Professor Andreas Strasser is a distinguished leader in molecular oncology and cell death research, currently serving as Joint Division Head of the Molecular Genetics of Cancer division at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. He holds an Honorary position in the Department of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne, where he has maintained a significant academic presence throughout his career. After completing both his PhD and Master of Science degrees at the University of Basel in Switzerland, Professor Strasser established himself as a preeminent figure in apoptosis research through his innovative work at one of Australia's most prestigious medical research institutions. His leadership has been consistently recognized through major funding from national and international agencies spanning more than two decades.
Professor Strasser is internationally renowned for his seminal contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis, particularly his groundbreaking investigations into the Bcl-2 family of proteins and their critical role in cancer development. His research has fundamentally transformed our comprehension of how the tumor suppressor p53 prevents tumor formation and how dysregulation of cell death pathways contributes to leukemias and lymphomas. With over 109,000 citations to his name, his work represents some of the most influential contributions to cancer biology in recent decades, establishing essential frameworks for manipulating cell death for therapeutic benefit. His laboratory's discoveries have provided the scientific foundation for numerous targeted cancer therapies currently in development and clinical application worldwide.
Beyond his research achievements, Professor Strasser has cultivated a world-class research program with an exceptionally broad technological platform spanning in vivo biology, transgenic technology, molecular biology, and CRISPR-mediated genome editing. His laboratory has become a global epicenter for apoptosis research, training generations of scientists who have established successful independent research programs internationally. Currently, he continues to pioneer innovative approaches to cancer treatment and prevention through manipulation of cell death pathways, with ambitious projects supported by prestigious NHMRC Investigator and Synergy grants. His ongoing work demonstrates unwavering commitment to translating fundamental biological discoveries into clinical applications for cancer and autoimmune disease treatment.
