by exposure and can be transferred to other cells and make them more resistant. Their work will further our understanding of how we respond to low-level environmental irradiation inherent in daily life.

The Next Step: They will characterise the nature of this inherent response and identify how to augment it and so lead to useful new agents capable of protecting against environmentally-induced cancers.