Dr Mathew Clement, a Wales Cancer Research Centre (WCRC)-funded researcher, has been awarded a prestigious Brain Tumour Research Initiative (BATRI) grant to further his work in Glioblastoma research.
As part of a major £1 million investment from Cancer Research Wales, Dr Clement’s project is one of seven initiatives to receive funding through the BATRI programme, which aims to drive innovation and accelerate progress in tackling brain tumours – one of the most difficult forms of cancer to treat.
Dr Clement’s work, based at Cardiff University, focuses on identifying novel tumour-associated antigens in Glioblastoma (GBM) in order to enhance anti-tumour T cell responses. GBM remains a particularly aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumour, and this project aims to develop more targeted and effective immunotherapy strategies.
The BATRI programme represents a bold step forward for brain tumour research in Wales, with the selected projects offering hope for improved outcomes for patients facing this devastating disease. Dr Clement’s research stands out for its innovative approach and potential to pave the way for more effective immunotherapies.
On receiving the award Dr Clement said: “I’m really proud to have received this funding and I am excited to get going on this research project where this award will allow me to build my research team at Cardiff University. It will also help me facilitate access to essential equipment and help me build on my established collaborations. Given the desperate need for new treatments for GBM, this funding will be critical in allowing me to explore my innovative ideas to generate impactful findings by discovering new T cell specific antigens that can be used in the design of novel immunotherapies for GBM patients.”