A molecular biologist with expertise in cell biology, Associate Professor Kathryn Skelding believes that if we can understand the processes of cancer cell proliferation, survival and the development of resistance to chemotherapeutics, we can develop new, targeted anti-cancer therapies.

A mid career researcher with an expertise spanning from fundamental biochemistry to clinical evaluation of new anti-cancer therapeutics, Associate Professor Skelding has already made important contributions to science. And it’s her innate curiosity that’s driven her work.

“I always wanted to know why – why does that disease develop? How does that treatment work?”” she says. “So it was just natural that I would become a medical researcher who investigates the causes of diseases, so that we can develop new and better treatments.”

This curiosity continued throughout her undergraduate studies, where she graduated with first class Honours and the University Medal in Biomedical Science from the University of Newcastle.

The development of new targeted therapies for a varieties of cancer was an early theme of her research; Associate Professor Skelding’s doctoral studies examined the use of novel oncolytic viruses as treatments for breast cancer, and were funded by a National Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarship. Phase I trials for these viruses showed that they were safe and well-tolerated, with evidence of disease stabilisation.

Associate Professor Skelding’s choice of research field was greatly influenced by personal experience, as several people close to her have been affected by cancer. “While it’s well-known that side effects are associated with chemotherapy, it’s only when you actually see what these drugs do to someone that it really hits home how toxic they are,”” she says.

Her research is focussed on brain cancer, leukaemia and breast cancer – but it is the first two topics that hold her strongest focus. “Both leukaemia and brain cancer are unique in that they have very poor outcomes that have remained unchanged for decades. Both diseases are still fairly under-researched and the survival rates have remained static – we need more research into these areas.”

Associate Professor Skelding studies how cancer cells function so that she can better understand how cancer cells grow, spread and develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs. “If scientists can better understand these processes, we can develop new treatments for cancer that are more cancer-cell specific and have fewer side effects,” she says.

Kathryn is exploring the role of targeting in regulating cancer cell proliferation, invasion and resistance to chemotherapy, exploring how novel inhibitors can play a role in targeting pathways. The aim is to develop new therapies and kill the cancer cells – with maximum effectiveness, while minimising side-effects.