Connie Johnson Breast Cancer Research Lab

Our translational research lab was established in 2015. We perform clinically focused laboratory research in partnership with patients who generously donate their tissues as critical building blocks for our experiments. These include establishing patient-derived breast tumour xenografts in mice, and the comparison of normal and breast cancer tissue in patients.

We evaluate novel therapies in these preclinical breast cancer models, allowing us to understand the mechanisms of action and resistance, and to develop the preclinical rationale to move these treatments into clinical trials in patients. Another major focus of our lab is hormone receptors (such as oestrogen and androgen receptors) in breast cancers, and identifying ways to sensitise these cancer cells to endocrine therapies.

Our research is funded through the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Cancer Australia, NHMRC, Cancer Council NSW, Breast Cancer Trials Group, St Vincent's Clinic, Balnaves Foundation, Curran Foundation, The White Butterfly and Love Your Sister.