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Gilbertson Group

Programme overview

We are excited to offer an opportunity for Year 12 students to gain hands-on experience with the Gilbertson Lab, a research group led by Professor Richard Gilbertson. Our lab focuses on understanding and improving treatments for children’s brain tumours. This work experience placement will give students an insight into how scientists study the origins of cancers and what drives their growth.

Our goal is to reduce the impact of cancer on children by improving knowledge of how these tumours form and identifying new ways to treat them.

What you will do

During the placement, students will have the chance to:

  • Observe and learn about cell culture techniques, where we grow and study tumour cells to understand their behaviour.
  • Explore how we use microscopy to observe cancer cells and understand their structure and growth patterns.
  • Learn about DNA and RNA techniques, including how we extract, analyse, and study genetic material to identify mutations that may drive tumour development.
  • Work alongside researchers to observe drug screening experiments, where we test how cancer cells respond to different treatments.
  • Engage in basic data analysis and learn how scientists interpret results to draw conclusions.
  • Participate in group discussions and workshops, developing skills in problem-solving, scientific observation, and teamwork.

About the lab

The Gilbertson Lab is dedicated to improving outcomes for children with brain tumours. Brain tumours are the most common solid tumours in children and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in young people.

Our work focuses on:

  • Understanding the cellular and molecular origins of childhood brain tumours—where and how they start.
  • Studying the pathways (biological processes) that drive the growth and progression of these cancers.
  • Identifying new treatments to reduce the impact of cancer and improve survival rates for young patients.

By combining experiments in the lab with advanced genetic and molecular analysis, we work to uncover why these tumours form and how we can stop them.

What to expect

This placement will be an immersive and inspiring experience, designed to introduce students to the world of cancer research. You’ll have the opportunity to observe experiments, learn about advanced research techniques, and see how scientists work to answer big questions about cancer biology.

Potential activities for this year include:

  • Cell culture: Observing how tumour cells are grown and maintained under sterile lab conditions.
  • Microscopy: Watching how scientists use imaging tools to study the structure and behaviour of brain tumour cells.
  • Genetic techniques: Learning about DNA and RNA extraction, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and how genetic material is analysed to uncover cancer mutations.
  • Drug screening: Observing experiments to see how tumour cells respond to potential new treatments.
  • Data analysis: Understanding how results are analysed and interpreted to help answer research questions.

What you will gain

By the end of the placement, you will:

  • Gain insight into how we study and treat childhood brain tumours.
  • Learn about the tools and techniques we use to understand cancer biology, from cell culture to genetic analysis.
  • Develop skills in scientific observation, critical thinking, and teamwork.
  • Explore what a career in science, medicine, or cancer research might look like.

If you are passionate about biology, curious about genetics, and want to learn how research can improve the lives of children with cancer, this placement will inspire and motivate you!