Discovery Grant Awarded at SKMRC Lunch

June 22nd, 2011

A research project seeking to prevent the spread of melanoma cells in the human body was awarded the Suncorp Discovery grant valued at $75,000 at this year's fundraising luncheon for the Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Centre (SKMRC).

The winning team were Professor Deidre Coombe and Dr Danielle Dye from Curtin University along with co-investigator Kathleen Davern from the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR).

The researchers from Curtin University have preliminary data indicating that two proteins on the surface of melanoma cells interact with each other. One of the proteins is expressed on the cell membrane, while the other is secreted by the cell, then binds back down on the cell surface, appearing to enable a number of melanoma cells to clump together and also to spread around the body.

"We'll be working with our favourite molecules, MCAM and galectin-3," said Danielle Dye, who accepted a presentation cheque on behalf of Professor Coombe, who was overseas. "We know they interact, but it's not known how they work and make melanoma more malignant, so this is an exciting opportunity."

"My aim is to produce antibodies which will block interaction between these two proteins," said Kathleen Davern, from WAIMR's Monoclonal Antibody facility. "We'll then investigate if stopping this interaction will reduce the melanoma cells' ability to spread."

The Discovery grant was made possible by Suncorp Bank through their Sunwise campaign. Surprise guest and cricket legend Adam Gilchrist told luncheon guests that he was enjoying his role as an ambassador with the sun safety awareness initiative, passing on the message about skin protection to children and their parents.

The 6th annual fundraising lunch for the SKMRC was held in the Bill Walker Room at Paterson Stadium. Guests enjoyed a 3 course meal by Mustard catering, entertainment by Sydney comedian Darren Carr and an auction and raffle which raised funds for melanoma research.

For more information please contact:
Carolyn Monaghan
Communications Manager
Mobile: 0448 021 932 (media enquiries only)
Office: (08) 9224 0377
Email: carolyn.monaghan@waimr.uwa.edu.au