Pioneering a brighter future
Established in 1997, the Childrenâ??s Brain Tumour Research Centre brings together a multi-disciplinary team of leading healthcare professionals and researchers â?? all experts in their fields, and all committed to improving our understanding of childhood brain tumours.We use every penny donated to triple our research funding, by attracting further external grants. And because people are at the heart of everything we do, our money is invested not only in the latest, cutting-edge equipment, but also in making sure we have the best possible people in place. Itâ??s our people who enable us to propel our research capability forward, while continuing to deliver groundbreaking results for patients and their families.Our team of experts draw on a huge range of experience in paediatrics, neurosciences, oncology, imaging, pharmaceutical sciences and cellular genetics. Their findings guide national and international developments in brain tumour research and clinical practice, leading to new methods of research to help find a cure, whilst minimising the risk of disability. From the moment a patient realises something is wrong, through diagnosis, treatment and recovery, our research is there guiding and informing the work of healthcare professionals to bring new hope to brave young children.Â
- Professor Richard Grundy
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Prof. Richard Grundy
Professor of Paediatric Neuro-Oncology and Cancer Biology
It is clear that improvement in our ability to cure children with brain tumours and reduce the considerable morbidity will only come through a better understanding of the underlying biology of these varied and presently difficult to treat tumours. The principal aim of my research is based on this philosophy. Our research programme includes the use of DNA and RNA microarray technologies to identify biological correlates of tumour behaviour; to elucidate the underlying molecular alterations of each tumour type and to validate novel targets for the development of new drug therapies. In addition to my research activities at the Childrenâ??s Brain Tumour Research centre. I am Chief investigator of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology Ependymoma study. I am also Chair of the Biology Committee of the UK Paediatric Brain Tumour Consortium.Â
- Professor David Walker
Prof. David Walker
Professor of Paediatric Oncology
As one of the leaders of the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC), I believe that the generation of clinically relevant hypotheses is an essential element of the Centre’s integrated research programme. Travelling “in research terms” from “Bed to Bench” and back again requires close working between multi-disciplinary researchers, sharing observations from the patient experience, the health impact on populations and scientific processes of discovery. These observations, when combined in intellectual debate create new collaborations to promote a vital and dynamic programme.  Research into childrenâ??s cancer with a particular interest in brain tumours under the following themes: Developmental neuro-oncology . Clinical observation of disease processes affected by development focuses research upon those aspects of the brain’s and the tumour’s behaviour which may be determined by the normal processes of human development.Clinical Trials. Initiation and conduct of clinical trials of novel therapies in collaboration with the Childrenâ??s Cancer & Leukaemia Group (CCLG), Societe Internationale Oncologie Pediatrique (SIOP) and the Childrenâ??s Cancer Group (CCG) in the United States. I am particularly involved in the development of new trials in brain tumours over the past 15 years as well as the process of cancer registration on a national basis. 
Miss Maria Cartmill
Consultant Adult and Paediatric Neurosurgeon
My research interests include investigating reasons for the delay in paediatric tumour diagnosis, neuroendoscopic tumour and hydrocephalus management, intrachiasmatic germinomas, fetal neuro-development anomalies and fetal MRI for CNS anomalies. Research interests include - Investigating reasons for the delay in paediatric tumour diagnosisNeuroendoscopic tumour and hydrocephalus managementIntrachiasmatic germinomas.Fetal neuro-developmental anomaliesFetal MRI for CNS anomaliesComparison of fetal MRI and ultrasound imaging â?? correlation of neurological pathologies demonstrated by the two modalities. Neonatal aneurysmsand Infant spinal arachnoid cystsMiss Cartmill was head of the Neurosurgical team that operated on Liberty to obtain the biopsy of her Tumour. She was also the first professional to really take an interest in Liberty’s condition and she will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Carl and Dawn.
Mr Donald Macarthur
Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon
I am interested in the surgical management of brain tumours, including image guided surgery neuroendoscopy, delivery of gene therapy and intracavitary chemotherapy. I am also interested in perfusion MR imaging of brain tumours, MR Spectroscopy of brain tumours and postoperative imaging of tumours. Research interests include - Surgical management of brain tumours- including image guided surgery , neuroendoscopy, delivery of gene therapy and intracavitary chemotherapyTumour banking. Perfusion MR imaging of brain tumours. MR Spectroscopy of brain tumours. Postoperative imaging of tumours. Long term sequelae and quality of life issues after surgery 
Dr. Beth Coyle
Lecturer, Human Development
My research interests include apoptotic mechanisms as therapeutic targets in cancer cells and the contribution that drug resistant cancer stem cells make to relapse of paediatric brain tumours. I have two main areas of research interest. For a number of years I have been investigating the potential of apoptotic mechanisms as therapeutic targets in cancer cells. Several recent studies have identified a population of â??cancer stem cellsâ?? that are key to the survival of brain and other tumours. Since such cells are also believed to be drug resistant and drug resistance is a major factor in many different types of brain tumour I have established a new project aimed at determining the contribution that drug resistant cancer stem cells make to relapse of paediatric brain tumours. 
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Dr. Martin Garnett
Associate Professor in Drug Delivery
My research interests include a wide range of drug delivery technologies based on polymers and nanotechnology, but particularly involving the delivery of biomolecules and incorporating various targeting strategies. My research interests include a wide range of drug delivery technologies based on polymers and nanotechnology, but particularly involving the delivery of biomolecules and incorporating various targeting strategies. My research incorporates many aspects of drug delivery including assembly and characterisation of delivery systems. Characterisation includes the physicochemical aspects of the delivery system, the drug incorporation and release characteristics, and also the interaction of the delivery systems with biological systems both in vitro and in vivo. 
Dr. Paul Scotting
Associate Professor in Genetics
I am interested in the cellular and molecular origins of childrenâ??s brain tumours. In particular, the origins of cranial Germ Cell tumours and the role of epigenetics in initiating brain tumours. I also have a related research programme studying the molecular basis of nervous system development in vertebrates, especially the mechanisms by which multipotent stem cells become â??neuralâ??.