We are pleased to announce the recipients of the National Research Grant Round 2025.
Associate Professor Stephen Jamieson
Read about Associate Professor Stephen Jamieson, one of our grant recipients.
Associate Professor Stephen Jamieson
University of Auckland
Project Grant- $199,994 over 3 years
Therapeutic targeting of SHOC2 for the treatment of NRAS-mutant melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer that is especially common in New Zealand.
In about 20% of melanoma cases, the cancer cells have changes (called mutations) in a gene called NRAS that lead to poor outcomes with few available treatments. We have identified a new target protein within these cancer cells, which is needed for these cells to survive.
In this project, we will use a variety of approaches to discover chemical compounds that disrupt the target protein. These compounds will act as starting points for the development of new and powerful drugs that will be used to treat NRAS mutant melanoma.
As part of this work, we also want to understand the patterns of where melanoma occurs in New Zealand, and how it’s tested for and treated. This will help us to ensure any new treatments from this work are accessible to all and improve outcomes.