An inherited, leukaemia-prone disorder called Fanconi anemia is caused by a defect in the FANCM gene. This means FANCM is a “tumour suppressor”, and our project will characterise how FANCM works to prevent normal cells becoming cancer. On the other hand, FANCM also works to protect cancer cells from chemotherapy. We are developing a way to inhibit FANCM, so that cancer cells can be better killed by chemotherapy. Our study therefore has implications for both the cause and treatment of cancer.
Dr Andrew Deans, Dr Alessandro Costa
Cancer Council Research Grant
Genome Stability Unit, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research
$100,000 per annum