Research Projects
Brain Cancer Research Laboratory - Unravelling the complexities of adult glioma
Discovery Themes: Immunotherapy, Tumour Microenvironment, Clinical Trials, New Medicines, Blood-Brain Barrier & Clinical Data
In the Brain Cancer Research Laboratory we are working to improve the diagnosis for brain cancer patients using advanced diagnostics, as well as developing new models to understand resistance, and investigating novel ways to treat brain cancer.
Champions
Laboratory Head, WEHI
Sarah is a cancer biologist with a strong focus on genetics and the development of personalised therapeutic strategies. Sarah’s research experience has spanned the breast, skin and lung, where she has made major advances in the understanding of tumour development, progression and biomarkers of disease. For her research investigating the metabolite biomarkers of lung cancer, Sarah was awarded the Research Australia Discovery Award in 2018.
Sarah’s research focus leverages fundamental biology, metabolic properties and the immune microenvironment to develop a deeper understanding of cancer.
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Dr Sarah Best
WEHI
Laboratory Head, WEHI
Saskia is a bioinformatician focusing on the development and application of innovative approaches and technologies to advance our understanding of the brain in health and disease. Saskia has been instrumental in the discovery of pathogenic variants for several neurological diseases. For her innovative research approach, she was awarded the Harry Perkins Aspire Award in 2020.
Additionally, Saskia in her role as an Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) ChooseMaths ambassador passionately advocates for STEM education and actively encourages girls to pursue higher education in mathematics.
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Dr Saskia Freytag
WEHI
Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Laboratory Head, WEHI
Co-Head Research Strategy, The Brain Cancer Centre
Jim is a medical oncologist specialising in neuro-oncology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. He completed his PhD and was awarded the “Professor Lynn Corcoran PhD Prize” for his research understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for resistance to cell death in breast cancer. This work has provided the foundation for testing novel compounds in early phase clinical trials, together with industry collaboration.
In 2020, Jim commenced working remotely with the Ligon laboratory, Dana Faber Cancer Institute, with a focus on uncovering resistance mechanisms to glioma. Jim is passionate about improving supportive care for patients and carers with brain cancer. Together with Prof Kate Drummond, he co-leads an MRFF funded program to develop an online supportive care platform.
Dr Whittle & Prof Drummond have recently launched a world-first clinical trial Brain POP, funded through The BCC, which will enable doctors to precisely see the effect of a new drug therapy on a patient’s brain cancer for the first time.
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Dr Jim Whittle
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre & WEHI