2003 Research Fellow

Todd G. Mainprize, MD
University of Toronto

The Role of Gli2 in Medulloblastoma

Over the past several years, it has become clear that the Hedgehog signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of a subset of medulloblastomas. Overactivity of this pathway causes mitotic stimulation and perhaps transformation of normal cerebellar cells. GLI2 is a regulated effector molecule of this pathway with roles in both repression and activation of transcription. As a continuation of this work, mutational analysis of GLI2 in human MBs will be performed. Furthermore, using Cre-Lox system, GLI2 will be overexpressed in cerebellar granule cells at two stages in their maturation: 1) as dividing progenitor cells, and 2) as fully differentiated, synaptically competent adult cells. These experiments will help determine the role of GLI2 in the pathogenesis of MB.

Click here to view  Final Research Report  (PDF 27KB)

About Todd Mainprize

Todd Mainprize is currently in his seventh year of residency in the Division of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. He graduated medical school from the University of Saskatchewan in 1996, winning many awards including the Lindsay Gold Medal and the Silver Medal in Medicine. During his first three years of clinical training, he developed an interest in Neuro-oncology and basic science research. He entered into a Ph.D. program under the supervision of Dr. JT Rutka and has since won several research awards. Currently, his is working towards the completion of his Ph.D. program.