Molecular analysis

In order to improve our ability to cure children with brain tumours we need to develop a better understanding of the underlying biology of the tumour cell. This includes understanding the significance of biological and genetic alterations of different tumour types, which might underlie their sensitivity or resistance to treatment, and the identification of new targets for therapy. 

The Molecular Analysis team at the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC) is led by Professor Richard Grundy and consists of a large group of researchers working together on different aspects of children’s brain tumour research [Please see Photograph of Lab group}. The focus of their research involves the use of molecular genetics and cell biology to predict the behaviour of brain tumour cancer cells. Our researchers aim to identify the underlying causes of childhood brain cancers through high resolution, comprehensive analysis of tumours including ependymomas, high grade gliomas, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumours (sPNETs), and medulloblastomas. These projects are using cutting edge technology to identify the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of tumours, identify novel targets for therapy and shed light on tumour origin through understanding the role of key genes in normal brain development.  

Important research is also being carried out to identify the reasons behind the resistance to chemotherapy and drug treatment in certain tumours. This enhanced understanding will provide the basis for strategies to overcome drug resistance in these particular childhood brain tumours.

Dr Beth Coyle and the Molecular Analysis Team

Dr. Beth Coyle and the Molecular Analysis Research Team

Recent publications

Langdon J, Lamont J, Scott D, Dyer S, Prebble E, Bown N, et al (2006). Combined genome-wide allelotyping and copy number analysis identify frequent genetic losses without copy number reduction in medulloblastoma. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 45:47-60.

Storer L, Loku Kalutotage A, Walker D, Parker T (2005). The comparable effect of exo- and endogenous cannabinoids on apoptosis in human medullobastoma and rat glioma cells. Neuro-Oncology 7(3):376.

Savill R, Scotting P, Coyle E (2005). Strategies to investigate gene expression and function in granule cells. Cerebellum 4:1-8.

Parker T, Searle K, Storer L, Walker D (2005). Regional brain spheroid culture: An in vitro 3D model to study specificity of tumour invasion. Neuro-Oncology 7(3):306.

Astuti D, Latif F, Wagner K, Gentle D, Cooper W, Catchpole D, et al (2005). Epigenetic alteration of the DLK1-GTL2 imprinted domain in human neoplasia: Analysis of neuroblastoma, phaeochromocytoma and Wilmes' tumour. British Journal of Cancer 92:1574-80.

Yang Z-J, Appleby V, Coyle E, Chan W-I, Tahmaseb M, Wigmore P, et al (2004). Novel strategy to study gene expression and function in developing cerebellar granule cells J Neurosci Methods.