Cancer evolution · TP53 · YB-1
Reading cancer evolution to expose its next vulnerability
The Cancer Evolution Laboratory investigates how tumours adapt at the DNA, RNA, protein and metabolic levels to become aggressive, metastatic and resistant to treatment. We combine experimental cancer biology with genomics and precision medicine to identify biomarkers and therapeutic opportunities in genetically defined cancers.
Our research
One evolving tumour. Multiple layers of adaptation.
The Cancer Evolution Laboratory investigates how genetic changes are translated into aggressive tumour behaviour. The group studies how TP53 mutations, p53 isoforms and dysregulated YB-1 reshape DNA repair, RNA splicing, translation, metabolism and cell division, allowing cancers to survive stress, resist therapy and metastasise. By combining experimental cancer biology with genomics, bioinformatics, CRISPR-based functional studies, microscopy, molecular modelling and preclinical drug testing, the laboratory aims to identify biomarkers and treatment vulnerabilities for genetically defined cancers.
Read about our research programmes →Research programmes
What we investigate
Mutation-specific TP53 biology and tumour evolution
We define how individual TP53 mutations and p53 isoforms produce distinct effects on genome stability, metabolism, invasion and patient outcome.
Learn more →02YB-1, mitotic adaptation and chromosomal instability
We study how YB-1 controls cell division and enables TP53-mutant cancers to tolerate abnormal mitosis, genomic instability and treatment stress.
Learn more →03Stress adaptation, metastasis and therapy resistance
We investigate how altered RNA processing, translation, signalling and protein-state control help aggressive cancers adapt, disseminate and evade treatment.
Learn more →04Precision biomarkers and therapeutic vulnerabilities
We integrate genomic, molecular and clinical evidence to identify biomarkers and drug targets for genetically defined tumour subtypes.
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Principal investigator
Sunali Mehta, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
Dr Sunali Mehta is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | University of Waikato, where she leads the Cancer Evolution Laboratory. Her translational oncology programme integrates molecular and cell biology, cancer genomics, bioinformatics and precision medicine to understand how tumours evolve, metastasise and evade treatment. She is also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Pathology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Otago, a member of the Maurice Wilkins Centre Cancer Leadership Team and an Associate Investigator in the Centre. Her research has established a strong focus on mutation-specific TP53 biology, p53 isoforms, YB-1/YBX1, genomic instability, RNA processing, metabolic adaptation and therapeutic resistance.
Meet the lab →Join the laboratory