SEMINAR: 'A role for RUNC3 in inflammation-induced expression of IL23A in gastric epithelial cells'

Dominic Voon received his Ph.D from The University of Western Australia under the mentorship of Dr. Lawrie Abraham, where he worked on transcriptional regulation of the TNF-related ligand, Lymphotoxin beta. This was followed by a short stint with Dr. Peter Leedman at Western Australian Institute of Medical Research (WAIMR) during which he studied the RNA binding proteins PCBP1/2 and their post-transcriptional regulation of androgen receptor. In 2004, Dr. Voon moved to Singapore to join the laboratory of Yoshiaki Ito, a pioneer of molecular oncology who discovered the polyoma middle T antigen and the RUNX transcription factors. The overarching theme of Dominic's research activities at the Ito group has been the tumour suppressor functions of RUNX3 in the gastric epithelial. This uncovers the protective role RUNX3 plays in safeguarding gastric epithelial cells against EMT-induced cellular plasticity and tumorigenicity. More recently, his team reported a crucial function for RUNC proteins in inflammation- and Heliobactor pylori-induced expression of IL23A in gastric epithelial cells. His contribution to the understanding of RUNX proteins has been published in journals, such as Stem Cells, Cell Reports, Blood and Cancer Cell.