The Expanding Theories grant supports pilot studies exploring innovative ideas with the potential to improve clinical outcomes, including quality of life, for people with brain tumours.
This award was designed to help researchers pursue novel concepts and generate crucial data needed for larger-scale funding applications.
Dr Elizabeth Cooper and Dr Youri Hoogstrate are the latest recipients of this grant and have both been awarded £150,000 over two years to support their research!
Exploring How Cells from the Skull Can Help Brain Tumours Hide from the Immune System
Dr Elizabeth Cooper will explore a newly discovered blood cell that is produced in the skull bone marrow. This type of blood cell can prevent the immune system from attacking the tumour. Dr Cooper believes that understanding more about these cells could lead to new ways to target brain tumours by harnessing the immune system.
Dr Elizabeth Cooper
Dr Elizabeth Cooper is a distinguished researcher in the field of paediatric neuro-oncology, currently affiliated with the CRUK Cambridge Institute and the CRUK Children’s Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence at the University of Cambridge.
As a neuroimmunologist, Dr Cooper studies the intricate interactions between the immune system and the central nervous system, focusing on their roles in normal brain development and the formation of childhood brain tumours.
Using AI to Better Understand and Predict Brain Tumour Growth
Dr Youri Hoogstrate is developing a computer programme to predict outcomes for patients with IDH-mutated gliomas. His research focuses on patterns of DNA changes that can predict tumour progression and patient survival better than current methods. He also hopes to uncover new targets for treatments and explore the role of key proteins involved in these changes, offering new hope for improved care.
Dr Youri Hoogstrate
Dr Youri Hoogstrate is an Assistant Professor of Bioinformatics at Erasmus Medical Center. His current work focuses on developing computational methods in IDH-mutated gliomas to grade tumours. He aims to use these methods to inform patient treatment.
The Expanding Theories grants empower researchers to explore innovative ideas with the potential to drive breakthroughs in brain tumour treatment. This aligns with The Brain Tumour Charity’s mission to extend and improve the lives of those affected by brain tumours. We look forward to following these projects and sharing their successes in the future.
Dr Simon Newman, Chief Scientific Officer at The Brain Tumour Charity