Stark Group - Skin cancer genomics and biomarker discovery
About
Our group's major research streams include:
- microRNA biomarkers for melanoma progression; and
- the development a Genomics Atlas of pre-skin cancer lesions.
Our current projects relate to the assessment of melanoma progression microRNA biomarkers for increased diagnostic precision of “ambiguous” melanocytic lesions as well as “real-time” monitoring of melanoma disease progression using a “liquid biopsy.”
Our Genomics Atlas comprises of overlapping datasets (whole exome, mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes, methylation) as well as Spatial Profiling of clinically well annotated naevi and skin biopsies, to greater understand the early hallmarks of pre-skin cancer development.
Both of these streams aim to provide insight into the early progression of melanoma and keratinocyte cancer, to aid in preventing invasive skin cancer formation and offer increased precision to the clinical management of patients.