NHMRC Development Grant for Safer, Faster Brain Biopsies

Congratulations to Prof Robert McLaughlin for being awarded a $750k NHMRC Development Grant for the development of a smart needle for safer, faster brain biopsies.

Brain tumours have one of the largest disease burdens across all ages. Needle brain biopsies are a standard part of diagnosis but carry significant risk of death or disablement for the patient. Rob's team have developed a smart brain biopsy needle able to detect when it is in cancerous tissue and warn of nearby ‘at-risk’ blood vessels, enabling safer brain biopsies. This project will finalise clinical translation of the smart brain biopsy needle and validate its use through human trials.