12 April 1994 Breast Cancer Research Topic for Prestige Public Lecture

A Lincoln graduate who has gone on to a distinguished international career in breast cancer research will return to Christchurch next week (w/c 18 April) for a "prestige public lecture" as a lead-up to the University's 1994 Graduation Ceremony.

Professor Robert Sutherland of Sydney completed a B.Agr.Sc. degree at Lincoln in 1968 and Masterate with First Class Honours in 1970, specialising in animal physiology. After this foundation work in physiology at Lincoln, doctoral studies in Australia launched Professor Sutherland on a career in biomedical research and today he heads the Cancer Biology Division of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney.

Professor Sutherland and his research group are acknowledged as world leaders in the control of cell cycle progression and cell proliferation in breast cancer, and the Garvan Institute's Cancer Biology Division, which he heads, is the largest basic breast cancer research group in the Southern Hemisphere.

The prestige public lecture in Christchurch, organised by Lincoln University, is entitled "Biology of Human Breast Cancer: implications for treatment and prevention" and it will be held in the Rolleston Lecture Theatre at the Christchurch School of Medicine on Tuesday 19 April at 7.30pm. Members of the public are cordially invited and admission is free, but please register first by ringing Lincoln University as seating is limited.

Born in Gore but brought up in Ashburton, Rob Sutherland enrolled at Lincoln in 1965. From there he won a scholarship for doctoral studies at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University, Canberra. Completion of his Ph.D in 1974 launched his career in biomedical research and he travelled to France to study steroid hormone action in the internationally acclaimed laboratory of Professor Etienne Baulieu. It was there that he developed a major interest in oestrogen antagonists in the treatment of breast cancer.

Returning to Australia, he set up breast cancer research laboratories first at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research  at the University of Sydney, and then at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney.

Professor Sutherland's current research interests are focused on the control of cellular proliferation and differentiation in the normal and cancer-affected human breast.

His research achievements include defining molecular mechanisms of the action of the antioestrogen tamoxifen, which is the current treatment of choice for hormone-dependent breast cancer; defining the role of progestin and antiprogestins in the control of breast cancer cell proliferation and identifying cell cycle regulatory genes as likely oncogenes (cancer causing genes) and tumour suppressor genes in breast cancer.

In reflecting on the development of his career, Professor Sutherland pays tribute to two of his Lincoln teachers, Emeritus Professor Jack McLean and Emeritus Professor Cliff Irvine, both of Christchurch.

"Professor Jack McLean's lectures in animal physiology were truly inspirational and helped shape my future career," he says.

While Professor McLean fired his interest in physiology, Professor Irvine initiated his enthusiasm for research.

"I was Professor Irvine's first postgraduate student and he taught me the ways of research, the hard slog accompanying the excitement and rewards of success. Professor Irvine, who made a major impact in international science in the fields of thyroid physiology and reproductive endocrinology, particularly in the horse, is arguably one of New Zealand's greatest biomedical scientists," says Professor Sutherland.

Professor Sutherland also identifies Professor Etienne Baulieu of France as another of his inspirational role models, particularly for his commitment to internationally competitive research.

In addition to delivering the "prestige lecture" in Christchurch, Professor Sutherland will be a special guest at Lincoln University's first city-based graduation ceremony, in Christchurch Town Hall on 22 April.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.