Targeting mTORC1 in high-risk medulloblastoma

Project title: Targeting mTORC1 in high-risk medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a childhood brain cancer which can be categorised into 4 subgroups, each with unique biological and clinical characteristics. Group 3 Medulloblastoma's present the lowest survival rates of the 4 subgroups, and they are the most likely to spread to other parts of the body. Dr. Ramaswamy’s team has identified a type of drug that is effective against Group 3 Medulloblastoma cells. In this project they aim to test these drugs on Medulloblastoma cells and normal cells in the lab to ensure they target the cancer cells specifically, and they will also test their drugs in a model which more closely resembles a real tumour, where Medulloblastoma cells grow in the brain of a mouse. This treatment represents a possible targeted therapy which could result in fewer long-term side effects compared to traditional therapies like radiation.