Brain Tumour Research

Brain Tumour Research is a UK-based medical research charity dedicated to finding a cure for brain tumours of all kinds.

Through funds raised by supporters and fundraising groups, Brain Tumour Research aims to fund seven Research Centres of Excellence in the UK, of which four are in operation. These centres require £1million per year to run, and so Brain Tumour Research’s fundraising goal is to raise £7million per annum.

History

In 2004, an informal partnership of several regional UK charities working to raise funds for brain tumour research and support agreed to join forces under the banner of the United Brain Tumour Campaign, committing themselves to work together to increase awareness across the UK and achieve a common goal to raise funds specifically for research in the UK into the prevention and treatment of brain tumours.[1]

The Diana Ford Trust, a charity funding brain tumour research, re-registered as Brain Tumour Research in 2008, using their cash deposits to fund first stage of a new national brain tumour research funding and awareness campaign. Brain Tumour Research was launched as a national charity in 2009.[2]

Brain Tumour Research also acts as an umbrella organisation for a number of brain tumour charities throughout the UK.

Research Centres of Excellence

Brain Tumour Research is the only national brain tumour charity in the UK funding sustainable and continuous research into brain tumours at UK Centres of Excellence, in partnership with leading Universities and Healthcare bodies. These research centres are established through a rigorous and transparent application process including comprehensive international peer-review process.

University of Portsmouth[3]

Brain Tumour Research’s inaugural Centre is led by Professor Geoff Pilkington, a world renowned expert in Neuro-oncology. His team of specialist researchers within the Cellular and Molecular Neuro-Oncology Group are made up of a Principal Research Fellow, Research Fellows, Senior Research Associates and PhD Students. Their team is strengthened with MSc and Erasmus students. They comprise the largest team of laboratory-based brain tumour research experts in the UK.[4]

Research at the University of Portsmouth is also supported by funds being brought in by other charities, including Ali's Dream, Charlie's Challenge, Anna's Hope, Headcase, the Ollie Young Foundation, the Dr Hadwen Trust and Children with Cancer.

Queen Mary University of London[5]

Professor Silvia Marino, one of the UK’s leading neuropathologists, leads the Queen Mary University of London research team (in collaboration with UCL Institute of Neurology).

Their research focuses on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and most aggressive type of brain tumour found in humans. The researchers aim to increase understanding of the brain cells from which GBMs originate: how this tumour type develops from normal cells, and which genes and biological functions control its behaviour. By uncovering this knowledge, the clinical evaluation of each individual patient can be improved and specific drugs which target the tumour cells can be identified.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust[6]

Led by Mr Kevin O’Neill, a consultant neurosurgeon at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, a team of world-class researchers are investigating the biology of tumour metabolisms to further understand the behaviour of this disease.

Plymouth University[7]

Led by Professor Oliver Hanemann, the Plymouth University centre conducts research into low-grade brain tumours occurring in teenagers and adults. By identifying and understanding the mechanism that makes a cell become cancerous, the team explore ways in which to halt or reverse that mechanism.

Campaigning

John Bercow, MP for Buckingham, Speaker of the House of Commons and Brain Tumour Research Patron established the first all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for brain tumours in July 2005.

The APPG is invaluable in promoting important messages about research to parliamentarians, raising awareness of brain tumours and influencing the national spend for research into this disease.

Members of the group attend parliamentary awareness raising events and meet three times a year to discuss relevant topics, and raise issues in the House of Commons through:

The group consists of MPs representing different political parties and the House of Lords.

The elected officers of the group are:

Brain Tumour Research provides the secretariat for the Group.

References

  1. ↑ "Brain Cancer | Brain Tumour Research | Brain Tumour | Brain Tumour Treatment Charity | Brain Cancer | Brain Cancer Fundraising | Brain Tumour Charity". www.braintumourresearch.org. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  2. ↑ "Brain Tumour Research Umbrella Groups | The Twelfth Man | 4 Aurora | Head 1st | Brain Cancer Fundraising | Brain Tumour Charity". www.braintumourresearch.org. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  3. ↑ "New Brain Tumour Research Lab Opens". Heart Hampshire. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  4. ↑ "Brain Tumour Research Centre | University of Portsmouth, Cellular & Molecular Neuro-oncology". portsmouthcellularneuroscience.com. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  5. ↑ "New brain tumour research Centre of Excellence is unveiled at QMUL". www.qmul.ac.uk. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  6. ↑ "Hammersmith brain tumour centre 'is legacy of my late husband'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  7. ↑ "Historic Brain Tumour Research partnership launched". Plymouth University. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
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