The principal aim of my research is to reduce the morbidity and mortality of patients with cancer through improved understanding of tumour biology. With a particular focus on children’s brain tumours, we are working to understand the cellular and molecular origins of cancers and the pathways that drive them. We hope to achieve this goal by: Conducting extensive genomic analyses of brain tumours to identify cancer causing genetic abnormalities. Integrating studies of genetic and cell signal alterations in cancers with studies of normal progenitor cells to determine the cellular and molecular origins of tumours. Understanding the impact of signalling pathways on normal stem cell biology and tissue development Translating knowledge of tumour biology into effective new cancer cures through pre-clinical and early clinical trials of molecular targeted therapies.