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  • Dr Andrew J Woo

    Dr Andrew J Woo

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Dr Andrew J Woo

Lecturer

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 5684
Email: a.woo@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO21.505  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1198-6373

Andrew is a Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at the School of Medical and Health Sciences. He is actively engaged in both teaching and research, leading innovative projects on stem cells and cancer at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, where he also supervises ECU higher degree by research (HDR) students.

Current Teaching

Unit Co-ordinator, Lecturer and Tutor for:

  • SCH2232 Medical Biochemistry (delivered at ECU Joondalup and Sri Lanka)
  • SCH3244 Development Biology (delivered at ECU Joondalup and Sri Lanka)

Background

Dr Woo is a biomedical scientist specializing in transcriptional gene regulation, with research impacting blood disorders, cancer, and stem cell biology. He completed his PhD at UWA and postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. Dr Woo has published in leading journals such as Cell, Cancer Cell, Journal of Clinical Investigation and Blood. He holds academic appointments at Edith Cowan University and the University of Western Australia.

Employment history:

  • 2020-Present: Lecturer and Unit Co-ordinator, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA
  • 2012-Present: Research Fellow, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA
  • 2004-2012: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Professional Associations

  • International Member, American Society of Haematology (ASH)
  • Member, International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
  • Member, Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR)

Awards and Recognition

National and International Awards

  • 2021 - WA NHMRC Near-miss Award (WANMA)
  • 2016 - WA NHMRC Near-miss Award (WANMA)
  • 2016 - Medical Research Foundation Annual Meeting Award
  • 2013 - UWA-Pitch your Project Award.
  • 2012 - Medical Research Foundation Fellowship Award
  • 2010 - American Society of Hematology Travel Award

Grants and Funding Awards

  • 2024 - Chief Investigator A (CIA) Andrew Woo., et al., Targeting an alternate nuclear receptor to treat aggressive breast cancers. Cancer Council WA. A$137,735.
  • 2024 - CIE Andrew Woo., et al., Epigenome engineering for the therapeutic reprogramming of the mesenchymal to epithelial states in breast cancer. NHMRC. A$2,887,937.
  • 2024 - CIE Andrew Woo., et al., Therapeutic exploitation of Rab12, a novel tumour and metastasis suppressor in breast cancer. Cancer Council WA. A$120,000.
  • 2023 - CIA Andrew Woo., et al., Targeting breast cancer stem cells for therapy. HPIMR. A$100,000.
  • 2022 - CIC Andrew Woo., et al., Epigenetic reprogramming of the mesenchymal transcription factor network in triple negative breast cancer. Cancer Australia. A$119,349.
  • 2021 - CIA Andrew Woo. et al., Boosting platelet supply for transfusion: Cellular reprogramming approach. Department of Health, WA. A$74,000.
  • 2017 - CIE Andrew Woo., et al., Characterisation of a new subtype of aggressive breast cancer. NHMRC. A$763,152.
  • 2016 - CIA Andrew Woo., et al., Reprogramming metastatic tumours: Investigating the role of the ZBP family of transcription factors. Department of Health, WA. A$75,000.
  • 2016 - CIE Andrew Woo., et al., Discovery and Characterisation of a Cancer Driver in a New Subtype of Aggressive Breast Cancer., Cancer Council WA. A$100,000.
  • 2016 - CIA Andrew Woo., et al., Reprogramming metastatic tumours: Investigating the role of the ZBP family of transcription factors. Cancer Council WA. 2016-2017. A$100,000.
  • 2015 - Associate Investigator Andrew Woo., et al., Nuclear receptors and triple negative breast cancer., NHMRC. A$681,979.
  • 2015 - CIA Andrew Woo., et al., Dissecting ZBP TF-Associated Oncogenic Pathways in Epithelial Cancers. Medical Research Foundation.A$17,500.
  • 2014 - CIA Andrew Woo., et al., Investigating the role of Zfp148 in immune function and epithelial cancers. Medical Research Foundation. A$17,500.
  • 2013 - CIA Andrew Woo., et al., Functional examination of the ZBP family of transcription factors in cancer metastasis. Medical Research Foundation. A$20,000.

Editorial Board

  • 2018-Current. Journal Review Editor. Frontiers Cell and Developmental Biology

Research Areas and Interests

Dr Woo’s research encompasses developmental haematopoiesis, blood disorders, cancer, and stem cell biology, with a particular emphasis on gene regulatory networks and the identification of novel therapeutic targets in cancer stem cells.

Currently, Dr Woo is pioneering innovative approaches to eliminate cancer stem cells in some of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant epithelial cancers. As an affiliate of the Centre for Precision Health at ECU, he leads his research primarily at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, based at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre in Nedlands, Western Australia.

Dr Woo welcomes prospective postgraduate students who are passionate about making a difference in cancer research. Those eager to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment alongside leading research scientists, clinicians, and cancer survivors, are encouraged to contact him to learn more about joining and contributing to his research team.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Western Australia, 2004.

Research Outputs

2025

Journal Articles

  • Kabir, T., Beck, S., Stuart, L., Li, J., Hou, R., Liu, P., Margolius, S., Kim, C., Choi, YS., Bastow, E., Beveridge, D., Spalding, L., Li, Z., Ginhoux, F., Chow, P., Phillips, M., Redfern, A., Collaborative, LC., Yeoh, G., Forrest, A., Woo, A., Sharma, A., George, J., McCaughan, G., Leedman, PJ. (2025). Inhibition of the Caveolin-1 pathway promotes apoptosis and overcomes pan-tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death & Disease, 16(561), 1. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07887-4.

2024

Reports

  • Beveridge, D., Woo, A., Richardson, K., Brown, R., Stuart, L., Singh, M., Redfern, A., Leedman, P. (2024). PACT is requisite for prostate cancer cell proliferation. Durham, North Carolina, USA. Research Square Company. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4121983/v1.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Kim, M., Singh, M., Lee, BL., Hibbs, M., Richardson, K., Ellies, L., Wintle, L., Stuart, L., Wang, JY., Voon, DC., Blancafort, P., Wang, J., Kim, J., Leedman, PJ., Woo, A. (2022). A MYC-ZNF148-ID1/3 regulatory axis modulating cancer stem cell traits in aggressive breast cancer. Oncogenesis, 11(1), Article number 60. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41389-022-00435-1.
  • McGrath, F., Francis, A., Fatovich, D., Macdonald, S., Arendts, G., Woo, A., Bosio, E. (2022). Genes involved in platelet aggregation and activation are downregulated during acute anaphylaxis in humans. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 11(12), article number e1435. https://doi.org/10.1002/cti2.1435.

Reports

  • Kumar, Y., Tripathi, P., Dakle, P., Mehravar, M., Pandey, V., Bullen, M., Zhang, Z., Hathiwala, D., Kerenyi, M., Woo, A., Ghamari, A., Cantor, A., Wong, L., Kim, J., Glass, K., Yuan, G., Pinello, L., Orkin, S., Das, PP. (2022). Histone demethylome map reveals combinatorial gene regulatory functions in embryonic stem cells. Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.27.269514.

2021

Journal Articles

  • Golden, E., Rashwan, R., Woodward , EA., Sgro , A., Wang, E., Sorolla, A., Waryah, C., Tie , WJ., Cuyàs, E., Ratajska, M., Kardaś, I., Kozlowski, P., Johnstone, E., See, H., Duffy , C., Parry, J., Lagerborg, K., Czapiewski, P., Menendez, J., Gorczyński, A., Wasag, B., Pfleger , K., Curtis, C., Lee, B., Kim, J., Cursons , J., Pavlos, N., Biernat, W., Jain, M., Woo, A., Redfern, A., Blancafort, P. (2021). The oncogene AAMDC links PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling with metabolic reprograming in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Nature Communications, 12(1), Article number 1920. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22101-7.
  • McGrath, F., Francis, A., Fatovich, D., Macdonald, S., Arendts, G., Bosco, A., Woo, A., Bosio, E. (2021). Small nucleolar RNA networks are up-regulated during human anaphylaxis. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 51(10), 1310-1321. https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.13982.
  • Beveridge, D., Richardson , K., Epis, M., Brown, R., Stuart, L., Woo, A., Leedman, P. (2021). The tumor suppressor miR-642a-5p targets Wilms Tumor 1 gene and cell-cycle progression in prostate cancer. Scientific Reports, 11(December 2021), Article number 18003. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97190-x.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Salik, B., Yi, H., Hassan, N., Santiappillai, N., Vick, B., Connerty, P., Duly, A., Trahair, T., Woo, A., Beck, D., Liu, T., Spiekermann, K., Jeremias, I., Wang, J., Kavallaris, M., Haber, M., Norris, MD., Liebermann, DA., D'andrea, RJ., Murriel, C., Wang, JY. (2020). Targeting RSPO3-LGR4 Signaling for Leukemia Stem Cell Eradication in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Cell, 38(2), 263-278.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2020.05.014.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Wang, E., Sorolla, A., Cunningham, PT., Bogdawa, HM., Beck, S., Golden, E., Dewhurst, RE., Florez, L., Cruickshank, MN., Hoffmann, K., Hopkins, RM., Kim, J., Woo, A., Watt, PM., Blancafort, P. (2019). Tumor penetrating peptides inhibiting MYC as a potent targeted therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancers. Oncogene, 38(1), 140-150. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-018-0421-y.
  • Lynch, JR., Salik, B., Connerty, P., Vick, B., Leung, H., Pijning, A., Jeremias, I., Spiekermann, K., Trahair, T., Liu, T., Haber, M., Norris, MD., Woo, A., Hogg, P., Wang, J., Wang, JY. (2019). JMJD1C-mediated metabolic dysregulation contributes to HOXA9-dependent leukemogenesis. Leukemia, 33(6), 1400-1410. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41375-018-0354-z.
  • Gonzales-Aloy, E., Connerty, P., Salik, B., Liu, B., Woo, A., Haber, M., Norris, MD., Wang, J., Wang, JY. (2019). MiR-101 suppresses the development of MLL-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia. Haematologica: the hematology journal, 104(7), e296-e299. https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2018.209437.
  • Woo, A., Patry, CA., Ghamari, A., Pregernig, G., Yuan, D., Zheng, K., Piers, T., Hibbs, M., Li, JK., Fidalgo, M., Wang, JY., Lee, J., Leedman, P., Wang, J., Fraenkel, E., Cantor, AB. (2019). Zfp281 (ZBP-99) plays a functionally redundant role with Zfp148 (ZBP-89) during erythroid development. Blood Advances, 3(16), 2499-2511. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2018030551.

2014

Journal Articles

  • Beck, S., Lee, B., Rhee, C., Song, J., Woo, A., Kim, J. (2014). CpG island-mediated global gene regulatory modes in mouse embryonic stem cells. Nature Communications, 5(5490), 1-12.

2013

Journal Articles

  • Woo, A., Wieland, K., Huang, H., Akie, T., Piers, T., Kim, J., Cantor, A. (2013). Developmental differences in IFN signaling affect GATA1s-induced megakaryocyte hyperproliferation. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 123(8), 3292-3304. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI40609.
  • Lee, J., Kim, J., Gludish, D., Roach, R., Saunders, A., Barrios, J., Woo, A., Chen, H., Conner, D., Fujiwara, Y., Stripp, B., Kim, C. (2013). Surfactant protein-C chromatin-bound green fluorescence protein reporter mice reveal heterogeneity of surfactant protein C-expressing lung cells. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 48(3), 288-298. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1165/rcmb.2011-0403OC.
  • Das , P., Shao, Z., Beyaz, S., Apostolou, E., Pinello, L., Los Angeles, A., O’brien, K., Atsma , J., Fujiwara, Y., Nguyen, M., Ljuboja , D., Guo, G., Woo, A., Yuan, G., Onder, T., Daley, G., Hochedlinger, K., Kim, J., Orkin, S. (2013). Distinct and Combinatorial Functions of Jmjd2b/Kdm4b and Jmjd2c/Kdm4c in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Identity. Molecular Cell, 53(January 9, 2014), 32-48.

2012

Journal Articles

  • Huang, H., Woo, A., Waldon, Z., Schindler, Y., Moran, T., Zhu, H., Feng, G., Steen, H., Cantor, A. (2012). A Src family kinase-Shp2 axis controls RUNX1 activity in megakaryocyte and T-lymphocyte differentiation. Genes & Development, 26(14), 1587-601. https://doi.org/10.1101/gad.192054.112.
  • Yu, M., Mazor, T., Huang, H., Huang, H., Kathrein, K., Woo, A., Chouinard, C., Labadorf, A., Akie, T., Moran, T., Xie, H., Zacharek, S., Taniuchi, I., Roeder, R., Kim, C., Zon, L., Fraenkel, E., Cantor, A. (2012). Direct recruitment of polycomb repressive complex 1 to chromatin by core binding transcription factors. Molecular Cell, 45(3), 330-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2011.11.032..

2011

Journal Articles

2010

Journal Articles

  • Kim, J., Woo, A., Chu, J., Snow, J., Fujiwara, Y., Kim, CG., Cantor, A., Orkin, S. (2010). A Myc network accounts for similarities between embryonic stem and cancer cell transcription programs. Cell, 143(2), 313-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2010.09.010..

2009

Journal Articles

  • Huang, H., Yu, M., Akie, T., Moran, T., Woo, A., Tu, N., Waldon, Z., Lin, YY., Steen, H., Cantor, A. (2009). Differentiation-dependent interactions between RUNX-1 and FLI-1 during megakaryocyte development. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 29(15), 4103-15. https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.00090-09.

2008

Journal Articles

  • Woo, A., Moran, T., Schindler, Y., Choe, S., Langer, N., Sullivan, M., Fujiwara, Y., Paw, B., Cantor, A. (2008). Identification of ZBP-89 as a novel GATA-1-associated transcription factor involved in megakaryocytic and erythroid development. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 28(8), 2675-89. https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.01945-07.

2007

Journal Articles

  • Franchina, M., Woo, A., Dods, J., Karimi, M., Ho, D., Watanabe, T., Spagnolo, D., Abraham, L. (2007). The CD30 gene promoter microsatellite binds transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and shows genetic instability in anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Journal of Pathology, 214(1), 65-74. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1002/path.2258.

2002

Journal Articles

  • Woo, A., Dods, J., Susanto, E., Ulgiati, D., Abraham, L. (2002). A Proteomics Approach for the Identification of DNA Binding Activities Observed in the Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 1(6), 472-478. https://doi.org/10.1074/mcp.t200003-mcp200..

Research Projects

  • Identifying a novel ovarian cancer oncogene for diagnosis and treatment, Cancer Council of WA Inc, Student Vacation Research Scholarship, 2023 ‑ 2024, $3,000.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

No data available

Completed Supervisions

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Thyroid hormone receptor beta is an oncogene in triple negative subtype of breast cancer
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