Dr Anne-Louise Gannon

Biography

I began my academic career by undertaking a biology honours degree at the University of Dundee, Scotland in 2009. My focus during this degree was primarily conservation-based, with an honours project investigating the impact of light pollution on the local bat populations. Following this, I was keen to expand on my lab expertise. I, therefore, began my masters by research in cancer biology. This project sought to identify the mechanisms in which ovarian cancer becomes resistant to chemotherapy. This project gave me an insight into the complicated and fascinating world of endocrinology. I found the topics complexity and large impact on our lives extremely fascinating and wanted to investigate this further.

Following my masters, I undertook my PhD at the University of Edinburgh in 2014 investigating the role of adrenal hormones on male life-long health. Thus far, my research focus has been on the role of nuclear receptors in adrenal cortex regulation. In 2018, I was recruited by the University of Newcastle as a Postdoctoral Research Associate.

Research expertise

My research to date has involved a master’s project in developing chemotherapy-resistant cell lines to better understand the mechanisms that lead to chemotherapy failure in ovarian cancer. Following this, my PhD focused on the development of two novel mouse models through conditional gene targeting to investigate androgen receptor (AR) in the adrenal cortex. Through these projects, I developed an expertise in cancer biology, adrenal function, adrenal androgen signalling, gene editing, and transgenic mouse development. Since moving to UoN (March, 2018), I have contributed to the development and set up of a brand new laboratory on Callaghan campus. With this, I have taken the lead on the conception, design and implementation of a number of new and novel projects in the field of endocrinology. 

My primary focus is on developing novel cell-specific targeting technologies to be able to deliver, edit and manipulate endocrine cells to repair these cells as a novel gene therapy approach. This technology will permit the development of new and novel treatments for hard to treat adrenal genetic disorders which currently rely on life-long systemic hormone replacement. 

Although only 2.5 years post PhD, I have contributed towards five peer-reviewed publications, three of which are the first author. This work has been presented at multiple international conferences in which my work gained a ‘New Investigator Award’ for my new findings in adrenal androgen signalling. 

Current Research Themes

1. Development of novel adrenal targeting nanobiotechnology 
2. Development of single injection sterilants via nanobiotechnology 
3. Understanding the role of adrenal androgens in male and female lifelong health
4. Development of novel mouse models/therapeutics to tackle adrenal disease
5. Determining the impact of adrenal stress hormones on testis function, including androgen production, testis architecture and fertility.
6. The use of In silico modelling to direct and refine our studies

Common approaches: transgenic mouse models, “gene therapy”, bio-technologies, in silico modelling as well as usual bio-molecular techniques.

Teaching Expertise

I have been involved in student supervision for the last 6 years. This has involved student supervision in tutorials, demonstrations and lectures for undergraduate students. I am a primary supervisor for a placement and honours student this semester and lecturing on the topic of endocrinology. I am also a mentor for a PhD student as part of the ‘Women in Reproduction’ initiative to foster the development of women in science. Since joining UoN, I give lectures to undergraduate students in Reproductive Sciences and Biotechnology Honours as well as leading lab practicals. 

If you are a prospective Honours or PhD student and interested in joining the lab, please contact me via email: annelouise.gannon@newcastle.edu.au