Welcome to the Tran Laboratory

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Our Research
The lab is focused on several aspects of microRNA (miRNA) research. The first is to understand the expression and role of miRNAs in the development of Head and Neck cancer. We are developing a suite of serum miRNA bio-markers for the early detection of Oral and other subtypes of Head and Neck cancers. The technology known as miRacles has been patented and the lab is currently testing this kit in cancer patients.

In addition, we are also investigating how these miRNAs regulate genes important to the progression of Head and Neck cancer. More recently, we have moved into profiling the ncRNA contents of exosomes derived from cancer cells.
 

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Non-invasive oral cancer diagnostic tool

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Read our article published in the popular science magazine New Scientist.

Listen to ABC Radio 7AM interview Sam Khoury and Nham Tran about their
Oral Cancer research.

A report by Thomas Oriti.

Medical marvel in oral cancer detection
Dentists are at the frontline of oral cancer detection and having the ability to suggest something as simple as a blood test could ultimately save lives.
By Samantha Trenoweth.

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Team News & Photos

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We currently have six lab members working on various aspects of oral cancer research. We are serious about the work but also find the time to have fun and enjoy our science!
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Explainer: microRNA, the puppet master of the genome

What are miRNA?
MicroRNAs, are very small ncRNAs found in cells and only represent less than 0.1% of the entire mammalian transcriptome. However these tiny RNAs   can control up to two thirds of gene expression in mammalian cells.  Many miRNAs are dysregulated in common cancers such as those originating in the breast, lung, colon, liver, head and neck and the prostate. They are now regarded as key regulators in the process of tumourigenesis and given their impact on tumour biology, a plethora of studies have also suggested the use of miRNAs as potential biomarkers. Our lab is using  miRNAs to act as diagnostic or prognostic markers in head and neck cancers.

Boys should also get the HPV vaccine to protect themselves from oral and genital cancers

What is HPV
​The human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer in women, is also responsible for many cancers in men. It causes most cancers of the tonsils (known as oropharyngeal cancers), which are more common in men than women. HPV is also to blame for cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina and penis. The best way to prevent these cancers is to get the HPV vaccine, which is available for free under Australia’s National HPV Vaccination Program to boys and girls aged 12 and 13. 

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Our lab is part of The Translational Cancer Research Network (TCRN).

​This group is a collaborative and interactive cancer research community based in the South East of Sydney, with links to cancer services and researchers in inner and southern Sydney, and Albury.

It was formed to create an innovative and supportive environment for the translation of cancer research into improvements in patient care.

TCRN Site

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​Selected Lab Publications...

Zhang X, Gee H, Rose B, Lee CS, Clark J, Elliott M, Gamble JR, Cairns MJ, Harris A, Khoury S: Regulation of the tumour suppressor PDCD4 by miR-499 and miR-21 in oropharyngeal cancers. BMC cancer 2016, 16(1):86. 

Tran N: Cancer Exosomes as miRNA Factories. Trends in Cancer 2016, 2(7):329-331.

​Ahadi A, Brennan S, Kennedy PJ, Hutvagner G, Tran N: Long non-coding RNAs harboring miRNA seed regions are enriched in prostate cancer exosomes. Sci Rep 2016, 6:24922.

Khoury S, Tran N: Circulating microRNAs: potential biomarkers for common malignancies. Biomarkers in medicine 2015, 9(2):131-151.

Khoury S, Ajuyah P, Tran N: Isolation of Small Noncoding RNAs from Human Serum. Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE 2014(88). 

Young JA, Ting KK, Li J, Moller T, Dunn L, Lu Y, Moses J, Prado-Lourenco L, Khachigian LM, Ng M et al: Regulation of vascular leak and recovery from ischemic injury by general and VE-cadherin-restricted miRNA antagonists of miR-27. Blood 2013, 122(16):2911-2919. 

​Zhang X, Cairns M, Rose B, O'Brien C, Shannon K, Clark J, Gamble J, Tran N: Alterations in miRNA processing and expression in pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland. International journal of cancer Journal international du cancer 2009, 124(12):2855-2863. 

Tran N, Rose BR, O'Brien CJ: Role of human papillomavirus in the etiology of head and neck cancer. Head & neck 2007, 29(1):64-70. 

Tran N, Cairns MJ, Dawes IW, Arndt GM: Expressing functional siRNAs in mammalian cells using convergent transcription. BMC biotechnology 2003, 3:21.