Gershon Lab
Cerebellar Development and Medulloblastoma Research at Emory University
Timothy R. Gershon, MD PhD
ABOUT US
Developing new, less toxic approaches to treatment is critical to advancing therapy for medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. While many medulloblastoma patients achieve long-term survival through combined radiation and chemotherapy, this treatment causes long-term neuro-cognitive impairment and significant risk of incurable recurrence. The early age of onset of medulloblastoma has prompted a growing consensus to examine the processes that support developmental brain growth as potential oncogenic mechanisms that may be targeted in novel therapies. Our recent work demonstrates that energy metabolism, DNA repair and control of apoptosis are developmentally regulated to support proliferation during cerebellar growth, and become co-opted in medulloblastoma formation.
Our ongoing projects build on these observations, using mouse genetics and primary tumor modeling to learn:
How aerobic glycolysis during cerebellar development supports normal and neoplastic growth
How DNA repair and apoptotic mechanisms converge to prevent tumorigenesis
How developmental process can inform us on medulloblastoma tumor growth
How these mechanisms may be targeted for novel anti-cancer therapies.
RESEARCH
Our research uses mouse genetics and primary tumor modeling to advance knowledge and treatment of medulloblastoma tumors in children. Our ultimate goal is to offer a safe, effective treatment for the most common type of brain tumor in children.
COMMUNITY
We offer a collaborative approach that values the unique skillset of the individual, along with how those skills translate into group productivity. The Gershon lab establishes connections and maintains relationships between senior members of the science community and students.
FUNDING
We are incredibly thankful for the generous funding support given by the agencies pictured above.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Gershon Lab is to promote scientific excellence in an inclusive environment where collaboration, support, independence, and diversity are paramount to success.
Science is best conducted and learned in an inclusive, non-hierarchical environment. To that end, the Gershon lab creates research opportunities for students at all levels of their neuroscience journey. From undergraduate students seeking exposure to cutting-edge Neuroscience, to Post-Doctoral fellows seeking the necessary skills to be independent investigators, there is a place for cutting edge neuroscience in the Gershon lab. Most importantly, the Gershon Lab welcomes undergraduate and graduate students from groups typically underrepresented in sciences. The mission of the Gershon Lab is to promote scientific excellence in an inclusive environment where collaboration, support, independence, and diversity are paramount to success. Undergraduates have had the opportunity to work on 22 different projects, including 4 senior honors theses, and earning authorships on 18 of my papers, including 2 first authorships.