Profile

Contact Details

Phone: +64 3 479 7797
Email: adele.woolley@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position

Senior Lecturer

Department

Department of Pathology (Dunedin)

Qualifications

BPhEd BSc PGDipSci PhD(Otago)

Research summary

Cytoskeletal dynamics in cell cycle and cell migration

Teaching

PATH 201 Foundations of Human Diseases (course convenor)
PATH 302 Cancer Biology
MICN 301 Vertical Pathology Module
CMC 301 Cancer and Diabetes

Memberships

Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology
Federation of University Women
Dunedin Company of Physiologists
TEMTIA (Society of Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition)
Department of Pathology Teaching committee
BBiomedSc Operational Committee

Clinical

Cancer biology, and Inflammatory microenvironment in cancer and other inflammatory diseases

Research

One of our foci is on the cell cycle and cell migration, fundamental cellular processes that underpin many diseases, including cancer.

The cell cycle is the sequence of events by which cells faithfully replicate their DNA and then segregate the duplicated chromosomal DNA equally between two daughter cells. An intricate network of regulatory pathways ensures that each cell cycle event is performed correctly and in proper sequence. In healthy tissues, cell division is a well-controlled process during which both our duplicated genetic and cytoplasmic material is equally distributed over two newly formed daughter cells, such that after a round of cell division each daughter cell has a complete set of 46 chromosomes. Cancer arises as a consequence of uncontrolled cell division resulting in chromosomal instability.

We are also researching Metastasis (the movement of cancer cells to distant parts of the body). This is the primary cause of death in cancer patients. We are interested in understanding the regulation of cell cycle exit and early cell migration. We are also investigating the role of the microenvironment in both cancer and inflammatory diseases such as osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis.

We use experimental approaches to study changes in cellular processes that take place in disease. Ultimately, by understanding the dynamics of these cellular processes, we can provide a platform for intervention in disease. We aim to use these discoveries to develop biomarkers for specific disease states.

Additional details

The Woolley Laboratory

Publications

Wiles, A. K., Mehta, S., Millier, M., Woolley, A. G., Li, K., Parker, K., Kazantseva, M., Wilson, M., Young, K., Bowie, S., Ray, S., Slatter, T. L., Stamp, L. K., Hessian, P. A., & Braithwaite, A. W. (2023). Activated CD90/Thy-1 fibroblasts co-express the Δ133p53β isoform and are associated with highly inflamed rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 25, 62. doi: 10.1186/s13075-023-03040-8 Journal - Research Article

Shields, N. J., Peyroux, E. M., Campbell, K., Mehta, S., Woolley, A. G., Counoupas, C., Neumann, S., & Young, S. L. (2022). Calpains released from necrotic tumor cells enhance antigen cross-presentation to activate CD8⁺ T cells in vitro. Journal of Immunology, 209(9), 1635-1651. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100500 Journal - Research Article

McDougall, L., Kueh, J. T. B., Ward, J., Tyndall, J. D. A., Woolley, A. G., Mehta, S., Stayner, C., Larsen, D. S., & Eccles, M. R. (2021). Chemical synthesis of the PAX protein inhibitor EG1 and its ability to slow the growth of human colorectal carcinoma cells. Frontiers in Oncology, 11, 709540. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.709540 Journal - Research Article

Mehta, S., Algie, M., Al-Jabry, T., McKinney, C., Kannan, S., Verma, C. S., … Parker, K., Henderson, L., Gould, M. L., Bhatia, P., Harfoot, R., … Kleffmann, T., … Woolley, A. G., … Braithwaite, A. (2020). Critical role for cold shock protein YB-1 in cytokinesis. Cancers, 12, 2473. doi: 10.3390/cancers12092473 Journal - Research Article

Mehta, S., McKinney, C., Algie, M., Verma, C. S., Kannan, S., Harfoot, R., … Gould, M. L., Parker, K., … Cunliffe, H. E., … Kleffmann, T., Braithwaite, A. W., & Woolley, A. G. (2020). Dephosphorylation of YB-1 is required for nuclear localisation during G₂ phase of the cell cycle. Cancers, 12(2), 315. doi: 10.3390/cancers12020315 Journal - Research Article

2023

Journal - Research Article

2022

Journal - Research Article

2021

Journal - Research Article

2020

Journal - Research Article

2018

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Mehta, S., Algie, M., Al Jabri, T., McKinney, C., Verma, C., Weini, M., … Henderson, L., Gould, M., Parker, K., Bhatia, P., Harfoot, R., Kleffmann, T., … Woolley, A., & Braithwaite, A. (2018, August). RSK mediated YB-1 phosphorylation: A key event required for completion of cytokinesis. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2016

Journal - Research Article

Lasham, A., Mehta, S. Y., Fitzgerald, S. J., Woolley, A. G., Hearn, J. I., Hurley, D. G., Ruza, I., Algie, M., … Braithwaite, A. W., & Print, C. G. (2016). A novel EGR-1 dependent mechanism for YB-1 modulation of paclitaxel response in a triple negative breast cancer cell line. International Journal of Cancer, 139(5), 1157-1170. doi: 10.1002/ijc.30137

Roth, I., Campbell, H., Rubio, C., Vennin, C., Wilson, M., Wiles, A., Williams, G., Woolley, A., … Fleming, N., Baird, M., & Braithwaite, A. W. (2016). The Δ133p53 isoform and its mouse analogue Δ122p53 promote invasion and metastasis involving pro-inflammatory molecules interleukin-6 and CCL2. Oncogene, 35, 4981-4989. doi: 10.1038/onc.2016.45

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Mehta, S., Lasham, A., Woolley, A., Algie, M., Al Jabry, T., Ma, W., Fleming, N., Young, K., Parker, K., … Braithwaite, A. (2016, August-September). Role of YB-1 in cell cycle. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Nelson, New Zealand.

2015

Journal - Research Article

Fleming, J. S., Ruza, I., Thompson, B. A., Lee, K.-F., & Woolley, A. G. (2015). Effects of BRCA1 knockdown on CYP19a1/aromatase and steroid receptor expression in ovarian and tubal cells. Journal of Molecular & Genetic Medicine, 9(4), 185. doi: 10.4172/1747-0862.1000185

2013

Journal - Research Article

Awasthi, A., Woolley, A. G., Lecomte, F. J., Hung, N., Baguley, B. C., Wilbanks, S. M., Jeffs, A. R., & Tyndall, J. D. A. (2013). Variable expression of GLIPR1 correlates with invasive potential in melanoma cells. Frontiers in Oncology, 3, 225. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00225

Lasham, A., Print, C. G., Woolley, A. G., Dunn, S. E., & Braithwaite, A. W. (2013). YB-1: Oncoprotein, prognostic marker and therapeutic target? Biochemical Journal, 449, 11-23. doi: 10.1042/bj20121323

2012

Journal - Research Article

Lasham, A., Samuel, W., Cao, H., Patel, R., Mehta, R., Stern, J. L., … Woolley, A. G., … Black, M. A., Shelling, A. N., Print, C. G., & Braithwaite, A. W. (2012). YB-1, the E2F Pathway, and regulation of tumor cell growth. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 104(2), 133-146. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djr512

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Algie, M., Jeffs, A., Woolley, A., Kleffmann, T., & Braithwaite, A. (2012, August). Identification of binding partners of the oncoprotein Y-box binding protein (YBX1) in breast cancer cell-line. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2011

Journal - Research Article

Woolley, A. G., Algie, M., Samuel, W., Harfoot, R., Wiles, A., Hung, N. A., … Royds, J. A., Perez, D., Yoon, H.-S., … Braithwaite, A. W. (2011). Prognostic association of YB-1 expression in breast cancers: A matter of antibody. PLoS ONE, 6(6), e20603. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020603

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Fleming, J. S., Ruza, I., Lee, K.-F., & Woolley, A. (2011, September). Aromatase/CYP19 and steroid receptor expression in response to BRCA1 knockdown in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and reproductive tract epithelial cells. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Woolley, A. (2011, March). Prognostic association of YB-1 expression in breast cancers: A matter of antibody. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand/Singapore Cancer Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2010

Journal - Research Article

Cohen, S. B., Ma, W., Valova, V. A., Algie, M., Harfoot, R., Woolley, A. G., … Braithwaite, A. W. (2010). Genotoxic stress-induced nuclear localization of oncoprotein YB-1 in the absence of proteolytic processing. Oncogene, 29, 403-410. doi: 10.1038/onc.2009.321

Sheard, P. W., Bewick, G. S., Woolley, A. G., Shaw, J., Fisher, L., Fong, S. W., & Duxson, M. J. (2010). Investigation of neuromuscular abnormalities in neurotrophin-3-deficient mice. European Journal of Neuroscience, 31(1), 29-41. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.07032.x

2009

Journal - Research Article

Jeffs, A. R., Glover, A. C., Slobbe, L. J., Wang, L., He, S., Hazlett, J. A., Awasthi, A., Woolley, A. G., … Print, C. G., … Eccles, M. R. (2009). A gene expression signature of invasive potential in metastatic melanoma cells. PLoS ONE, 4(12), e8461. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008461

2008

Journal - Research Article

Woolley, A. G., Tait, K. J., Hurren, B. J., Fisher, L., Sheard, P. W., & Duxson, M. J. (2008). Developmental loss of NT-3 in vivo results in reduced levels of myelin-specific proteins, a reduced extent of myelination and increased apoptosis of Schwann cells. GLIA, 56(3), 306-317. doi: 10.1002/glia.20614

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Jeffs, A., Glover, A., He, S., Woolley, A., Eccles, M., & Baguley, B. (2008, August-September). Gene expression signatures of invasion in melanoma. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2007

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Woolley, A., Hazlett, J., Li, G., & Eccles, M. (2007, May). Is PAX8 involved in the regulation of cell proliferation in ovarian cancer? Poster session presented at the New Zealand Society for Oncology Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Li, C., Jeffs, A., He, S., Woolley, A., & Eccles, M. (2007, May). Is there cooperation, interference, or no interaction at all between PAX genes in promoting tumorigenesis? Poster session presented at the New Zealand Society for Oncology Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Glover, A., He, S., Ineson, J., Jeffs, A., Woolley, A., Marshall, E., … Eccles, M. (2007, May). The role of PAX3 in malignant melanoma. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Society for Oncology Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Woolley, A., Hazlett, J., Li, C., & Eccles, M. (2007, August). Is PAX8 involved in the regulation of cell proliferation in ovarian cancer? Poster session presented at the Inaugural Queenstown Molecular Biology Cancer Satellite Meeting, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Glover, A., He, S., Ineson, J., Jeffs, A., Woolley, A., Marshall, E., … Eccles, M. (2007, August). The role of PAX3 in malignant melanoma. Poster session presented at the Inaugural Queenstown Molecular Biology Cancer Satellite Meeting, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Glover, A., He, S., Ineson, J., Jeffs, A., Woolley, A., Marshall, E., … Eccles, M. (2007, September). Expression profiling, characterisation, and the role of PAX3 in the NZM panel of metastatic melanoma cell lines. Verbal presentation at the Joint Meeting of the 10th Annual Microarray and Gene Expression Data Society (MGED) Meeting and the 7th Annual Australasian Microarray and Associated Technologies (AMATA) Conference, Brisbane, Australia.

2005

Journal - Research Article

Woolley, A. G., Sheard, P. W., & Duxson, M. J. (2005). Neurotrophin-3 null mutant mice display a postnatal motor neuropathy. European Journal of Neuroscience, 21, 2100-2110.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Tait, K. J., Woolley, A. G., & Duxson, M. J. (2005). Neurotrophin-3 loss in vivo does not affect myelination at birth, but reduces myelination at three weeks in mice. New Zealand Medical Journal, 118(1225). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1225/1740/content.pdf

Woolley, A. G., Tait, K. J., Fisher, L., Kirschner, D. A., & Duxson, M. J. (2005). Role of neurotrophin-3 in the regulation of peripheral myelination in vivo. Mechanisms of Development. 122(Suppl.), (pp. S113). [Abstract]

2003

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Woolley, A. G. (2003). Development and perinatal maintenance of the neuromuscular system in neurotrophin-3 null mutant mice (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 312p.

2002

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Woolley, A., Sheard, P. W., & Duxson, M. J. (2002). Effects of NT-3 deficit on mouse neuromuscular development. Proceedings of the Third (2002) Asia Pacific Symposium on Neural Regeneration. (pp. 64). [Abstract]

1999

Journal - Research Article

Woolley, A., Sheard, P. W., Dodds, K. G., & Duxson, M. J. (1999). Alpha motoneurons are present in normal numbers but with reduced soma size in neurotrophin-3 knockout mice. Neuroscience Letters, 272, 107-110.