Brain Tumour UK Neuro-oncology Research Centre

One of the first of its kind when it was established in October 2009, the Brain Tumour UK Neuro-Oncology Research Centre is leading the way in identifying the genetic causes of brain tumours and the treatments to deal with them.

Located within the University's School of Applied Sciences, the centre receives funding from Brain Tumour UK and the Colin Oliphant Trust, without which this breakthrough research would not be possible.

Recent highlights

• research teams have already identified a significant gene in 9 out of 10 cases of a particular type of brain tumour (astrocytoma)
• introduction of brand new strands of research into brain tumours in children
• founder member of Brain Tumour North West - an alliance of brain tumour scientists and clinicians aiming to translate research into patient care as quickly as possible

Impacts

Research at the centre is working to:

• identify the genes that trigger the toughest childhood and adult brain tumours
• develop new forms of chemotherapy to attack them
• develop long-term sustainable research programmes that will effectively translate laboratory findings into clinical treatments for patients with these tumours.

Research areas

The centre focuses on:

• understanding the genetic mechanisms that drive tumour development
• identifying predictive markers of clinical outcome, including malignant progression, recurrence, response to therapy and overall survival
• understanding the molecular basis of drug resistance in these tumours
• identifying new targets and developing new drugs that can improve survival

More information

Tel: 01902 322 667  |  Email: sas-enquiries@wlv.ac.uk  |  Web: www.wlv.ac.uk/braintumour