Read Amy's blog: Breast cancer - it’s in the genes, even if it’s not in the family

Amy holds an honours degree and a PhD in molecular biology from UQ. Her early postdoctoral work focused on understanding the genetic basis of colorectal cancer using experimental disease models, as part of a Cancer Research UK-funded colorectal cancer program led by Professors Ian Tomlinson and Andrew Silver. 

After returning to Australia in 2009, she was recruited to the Molecular Breast Pathology group, and has undertaken a series of studies investigating the genomic landscape of breast cancer special types. She is passionate about clinical research, biobanking and precision oncology, and in addition to her breast cancer research portfolio, she coordinates the Brisbane node of the BROCADE autopsy study and is on the steering committee for the Brisbane Breast Bank.

Research interests

Breast cancer is an incredibly diverse disease, encompassing many different types of tumours. While outcomes have improved for the majority of patients, there is much we can do to improve outcomes for those with poorer prognoses. Unfortunately, it remains difficult to predict the risk of the disease returning and/or spreading, and whether a patient will respond to a specific therapy. Genomic and genetic analyses will help to improve tumour characterisation, and identify predictive and prognostic biomarkers.

Researcher biography

Associate Prof Amy McCart Reed holds a PhD in molecular biology from The University of Queensland. She is a Fellow of the Faculty of Science of the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia. Her early postdoctoral work focused on understanding the genetic basis of colorectal cancer using experimental disease models, as part of a Cancer Research UK-funded colorectal cancer program led by Professors Ian Tomlinson and Andrew Silver. After returning to Australia, she was recruited to the Molecular Breast Pathology group at UQ's Centre for Clinical Research and has undertaken a series of studies investigating the genomic landscape of breast cancer special types. Amy's research program includes studies on Metaplastic breast cancer and Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, two breast cancer special types in need of targetted therapy options. A/Prof McCart Reed is the scientific lead on an MRFF-funded genomics program investigating the potential for the application of Whole Genome Sequencing in the breast cancer care pathway in Australia, 'Q-IMPROvE'. She applies genomics and spatial transcriptomics methodologies to archival clinical samples to understand the differences between tumour types and their potential for treatment. Amy is passionate about clinical research, biobanking and precision oncology. In addition to her breast cancer research portfolio, she is on the steering committee for the Brisbane Breast Bank and the Scientific Advisory Board for Breast Cancer Trials.