DOCUMENT

New avenue for increasing responsiveness to radiotherapy in IDH1mutant glioma Dr Dean Singleton, Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland $15,000 Each year primary brain cancer kills 250 New Zealanders. Recent discoveries have shown that over 75% of lower-grade brain cancers are caused by a mutation in a metabolic enzyme, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1). Mutated IDH1 produces a cancer-initiating molecule called 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), which interferes with many vital functions in the cell, encouraging the affected brain cells to become cancerous. In this project Dr Singleton will study how IDH1 mutant brain cancer cells respond to radiotherapy and test a new strategy for boosting cell killing by interfering with the processes that repair DNA after it has been damaged by radiotherapy. Developing human astrocytes to model neurodegenerative diseases Dr Indranil Basak, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago $15,000 Batten disease, the most common inherited neurodegenerative disease in children, shares symptoms with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy and diagnosis is often difficult. Treatment options are palliative, aimed at protecting the dying neurons. Recent evidences in brain research have shown that supportive cells in the human brain, like astrocytes, are also affected in neurodegenerative diseases. It is unknown if these affected astrocytes cause neuronal death. Dr Basak’s aim is to develop pure human astrocytes in a dish to mimic Batten disease, which will not only reduce animal model dependency, but will also be a valuable tool for other neurodegenerative diseases. Optimising Anaesthesia for Clot Retrieval in Ischemic Stroke Dr Fiona McBryde, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland $15,000 New Zealand physicians have been at the forefront of refining and implementing a revolutionary new stroke treatment, which involves physically removing an occluding blood clot from the brain. Recent research has shown that patient recovery is better if this procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, but it remains unknown whether the particular type of anaesthetic may be better for stroke patients. New research by University of Auckland scientists will determine whether the choice of anaesthesia can help protect blood flow to the brain during clot retrieval surgery and ensure the best possible recovery for stroke patients. Investigating spinal cord stimulation using electroencephalography Dr MatthewMoore, Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland $8,900 Clinicians have used spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for decades to provide relief to patients with intractable chronic pain. SCS is poorly understood, it does not work for everyone, and the complications are too common. Dr Moore plans to investigate the brain’s electrical response to SCS, using electroencephalography (EEG) in participants with SCS. Participants will have their EEG recorded while therapeutic SCS is delivered. A better understanding of brain activity during SCS could lead to improvements in SCS therapy and in the selection of patients likely to benefit from this treatment, plus offer insights into SC physiology, with wide-ranging therapeutic applications. Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Encapsulated Nano-formulation for the Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme Dr Manisha Sharma, School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland $15,000 Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of brain tumour. With minimal treatment options, mortality rates are high and average prognosis is only 15 months survival after diagnosis. The available front-line medicines are not effective in patients due to the presence of treatment-resistant cells. This project aims to develop a novel nano-carrier formulation loaded with antitumor drug Sunitinib. The developed formulation will be tested on patient-derived GBM cells for its effectiveness. Dr Sharma envisions that this nano-formulation will have the ability to enhance the efficacy of the drug and show selective cellular toxicity to the brain tumour cells. Neuropathology fellowships The spatial and temporal heterogeneity of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours pre and post treatment - a prospective multidisciplinary study Dr Komal Srinivasa, Consultant Histopathologist, Auckland City Hospital $81,660 Dr Srinivasa will be based for one year at the Department of Neuropathology at theWashington University School of Medicine with clinical attachments at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St Louis, Missouri. Brain tumours pose a serious health burden in New Zealand and affect both adults and children. Treatment is not always possible and remains difficult due in part to our limited understanding of the variety of different types of brain tumours. This multidisciplinary project will study the impact of brain cancer on affected people and combine this 16 Headlines