Dr Yohan Suryo Rahmanto
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Cancer Institute NSW Research Fellow
D06 - Blackburn Building |
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Research interests
Yohan's area of expertise is molecular and cellular biology and the generation and use of transgenic and knockout mice. He specifically work in the area of melanoma cell biology. Melanoma is a malignant tumour of melanocytes that underlies the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Human melanoma tumour antigen p97 (melanotransferrin, MTf) was one of the first cell surface markers associated with melanoma. It was described as an oncofoetal antigen expressed in large amounts in malignant melanoma cells.
Recently, we showed that down-regulation of MTf expression resulted in significantly decreased cellular migration and proliferation, DNA synthesis, melanoma tumour xenograft growth and tumour initiation in nude mice. To understand the function of MTf, we also utilised microarray analysis to examine the gene expression profile of 5 models after modulating MTf expression. In vivo, we also created the first MTf-knockout and MTf-transgenic (TG) mice to assess MTf biological function. Hence, the continued investigation of MTf function is essential and may lead to the development of novel therapies for the management of melanoma.
Current national competitive grants*
2011
Development of Iron Complexes for the Treatment of Friedreich?s Ataxia & the Role of Frataxin in Iron Metabolism
Richardson D, Suryo Rahmanto Y, Ponka P
National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant ($595,048 over 3 years)
2010
Alpha-2-macroglobulin and the transport and uptake of the hormone, hepcidin
Richardson D, Suryo Rahmanto Y, Kuchel P
NHMRC Project Grant ($514,500 over 3 years)
* Grants administered through the University of Sydney
Honours project opportunities
The Role of Melanotransferrin in Melanoma Growth and Metastasis
The Role of Iron in the Pathogenesis of the Crippling Neurodegenerative Disease, Friedreich's Ataxia