Posted On: February 05, 2018
A University of Queensland scientist currently receiving funding through The Kids’ Cancer Project will help steer a national initiative aiming to double brain cancer survival rates over the next ten years.
Professor Brandon Wainwright, Director of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (pictured right), is one of thirteen esteemed professionals appointed to a Strategic Advisory Group supporting the $100 million Australian Brain Cancer Mission.
The Mission is a partnership between the Australian Government, medical experts, researchers, philanthropists, and patients and their families. Professor Wainwright is a geneticist who discovered the first brain cancer-causing gene and a pathway involved in most human cancers.
"I am honoured to be appointed by the Minister of Health, The Honourable Greg Hunt MP as a member of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission Strategic Advisory Group to support Cancer Australia in the implementation of the Mission," said Professor Wainwright.
Read more: New therapies for incurable paediatric brain tumours.
One of the scientific studies currently in progress in the Wainwright laboratory focusses on discovering better treatments for medulloblastoma, the most common type of paediatric malignant tumour. "The terrible impact of brain cancer on young people has made it the primary focus of my current research," said the Professor, "so I am thrilled to be involved in the advisory group for this game-changing initiative."
"Brain cancer kills more Australian children than any other disease, and more people under 40 than any other cancer,"he said. "Survival rates haven't improved significantly over the past 30 years, and this collective effort promises to deliver new hope."
The Mission will invest in clinical trials and discovery research while furthering international collaborations, expanding research platforms and technologies, and fostering research talent. The Australian Government is contributing $50 million under the Medical Research Future Fund with matched contributions from philanthropy, other governments, industry and the private sector.
The success of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission depends not only on government support but the continuation of our efforts to raise funding to find a cure for this devastating disease," said Professor Wainwright.