Burr Group

The Burr Group - Cancer Immunology and Epigenetics

In the Burr laboratory, we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms by which cancer cells evade surveillance and control by the immune system.

label Research theme

Research themes

contact_support Contact
Associate Professor Marian Burr

About

In the Burr laboratory, we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms by which cancer cells evade surveillance and control by the immune system, allowing tumours to develop and progress. We employ genome scale CRISPR genetic screening approaches, together with genomic and proteomic technologies, to uncover novel therapeutic targets to enhance immune recognition of cancer cells. We aim to both establish new approaches to enhance the efficacy of existing immunotherapies and develop new immune-based therapies to treat solid and haematological malignancies.

The development of effective immunotherapies, such as antibodies targeting immune checkpoint molecules PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4, have produced remarkable survival benefits in many advanced cancers. These immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) activate tumour reactive T-cells, which drive tumour eradication. Specific detection of malignant cells harbouring mutated or abnormally expressed proteins by T cells relies on recognition of aberrant peptide antigens presented by MHC class I or MHC class II molecules. ICIs have therefore been most effective in cancers with a high mutation (neoantigen) burden. However, even highly mutated tumours are frequently refractory to ICI therapy and research in the Burr laboratory focuses on uncovering the mechanisms by which these cancers escape T-cell mediated immune control.

We have recently identified that epigenetic silencing of genes encoding components of MHC antigen processing and presentation pathways drives immune evasion in certain cancers, and that targeted inhibition of specific chromatin complexes can restore effective anti-tumour immunity. Using CRISPR based screening coupled with cell and molecular biology, and biochemical, genomic, and imaging technologies at bulk and single cell level, our lab aims to understand how dysregulation of immune activating or inhibitory pathways contributes to immune escape in cancer and apply this knowledge to develop novel therapeutic strategies to overcome immunotherapy resistance.

Link to Snow Medical webpage on Associate Professor Marian Burr

Publications

Members

Leader

Marian Burr

Snow Fellow
Group Leader

Researcher

Chelisa Cardinez

Postdoctoral Fellow

No photo provided

Post Doctoral Fellow

Mazhar Hussain

Senior Research Officer

Xianghan

Research Officer

Sarah Popp

Senior Laboratory Technician

Rachel Woodhouse

Postdoctoral Fellow

Administration Officer

No photo provided

Administration Officer

Student

Erin Brotherton

PhD Student

No photo provided

PhD Student

No photo provided

PhD Student

Miss Elizabeth Mee

PhD Student

News

Dr Teresa Bonello Dr Rachel Woodhouse JCSMR

Dr Teresa Bonello and Dr Rachel Woodhouse from The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) have been awarded the highly esteemed Research Grant from Cancer Council ACT for their pioneering work in cancer research.

Read the article

Scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have discovered that a protein, called Menin, contributes to abnormal deactivation of specific genes in cancer cells.

Read the article

Associate Professor Marian Burr and colleagues have discovered how blood cancer cells make themselves 'invisible' to the immune system.  

Read the article