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Solving these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that involves understanding how tumors form and migrate, developing ways to deliver treatments and testing those treatments. Scientists in the Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center (BBTRC) are uniquely positioned to accomplish these goals. “When I arrived, Barrow had one of the largest, if not the largest, operative brain tumor volumes in the United States, but didn’t really have a research program that was commensurate with that,” explains Dr. Sanai, who is director of the BBTRC and also leads one of its three labs. “We tried to create a complementary system where we would develop basic science, translational science and clinical research that would take advantage of the clinical volume.” Although surgeons can often remove the main mass of a brain tumor, some cancerous cells remain behind. Radiation and chemotherapy have proven ineffective at stopping the recurrence of cancer.
Developing highly targeted drug therapy Shwetal Mehta, PhD, is a molecular biologist who came to Barrow from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and leads one of the BBTRC labs. She studies the biology of tumor cells in order to find better ways to stop them. “I was drawn to Barrow because this is a place where you can really do translational research,” she says. “Working with the clinicians, you really get an understanding of what goes on in the clinics. It’s very difficult for basic scientists to know that when you’re always inside your laboratory.” Dr. Mehta’s research focuses on a protein called olig2, which is expressed in stem cells in the brain. It is also involved in malignant brain tumors, because it blocks the function of a tumor suppressor gene. This allows tumor cells to proliferate out of control. Olig2 is a good target for drug ther-
The Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center has been chosen by the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation as their Women’s Board Project for the 2014 Barrow Grand Ball.
Rachael Sirianni, PhD
Shwetal Mehta, PhD
Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center Barrow Magazine
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