| BSc (Hons), MSc (Human Genetics), PhD (Cancer Genetics)
Group Leader, Cancer Genetics Group
Contact: Dr Vanessa Hayes
Email: vhayes ‘at’ ccia.org.au
Dr Vanessa Hayes was recruited to CCIA in 2008 to establish a state-of-the-art genomics laboratory with new generation sequencing technologies. Her group is interested in understanding inherited and acquired Human and Tumour Genome Variation. She will be using the latest techniques to look at how these variants influence individual risk to and development of cancer, as well as response to cancer therapies.
In 2008 she will be involved in sequencing the genome of the Tasmanian Devil, as well as the facial tumour, which is threatening to destroy this Australian icon.
Prior to joining CCIA, Dr Hayes established a Molecular Genetics Facility for the study of complex human disease at the Garvan Institute. Dr Hayes not only headed the facility of 162 users, but also headed her own independent research team in Cancer Genetics.
Dr Hayes has contributed significantly to understanding what predisposes Australian men to prostate cancer and has authored 32 peer-reviewed publications. In addition to an established record of grant funded research, Dr Hayes’ work has been recognised by a number of awards, including the prestigious Ruth Stephens Gani Medal in Human Genetics from the Australian Academy of Science. She is particularly interested in genetic diversity influencing population-specific disease rates and ultimately risk of diseases such as human cancers.
Key Publications
1. Tindall EA, Speight G, Petersen DC, Padilla EJD, Hayes VM. Novel PlexorTM SNP Genotyping Technology: Comparisons with TaqMan and Homogenous MassEXTENDTM MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry. Human Mutation (2007), in press.
2. Hayes VM, Severi G, Padilla EJD, Morris HA, Tilley WD, Southey MC, English DR, Sutherland RL, Hopper JL, Boyle P, Giles GG. 5-Alpha reductase type 2 gene variants associations with prostate cancer risk, circulating hormone levels and androgenetic alopecia. International J Cancer (2007) 120:776-780
3. Severi GS, Hayes VM, Padilla EJD, English DR, Southey MC, Sutherland RL, Hopper JL, Giles GG. The common variant rs1447295 on chromosome 8q24 and prostate cancer risk: results from an Australian population-based case-control study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev (2007), 16:610-612
4. Hayes VM, Severi G, Southey MC, Padilla EJD, English DR, Hopper JL, Giles GG, Sutherland RL. Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 H6D Polymorphism, Prostate Cancer Risk and Survival. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention (2006) 15:1223-1225.
5. Hayes VM. Genetic diversity of the Alpha-1-Antitrypsin gene in Africans identified using a novel genotyping assay. Human Mutation (2003) 22:59-66. |
