Beam me up: illuminating paediatric brain cancer with multi-coloured fluorophores

• Honours

CAR T cells are revolutionising the fight against brain cancer, particularly aggressive types like Diffuse Midline Glioma. These cells are engineered from a patient’s own T cells to express receptors that specifically target cancer cells, awakening the immune system to the cancer. This project aims leverage advanced microscopy, such as lattice light sheet and confocal, to study immune cell dynamics in paediatric brain cancer models. By using this cutting-edge imaging technique, high-resolution visualisation of immune cell populations within the tumour microenvironment can be achieved. Employing genetically modified immune cells, labelled with distinct multi-coloured fluorophores, will enable precise tracking of different cell or clonal populations. The ultimate goal is to identify key immune cell subsets and behaviours that contribute to effective anti-tumour responses. By understanding these dynamics, we can inform and refine immunotherapeutic strategies, enhancing their efficacy and safety for treating paediatric brain cancer.

Professor Misty Jenkins AO leads the immunotherapy program at The Brain Cancer Centre. Her team is dedicated to discovering new immunotherapy targets for adults and children with brain cancer. The Jenkins lab focuses on Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR T cell) therapy, a type of adoptive T cell immunotherapy. CAR T cells are engineered from a patient’s own T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. The lab designs and tests CAR T cells aimed at treating both adult and paediatric brain tumours. Their mission is to eradicate brain cancer as a terminal illness and to enhance the safety and efficacy of cellular therapies.