Dr Anne-Louise Gannon
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Office PVC - Science
Career Summary
Biography
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
The research conducted as part of my PhD focused upon the roles of the androgen receptor (AR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the adrenal cortex. Although it is well known that AR and GR are widely expressed throughout the adrenal cortex, their function had still not been elucidated. Results obtained throughout my project highlighted that AR is essential for normal adrenal morphology and function and highlighted new interactions with well-known adrenal pathways.
The project also investigated the impact of androgens and glucocorticoids in HPA-axis control and stress behaviour and identified numerous new lines of inquiry that would need further investigation. It is this part of my research that I will be focusing on in future projects. Although my research has primarily focused on adrenal biology, being situated in a world-leading lab that also researches pituitary and testis function has given me a solid knowledge base of various endocrine tissues.
Current Research Themes
- Understanding the role of adrenal androgens in male and female lifelong health
- Development of novel mouse models/therapeutics to tackle adrenal disease
- Manipulation of adrenal stem cells for treatment of disease
- Determining the impact of adrenal stress hormones on testis function, including androgen production, testis architecture and fertility.
- 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 four years. I have directly supervised Reproductive honours students during practicals and tutorial groups developing websites on a chosen area of endocrinology. I have also been a demonstrator in the female reproductive tract practical and a tutor for Our Changing World interdisciplinary course.
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
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Edinburgh - Scotland
- Master of Research, University of Dundee
Keywords
- Adrenal Cortex
- Androgens
- Biotechnology
- Endocrinology
- HPA Axis
- Leydig Cells
- Neuroendocrinology
- Reproduction
- Stress Hormones
- Testis
- testosterone
Languages
- English (Mother)
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 100703 | Nanobiotechnology | 20 |
| 111404 | Reproduction | 20 |
| 110306 | Endocrinology | 60 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | University of Newcastle Office PVC - Science Australia |
Membership
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 23/11/2018 - |
HMRI Ignite Leadership Committee Member The Ignite Leadership Committee, led by HMRI’s EMCR Research Council Representatives and Senior Research Mentors, will drive and implement a number of outcomes articulated in the EMCR Strategic Action Plan, by actively contributing to the strategic framework and generating ideas that will build the research leadership capacity of HMRI-affiliated EMCRs. These outcomes are aligned with key thematic areas identified by HMRI-affiliated EMCRs:
The Committee will be required to further develop and implement the EMCR Strategic Action Plan and make recommendations to the HMRI Director on the best use of any HMRI funding allocated to support strategic activities and initiatives. Committee members will have responsibility in organising these activities and initiatives with the support of a HMRI corporate representative. |
HMRI Australia |
Awards
Award
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2016 |
New Investigator Award 17th Annual Adrenal Cortex Conference |
Teaching
| Code | Course | Role | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIME08006 |
Our Changing World University of Edinburgh This is a challenging interdisciplinary first-year course, based on a series of high-profile, evening Lectures given by prominent members of staff from the three Colleges. The course aims to engage students in thinking about the global challenges that confront society, and make them aware of the role of academic research and scholarship in meeting these challenges. Students will be expected to address key global issues across discipline boundaries, and develop an understanding of the relevance and impact of their own subject in the broader context. Students on the course will attend the public Lectures, research the topics in depth, participate in facilitated group discussions on each topic, work in small groups to produce a collaborative project on a chosen topic, and produce an individual research report on an aspect which may be closer to their own subject area. This course will appeal to students with a good foundation in their chosen subject discipline who wish to explore their subject in a broader, interdisciplinary way. |
Tutor & Course Marker | 1/09/2017 - 16/12/2017 |
| C142 |
BSc Reproductive Biology University of Edinburgh Tutorials developing websites on a chosen area of endocrinology |
Tutor | 1/09/2015 - 16/12/2017 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (4 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 |
Gannon A-L, O'Hara L, Mason JI, Jorgensen A, Frederiksen H, Milne L, et al., 'Androgen receptor signalling in the male adrenal facilitates X-zone regression, cell turnover and protects against adrenal degeneration during ageing', SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 9 (2019) [C1]
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| 2019 |
Gannon A-L, O'Hara L, Mason JI, Rebourcet D, Smith S, Traveres A, et al., 'Ablation of glucocorticoid receptor in the hindbrain of the mouse provides a novel model to investigate stress disorders', SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 9 (2019) [C1]
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| 2017 |
Patel SH, O'Hara L, Atanassova N, Smith SE, Curley MK, Rebourcet D, et al., 'Low-dose tamoxifen treatment in juvenile males has long-term adverse effects on the reproductive system: implications for inducible transgenics.', Scientific Reports, 7 (2017) [C1]
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| 2016 |
Vaidyanathan A, Sawers L, Gannon AL, Chakravarty P, Scott AL, Bray SE, et al., 'ABCB1 (MDR1) induction defines a common resistance mechanism in paclitaxel- and olaparib-resistant ovarian cancer cells', British Journal of Cancer, 115 431-441 (2016) © 2016 Cancer Research UK. Background:Clinical response to chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is frequently compromised by the development of drug-resistant disease. The underlying m... [more] © 2016 Cancer Research UK. Background:Clinical response to chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is frequently compromised by the development of drug-resistant disease. The underlying molecular mechanisms and implications for prescription of routinely prescribed chemotherapy drugs are poorly understood.Methods:We created novel A2780-derived ovarian cancer cell lines resistant to paclitaxel and olaparib following continuous incremental drug selection. MTT assays were used to assess chemosensitivity to paclitaxel and olaparib in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells±the ABCB1 inhibitors verapamil and elacridar and cross-resistance to cisplatin, carboplatin, doxorubicin, rucaparib, veliparib and AZD2461. ABCB1 expression was assessed by qRT-PCR, copy number, western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis and ABCB1 activity assessed by the Vybrant and P-glycoprotein-Glo assays.Results:Paclitaxel-resistant cells were cross-resistant to olaparib, doxorubicin and rucaparib but not to veliparib or AZD2461. Resistance correlated with increased ABCB1 expression and was reversible following treatment with the ABCB1 inhibitors verapamil and elacridar. Active efflux of paclitaxel, olaparib, doxorubicin and rucaparib was confirmed in drug-resistant cells and in ABCB1-expressing bacterial membranes.Conclusions:We describe a common ABCB1-mediated mechanism of paclitaxel and olaparib resistance in ovarian cancer cells. Optimal choice of PARP inhibitor may therefore limit the progression of drug-resistant disease, while routine prescription of first-line paclitaxel may significantly limit subsequent chemotherapy options in ovarian cancer patients.
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Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Gannon A-L, Gannon A-L, Determining the role of androgen receptor and glucocorticoid receptor in the rodent adrenal cortex through conditional gene targeting, University of Edinburgh (2018) |
Research Opportunities
PhD Scholarship
Contact
Doctor Anne-Louise Gannon
University of Newcastle
Office PVC - Science
annelouise.gannon@newcastle.edu.au
Honours Project - Adrenal Biotechnology
Contact
Doctor Anne-Louise Gannon
University of Newcastle
Office PVC - Science
annelouise.gannon@newcastle.edu.au
Dr Anne-Louise Gannon
Position
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Smith Group
Office PVC - Science
Faculty of Science
Contact Details
| annelouise.gannon@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Links |
Twitter Research Networks |
Office
| Room | LS2-02 |
|---|---|
| Building | Life Science Building |
| Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |
