Brain Tumour Research Centre
Internationally renowned centre of excellence for research into brain tumours
The Brain Tumour Research Centre (BTRC) focuses on low-grade tumours and investigates new mechanisms underlying brain tumourigenesis, including tumour initiation.
We also want to understand what distinguishes low- from high-grade tumours. Based on this work, we have validated new drug targets and biomarkers for low grade tumours.
We work truly from bedside to bench and back. We have a large biobank of stratified tumour samples and are using a variety of complementary tumour models. The BTRC encompasses research groups working closely together and complementing each other with both shared approaches and shared in vitro and in vivo models.
The BTRC is a community of researchers dedicated to finding new ways to treat brain tumours. It brings together researchers and clinicians, from undergraduates to group leaders, with a common aim to understand the pathology of these tumours and how we can find the treatments of the future.
Our work involves collaborating with research groups in the UK around the world, as well as with pharmaceutical companies, and building our Brain Tumour Biobank to aid our research and the work of others. Our aim is to take the work we do and make a real difference to patients with brain tumours, now and in the future.
Professor David Parkinson
Professor of Neuroscience and Director of BTRC
Research projects
Understanding the biology of brain tumours
Using model in vitro and in vivo systems to understand the genetics and signalling that drive brain tumour initiation and growth
Brain Tumour Biobank
A vital resource of patient-linked tumour samples, blood samples, health information, and genetic data
Trialling new therapies for brain tumours
Testing the effectiveness of new compounds and therapies and their effects on tumour growth and cell survival
Research team
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![Professor David Parkinson Professor of Neuroscience]( "Professor David Parkinson")
Professor David Parkinson
Professor of Neuroscience
Director of BTRC
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![Dr Claudia Barros Associate Professor of Neuroscience (Research)]( "Dr Claudia Barros")
Dr Claudia Barros
Associate Professor of Neuroscience (Research)
Co-Lead of BTRC
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![Dr Sylwia Ammoun Associate Professor]( "Dr Sylwia Ammoun")
Dr Sylwia Ammoun
Associate Professor
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![Dr Mahmoud Labib Lecturer]( "Dr Mahmoud Labib")
Dr Mahmoud Labib
Lecturer
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![Dr Ming Li Lecturer in Clinical Neurobiology]( "Dr Ming Li")
Dr Ming Li
Lecturer in Clinical Neurobiology
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![Professor Oliver Hanemann Emeritus Professor]( "Professor Oliver Hanemann")
Professor Oliver Hanemann
Emeritus Professor
Member of BTRC Board and Former Centre Director
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![Dr Liyam Laraba Senior Research Fellow]( "Dr Liyam Laraba")
Dr Liyam Laraba
Senior Research Fellow
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![Dr Jon Gil Ranedo Lecturer]( "Dr Jon Gil Ranedo")
Dr Jon Gil Ranedo
Lecturer
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![Dr Juri Na Senior Research Fellow]( "Dr Juri Na")
Dr Juri Na
Senior Research Fellow
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![Dr Leandro Jose De Assis Research Fellow]( "Dr Leandro Jose De Assis")
Dr Leandro Jose De Assis
Research Fellow
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![Dr Sarah Kingdon Honorary University Fellow]( "Dr Sarah Kingdon")
Dr Sarah Kingdon
Honorary University Fellow
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![Dr Emanuela Ercolano Research Assistant]( "Dr Emanuela Ercolano")
Dr Emanuela Ercolano
Research Assistant
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![Dr Claire Adams Laboratory Manager]( "Dr Claire Adams")
Dr Claire Adams
Laboratory Manager
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![Mrs Natalia Easton Research Technician]( "Mrs Natalia Easton")
Mrs Natalia Easton
Research Technician
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![Dr Ellie Edlmann Associate Professor in Neurosurgery and Consultant Neurosurgeon]( "Dr Ellie Edlmann")
Dr Ellie Edlmann
Associate Professor in Neurosurgery and Consultant Neurosurgeon
In the news
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Research hopes to uncover new vulnerabilities in glioma tumour cells
The study is being led by experts at the University of Plymouth’s Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence
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Scientists receive £2.8m funding boost to advance research into brain tumours
The renewed investment will accelerate progress towards clinical trials for low-grade brain tumours
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Study explores enzymes’ role in brain tumour growth and therapies
Researchers will complete a pre-clinical evaluation of three drugs already being used to target aldehydes in other conditions
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Pre-clinical testing hub enables researchers to unlock new opportunities for brain tumour therapies
Dr Liyam Laraba and colleagues at the University are pioneering a testing model focused on NF2-related schwannomatosis brain tumours
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Brain Tumour Research