McCaughan Laboratory
To define and characterise liver diseases and liver cancer at the cellular and molecular level by studying animal models and human samples. This process deepens understanding of these diseases and potentially unveiling new approaches of diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
About the McCaughan Laboratory
We are using cutting edge immune mass cytometry (IMC) to discover novel cell-cell interactions within liver cancers. So far, we have identified a unique microvasculature niche that consists of endothelial cells, perivascular macrophages, other myeloid cells and T cells within the liver cancer.
We are currently exploring the correlation between cell phenotypes in the blood, liver and cancer tissue in human HCC using single cell techniques.
We will further explore the relationship among cells within liver cancers and its roles in the development of liver cancers using spatial transcriptomics, IMC, and single cell sequencing technologies.
We have developed multiple liver cancer mouse models. Recently, an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) mouse model that resembles human iCCA have been created. Novel therapeutic targets have been identified.
Centre for Cancer Innovations
- Chronic liver diseases
- Liver cancer
- IMC
- Spatial transcriptomics
- Single cell analysis
- Unique mouse models
- Human liver samples
Novel miRNA-based drug CD5-2 reduces liver tumor growth in diethylnitrosamine-treated mice by normalizing tumor vasculature and altering immune infiltrate.
Liver-specific deletion of miR-181ab1 reduces liver tumour progression via upregulation of CBX7.
Deletion of kif3a in CK19 positive cells leads to primary cilia loss, biliary cell proliferation and cystic liver lesions in TAA-treated mice.
Liver transplantation in Australia and New Zealand.
The intrahepatic signalling niche of hedgehog is defined by primary cilia positive cells during chronic liver injury.
People
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Professor Geoff McCaughan
Faculty, Centenary Institute
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Dr Felix Marsh-Wakefield
Postdoc Research Officer
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Dr Jinbiao Chen
Senior Scientist
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Dr Angela Ferguson
Postdoc Scientist -
Dr Costhita Santhakumar
PhD Student -
Dr David Prince
PhD student -
Dr Madeline Gill
PhD Student
Student Opportunities
Postgraduate students can work alongside world-leading medical researchers, with state-of-the-art facilities in direct collaboration with the University of Sydney and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
To learn more about student opportunities in the McCaughan Laboratory and for all general enquiries relating to our work, please contact Professor Geoff McCaughan.
