$130 million for research into childhood brain cancer, intellectual disability and infertility

Australia’s leading scientists have received a vital boost for their research with the Albanese Government awarding 71 research projects a share of $130.4 million through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
 
Treatment for childhood brain cancer, improving pregnancy outcomes, and the health of people with an intellectual disability are a few of the complex projects aiming to deliver better health outcomes for Australians.
 
Associate Professor Quenten Schwarz from the University of South Australia has been awarded nearly $3 million to lead research into childhood brain cancer – Australia’s most fatal cancer for people under 25.
 
Using cutting edge stem-cell based differentiation models the team will uncover the genetic drivers of childhood brain cancer to better identify the best treatment options and improve the health outcomes for patients.
 
The $130.4 million will be drawn from 6 MRFF Initiatives – the Australian Brain Cancer Mission, Clinical Trials Activity, Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research, Frontier Health and Medical Research, Research Data Infrastructure and the Traumatic Brain Injury Mission.
 
Full details of the awarded grants are available at Medical Future Fund Grant Recipients.
 
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
 
'Australia’s researchers are world-class, and this investment continues our government’s commitment to excelling health and medical advances right here.
 
'Australia has a remarkable history of leading research against brain cancer and this funding is another step forward to give children with brain cancer access to innovative treatment.'
 
Quotes attributable to Associate Professor Quenten Schwarz:
 
'This grant offers an exciting opportunity to pioneer a new approach to uncover the genetic and environmental factors that lead to development of Diffuse Midline Glioma, a devastating childhood brain cancer.
 
'Diffuse Midline Glioma is a fatal childhood brain cancer with almost no treatment options. This research program will provide vital insights into the mechanisms behind its formation, paving the way for more effective therapies.
 
'Led by UniSA’s Centre for Cancer Biology, this new research program brings together leading brain tumour research groups across Adelaide and will be delivered in close collaboration with the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney.
 
'By using engineered and patient-derived stem cell technologies, we aim to unravel the origins of Diffuse Midline Glioma and provide new resources for identifying better treatments to improve patient outcomes.'