In vitro brain tumour model – studying epileptic seizure development and sensitivity to anti-cancer therapy

• 
  Project Lead
  Dr Chris French

  frenchc@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

Project Details

Malignant brain tumours are notoriously difficult to treat and are often complicated by severe epileptic seizures. Research into therapies has been hampered by a limited range of model systems to explore pathogenesis and treatment  of these tumours. We have developed an in vitro model of aggressive brain tumours using a rat brain culture technique that actually develops epeileptic discharges. This uses several well-characterised human tumour cell lines as well as tumour “stem-cells” available in our laboratories. These are seeded into a section of brain maintained in tissue culture.

The project has two aims – to examine the effects of conventional and novel treatments on the tumours as well as the development of epileptic seizure activity in the system. Seizure development will be assayed by electrophysiological recordings.

Researchers

• Dr Chris French

Collaborators

• Dr Andrew Morokoff

Research Opportunities

This research project is available to Honours students to join as part of their thesis.
Please contact the Research Group Leader to discuss your options.