Research Update: ACRF Centre for Imaging the Tumour Environment

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the ACRF Centre for Imaging the Tumour Environment was officially opened on 4 October 2019 and is used by researchers of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) and La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science (LIMS) to examine how cancer cells interact with neighbouring populations to create micro-environments supportive of tumour development. 

Insights into enhancing our ability to disrupt and treat these interactions are provided by imaging machines including Multiphoton and Confocal Microscopes, and a NanoString Molecular Barcoding Scanner. 

Since the first piece of instrument was commissioned in late September 2018, more than 40 individual researchers from five Melbourne Research Institutions have utilised the equipment and research support provided by the Facility at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute. 

Over the course of this reporting period, the ACRF Centre for Imaging the Tumour Environment has commissioned the first Next Generation Zeiss Multiphoton microscope in Australia, as well as the Next Generation Zeiss Inverted Confocal platforms, cementing the Facility as a world-wide state-of-the-art imaging centre for our research teams. This research is only possible thanks to people like yourself, who have generously given to help outsmart cancer.

Vision for ACRF Centre for Imaging the Tumour Environment: 

1. To enable cancer researchers and clinicians at the ONJCRI and its partners at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) and the immediate Austin Health precinct to perform cutting edge characterisation of interactions between tumour cells and the tumour microenvironment. 
2. To exploit with advanced microscopy one of Australia’s largest existing portfolios of novel therapeutic reagents targeting the tumour microenvironment. 

Projects undertaken within the ACRF Centre: 

The following cancer research teams and Institutes are using the ACRF Centre for Imaging the Tumour Environment. 

• Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, ONJCRI (gastric cancer) 

• Cancer Immuno-Biology Laboratory, ONJCRI (melanoma) 

• Matrix Microenvironment & Metastasis Laboratory, ONJCRI (breast cancer) 

• Metastasis Research Laboratory, ONJCRI (breast cancer) 

• Oncogenic Transcription Laboratory, ONJCRI (colorectal cancer) 

• Receptor Biology Laboratory, ONJCRI (prostate and colorectal cancer) 

• Tumour Progression and Heterogeneity Lab, ONJCRI (breast cancer) 

• Tumour Targeting Laboratory, ONJCRI (brain, breast, colorectal cancer) 

• Humbert Laboratory, La Trobe University (breast cancer) 

• Hannan Laboratory, Mercy Hospital for Women (pre-eclampsia) 

• Lewin and Cameron Laboratory, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (HIV anti-retrovirus resistance) 

• University of Melbourne Department of Surgery (liver cancer)