Children's Cancer Centre

The research laboratories of the Children's Cancer Centre are within the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital and affiliated with the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics.

Proudly supported by

Australian Cancer Research Foundation has committed $1 million to fund our innovative research to make discoveries in the fight against childhood cancer.

Molecular Oncology Laboratory

The molecular oncology laboratory is developing diagnostic testing, using molecular genetics, that will be applied to facilitate the diagnosis and monitoring of childhood solid tumours and leukaemias. Molecular tests presently established in the laboratory include PCR tests for Ewings sarcoma, Desmoplastic small round cell tumour and Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, IN1 gene mutation screening for rhabdoid tumour of the brain (ATRT), N-myc gene amplification testing in neuroblastoma, RT-PCR detection of leukaemia translocations including t(12;21), t(9;22), t(8;21) and t(15;17). The laboratory also provides molecular diagnostic testing for the cancer-associated syndromes Beckwith Wiedemann, Denys Drash and Frasier syndromes.

Research interests of the laboratory include understanding mechanisms of genomic imprinting on chromosome 11 and it's role in early development and cancer.