Research currently funded by the National Brain Tumor Society is described below.
NBTS is also involved in a number of collaboratively funded research initiatives. For general information on initiatives, visit Funding Opportunities.
2011 Grant Recipients
Systems Biology
Markus Bredel, MD, PhD
University of Alabama, Birmingham
Integrated pharmacogenomic/pharmacokinomic approach to optimize GBM therapy The multidisciplinary team will address two challenges in developing novel glioma therapies: targeting tumors with focused personalized treatments and recurrence. New algorithms will be designed to create a glioma specific network that informs effective therapeutic strategies.
Matched to the Billy Grey Chair in Systems Biology
James M. Gallo, PhD
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Systems approach to overcome brain tumor resistance to molecularly targeted anticancer drugs
The study will build networks to identify the multiple mechanisms behind drug resistance. The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of drugs will be connected to the networks to create models for new multidrug treatment strategies.
Matched to the Jacqueline Oswold Chair in Systems Biology
Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD
University of California, San Diego
Development of an in silico systems biology approach to personalizing GBM therapy
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be the culprits behind GBM’s resistance to therapy. This team will apply a Systems Biology approach to genetically characterize CSCs and predict which cancer drugs would provide a positive treatment response for our patients.
Matched to the James Ronan Family Chair in Systems Biology
Anna M. Krichevsky, PhD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Systemic analysis of microRNA signaling pathways and survival of glioblastoma patients
MiRNAs are linked to GBM growth and invasiveness. Utilizing the The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, a computational approach will be developed to identify combinations of miRNAs that should be targeted for glioma combination therapies.
Matched to the Hamill Family Chair in Systems Biology
Ingo Mellinghoff, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
A systems approach to develop PET imaging radiotracers for IDH1 mutant glioma
A team of investigators from academia and industry will develop a radiotracer that can image the metabolic changes associated with IDH1 mutations in gliomas. The radiotracers will ultimately provide a noninvasive measure to determine if IDH1inhibitors are successfully delivered to the tumors.
Matched to the Barry and Caren Glassman Chair in Systems Biology
Brent A. Reynolds, PhD
University of Florida
The edge of chaos: Application of complex adaptive system approach to managing tumor populations
Adaptation of tumors to treatment is the hallmark of their survival. The team will apply models used to understand other Complex Adaptive Systems to better comprehend tumor biology and determine how to interfere with the complex interplay that allows tumor cells to adapt and resist current treatments.
Matched to the BethAnn Telford Chair in Systems Biology
Pediatric Research
Robert Wechsler-Reya, PhD
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
Genetic targeting of cerebellar stem cells to study development and tumorigenesis
Alexandra Joyner, PhD
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Identification of genes and cell behaviors regulated by Shh/Gli2 signaling in the cell of origin of a major subtype of medulloblastoma using novel genetic tools in mouse
Joseph Scafidi, DO
Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC
The effects of molecularly targeted therapies on the developing neurogenic niches
Innovation Research Grants
David Largaespada, PhD
University of Minnesota
The Neuro-Oncology Genomics Project
This study utilizes sophisticated mouse models that highlight the altered genes and pathways that cause cancer. The models will also be used to test the idea of combination therapies directed at more than one of the altered proteins and signaling pathways.
Matched to Seth Harris Feldman Chair of Research
James Waschek, PhD
University of California, Los Angeles
Critical role of STAT3 in medulloblastoma immune evasion in genetically engineered mice
The objective of this project is to genetically distinguish the consequences of STAT3 activation in medulloblastoma tumor cells vs. the immune cells that invade the tumors. STAT3 activation is thought to be a critical event in the development of brain tumors and a suggested therapeutic target. However, STAT3 is also important for the ability of the immune system to help fight tumors. Genetically engineered mice afford a new possibility to determine mechanisms by which the natural immune response changes as tumors progress from very early to later stages.
Matched to Caroline Christine Peabody Chair of Research
