Development of molecular diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer
The Centre for Pharmaceutical Oncology aims to bridge the gap between fundamental discoveries in cancer biology and first-in-humans clinical trials of new diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer by providing expertise in pharmaceutical science. Areas of expertise include: identification of molecular targets on tumours, point-of-care molecular diagnostics, nanoparticle drug delivery systems, radiopharmaceutical synthesis and characterization, molecular imaging (SPECT and PET), radioimmunotherapy, experimental therapeutics, pharmaceutical formulation, radiation dosimetry, polymer chemistry, antibody-based diagnostics and therapeutics. The Centre promotes collaborations between basic cancer biologists, pharmaceutical scientists and clinical oncologists to improve the outcomes of cancer patients.
- Molecular target identification for design of diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer.
- Design, synthesis and characterization of nanoparticle drug delivery systems for cancer.
- Engineering of point-of-care molecular diagnostics for cancer.
- Synthesis and characterization of radiopharmaceuticals for cancer imaging and therapy.
- Pharmaceutical polymer synthesis and characterization for cancer drug delivery.
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Specialized labs and equipment
| Specialized lab | Equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Centre for Pharmaceutical Oncology | Mass spectrometer | Molecular target identification |
| HPLC system with diode array and ELS detectors | Pharmaceutical characterization including nanoparticle drug delivery systems | |
| Multi-function plate reader with cell imaging capability | Molecular target evaluation; Pharmaceutical development | |
| Flow cytometer | Molecular target evaluation; Pharmaceutical development | |
| Liquid scintillation counter | Pharmaceutical development | |
| Immunoelectrophoretic focusing (IEF) instrument | Polymer characterization | |
| DLS plate reader | Pharmaceutical characterization including nanoparticle drug delivery systems | |
| LC-MS chromatographic system | Pharmaceutical development | |
| Refrigerated ultra-centrifuge | Molecular diagnostics development | |
| Fluorescence inverted microscope | Molecular diagnostics development | |
| STTARR Innovation Centre | Multimodality microSPECT/PET/CT imaging system | Radiopharmaceutical development |