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Dr. Susan Clark gained her PhD in biochemistry in 1982 at Adelaide University, Australia, after which she worked in the biotechnology industry for 10 years developing genetically engineered products such as animal vaccines and human pharmaceuticals. A decade ago she went back to basic research studying gene regulation, in particular the role of DNA methylation in development and in cancer. The lab\'s major breakthrough came with the development of a new technique (bisulphite sequencing) to analyse methylation patterns of individual cytosines. Dr Clark\'s major focus is now on the role of methylation during cancer. In collaboration with scientists from CSIRO, Dr Clark\'s groundbreaking research has led to the development of a simple DNA test to detect prostate cancer cells in blood. Widely published in prestigious peer reviewed journals and international cancer conferences, Dr Clark is highly respected internationally in her field for her pioneering work on DNA methylation and its role in development and cancer. | 