Mr Richard Heywood

Interests

Under the supervision of Dr Colin Watts, I am looking at glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common malignant adult brain tumour. GBM has a dismal prognosis, often recurring despite optimal surgery and radiochemotherapy, and therefore new insights into the biology of the disease, and potential new targets, are required to improve survival. I am interested in the molecular and cellular factors that make these tumours more aggressive, and looking at ways in which this can be prevented. I am also interested in the parallels between brain tumour and neural stem cell biology, and how this could be exploited therapeutically. As a clinical student I am also interested in translating my research into the clinic, and I am looking at various molecular markers as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Research Focus

Equipment

Cell culture

Confocal microscopy

Fluorescence microscopy

Immunohistochemistry

Microscopy