Dr Rick Thorne

Biography

I am a postdoctoral researcher with the appropriate track record, skills and management expertise required to lead an independent research team and am seeking to do so. Throughout my research career I have sought to understand the processes that regulate cell adhesion versus cell migration, and how these relate to physiological and pathological events. Within this focus I have been involved in different projects looking at the cell and molecular biology of cancer cells. In recent years my primary interest has been in attempting to understand the functional role of CD44 in cell migration and cancer metastasis, and to document the biochemistry of the signalling pathways involved. My present focus is a continuation of this quest and references to my published work on CD44 are given as quality research outputs. However, experimental studies have additionally been performed with all the four major classes of adhesion molecules together with molecules that regulate integrin function. In particular, the articles involving the physical and functional interactions between integrins and two of their functional regulators - the tetraspanins and CD36 - have made an enduring contribution to the field. The first of these articles was published ten years ago and notably these studies have continued to accrue consistent citations. In addition, much of this work has been reported by me at national and international forums.

The competitive research grants with which I have been associated is ~$1,600,000. The bulk of these funds relate to an ARC Discovery Project (2004-6) and an NHMRC Project grant (2007-9). All other peer reviewed research funding has been obtained where I have acted as sole or first CI and on this basis I feel confident in my ability to attract more additional project monies. An important aspect of succeeding in the ARC Fellowship was the contribution of my personal track record that is scrutinised separately from the track records of the other CIs. It was also the first real test my track record since completing my PhD in the competitive national scene. The reports were largely positive, one referee stating relative to opportunity, Thorne is a productive researcher with above average track record. Another stating His ability to work in a team setting is attested by the contribution to the work in a series of papers. My publication record since that application has improved with further publications in strong journals.

Since 2003 I have published 11 peer reviewed articles and one book chapter, six of these are as first author and/or corresponding author. According to our own Institutional ranking scheme, one falls in the average category (IF <2), 5 are good (IF 2-5) and the remaining 5 are excellent (IF 5-10). I do not yet have a publication in the outstanding category (>10) but I aspire to do so.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 1999
• Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Newcastle, 1988
• Bachelor of Science, University of Newcastle, 1987

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Research

Research keywords

• apoptosis
• cell adhesion
• cell signaling

Research expertise

I have been working in laboratory-based science for nearly twenty years with direct hands on experience in vast array of techniques many of which are directly applicable to the proposed research. This includes two research assistant positions before undertaking my PhD program, and three postdoctoral fellow positions subsequent to the award. A summary of my technical skills is as follows.

Molecular Biology: All DNA manipulations associated with the construction of expression vectors including epitope tagged molecules, fusion proteins, mutants and chimeras, recombinant adenoviruses. DNA and RNA preparation and analysis by southern and northern blotting, PCR, screening assays for cDNA libraries, yeast-2-hybrid assays etc.

Protein analysis and biochemistry: SDS-PAGE, 2D gels, immunoprecipitation, GST-pulldown, immunoblotting, use of radioisotopes, kinase assays, metabolic labeling studies, N-glycan analysis, chromatographic and related biochemical methods, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, FRET, flow cytometry, ELISA assays, protein and enzyme assays.

Cell culture and in vitro assays: derivation and maintenance of cell lines, cryopreservation, mycoplasma screening, cell transfection methods, cloning and cell sorting, production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies, cell adhesion, migration and chemotaxis assays, drug toxicity, apoptosis, phagocytosis and cell-mediated immunity assays.

In vivo models: I have developed experimental models for cancer metastasis and immunoscintography in human xenograft models of melanoma, and experimental chemotherapy protocols for an rodent model of acquired drug-resistance in mammary cancer.

Fields of Research

Code	Description	Percentage
060100	Biochemistry And Cell Biology	40
110399	Clinical Sciences Not Elsewhere Classified	30
110199	Medical Biochemistry And Metabolomics Not Elsewhere Classified	30

Centres and Groups

Centre

• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information-Based Medicine
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Cancer

Memberships

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• Lifetime fellow of organisation - International Union against Cancer (UICC)

Appointments

Gladys M Brawn Memorial Fellowship The University of Newcastle (Australia)

01/01/2000 - 01/04/2001

Awards

Research Award.

2007	UICC (Australia) International award to undertake UICC Cancer Research Training Course: Molecular Biology of Solid Tumour Therapeutics. (2001) Sponsored travel and accommodation to Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Invitations

Dr. A. Obaidat, Department of Pharmacy Jordan University of Science and Technology, King Abdullah II Hospital, Jordan (Invitation to give lectures in Jordan to JUST and to the affiliated King Abdullah II Hospital)

2006

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

Apart from the time spent in my overseas postdoctoral position I have been acting as laboratory manager for the Cancer Research Unit at The University of Newcastle since towards the end of my PhD studies. The laboratory currently consists of one postdoc, one research assistants, four PhD and one honours students and two international visiting scholars. I am supervising all on a daily basis and also run weekly lab meetings.

Outside this supervision of staff and students other responsibilities involve other administrative duties, namely but not limited to selection and maintenance of equipment and consumables, devising housekeeping systems for laboratory stocks and samples, maintaining statutory safety documentation, safety and ethics clearances for research projects. Integral in this role is the financial management of grant monies for my own grants and for the Unit.

From time to time I also sit on various committees at the departmental and faculty level acting on behalf of the Cancer Research Unit and I am on the steering committee of the HMRI Cancer Research Group.

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Teaching

Teaching expertise

In my position at the Breakthough Centre in the UK I was co-supervisor

of postgraduate student George Tzircotis who was accepted for his PhD

in 2005 (University of London, UK) and unofficial co-supervisor of

Georgia Messaritou who was also awarded her PhD that year. I have

supervised approximately 20 undergraduate 3rd year project students

both from The University of Newcastle, The University of New England

and Imperial College (London, UK). At the completion of this year I will

have supervised three honours students at the University of Newcastle

although I have unofficially co-supervised another five students during

my own PhD program. Our School offers a Bachelor of Biomedical

Sciences Degree program and although intake is relatively small a high

proportion of students undertake honours providing the opportunity to

attract postgraduate students. My future involvement in undergraduate

teaching will be entirely research based in the supervision of 3rd year

project students and honours students. Additionally I am currently

supervising 4 PhD students and one honours student.