Professor Andrew Roberts

Professor Andrew Roberts

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Professor Andrew Roberts in the lab

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Professor
Andrew
Roberts

MB BS Qld PhD Melbourne FRCPA FRACP

Laboratory Head; Joint Leader, Cancer Research and Treatments Theme

My research focuses on blood cancers – leukaemias, lymphomas and myeloma. My research aims to understand these diseases and to develop new treatments for them. 

As well as leading a research laboratory, I jointly lead WEHI’s Cancer Research and Treatments theme. I am also a clinical haematologist at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. 

Research interest

My lab collaborates closely with the clinical and laboratory researchers across the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, and with translational research colleagues at WEHI.

Major focuses of our research include:

  • Molecular basis of leukemogenesis and lymphomagenesis
  • Molecular basis of resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies
  • BCL-2 inhibitors and BH3 mimetics
  • Clinical trials of novel therapies
Venetoclax trial participants

Professor Andrew Roberts and collaborators have shown that patients with an advanced form of leukaemia can achieve complete remission with a novel tablet treatment.

Venetoclax timeline of discovery

Starting with a landmark discovery in 1988, follow the story of how Institute research has driven development of a breakthrough anti-cancer drug. 

Four researchers smiling at camera

The discovery and development of breakthrough anti-cancer drug venetoclax has seen four senior scientists from the Institute win the 2019 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation.