Applied Brain Cancer Biology

Research

We are committed to advancing the fundamental understanding of brain cancer to develop new treatment options for patients with these devastating tumours. We tackle this challenge from a variety of different perspectives. These include:

1. Investigating the Basic Biology of Brain Tumours

We are focused on unravelling the biology of brain tumours, with a particular emphasis on high-grade intrinsic cancers such as glioblastoma. Current research explores the earliest stages of cancer development, including how tumour cells interact with the healthy and diseased cells of the brain to drive cancer initiation and progression. We are interested in approaches to early detection and cancer interception. We take an interdisciplinary cross-faculty approach to tackle these questions. By understanding how these interactions influence tumour behaviour and progression, we aim to uncover novel vulnerabilities that can be exploited to improve treatments and outcomes.

2. Developing and Optimizing Advanced Model Systems

To accelerate discoveries, we develop cutting-edge model systems and optimise the use of human tissue – including normal brain tissue, and multiple tumour types (including glioblastoma / gliomas / brain metastases / meningiomas) in research. This includes the establishment of organotypic and organoid cultures, which provide advanced tools for studying tumour biology and testing potential therapies in environments that closely mimic human brain tissue.

3. Supporting and Delivering Clinical Trials

We are actively engaged in designing, supporting, and delivering both early- and late-phase trials. Examples include:

• Investigations into glioma invasion
• Understanding brain connectivity in health and disease
• Liquid biopsy biomarker studies in benign and malignant brain tumours
• Hyperspectral imaging as an intraoperative method of defining the tumour margins
• Interventional trials of pharmacological treatments and novel biological/gene therapies

This work ensures that our discoveries are rigorously tested and translated into real-world applications. We are interested in industry collaborations and supporting the establishment and consolidation of effective pathways to support translation of discovery science into clinical trials. This includes window of opportunity studies/phase 0 trials. We are engaged in delivering several multicentre national and international trials.

4. Advancing Collaborative Research 

We collaborate with researchers and clinicians on diverse brain tumour projects to bridge discovery and clinical care. We have interests in development and optimizing surgical techniques, enhancing precision therapies including stereotactic radiosurgery, and improving the standard of patient care through clinical research. We also leverage neuroimaging and computational oncology-based approaches to uncover insights into tumour biology, behaviour, and treatment optimization. Through translational research we seek to develop and evaluate novel therapies, targeted delivery systems, and innovative diagnostics. By combining expertise across disciplines and fostering academic-clinical collaborations, we aim to advance precision medicine in neuro-oncology and improve outcomes for patients with brain tumours.