Research

Brain Cancer, Epigenetics, 3D models, organoids

Cancer Models, Neuronal Models

Interests

We have established cerebral organoid models derived from expanded potential stem cells (EPSCs) and developed robust protocols to achieve region specific differentiation, including forebrain, cerebellum, and midbrain/pons identities. These models have been extensively characterised using single cell transcriptomic profiling and bulk epigenetic analyses. By leveraging similarly well annotated collections of human brain tissue, we have been able to accurately stage our organoids developmentally and assess the fidelity with which they recapitulate key features of the human brain.
We have further demonstrated that progenitor populations within these organoids can be genetically engineered to initiate tumourigenesis, and that primary human brain tumour cells can be co cultured with organoids to model tumour growth within a relevant microenvironmental niche. Building on this foundation, we are now interested in exploring how these organoid platforms could be further developed and scaled to enable high throughput CRISPR based genetic screens and compound screening approaches.

Publications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2025

2024

2022

2021

2020

Grants