People_
Professor Lenka Munoz
Head of Cancer Research, School of Medical Sciences
Research Academic Director (Biomedical), Faculty of Medicine and Health
Research Academic Director (Biomedical), Faculty of Medicine and Health
Phone
+61 2 9351 2315
Details
Member of The Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation
Member of the Charles Perkins Centre
Professor Munoz' research focuses on understanding signalling pathways driving glioblastoma, delineating the molecular mechanism of action of cancer drugs and developing effective therapies against glioblastoma.
Undergraduate, Honours and postgraduate research projects are available and would focus on one of major research programs in our laboratory.
1. Targeting drug-tolerant persister cancer cells.
2. Function of DYRK1A in brain cancer.
3. Off-kinase targets and novel molecular mechanisms of kinase inhibitors.
4. MK2 signalling in glioblastoma stem cells.
Please contact me directly for more details.
2020 Sydney Outstanding Academic Researcher (SOAR) Prize
2020 The University of Sydney Thompson Prize
2019 Dr John Raftos AM Medal for Innovation
2018 Peter Andrews Award for Innovation in Medicinal Chemistry/Chemical Biology
2016 - 2018 Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellowship
2015 Sydney Medical School Foundation Fellow
2013 The University of Sydney Brown Fellow
Cancer
| Project title | Research student |
|---|---|
| Elucidating cell intrinsic determinants of CAR-T cell kinetics | Tamara BOCK |
| Identification of factors in the pre- and post-treatment tumour microenvironment that impair the efficacy of CD19 CAR-T immunotherapy for diffuse large B cell lymphoma. | Helen CASHMAN |
| Delineating the Mechanism of Action of QC6352 | Jacinda HOLTSMARK |
| Targeting drug-tolerant persisters in glioblastoma. | Emma KEMPE |
| Origins and significance of published errors in high impact factor cancer and biomedical journals | Pranujan PATHMENDRA |
| Nove therapies for targeting malignant stem cells in drug-resistant leukaemia | Xiangtao WEI |
| Development of a new potential treatment for the deadly brain cancer glioblastoma | Wenbin ZHOU |
Publications
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Journals
- Sterling, J., Baker, J., McCluskey, A., Munoz, L. (2023). Systematic literature review reveals suboptimal use of chemical probes in cell-based biomedical research. Nature Communications, 14(1). [More Information]
- Chen, B., McCuaig-Walton, D., Tan, S., Montgomery, A., Day, B., Kassiou, M., Munoz, L., Recasens, A. (2021). Dyrk1a negatively regulates CDK5-SOX2 pathway and self-renewal of glioblastoma stem cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(8), 4011-1-4011-14. [More Information]
- Recasens, A., Humphrey, S., Ellis, M., Hoque, M., Abbassi, R., Chen, B., Longworth, M., Needham, E., James, D., Johns, T., Kassiou, M., Yang, P., Munoz, L., et al (2021). Global phosphoproteomics reveals DYRK1A regulates CDK1 activity in glioblastoma cells. Cell Death Discovery, 7(1), 81. [More Information]
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Patents
- Munoz, L., Gurgis, F., Akerfeldt, M., Kassiou, M. (2021). Novel agents for cancer therapy with dual mechanism of action. Patent No. 15/547227, 2020205331.
- Jorgensen, W., Munoz, L., Kassiou, M. (2018). CNS permeable anti cancer tubulin inhibitors. Patent No. AU2018900313, AU2018900315.
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2023
- Sterling, J., Baker, J., McCluskey, A., Munoz, L. (2023). Systematic literature review reveals suboptimal use of chemical probes in cell-based biomedical research. Nature Communications, 14(1). [More Information]
2021
- Munoz, L., Gurgis, F., Akerfeldt, M., Kassiou, M. (2021). Novel agents for cancer therapy with dual mechanism of action. Patent No. 15/547227, 2020205331.
- Chen, B., McCuaig-Walton, D., Tan, S., Montgomery, A., Day, B., Kassiou, M., Munoz, L., Recasens, A. (2021). Dyrk1a negatively regulates CDK5-SOX2 pathway and self-renewal of glioblastoma stem cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(8), 4011-1-4011-14. [More Information]
- Recasens, A., Humphrey, S., Ellis, M., Hoque, M., Abbassi, R., Chen, B., Longworth, M., Needham, E., James, D., Johns, T., Kassiou, M., Yang, P., Munoz, L., et al (2021). Global phosphoproteomics reveals DYRK1A regulates CDK1 activity in glioblastoma cells. Cell Death Discovery, 7(1), 81. [More Information]
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2020
- Phoa, A., Recasens, A., Gurgis, F., Betts, T., Menezes, S., Chau, D., Nordfors, K., Haapasalo, J., Haapasalo, H., Johns, T., Buckland, M., Munoz, L., et al (2020). MK2 Inhibition Induces p53-Dependent Senescence in Glioblastoma Cells. Cancers, 12(3), 654. [More Information]
2019
- Escobar, S., Fong, G., Winnischofer, S., Simone, M., Munoz, L., Dennis, J., Rocha, M., Witting, P. (2019). Anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activities of the flavonoid isoliquiritigenin in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 299, 77-87. [More Information]
- Abbassi, R., Recasens, A., Indurthi Venkata, D., Johns, T., Stringer, B., Day, B., Munoz, L. (2019). Lower Tubulin Expression in Glioblastoma Stem Cells Attenuates Efficacy of Microtubule-Targeting Agents. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 2(6), 402-413. [More Information]
- Recasens, A., Munoz, L. (2019). Targeting Cancer Cell Dormancy. Trends In Pharmacological Sciences, 40(2), 128-141. [More Information]
2018
- Hoque, M., Abbassi, R., Froio, D., Man, J., Johns, T., Stringer, B., Day, B., Pajic, M., Kassiou, M., Munoz, L. (2018). Changes in cell morphology guide identification of tubulin as the off-target for protein kinase inhibitors. Pharmacological Research, 134, 166-178. [More Information]
- Zhou, Q., Reekie, T., Abbassi, R., Indurthi Venkata, D., Font Sadurni, J., Ryan, R., Rendina, L., Munoz, L., Kassiou, M. (2018). Flexible Analogues of Azaindole DYRK1A Inhibitors Elicit Cytotoxicity in Glioblastoma Cells. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 71(10), 789-797. [More Information]
- Jorgensen, W., Munoz, L., Kassiou, M. (2018). CNS permeable anti cancer tubulin inhibitors. Patent No. AU2018900313, AU2018900315.
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2017
- Sokias, R., Werry, E., Chua, S., Reekie, T., Munoz, L., Wong, E., Ittner, L., Kassiou, M. (2017). Determination and reduction of translocator protein (TSPO) ligand rs6971 discrimination. MedChemComm (Medicinal Chemistry Communications), 8(1), 202-210. [More Information]
- Dobber, A., Phoa, A., Abbassi, R., Stringer, B., Day, B., Johns, T., Abadleh, M., Peifer, C., Munoz, L. (2017). Development and Biological Evaluation of a Photoactivatable Small Molecule Microtubule-Targeting Agent. ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 8(4), 395-400. [More Information]
- O'Brien-Brown, J., Jackson, A., Reekie, T., Barron, M., Werry, E., Schiavini, P., McDonnell, M., Munoz, L., Wilkinson, S., Noll, B., Kassiou, M., et al (2017). Discovery and pharmacological evaluation of a novel series of adamantyl cyanoguanidines as P2X7 receptor antagonists. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 130, 433-439. [More Information]
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2016
- Munoz, L., Yeung, Y., Grewal, T. (2016). Oncogenic Ras modulates p38 MAPK-mediated inflammatory cytokine production in glioblastoma cells. Cancer Biology and Therapy, 17(4), 355-363. [More Information]
- Lalaoui, N., Hanggi, K., Brumatti, G., Chau, D., Nguyen, N., Vasilikos, L., Spilgies, L., Heckmann, D., Ma, C., Munoz, L., et al (2016). Targeting p38 or MK2 Enhances the Anti-Leukemic Activity of Smac-Mimetics. Cancer Cell, 29(2), 145-158. [More Information]
2015
- Gurgis, F., Akerfeldt, M., Heng, B., Wong, C., Adams, S., Guillemin, G., Johns, T., Chircop, M., Munoz, L. (2015). Cytotoxic activity of the MK2 inhibitor CMPD1 in glioblastoma cells is independent of MK2. Cell Death Discovery, 1, 1-11. [More Information]
- Vinh, N., Devine, S., Munoz, L., Ryan, R., Wang, B., Krum, H., Chalmers, D., Simpson, J., Scammells, P. (2015). Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Tetra-Substituted Thiophenes as Inhibitors of p38a MAPK. ChemistryOpen, 4(1), 56-64. [More Information]
- Abbassi, R., Johns, T., Kassiou, M., Munoz, L. (2015). DYRK1A in neurodegeneration and cancer: Molecular basis and clinical implications. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 151, 87-98. [More Information]
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2014
- Gurgis, F., Ziaziaris, W., Munoz, L. (2014). Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Activated Protein Kinase 2 in Neuroinflammation, Heat Shock Protein 27 Phosphorylation and Cell Cycle: Role and Targeting. Molecular Pharmacology, 85(2), 345-356. [More Information]
2013
- Yeung, Y., McDonald, K., Grewal, T., Munoz, L. (2013). Interleukins in glioblastoma pathophysiology: implications for therapy. British Journal of Pharmacology, 168(3), 591-606. [More Information]
- Eibl, C., Tomassoli, I., Munoz, L., Stokes, C., Papke, R., Gundisch, D. (2013). The 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane scaffold for subtype selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ligands. Part 1: the influence of different hydrogen bond acceptor systems on alkyl and (hetero)aryl substituents. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 21(23), 7283-7308. [More Information]
- Eibl, C., Munoz, L., Tomassoli, I., Stokes, C., Papke, R., Gundisch, D. (2013). The 3,7-diazabicylo[3.3.1]nonane scaffold for subtype selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands. Part 2: Carboxamide derivatives with different spacer motifs. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 21(23), 7309-7329. [More Information]
2012
- Yeung, Y., Bryce, N., Adams, S., Braidy, N., Konayagi, M., McDonald, K., Teo, C., Guillemin, G., Grewal, T., Munoz, L. (2012). p38 MAPK inhibitors attenuate pro-inflammatory cytokine production and the invasiveness of human U251 glioblastoma cells. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 109(1), 35-44. [More Information]
2010
- Munoz, L., Selig, R., Yeung, Y., Peifer, C., Hauser, D., Laufer, S. (2010). Fluorescence polarization binding assay to develop inhibitors of inactive p38alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase. Analytical Biochemistry, 401(1), 125-133. [More Information]
- Munoz, L., Ramsay, E., Manetsch, M., Ge, Q., Peifer, C., Laufer, S., Ammit, A. (2010). Novel p38 MAPK inhibitor ML3403 has potent anti-inflammatory activity in airway smooth muscle. European Journal of Pharmacology, 635, 212-218. [More Information]
- Munoz, L., Ammit, A. (2010). Targeting p38 MAPK pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology, 58(3), 561-568. [More Information]
2007
- Munoz, L., Ranaivo, H., Roy, S., Hu, W., Craft, J., McNamara, L., Chico, L., Van Eldik, L., Watterson, D. (2007). A novel p38α MAPK inhibitor suppresses brain proinflammatory cytokine up-regulation and attenuates synaptic dysfunction and behavioral deficits in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 4(21), Published online 2007 September 4. doi: 10.1186/17. [More Information]
- Hu, W., Ranaivo, H., Roy, S., Behanna, H., Wing, L., Munoz, L., Guo, L., Van Eldik, L., Watterson, D. (2007). Development of a novel therapeutic suppressor of brain proinflammatory cytokine up-regulation that attenuates synaptic dysfunction and behavioral deficits. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 17(2), 414-418. [More Information]
2004
- Gundisch, D., Andra, M., Munoz, L., Tilotta, M. (2004). Synthesis and evaluation of phenylcarbamate derivatives as ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 12, 4953-4962. [More Information]
2002
- Munoz, L., Laitinen, L., Raiman, J., Cizmarik, J., Sedlárová, E., Hirvonen, J. (2002). Permeability Profiles of M-Alkoxysubstituted Pyrrolidinoethylesters of Phenylcarbamic Acid across Caco-2 Monolayers and Human Skin. Pharmaceutical Research, 19(2), 162-168.
- Munoz, L., Sedlárová, E., Cizmarik, J. (2002). Study of Local Anaesthetics, Part 156: Some Physicochemical and Lipophilic Properties of Pyrrolidinoethyl Esters of o-, m-, p-Alkoxy-Substituted Phenylcarbamic Acid. Chemical Papers, 56(5), 340-344.
Selected Grants
2023
- Rewarding Research 2024, Munoz L, Faculty of Medicine and Health/FMH Rewarding Research Success
- A novel drug combination to cure glioblastoma, Munoz L, Tour de Cure Ltd/Senior Research Grant
2022
- Development of brain-permeable chemotherapy against glioblastoma, Munoz L, Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation/Translational Innovations Scheme
- Bath Research Student Program, Munoz L, Charles Perkins Centre/CPC Research Program Award
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In the media
https://nfmri.org.au/research-with-purpose/
