Redox control in cellular processes, including cancer cell metastasis and skin cancer The thioredoxin system (one of the most important redox systems in protecting the cell from damage caused by oxygen radicals) Regulation of antioxidant gene expression The effect of hypoxia on antioxidant protein expression and function in relation to cancer cell growth and invasion Development of tools for investigating hypoxic cancer cell growth Gene regulation

Karlenius, T.C., Shah, F., Di Trapani, G., Clarke, F.M. and Tonissen, K.F. Cycling hypoxia up-regulates thioredoxin levels in human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2012, 419: 350-355 Farina, A.R., Cappabianca, L., DeSantis, G., Da Ianni, N., Ruggieri, P., Ragone, M., Merolle, S., Tonissen, K.F., Gulino, A., Mackay, A.R. Thioredoxin stimulates MMP-9 expression, de-regulates the MMP-9/TIMP-1 equilibrium and promotes MMP-9 dependent invasion in human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. FEBS letters 2011, 585: 3328-3336 Tonissen, K. F. and DiTrapani, G., Thioredoxin system inhibitors as mediators of apoptosis for cancer therapy. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 2009, 53, 87-103.