|  |  |  | | | | Southampton scientist makes key discovery | | | | |
| |  Researcher Lisa Russell at the University of Southampton
Release Date: 31 Jan 2007
A Southampton scientist who made an important discovery about the origins of the most common childhood cancer whilst studying for her Doctorate has been awarded a grant by Leukaemia Research to allow her to complete her work.
Dr Lisa Russell, 25, discovered a link between changes in a family of genes known as CEBP genes and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) during her three-year Gordon Pillar PHD Studentship, which was also funded by Leukaemia Research.
This is the first time the link has been established, and Lisa’s work has proved to be of great interest to many scientists worldwide, as this group of genes are normally associated with suppressing tumours in another type of leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia.
Dr Lisa Russell said: "My work is part of an ongoing project based in Southampton to see how different genetic changes affect the way children are treated. I was delighted to join the research group in 2003, and I was especially pleased that my research has proved worthy of further support.
“The CEBP gene group seems to have a key role in regulating the development of this very aggressive cancer. As part of my new grant I will be spending time working with a team of researchers in Paris, and I hope the experience will give me more skills and data to move my work forward."
Lisa’s work has been recognised with an award from the American Association for Cancer Research, while she has recently published her research in the prestigious medical journal ‘Blood’. The research team hope that the work will be incorporated into clinical trials, to guide future treatment for patients.
Leukaemia Research Scientific Director Dr David Grant said: "Many of the outstanding scientists who have received grants and scholarships over the years have gone on to achieve great things in their research. We hope that Lisa will continue to develop her promising career in haematology, to the benefit of patients across the UK."
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