New Centre For Brain Tumour Research

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 06 Mar 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Plans for the UK's first dedicated laboratory-based brain tumour research centre will take a step closer today.

The University of Portsmouth is joining forces with brain tumour charity, Brainstrust and other partners to create a centre of excellence for brain tumour research on the South Coast. 

Brain tumours are the most lethal and devastating tumours.  They are the most common cause of death in children after accidents and the most common form of cancer in people under 40. 

The new centre will focus entirely on dedicated laboratory-based brain tumour research in both adults and children. 

Professor of Cellular & Molecular Neuro-oncology, Geoff Pilkington, who is leading the research team at Portsmouth, is chairing an open day at the University today to showcase the current facilities and to introduce major collaborators to the University.

Attendees include cricketer Alan Igglesden, the former Kent and England fast bowler, who was first diagnosed with a brain tumour several years ago.  He is currently receiving treatment by Professor Pilkington and has long been a supporter of his work. 

He and other brain tumour patients will hear about the current neuro-oncology research projects at Portsmouth and about the latest research in the field such as the development of new drug delivery systems to the brain. 

Representatives from neurosurgical centres and charities which are currently funding research at the University will also attend, including leading brain tumour charities such as Ali's Dream, Brain Tumour UK, and Charlie¿s Challenge.   Other attendees include senior clinical neuro-science staff from Southampton General Hospital and trustees, patrons and key supporters of Brainstrust. 

Professor Pilkington said: "The aim of the collaboration between Brainstrust and Portsmouth University is to fund new specialist staff in neuro-oncology to further our research and to raise funds to buy equipment and provide essential running costs."

Dr Helen Bulbeck is director and co-founder of Brainstrust, the Meg Jones tumour charity. She said: "Brain cancer research attracts relatively very little funding compared to other cancers, such as breast, bowel, lung and prostate.  This is why raising awareness through this open day is so important." 

It is anticipated that several clinical leading neuro-oncology centres will provide vital tissues and clinical experience while the University will provide medical research programmes, training courses and a state of the art laboratory. 

Those already on-board include Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre, Hayward's Heath, Maidstone NHS Hospitals, King's College Hospital, London & Charing Cross Hospital and the Institute of Neurology in London.

Professor Pilkington said that the centre would encourage institutions to collaborate in order for patients to benefit from a research informed environment.

For more information visit the following link.

Notes

The Cellular and Molecular Neuro-oncology Research Group is based in School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at Portsmouth University.  It focuses its research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms which underlie the migration of tumour cells and their invasion of normal brain tissue.

It is also involved in the investigation of novel therapeutic delivery systems for brain tumours and exploring the potential of targeting migrating tumour cells. These approaches are based on selectively ablating tumour cells via the mitochondrial pathway to apoptotic (natural,programmed) cell death.

Brainstrust is a registered charity (no: 1114634). Its objectives include:

- The relief of sickness and the promotion and protection of health among people residing permanently or temporarily in the United Kingdom and suffering with primary or secondary central nervous system tumours.

- Assistance in the treatment and care of persons suffering from such condition and in facilitating travel to places of treatment or care.

- The provision of facilities for work and recreation and the provision of support services treatment and equipment not normally provided by the statutory authorities.

- The objects shall not be limited to application within the United Kingdom but shall apply to treatment and care of the condition worldwide.

Brainstrust was founded in 2006 after the charitable trusts icon, Meg Jones, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 19.  Meg subsequently underwent successful neurosurgery for the removal of the tumour in Boston, USA, during the summer of 2007.

Brainstrust