Molecular Pathology had four key research projects underway during the year:

• Research into inhibitory antibodies against factor VIII (the factor that leads to blood clotting) which may allow the development of improved treatment for patients with haemophilia and who acquire antibodies. It may also provide new understanding of the functional properties of the factor VIII molecule.
• Research into microsatellite instability in early onset breast cancer which may shed some light on which additional genes play a role in inherited breast cancer.
• Involvement with the Kathleen Cuningham National Consortium for research on familial breast cancer which should allow the significance of germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to be determined in Australian women with breast cancer.
• Involvement with the local Familial Colorectal Cancer Task Force established by the Anti-Cancer Foundation and the International Collaborative Group on Hereditary Non Polyposis Colon Cancer, which should clarify the appropriate therapy for individuals who are carriers of the genes that predispose to colon cancer.

Haemophillia Research Summary

• Characterisation of antifactor VIII antibodies in haemophilia A

Breast Cancer Research Summary

• Microsatellite instability in early onset breast cancer