Centre for Cancer Research
Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Clayton, Australia
Dr. Gough is a biochemist and cancer biologist and group leader of the STAT Cancer Biology lab at the Hudson Institute and Monash University. He was awarded a Ph.D from the University of Melbourne for work on novel interferon signaling pathways eliciting an anti-viral state. This work identified a critical role for the AP-1 subunit c-Jun in the constitutive secretion of a priming concentration of IFN-beta which maintains STAT1 protein expression and anti-viral protection.
Dr. Gough moved to New York University to undertake post-doctoral training in Professor David E. Levy’s laboratory (Lewis A. Schneider Professor and Associate Dean for Collaborative Science). Dr. Gough developed his interest in STAT3 cancer biology in Professor Levy’s laboratory it was here that we found that the transcription factor STAT3 translocates into the mitochondria. This mitochondrial pool of STAT3 does not alter the transcription of STAT3-target genes, however it regulates metabolic activities which are required for transformation by the Ras oncogenes. Mitochondrial STAT3 augments the activity of the electron transport chain, lactate dehydrogenase, and ATP production.
Dr. Gough returned to Australia in September 2012 to start his laboratory at Monash University. His research program is supported by grants and a fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
Dr. Rathinam received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Madras Veterinary College, India and PhD from Michigan State University in 2009.
Dr. Sonnenberg completed his doctoral research training at the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine in 2011, focusing on mucosal immunology.
