"Standard brain cancer treatments barely extend survival, and nothing significant has changed in decades. That’s why we have to collaborate as a team across the country."
Niclas Skarne
Project Coordinator, Brain Cancer Australia
Niclas Skarne Joins Brain Cancer Australia.
Biochemist and cancer researcher Niclas Skarne is on a mission to unify Australia’s efforts in brain cancer biobanking and next-generation research.
Having joined Brain Cancer Australia as Project Coordinator of the national Biobanking and Organoid Platform, Niclas is doing just that.
He is responsible for overseeing a network of 20 biobanks containing over 11,000 tissue samples, standardising the collection and use of brain tumour samples and data, and harmonising efforts to develop organoids: 3D lab-grown models of brain tumours created from a patient’s own tissue.
“Right now, different labs use different methods, which makes it difficult to compare data,” says Niclas. “We’re implementing a standardised approach, so that every participating brain cancer research site across Australia is working as part of a unified team."
A harmonised approach increases the quality of research, improves collaboration, and accelerates progress towards new treatments – which are desperately needed in brain cancer.
Motivated by the loss of both grandfathers to cancer at a young age, Niclas pursued a Master of Research in Cancer at University College London, followed by a PhD at QIMR Berghofer in Brisbane, where he remains based, focussing his efforts on brain cancer research.
You can read Niclas' full profile here.
As part of Brain Cancer Awareness Month this May, Brain Cancer Australia is highlighting the fundraisers, families, clinicians and researchers—like Niclas—working together to drive faster breakthroughs.
