New Collaboration Between CBRC and La Trobe / ONJCRI, Melbourne

The Cancer Biology Research Center (CBRC) at Tel Aviv University and the Research Centre for Molecular Cancer Prevention at La Trobe University and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute in Melbourne,  announced the winners of the cancer research collaboration program.  The winners were selected among six scientific collaborative research groups from the three research institutions, who submitted research proposals for Translational Research of Cancer.

The three supported projects are:

1. "Investigating the role of p53 in metastatic organotropism of breast cancer using optical barcoding" - Dr. Delphine Merino, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Adjunct, School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University and Dr. Uri Ben-David Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel-Aviv University.
2. "A new strategy of targeting c-MYC for treating familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)" - Prof. John Mariadason Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and Prof. Rina Rosin-Arbesfeld, Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel-Aviv University.
3. "Reprogramming the tumor microenvironment of glioblastoma to improve response to chemotherapy" - Dr. Ashleigh Poh, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Dr. Lior Mayo and Dr. Dinorah Friedmann-Morvinski, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences Tel-Aviv University.

The collaborative research program in cancer research between the three institutions originated following a two-day workshop in which scientists from the participating institutions identified shared interests and areas where complementary and synergistic research could potentially drive significant breakthroughs in cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.

"This is the beginning of an exciting and important collaboration, which we expect to yield to paramount insights for the treatment of cancer types presenting an urgent medical need,” says Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro, Director of the Cancer Biology Research Center at Tel Aviv University.

"Tel Aviv University has a long-standing commitment for identifying novel biomarkers, improve cancer diagnostics and generate novel therapeutic modalities to treat cancer. It is a pleasure to strengthen our relationship with La Trobe University and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute in Melbourne,” says Prof. Dan Peer, Vice President for Research & Development, Tel Aviv University.

La Trobe Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Industry Engagement) Professor Susan Dodds said the research would resonate with the health sector as well as those who are facing cancer.

"La Trobe researchers are focused on improving lives and health outcomes of people around the world. This collaboration enables our experts to work with other researchers to advance their understanding and develop treatments and therapies for cancer. The three projects which have been chosen will have a positive impact on the many individuals and families who are affected by cancer.”

"Funding initiatives like this one provide a fantastic opportunities for our brightest scientists across two continents to bring together their talents to address issues which ultimately impact on how we can treat cancer patients better”, said Prof. Matthias Ernst, Director of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute in Melbourne

"The Embassy is delighted to take part in this significant initiative, bringing together exceptional scientists from both Australia and Israel and promoting new avenues for cancer research. Collaborations like this are only one example of the great potential of cooperation between our

countries and the important contributions they have not only on a local, but also a global scale” said Ron Gerstenfeld, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel, Canberra, Australia.