Dr. Randal Johnston

Research Interests:
Regulation of expression and function of oncogenes. Control of cancer cell behavior. Cell cycle control, differentiation and apoptosis. Mechanisms of resistance to reoviral oncolysis.

Academic Background:
Ph.D.
Stanford University (USA)

Position:
Professor,
Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Oncology

Adjunct Professor,
Department of Biological Sciences

Department:
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Oncology

Contact Information:
Room 371B
Heritage Medical Research Building

Phone (403) 220-8692
Fax: (403) 270-0834
E-mail: rnjohnst@ucalgary.ca

Member:
Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute

Group:
Fundamental

Area of Research:
Regulation of oncogene expression, cell cycle control, apoptosis and response to reoviral oncolysis

Research Details:
Amplification and deamplification of proto-oncogenes and regulation of their expression and function. Changes in cellular behaviour and cell cycle control that accompany altered proto-oncogene activity during development, apoptosis and oncogenesis.

1. We have found agents that can cause the selective deamplification of certain proto-oncogenes in human tumour cells, accompanied by reversion to a more normal cellular state.

2. Treatment of many types of cancer cell with reovirus causes apoptosis, but some cancers can acquire resistance. We are seeking to understand this resistance so that strategies to avoid or reverse it may be developed.

3. Stabilization of overexpressed c-fos mRNA is a function of the degree of overexpression; its stability is further modified by cellular growth conditions.

4. Overexpression of c-Myc promotes programmed cell death coincident with abnormal activity of cyclin dependent kinases.

The extent of c-Myc induced apoptosis is modulated by levels of expression of the ING-1 candidate tumour suppressor gene.