| Project title | Microglia Targeting of Glioblastoma and Establishment of a New Glioma Imaging Model |
|---|---|
Grant Amount | $30,000 |
Institution | The University of Sydney |
Investigator Team | Principal investigators Prof. Manuel Graeber, Prof. Richard Banati and Dr. Damian Holsinger |
Years | 2014 – 2015 |
Prof. Graeber’s research is focused on a novel strategy that makes use of the presence of microglia within diffuse glioma. Microglia are the resident defence cells of the central nervous system. They play a maintenance role in the healthy brain and an immunological role in the diseased brain. Within a glioma, microglia make up the largest population of tumour-infiltrating cells, contributing at least one third of the total tumour mass.
Previous work has shown that high-grade gliomas attract microglia and subsequently control microglial activity to support tumour growth and angiogenesis (blood vessel growth). This research project will investigate whether this ‘fatal attraction’ can be used against the tumor. Prof. Graeber will use transplantation of bone-marrow-derived genetically enhanced microglia precursors to track down and target infiltrating glioma cells.
“I believe our planned research program is the most significant and fundamental approach to diffuse glioma treatment ever undertaken.”
Prof. Manuel Graeber
Progress
The results of this study were published in the prestigious scientific journal, Nature Communications.