Therapeutic promise in prize winner's work

Levon Khachigian, an associate professor at the University of NSW, has been awarded the 2004 Australasian Science prize for his team's work on developing potential therapeutics for vascular diseases, such as artherosclerosis, and cancer.

Khachigian's team identified Egr-1, a key gene involved in the growth of smooth muscle cells and the thickening of arteries after balloon angioplasty -- a procedure used to clear blocked arteries. They then went on to develop DNA-based enzymes, called DNAzymes, which target and cleave the Erg-1 gene, reducing arterial thickening.

More recently, Khachigian's team has shown that DNAzymes can be used to suppress the action of another gene, c-Jun, which can act as an oncogene when overactive. The researchers found that suppressing c-Jun prevents the formation of new blood vessels in tumours and thus blocks the growth of melanoma and breast cancer in mice.

The researchers said their work had potential in developing novel treatments for arterial diseases and cancers based on identifying genes that damage blood vessels.

The Australasian Science prize was established in 2000 by the monthly magazine Australasian Science, to acknowledges outstanding research by individuals or small groups.