Melissa Cantley

Dr Melissa Cantley

NHMRC Ext-Funded Rsch Fellow B

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

In 2006, Melissa completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide followed by Honours (First Class) in Pathology in 2007. To expand on her knowledge in the area of localized pathological bone loss she worked as an NHMRC funded Research Assistant for two years. During this time Melissa helped establish a number of animal models of pathogenic bone loss, including periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and peri-implant osteolysis. Additional to this she optimized quantitative methods to assess bone loss using live micro CT scanning.

Melissa completed her PhD (October 2013) within the Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences at the University of Adelaide with the support of an Australian Postgraduate Award. Her research was undertaken in the Bone and Joint Laboratory with the supervision of Associate Professor David Haynes and Professor Mark Bartold. The overall aim of her PhD project was to investigate novel treatments of localized bone loss in chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and prosthetic osteolysis.

In 2013 and 2014 Melissa worked as the Research Projects Coordintor, and Learning and Teaching Support Officer in the School of Medical Sciences. Melissa commenced her NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship in June 2014 under the supervision and mentorship of Professor Andrew Zannettino. Dr Cantley is now applying her extensive bone biology knowledge and experience to the area of the haematological malignancy multiple myeloma. She is focussing on understanding bone changes and their role in progression from pre-malignancy to active myeloma.

Understanding the role of the bone microenvironment in the progression of pre-malignancies monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smouldering myeloma to active myeloma and identifying bone biomarkers of those patients at high risk of progression to myeloma.

Up to 80% of patients who have myeloma are affected by myeloma bone disease, which leads to holes in the bone and associated bone pain and risk of fractures. This occurs as a result of complex interactions and communications between the myeloma plasma cells and the cells in their surrounding environment of the bone marrow, referred to as the microenvironment. In almost all cases of multiple myeloma, patients have the presence of a pre-cancerous stage known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and/or smoldering myeloma (SMM). Some patients with smouldering myeloma have stable disease long-term whilst one quarter of patients will rapidly progress to develop myeloma within 2 years of diagnosis. These pre-cancerous stages are recognized as being symptom free and hence patients are closely monitored but do not receive treatment. The presence of bone lesions is not commonly seen in MGUS and smouldering myeloma patients but some research suggests that there is abnormal bone changes that make a patient more susceptible to bone fractures. My research interests focus around understanding these bone changes in pre-cancerous stages and how they may contribute to the progression of malignant myeloma. 

 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2014 - 2021 NHMRC Early Career Researcher University of Adelaide
    2013 - 2014 Research Projects Coordinator The University of Adelaide
    2013 - 2014 Learning & Teaching Support Officer The University of Adelaide
    2010 - 2014 Part time tutor The University of Adelaide
    2010 - 2013 Part time tutor The University of Adelaide
    2010 - 2013 Research Assistant (part time) The University of Adelaide
    2008 - 2010 NHMRC grant funded Research Assistant The University of Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2015 Award South Australian 2015 Young Tall Poppy Winner The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2014 Achievement Australian Society for Medical Research Ross Wishart Finalist The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2014 Award Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Domestic Research Award The University of Adelaide Australia $2000
    2013 Award Dean’s commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2012 Award SA Branch ARA Philip Alpers Award for Best Basic Science Presentation The University of adelaide Australia -
    2012 Award ANZBMS Best of the best poster as part of (AHMRC) The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2011 Award SA Branch ARA Philip Alpers Award for Best Basic Science Presentation The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2011 Achievement Australian Society for Medical Research Ross Wishart Finalist The University of Adelaide Australia -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2010 - 2013 The University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philsophy
    2007 - 2007 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)
    2004 - 2006 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences

  • Research Interests
    Bone and Bones Haematology Cancer Biology and Clinical Oncology Musculoskeletal Health

Fellowships and Scholarships

Cantley MD Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences 2018 Emerging Leadership Mentored Development Program. ($38,885) (2018-2019)

Cantley MD NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship. The effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors on the bone environment in multiple myeloma. ($304,596) (2014-2021).

Cantley MD School of Medical Sciences ‘Kick Start’ Grant Funding $24,950 (2014)

Cantley MD. Group of Eight (G08) supported Fellowship to attend the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting June/July $6000 (2014)

Cantley MD. University of Adelaide Fellowship to attend Science in the Dome Event May $500 (2014)

Cantley MD Australian Postgraduate Award ($67,500) (2010-2012)

Grants

Cantley MD, Quirk N, Arthur A, Kaur S, Algate K, Breen J. Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant (ADRF). A pilot study to utilise single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) to define the bone remodelling microenvironment human periodontitis gingival and bone tissues ($13,500) (2021).

Cantley MD. Bone Health Foundation Seed Grant – Early Career Investigator: Title: Serum CTX-1 levels to predict smouldering myeloma patients at high risk of progression to multiple myeloma: a prospective clinical trial ($21,695.85) (2021-2022).

Cantley MD, Trainor L, Vandyke K, Zannettino A. NanoString Spatial Biology Grant Award. Title: Understanding the bone marrow microenvironment in progression to multiple myeloma (2020).

 Cantley MD. Cancer Australia - Priority-Driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS) Grant – funded by Cancer Australia, Cure Cancer, and Leukaemia Foundation. Title: Using novel high-precision proteomic analysis to discover biomarkers that identify smouldering myeloma patients at high-risk of progression to active multiple myeloma ($199,720) (2020-2022).

Arthur A, Cantley MD. Adelaide Medical School Small Item of Equipment Funding Award. ($1,859) (2019).

Cantley, MD, Arthur A, Zannettino ACW, Gronthos S. Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Research Infrastructure Funding Award, The University of Adelaide. ($23,840) (2019)

Algate KA, Cantley MD, Haynes DR. Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant. Title: Localized topical histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor treatment as a novel method for treating periodontal disease ($10,651) (2019).

Cantley MD, Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Marino V. Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant, The role of acetylation and Histone Deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in the relationship between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis ($12,762) (2015)

Algate K, Cantley MD, Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant, The Effects of Resolvins and Lipoxins on Inflammation Associated Human Osteoclast and Osteoblast activity in vitro ($10,000) (2015)

Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Cantley MD (CIC), NHMRC Project Grant, HDAC 1 and HDAC 5 in periodontitis, ($518,901) (2014-2017).

Cantley MD, Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Marino V, Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant, Targeting HDAC 1 to suppress bone loss in vitro and in a mouse model of periodontitis. $11,813 (2012)

Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Marino V, Cantley MD. Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant, Establishing a mouse model to investigate the relationship between PD and RA  $11,637 (2010)

Undergraduate Teaching and Lecturing

Lecturing

2021                             Dental Science and Practice 1 Semester 1 3x cartilage and bone lectures.

2020, 2019, 2018         Dental Science and Practice 1 Semester 1: 1x connective tissue lecture Semester 2: 3x cartilage and bone lectures.

2016                            Dental Science and Practice 1 (3x guest lectures, Bone and cartilage structure, function and growth)

                                    Biology of Disease (1x guest lecture, multiple myeloma)

2015                            Dental Science and Practice 1 (1x guest lectures, connective tissues)

2014                            Dental Science and Practice 1 (3x guest lectures, Bone and cartilage structure, function and growth)

2014                            Bachelor of Health Sciences - Biology of Disease (Bone and Joint Diseases)

2013                            Bachelor of Health Sciences - Biology of Disease (Bone and Joint Diseases)

2013                            Bachelor of Health Sciences - Human Biology IB (Research and Science Promotion)

2011                            Bachelor of Health Sciences - Biology Bridging Course

2008                            Bachelor of Dental Surgery Biochemistry course

 

Small group and Tutorials

2021                             Dental Science and Practice 1 and Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH), Zoom based Q&A sessions on bone and cartilage.

2020                             Dental Science and Practice 1, workshop bone growth and formation

2019, 2021                   The University of Adelaide MBBS 3-year research project supervision

2018                            Small Group Discovery Projects (Bachelor of Health Sciences), Semester 1, Group Leader

2018                            Integrated Learning Activities (ILA) Review session - Dental Science and Practice 1

2016                            Small Group Discovery Projects (Biology of Disease), Group Leader

2016                            Integrated Learning Activities (ILA) Review session - Dental Science and Practice 1

2015                            Supervision of 3rd year Physiology in Action students – laboratory based research project

2014                            Small Group Discovery Projects (Human Biology IB), Group Leader

2014                            Small Group Discovery Projects (Health Sciences - Biology of Disease), Group Leader

2013                            Small Group Discovery Projects (Health Sciences - Human Biology IB), Group Leader

2012                            Supervised small group research projects (Health Sciences - Structural Cell Biology)

2010-2014                   Undergraduate tutor in School of Dentistry - Integrated learning activities (ILA) for first year Bachelor of Dental Surgery 1 research review sessions and large group sessions, 2010

2010-2014                   School of Medical Sciences (Human Biology IA and IB, Cells, Tissues and Development (second year), Cells and Tissues (second year), Cells and Tissues (second year).

2010                            Bachelor of Dental Surgery 2 - Biochemistry, Problem based learning (PBL) sessions.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Co-Supervisor Building the mental health and wellbeing of patients diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma - an incurable cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Natalie Tuckey
    2022 Principal Supervisor Lipidomic and metabolomic profiling of the bone marrow microenvironment to understand multiple myeloma disease development Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Mackenzie Rose Skinner
    2022 Co-Supervisor Genetic and biochemical characterisation of the SIK3 mutation, R393H: A causal mutation that helps define a new family of human monogenetic disorders Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Eliana Gloria Stanziano
    2020 Co-Supervisor Changes in the bone marrow microenvironment with progression to multiple myeloma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Laura Joy Trainor

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2014 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Epigenetic Regulation of Cells Involved in Periodontal Bone Destruction Through Targeted Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Kent Algate

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2015 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Low Dose CAPE Treatment in a Collagen-antibody Induced Arthritis Model of Inflammatory Arthritis The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Bonnie Williams
    2015 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Investigating effects of novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors on the relationship between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis The University of Adelaide Honours Honours Full Time Ornella Romeo
    2014 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Inflammation and bone loss in periodontitis The University of Adelaide - Other Full Time Anne Duong
    2014 - 2014 Co-Supervisor HISTONE DEACETYLASE 1 REGULATION IN PERI-PROSTHETIC OSTEOLYSIS The University of adelaide - Honours Full Time Emma Murison
    2013 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Regulation of bone loss by targeting histone deacetylase enzymes The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Mr Kent Algate

  • Board Memberships
    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2021 - ongoing Board Member Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Board of Directors Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member Inflammopharmacology Editorial Board Springer Australia

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Co-Chair Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Early Career Investigator Committee (ECIC) Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member Member of the Australian New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Early Career Investigator Committee (ECIC) - Events Subcommittee Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member International Federation of Musculoskeletal Societies (IFMRS) HubLE Snippets International Federation of Musculoskeletal Societies (IFMRS) HubLE Germany
    2018 - ongoing Member Member of the Australian New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Early Career Investigator Committee Garvan Institute for Medical Research Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member SAHMRI E/MCR Working Group SAHMRI Australia
    2015 - 2015 Secretary Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) SA Committee The University of Adelaide Australia
    2013 - 2013 Chair Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) SA Committee - Media Convener The University of Adelaide Australia
    2012 - 2012 Member Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) SA Committee - public outreach The University of Adelaide Australia
    2011 - 2013 Co-Founder Health Sciences Postgraduate Student Representative groups The University of Adelaide Australia
    2011 - 2012 Member Faculty of Health Sciences Higher Degree by Research Committee - Domestic Student Representative The University of Adelade Australia
    2011 - 2012 Member School of Medical Sciences - Higher Degree by Research Student Representative The University of Adelaide Australia
    2011 - 2013 Member School of Medical Sciences Health and Safety Committee - student representative The University of Adelaide Australia
    2011 - 2012 Member Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology - Postgraduate Student Representative The University of adelaide Australia
    2009 - 2009 Member Organising Committee, Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic research Society (ANZORS) Scientific Meeting The University of Adelaide Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2020 - ongoing Member American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) United States
    2008 - ongoing Member Australian Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Australia
    2008 - ongoing Member Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Australia

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2015 - ongoing Member Inflammopharmacology The University of Adelaide Australia
  • Position: NHMRC Ext-Funded Rsch Fellow B
  • Phone: 81284694
  • Email: melissa.cantley@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: SAHMRI - South, floor 5
  • Org Unit: Medical Sciences
Connect With Me
External Profiles

Other Links