Kalamunda Researcher Takes to National Stage

October 27th, 2008 - Media Statement

A Kalamunda researcher has returned from Canberra, after being invited to tell a national scientific conference of her unique West Australian research into breast and prostate cancer.

Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) researcher Dr Louise Winteringham presented her progress on the tumour suppressor gene 'Hls5' and its role in breast and prostate cancer at ComBio 2008, held in Canberra from September 21 to 25.

Dr Winteringham said the conference presented an opportunity for her to share her research developments with peers throughout Australia, and cement WA on the national research map.

"ComBio was an opportunity to tell other scientists around the country about the progress we've made in our research at WAIMR and hear first-hand about the developments and inroads my peers have made into cancer treatment," she said.

"I presented my findings on the role of Hls5 in breast and prostate cancer, having discovered that this gene is down-regulated, or lacking, in breast and prostate cancer."

"My findings suggest that Hls5 and its associated molecules may provide possible targets for the development of drugs that could assist in treating some breast and prostate cancers."

The Hls5 tumour suppressor gene was reported by the head of Dr Winteringham's laboratory, WAIMR Director Professor Peter Klinken in 2004.

"National conferences like this offer a very important way to share knowledge with other key research groups in Australia, which can help further everyone's work towards a cure for cancer," Dr Winteringham said.

Professor Klinken said ComBio 2008 was an important platform to promote WAIMR and its research progress to the country.

"WA scientists are making a big splash in the national research field, so it's great to see Dr Winteringham involved in a high-profile conference like ComBio," he said.

"It shows she's really making her mark and forming collaborations with other leading Australian researchers."

ComBio is an annual science conference incorporating the Annual Conferences of the Australian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, the Australian Society of Plant Scientists and the Australia and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology.

For more information please contact:
Sarah Hayward
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0411 404 415
Office: (08) 9388 9280