Susan J. Clark Explained

Susan J Clark
Education:Honours: Australian National University, 1978PhD: University of Adelaide, 1982
Occupation:Scientist
Professor
Website:https://www.garvan.org.au/people/researchers/susan-clark

Professor Susan J. Clark is an Australian biomedical researcher in epigenetics of development and cancer. She was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2015,[1] and is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Senior Principal Research Fellow and Research Director and Head of Genomics and Epigenetics Division at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.[2] Clark developed the first method for bisulphite sequencing[3] for DNA methylation analysis and used it to establish that the methylation machinery of mammalian cells is capable of both maintenance and de novo methylation at CpNpG sites and showed is inheritable.[4] Clark's research has advanced understanding of the role of DNA methylation, non-coding RNA and microRNA in embryogenesis, reprogramming, stem cell development and cancer, and has led to the identification of epigenomic biomarkers in cancer.[5] [6] Clark is a founding member of the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC) and President of the Australian Epigenetics Alliance (AEpiA).[7]

Education and significance of research

Clark completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours Class 1) degree at the Australian National University, ACT, Australia in 1978, under the supervision of Dr Ken Reed and Dr Lynn Dalgarno (who along with Dr John Shine uncovered the Shine-Dalgarno sequence). She earned a PhD (1982) in Biochemistry at the University of Adelaide, South Australia, by mapping and sequencing human histone genes, under the supervision of Dr Julian Wells. During her postdoctoral years (1983-1988) at Biotechnology Australia, Clark led studies on the first recombinant vaccine development in Australia and eukaryotic gene expression of human inhibin, IL-3 and GM-CSF.

As Group Leader of the Gene Regulation Unit at the Kanematsu Laboratories, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from 1992 - 2000, Clark developed highly sensitive techniques that enabled DNA methylation sequencing of single genes from small volumes (<100 cells) using sodium bisulphite, which converts cytosine residues to uracil residues in single-stranded DNA, under conditions that preserve 5-Methylcytosine.

In 2000 Clark established the Epigenetics Group at the Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and led the unit until 2004. She went on to establish the Epigenetics Research Program in the Cancer Research Division and the moved Garvan Institute of Medical Research and was appointed the inaugural Head of the Genomics and Epigenetics Division in 2015. Clark has published over 650 manuscripts which contributed to the emergence of an entirely new discipline of cancer epigenomics.

Recognition and awards

Selected Publications

  1. Chen, W., Zeng, Y. C., Achinger-Kawecka, J., Campbell, E., Jones, A. K., Stewart, A. G., ... & Clark, S. J. (2024). Machine learning enables pan-cancer identification of mutational hotspots at persistent CTCF binding sites. Nucleic Acids Research, gkae530. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkae530
  2. Chitty, J. L., Yam, M., Perryman, L., Parker, A. L., Skhinas, J. N., Setargew, Y. F., ... & Cox, T. R. (2023). A first-in-class pan-lysyl oxidase inhibitor impairs stromal remodeling and enhances gemcitabine response and survival in pancreatic cancer. Nature Cancer, 4(9), 1326-1344. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43018-023-00614-y
  3. Pidsley, R., Zotenko, E., Peters, T. J., Lawrence, M. G., Risbridger, G. P., Molloy, P., ... & Clark, S. J. (2016). Critical evaluation of the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip microarray for whole-genome DNA methylation profiling. Genome biology, 17, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-016-1066-1
  4. Peters, T. J., Buckley, M. J., Statham, A. L., Pidsley, R., Samaras, K., V Lord, R., ... & Molloy, P. L. (2015). De novo identification of differentially methylated regions in the human genome. Epigenetics & chromatin, 8, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-8935-8-6
  5. Van Dijk, S. J., Molloy, P. L., Varinli, H., Morrison, J. L., & Muhlhausler, B. S. (2015). Epigenetics and human obesity. International journal of obesity, 39(1), 85-97. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2014.34
  6. Wiklund, E. D., Bramsen, J. B., Hulf, T., Dyrskjøt, L., Ramanathan, R., Hansen, T. B., ... & Clark, S. J. (2011). Coordinated epigenetic repression of the miR‐200 family and miR‐205 in invasive bladder cancer. International journal of cancer, 128(6), 1327-1334. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.25461
  7. Susan, J. C., Harrison, J., Paul, C. L., & Frommer, M. (1994). High sensitivity mapping of methylated cytosines. Nucleic acids research, 22(15), 2990-2997. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/22.15.2990

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Australian Academy of Science . 2024 . Australian Academy of Science: Susan Clark .
  2. Web site: Prof Susan Clark. Garvan Institute of Medical Research.
  3. Susan. J.CIark. Harrison. Janet. Paul. Cheryl L.. Frommer. Marianne. 1994. High sensitivity mapping of methylated cytosines. Nucleic Acids Research. 22. 15. 2990–2997. 10.1093/nar/22.15.2990. 0305-1048. 310266. 8065911.
  4. Clark. Susan J.. Harrison. Janet. Frommer. Marianne. May 1995. CpNpG methylation in mammalian cells. Nature Genetics. 10. 1. 20–27. 10.1038/ng0595-20. 7647784. 8857760. 1061-4036.
  5. Web site: Hormone resistance in breast cancer linked to DNA 'rewiring'. 2021-02-22. ScienceDaily. en.
  6. Web site: CNIO team develop a technology to improve effectiveness of stem cells in regenerative medicine. 2021-02-22. EurekAlert!. en.
  7. Web site: AEpiA Committee | Australian Epigenetics Alliance.
  8. Web site: 2020-10-14. Academy elects 28 new Fellows. 2020-12-08. AAHMS - Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. en-AU.
  9. Web site: 2019 Category Winners - NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer. www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au. 2019-10-30.
  10. Web site: Perpetual . 2024 . Ramacotti awards and recipients .
  11. Web site: NSW Health . 2015 . 2015 Research Awards .
  12. Web site: Rotary Foundation . 2024 . Honour Board 1982-2013 .
  13. Web site: NHMRC . 2009 . 10 of the Best Research Projects 2009 .

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