Cell biology expert to investigate inflammation in cancer

An expert in the relationship between chronic inflammation and the development of cancers will be leading a new research laboratory collaboration between South Australia’s Centre for Cancer Biology (CCB) and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

Professor Vinay Tergaonkar is sharing his tenure between the CCB — a medical research institute created through an alliance between the University of South Australia (UniSA) and SA Pathology — and A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, which is one of the leading institutes in the Asia–Pacific region in molecular and cellular biology.

As part of the collaboration, Professor Tergaonkar will investigate what activates and sustains inflammation in a variety of cancers. This could lead to the development of drugs to block inflammation selectively, rather than generically, as well as overcoming the side effects caused by the drug treatments.

“Chronic inflammation can lead to the development of autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disease such as diabetes,” Professor Tergaonkar said. “I’ll be researching what activates and sustains the inflammation in cancers.”

UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd said the collaboration will provide access to scientific expertise, equipment and the sharing of data, and will support continuing research exchange opportunities between the state and Singapore, nurturing higher degree research students to undertake research into cancer therapies.

SA Minister for Science and Information Economy Kyam Maher added that the arrangement “has the potential to position UniSA and South Australia as national and international leaders in this field”.

“UniSA will employ three postdoctoral scientists to work with Professor Tergaonkar, to ensure the benefits of his appointment have a lasting impact in our state,” he said.

The partnership was secured thanks to $1 million from the Department of State Development through its South Australian Research Fellowship program (SARF). The program recruits world-class researchers to enhance the state’s research strengths in priority sectors.