Dr Rebecca Roubin
My research studies focus on the molecular mechanisms of the tumour microenvironment (extracellular matrix) in disease states and in drug therapeutics and diagnostics.
I have established a collaboration with Dr Daniel Sze (Associate Professor, Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) focusing on a type of blood cancer- Multiple Myeloma (MM). This cancer is incurable with an average life expectancy of 3 years, so a better treatment/cure is urgently needed. We are exploring the use of nuclear receptor agonists targeting their multiple action pathways such as induction of cancer cell apoptosis and blocking the interaction of tumour cells with their microenvironment/extracellular matrix.
We also aim to translate what we have learnt and experienced in the Cancer Immunology research to the newly developed herbal Medicines anti-cancer program.
Nuclear Receptor Regulation of Cell Death Proteins in Cancer
Recent exciting findings suggested a novel pathway through the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) influences cell cycle regulation and synthetic PPARγ agonists prevents cell growth in various cancers. As the modulation of cell death proteins plays a predominant role in the immortalisation of myeloma cells this may have implications in the way nuclear receptor PPARγ activators affect cancer progression.
Further examination of the molecular mechanisms involved is warranted due to the potential implications that nuclear receptor PPARγ activators may have on MMPs and cell death protein levels and function in MM and consequently cancer remission in this disease.
Potential Anti-Cancer Synergistic Nuclear Receptor Agonists Combination
The complexity associated with nuclear receptor activators is documented where nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR) activators bind to RXR, then hetero-dimerizes with PPARγ and modulates transcription of target genes and currently our Pharmaceutical Chemistry student is clarifying the PPARγ-cell cycle modulation at the protein level. Understanding the synergistic molecular mechanisms of RXRα - PPARγ induced cell cycle arrest is essential to minimising the variety of toxicities that are known to occur in response to these activators as single agents in the clinic.
(Shanxi University) Investigation of Traditional Chinese Medicines |
Publications
Book Chapters
- Estrella, R., Whitelock, J., Roubin, R., Packer, N., Karlsson, N. (2009). Small-Scale Enzymatic Digestion of Glycoproteins and Proteoglycans for Analysis of Oligosaccharides by LC-MS and FACE Gel Electrophoresis. In Niclas G Packer, Nicolle H Karlsson (Eds.), Methods in Molecular BiologyGlycomics: Methods and Protocols, (pp. 171-192). USA: Humana Press. [More Information]
Journals
- Greenbaum, D., Mclachlan, A., Roubin, R., Moles, R., Chaar, B. (2023). Examining pharmacists' anti-doping knowledge and skills in assisting athletes to avoid unintentional use of prohibited substances. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 31(3), 290-297. [More Information]
- Greenbaum, D., McLachlan, A., Roubin, R., Chaar, B. (2022). Pharmacists supporting athletes: a scoping review exploring the knowledge, role and responsibilities of pharmacists in preventing the unintentional use of prohibited substances by athletes. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 30(2), 108-115. [More Information]
- Sekhon, B., Roubin, R., Li, Y., Devi, P., Nammi, S., Fan, K., Sze, D. (2016). Evaluation of Selected Immunomodulatory Glycoproteins as an Adjunct to Cancer Immunotherapy. PloS One, 11(1), 1-15. [More Information]
Conferences
- Roubin, R., Ghosh, P. (2001). Deer antler cartilage cells express specific growth factors which up-regulate chondrocyte dna and proteoglycan biosynthesis in vitro. 1st International Symposium on Antler Science and Product Technology, : UNSW Australian Defence Force Academy.
- Ghosh, P., Roubin, R., Smith, M. (2001). Rationale for the use of antler cartilage products and genes obtainde from their cells to treat arthritis and repair cartilage defects following joint injury. 1st International Symposium on Antler Science and Product Technology, : UNSW Australian Defence Force Academy.
Patents
- Hibbs, D., Salam, N., Roubin, R., Matin, A., Gavande, N. (2009). PPAR Agonists. Patent No. 2009026658. World.
- Hibbs, D., Salam, N., Huang, H., Roubin, R., Matin, A., Gavande, N., Nammi, S., Kim, M. (2009). Preparation of flavonoid PPAR agonists. Patent No. 2009026657. World.
Report
- Walker, D., White, D., Roubin, R. (2001). Deer Antler Velvet Research in Australia and Overseas.
Other
- Wollaston, A., Coupe, J., Luff, L., Lay, B., Ji, K., Kean, J., Roubin, R. (2024), Everyday innovation with tech tools. [More Information]
2024
- Wollaston, A., Coupe, J., Luff, L., Lay, B., Ji, K., Kean, J., Roubin, R. (2024), Everyday innovation with tech tools. [More Information]
2023
- Greenbaum, D., Mclachlan, A., Roubin, R., Moles, R., Chaar, B. (2023). Examining pharmacists' anti-doping knowledge and skills in assisting athletes to avoid unintentional use of prohibited substances. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 31(3), 290-297. [More Information]
2022
- Greenbaum, D., McLachlan, A., Roubin, R., Chaar, B. (2022). Pharmacists supporting athletes: a scoping review exploring the knowledge, role and responsibilities of pharmacists in preventing the unintentional use of prohibited substances by athletes. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 30(2), 108-115. [More Information]
2016
- Sekhon, B., Roubin, R., Li, Y., Devi, P., Nammi, S., Fan, K., Sze, D. (2016). Evaluation of Selected Immunomodulatory Glycoproteins as an Adjunct to Cancer Immunotherapy. PloS One, 11(1), 1-15. [More Information]
2013
- Meng, Q., Roubin, R., Hanrahan, J. (2013). Ethnopharmacological and bioactivity guided investigation of five TCM anticancer herbs. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 148(1), 229-238. [More Information]
- Sekhon, B., Sze, D., Chan, W., Fan, K., Li, G., Moore, D., Roubin, R. (2013). PSP activates monocytes in resting human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: Immunomodulatory implications for cancer treatment. Food Chemistry, 138(4), 2201-2209. [More Information]
- Matin, A., Doddareddy, M., Gavande, N., Nammi, S., Groundwater, P., Roubin, R., Hibbs, D. (2013). The discovery of novel isoflavone pan peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 21(3), 766-778. [More Information]
2009
- Matin, A., Gavande, N., Kim, M., Yang, N., Salam, N., Hanrahan, J., Roubin, R., Hibbs, D. (2009). 7-Hydroxy-benzopyran-4-one Derivatives: A Novel Pharmacophore of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor and - (PPAR and ) Dual Agonists. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 52(21), 6835-6850. [More Information]
- Meng, Q., Niu, Y., Niu, X., Roubin, R., Hanrahan, J. (2009). Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Caragana used in traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 124(3), 350-368. [More Information]
- Hibbs, D., Salam, N., Roubin, R., Matin, A., Gavande, N. (2009). PPAR Agonists. Patent No. 2009026658. World.
2008
- Davies, N., Roubin, R., Whitelock, J. (2008). Characterization and purification of glycosaminoglycans from crude biological samples. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56(2), 343-348. [More Information]
- Sekhon, B., Roubin, R., Tan, A., Chan, W., Sze, D. (2008). High-Throughput Screening Platform for Anticancer Therapeutic Drug Cytotoxicity. ASSAY and Drug Development Technologies, 6(5), 711-721. [More Information]
2001
- Roubin, R., Ghosh, P. (2001). Deer antler cartilage cells express specific growth factors which up-regulate chondrocyte dna and proteoglycan biosynthesis in vitro. 1st International Symposium on Antler Science and Product Technology, : UNSW Australian Defence Force Academy.
- Walker, D., White, D., Roubin, R. (2001). Deer Antler Velvet Research in Australia and Overseas.
- Ghosh, P., Roubin, R., Smith, M. (2001). Rationale for the use of antler cartilage products and genes obtainde from their cells to treat arthritis and repair cartilage defects following joint injury. 1st International Symposium on Antler Science and Product Technology, : UNSW Australian Defence Force Academy.
Selected Grants
2006
- Bioanalyser instrument, Roubin R, Clive & Vera Ramaciotti Foundation/Clive & Vera Ramaciotti Fndtn
- PPARgamma agonists as novel cancer therapeutic agents, Roubin R, Pharmacy Research Trust of NSW/Research Grant
2003
- Novel Glycoproteomic based diagnostic technology for identifying cartilage tissue turnover and repai, Karlsson N, Knox S, Packer N, Roubin R, Whitelock J, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)