Marquette General Foundation

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Gifts at Work -

New equipment improving the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer

Dr. Richard Rovin and the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center (UMBTC) team are utilizing new, state-of-the-art equipment to improve the diagnosis and, ultimately, the treatment of brain tumors.
This equipment was made possible thanks to a number of gifts made to the Marquette General Foundation to support the UMBTC.

Under the direction of Robert Winn, PhD, Professor of Biology at Northern Michigan University, the UMBTC research program is exploring the role certain genes play in the development of brain tumors and the way certain genes counteract the chemotherapy used to treat brain tumors. Graduate and undergraduate students in the Department of Biology actively participate in the research.

Steve Davis, left, a second-year NMU graduate student in biology from Gladstone, reviews a DNA sample provided by fellow graduate student Justin Segula of Columbiaville, Mich., who is shown using the new PCR equipment. Davis and Segula are two of approximately 20 Northern Michigan University students working closely with Marquette General Hospital neurosurgeon Dr. Richard Rovin and NMU biology professor Robert Winn, PhD, on cutting-edge research to better treat patients with brain tumors. (Photo by Marquette General Foundation)

“We needed a way to determine if a particular gene is turned on in brain tumors and how hard that gene is working,” Winn explained. “The key piece of equipment we needed was a real-time PCR thermocycler.”

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. This is a chemical reaction that takes a tiny bit of DNA or RNA from a cell and makes millions of copies so it can be analyzed. The reaction requires rapid heating and cooling cycles. DNA is the substance our genes are made of; RNA is the template for protein construction.

The potential benefit for brain tumor patients is extraordinary. Researchers at MGH and NMU can now identify particular cells that have certain RNA (ribonucleic acid) or DNA segments and determine how much is present. Essentially, the research will allow the UMBTC team to develop targeted treatment options for future brain tumor patients.

Dr. Winn recently presented research results at the Society of Neuro-Oncology meeting in Dallas. While there, he found that the depth and scope of the UMBTC’s research program is similar to that of major academic medical centers.

“The work we’re doing is on the forefront of brain cancer research,” Winn said. “This is significant because it gives our students an opportunity to help find solutions to this devastating disease. It means patients and families from the U.P. have a center where they can find hope and the latest in diagnosis and treatment without having to leave home.”

The Brain Tumor Center provides a multidisciplinary approach, combining the input from medical oncology, radiation oncology, neurosurgery, palliative care, nursing and social services.

“We’re thankful a number of donors have supported the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center,” Dr. Rovin said. “These gifts provide us the means to purchase the latest research tools and conduct research to improve patient care. These gifts are also a reminder to our research team that brain cancer affects many people in the U.P., and these gifts are an expression of the confidence our patients and families have in our program. We feel a very real duty to earn that confidence each and every day.”

Those interested in supporting the research efforts of the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Program are encouraged to contact the Marquette General Foundation at 225-6914 or toll free at 1-866-906-6914.