Candice Poon – 2024 Research Grant Recipient
Generously funded in honour of Mackenzie Rigg supported by Vikes Kick Cancer
Candice Poon – University of Calgary – Calgary, Alta.
Project title: “Charting the three-dimensional glymphatic system in human glioblastoma”
Description of project:
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a devastating brain tumour with limited treatment options. This project explores the role of the glymphatic system, the brain’s waste removal and immune cell transport network, in GBM progression. The research team hypothesizes that glymphatic dysfunction, caused by GBM invading the system’s perivascular spaces, alters immune cell trafficking and contributes to the immunosuppressive environment that hinders treatment effectiveness. To visualize the glymphatic system in human GBM, this research will utilize an innovative imaging technology called light sheet microscopy (LSM). This technology allows researchers to create 3D images of large tissue samples while preserving high resolution, overcoming the limitations of traditional 2D microscopy. The team has developed a novel tissue-clearing protocol specifically for human GBM, enabling the imaging of larger tissue volumes. This project will generate a detailed 3D map of the glymphatic system in GBM and characterize its relationship with immune cells. The findings will uncover how glymphatic dysfunction affects immune responses in GBM, identifying new tactics by which GBM evades the immune system which can be exploited, leading to novel therapeutic strategies to ultimately improve outcomes for brain tumour patients.
What receiving this award means:
The Poon Laboratory is thrilled and honoured to receive the 2024 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Research Grant. This award marks a critical milestone in launching our laboratory, enabling a project that aims to elucidate the vital yet underexplored role of the glymphatic system in glioblastoma. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, as well as the Rigg Family and Vikes Kick Cancer, in honour of Mackenzie Rigg, for their generous support.
