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Dr Laura Genovesi
Dr

Laura Genovesi

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Overview

Background

Laura Genovesi is a Cure Brain Cancer Foundation Research Fellow within the Paediatric Brain Cancer Laboratory headed by Professor Brandon Wainwright.

Dr Genovesi is a cancer biologist specialising in in vivo pre-clinical models to dissect the mechanisms underpinning growth of medulloblastoma, a paediatric brain tumour. They were awarded their PhD in 2012 (University of Western Australia), where they studied the role of microRNAs in the transformation of human neural stem cells to Medulloblastoma. They relocated to the University of Queensland to commence her post-doctoral studies in the laboratory of Prof. Brandon Wainwright. Dr Genovesi's post-doctoral research focuses on discovering and targeting the genetic networks that drive medulloblastoma. Their work has contributed to defining regulatory networks underlying the growth of medulloblastoma and the therapeutic application of CDK4/6 inhibitors in the treatment of medulloblastoma. Most recently, her work has characterised the status of the blood brain barrier in some of the most widely used patient derived orthotopic xenograft models of medulloblastoma. Dr Laura Genovesi’s research is now focused on understanding the intrinsic and adaptive plasticity of tumour cells and acellular components of the brain tumour microenvironment (TME) that drive tumour progression and determine response to therapy. Their research integrates integrates diverse preclinical model systems including patient-derived in vivo models and dynamic ex vivo 3D hydrogel models with innovative spatial transcriptomics/ imaging and advanced computational cancer biology aiming to ultimately to improve the lives of children diagnosed with brain tumours.

Availability

Dr Laura Genovesi is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Murdoch University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia

Research impacts

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in children. Survival rates have not significantly changed for thirty years and survivors are faced with lifelong side effects from their treatments including cognitive decline, developmental defects and other cancers. Additionally, few effective therapies are available for patients with high-risk disease, such as those with MYC- amplified Group 3 (Gp3) MB. New targeted therapies are urgently needed for children diagnosed with medulloblastoma; to increase survival rates and improve quality of life for children diagnosed with this disease. Dr Genovesi's research has made significant strides in this area, generating a genetic map to find new pathways that are driving aggressive forms of this disease. Using this map, two existing classes of drugs apprved for breast cancer have been repurposed and identified as effective therapies for this disease. One of these classes of drugs is currently in clinical trial for children diagnosed with a range of brain tumours, with data from this project confirming these agents have an even greater effect when combined with standard therapy for children diagnosed with this disease. Outcomes from this research program can be used to support the next phase of clinical trials for these agents, with the inclusion of this new targeted therapy into standard of care aiming to result in greater survival rates for patients diagnosed with this disease.

Works

Search Professor Laura Genovesi’s works on UQ eSpace

20 works between 2011 and 2023

1 - 20 of 20 works

2023

Conference Publication

Uncovering Dynamic Changes In Medulloblastoma Associated Vasculature In Zebrafish

Morris, Elysse, Daignault-Mill, Sheena, Ju, Robert J., da Silva, Jason, Gordon, Emma, Wainwright, Brandon, Stehbens, Samantha, Genovesi, Laura and Lagendijk, Anne (2023). Uncovering Dynamic Changes In Medulloblastoma Associated Vasculature In Zebrafish. 2023 Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Research Conference, Washington, DC United States, 22-24 June 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noad073.274

Uncovering Dynamic Changes In Medulloblastoma Associated Vasculature In Zebrafish

2023

Journal Article

Spatial transcriptomic analysis of Sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma identifies that the loss of heterogeneity and promotion of differentiation underlies the response to CDK4/6 inhibition

Vo, Tuan, Balderson, Brad, Jones, Kahli, Ni, Guiyan, Crawford, Joanna, Millar, Amanda, Tolson, Elissa, Singleton, Matthew, Kojic, Marija, Robertson, Thomas, Walters, Shaun, Mulay, Onkar, Bhuva, Dharmesh D., Davis, Melissa J., Wainwright, Brandon J., Nguyen, Quan and Genovesi, Laura A. (2023). Spatial transcriptomic analysis of Sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma identifies that the loss of heterogeneity and promotion of differentiation underlies the response to CDK4/6 inhibition. Genome Medicine, 15 (1) 29, 29. doi: 10.1186/s13073-023-01185-4

Spatial transcriptomic analysis of Sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma identifies that the loss of heterogeneity and promotion of differentiation underlies the response to CDK4/6 inhibition

2023

Conference Publication

Applying spatial omics and computational integrative analyses to study drug responses and cancer immune cell interactions

Tan, Xiao, Causer, Andrew, Vo, Tuan Quang Anh, Ma, Ning, Cheikh, Bassem Ben, Genovesi, Laura, Gonzalez-Cruz, Jazmina, Nguyen, Quan and Braubach, Oliver (2023). Applying spatial omics and computational integrative analyses to study drug responses and cancer immune cell interactions. AACR Annual Meeting 2023, Orlando, FL United States, 14-19 April 2023. Philadelphia, PA United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-4703

Applying spatial omics and computational integrative analyses to study drug responses and cancer immune cell interactions

2023

Journal Article

Addressing blood-brain-tumor-barrier heterogeneity in pediatric brain tumors with innovative preclinical models

Morris, Elysse K., Daignault-Mill, Sheena, Stehbens, Samantha J., Genovesi, Laura A. and Lagendijk, Anne K. (2023). Addressing blood-brain-tumor-barrier heterogeneity in pediatric brain tumors with innovative preclinical models. Frontiers in Oncology, 13 1101522, 1-9. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1101522

Addressing blood-brain-tumor-barrier heterogeneity in pediatric brain tumors with innovative preclinical models

2022

Conference Publication

MEDB-06. Spatial transcriptomic analysis of Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma identifies that loss of heterogeneity and induced differentiation underlies the response to CDK4/6 inhibition

Vo, Tuan, Balderson, Brad, Jones, Kahli, Crawford, Joanna, Millar, Amanda, Tolson, Elissa, Ruitenberg, Marc, Robertson, Thomas, Bhuva, Dharmesh, Davis, Melissa, Wainwright, Brandon, Nguyen, Quan and Genovesi, Laura (2022). MEDB-06. Spatial transcriptomic analysis of Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma identifies that loss of heterogeneity and induced differentiation underlies the response to CDK4/6 inhibition. International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Hamburg, Germany, 12–15 June 2022. Cary, NC, United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noac079.381

MEDB-06. Spatial transcriptomic analysis of Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma identifies that loss of heterogeneity and induced differentiation underlies the response to CDK4/6 inhibition

2021

Journal Article

SOX9 defines distinct populations of cells in SHH medulloblastoma but is not required for Math1-driven tumour formation

Adolphe, Christelle, Millar, Amanda, Kojic, Marija, Barkauskas, Deborah S., Sundstrom, Anders, Swartling, Fredrik J., Hediyeh-zadeh, Soroor, Tan, Chin Wee, Davis, Melissa J., Genovesi, Laura A. and Wainwright, Brandon J. (2021). SOX9 defines distinct populations of cells in SHH medulloblastoma but is not required for Math1-driven tumour formation. Molecular Cancer Research, 19 (11), 1831-1839. doi: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0117

SOX9 defines distinct populations of cells in SHH medulloblastoma but is not required for Math1-driven tumour formation

2021

Journal Article

Systems pharmacogenomics identifies novel targets and clinically actionable therapeutics for medulloblastoma

Genovesi, Laura A., Millar, Amanda, Tolson, Elissa, Singleton, Matthew, Hassall, Emily, Kojic, Marija, Brighi, Caterina, Girard, Emily, Andradas, Clara, Kuchibhotla, Mani, Bhuva, Dharmesh D., Endersby, Raelene, Gottardo, Nicholas G., Bernard, Anne, Adolphe, Christelle, Olson, James M., Taylor, Michael D., Davis, Melissa J. and Wainwright, Brandon J. (2021). Systems pharmacogenomics identifies novel targets and clinically actionable therapeutics for medulloblastoma. Genome Medicine, 13 (1) 103, 103. doi: 10.1186/s13073-021-00920-z

Systems pharmacogenomics identifies novel targets and clinically actionable therapeutics for medulloblastoma

2021

Journal Article

Elp2 mutations perturb the epitranscriptome and lead to a complex neurodevelopmental phenotype

Kojic, Marija, Gawda, Tomasz, Gaik, Monika, Begg, Alexander, Salerno-Kochan, Anna, Kurniawan, Nyoman D., Jones, Alun, Drożdżyk, Katarzyna, Kościelniak, Anna, Chramiec-Głąbik, Andrzej, Hediyeh-Zadeh, Soroor, Kasherman, Maria, Shim, Woo Jun, Sinniah, Enakshi, Genovesi, Laura A., Abrahamsen, Rannvá K., Fenger, Christina D., Madsen, Camilla G., Cohen, Julie S., Fatemi, Ali, Stark, Zornitza, Lunke, Sebastian, Lee, Joy, Hansen, Jonas K., Boxill, Martin F., Keren, Boris, Marey, Isabelle, Saenz, Margarita S., Brown, Kathleen ... Wainwright, Brandon J. (2021). Elp2 mutations perturb the epitranscriptome and lead to a complex neurodevelopmental phenotype. Nature Communications, 12 (1) 2678, 2678. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22888-5

Elp2 mutations perturb the epitranscriptome and lead to a complex neurodevelopmental phenotype

2021

Journal Article

Genetic and functional interaction network analysis reveals global enrichment of regulatory T cell genes influencing basal cell carcinoma susceptibility

Adolphe, Christelle, Xue, Angli, Fard, Atefeh Taherian, Genovesi, Laura A., Yang, Jian and Wainwright, Brandon J. (2021). Genetic and functional interaction network analysis reveals global enrichment of regulatory T cell genes influencing basal cell carcinoma susceptibility. Genome Medicine, 13 (1) 19, 19. doi: 10.1186/s13073-021-00827-9

Genetic and functional interaction network analysis reveals global enrichment of regulatory T cell genes influencing basal cell carcinoma susceptibility

2020

Journal Article

Patient derived orthotopic xenograft models of Medulloblastoma lack a functional blood brain barrier

Genovesi, Laura A., Puttick, Simon, Millar, Amanda, Kojic, Marija, Ji, Pengxiang, Lagendijk, Anne K., Brighi, Caterina, Bonder, Claudine S, Adolphe, Christelle and Wainwright, Brandon J. (2020). Patient derived orthotopic xenograft models of Medulloblastoma lack a functional blood brain barrier. Neuro-Oncology, 23 (5), 732-742. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa266

Patient derived orthotopic xenograft models of Medulloblastoma lack a functional blood brain barrier

2020

Journal Article

Comparative study of preclinical mouse models of high-grade glioma for nanomedicine research: the importance of reproducing blood-brain barrier heterogeneity

Brighi, Caterina, Reid, Lee, Genovesi, Laura A., Kojic, Marija, Millar, Amanda, Bruce, Zara, White, Alison L., Day, Bryan W., Rose, Stephen, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Puttick, Simon (2020). Comparative study of preclinical mouse models of high-grade glioma for nanomedicine research: the importance of reproducing blood-brain barrier heterogeneity. Theranostics, 10 (14), 6361-6371. doi: 10.7150/thno.46468

Comparative study of preclinical mouse models of high-grade glioma for nanomedicine research: the importance of reproducing blood-brain barrier heterogeneity

2020

Journal Article

MR-guided focused ultrasound increases antibody delivery to nonenhancing high-grade glioma

Brighi, Caterina, Reid, Lee, White, Alison L., Genovesi, Laura A., Kojic, Marija, Millar, Amanda, Bruce, Zara, Day, Bryan W., Rose, Stephen, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Puttick, Simon (2020). MR-guided focused ultrasound increases antibody delivery to nonenhancing high-grade glioma. Neuro-Oncology Advances, 2 (1) vdaa030, 1-12. doi: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa030

MR-guided focused ultrasound increases antibody delivery to nonenhancing high-grade glioma

2018

Journal Article

Elongator mutation in mice induces neurodegeneration and ataxia-like behavior

Kojic, Marija, Gaik, Monika, Kiska, Bence, Salerno-Kochan, Anna, Hunt, Sarah, Tedoldi, Angelo, Mureev, Sergey, Jones, Alun, Whittle, Belinda, Genovesi, Laura A., Adolphe, Christelle, Brown, Darren L., Stow, Jennifer L., Alexandrov, Kirill, Sah, Pankaj, Glatt, Sebastian and Wainwright, Brandon J. (2018). Elongator mutation in mice induces neurodegeneration and ataxia-like behavior. Nature Communications, 9 (1) 3195, 3195. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-05765-6

Elongator mutation in mice induces neurodegeneration and ataxia-like behavior

2017

Journal Article

Inhibition of CDK4/6 by palbociclib significantly extends survival in medulloblastoma patient-derived xenograft mouse models

Sangar, Michelle L. Cook, Genovesi, Laura A., Nakamoto, Madison W., Davis, Melissa J., Knobluagh, Sue E., Ji, Pengxiang, Millar, Amanda, Wainwright, Brandon J. and Olson, James M. (2017). Inhibition of CDK4/6 by palbociclib significantly extends survival in medulloblastoma patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Clinical Cancer Research, 23 (19), 5802-5813. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-16-2943

Inhibition of CDK4/6 by palbociclib significantly extends survival in medulloblastoma patient-derived xenograft mouse models

2016

Conference Publication

Targeting Apoptosis as a Novel Therapy for Myc-Driven Medulloblastoma

Ji, Pengxiang, Genovesi, Laura, He, Yaowu, Hooper, John and Wainwright, Brandon (2016). Targeting Apoptosis as a Novel Therapy for Myc-Driven Medulloblastoma. 17th International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO), Liverpool England, 12-15 June 2016. United States: Oxford University Press.

Targeting Apoptosis as a Novel Therapy for Myc-Driven Medulloblastoma

2015

Journal Article

Nuclear factor one transcription factors: divergent functions in developmental versus adult stem cell populations

Harris, Lachlan, Genovesi, Laura A., Gronostajski, Richard M., Wainwright, Brandon J. and Piper, Michael (2015). Nuclear factor one transcription factors: divergent functions in developmental versus adult stem cell populations. Developmental Dynamics, 244 (3), 227-238. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.24182

Nuclear factor one transcription factors: divergent functions in developmental versus adult stem cell populations

2014

Conference Publication

Mouse Functional Genomics to Predict Novel Drug Targets for All Subgroups of Medulloblastoma

Genovesi, Laura, Ji, Pengxiang, Davis, Melissa, Ching Ging Ng, Remke, Marc, Taylor, Michael, Cho, Yoon-Jae, Jenkins, Nancy, Copeland, Neil and Wainwright, Brandon (2014). Mouse Functional Genomics to Predict Novel Drug Targets for All Subgroups of Medulloblastoma. 16th International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO), Singapore, Singapore, 28 June - 02 July 2014. Cary, NC United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/nou074

Mouse Functional Genomics to Predict Novel Drug Targets for All Subgroups of Medulloblastoma

2013

Journal Article

Sleeping Beauty mutagenesis in a mouse medulloblastoma model defines networks that discriminate between human molecular subgroups

Genovesi, Laura A., Ng, Ching Ging, Davis, Melissa J., Remke, Marc, Taylor, Michael D., Adams, David J., Rust, Alistair G., Ward, Jerrold M., Ban, Kenneth H., Jenkins, Nancy A., Copeland, Neal G. and Wainwright, Brandon J. (2013). Sleeping Beauty mutagenesis in a mouse medulloblastoma model defines networks that discriminate between human molecular subgroups. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110 (46), E4325-E4334. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1318639110

Sleeping Beauty mutagenesis in a mouse medulloblastoma model defines networks that discriminate between human molecular subgroups

2012

Journal Article

Identification of suitable endogenous control genes for microRNA expression profiling of childhood medulloblastoma and human neural stem cells

Genovesi, Laura A., Anderson, Denise, Carter, Kim W., Giles, Keith M. and Dallas, Peter B. (2012). Identification of suitable endogenous control genes for microRNA expression profiling of childhood medulloblastoma and human neural stem cells. BMC Research Notes, 5 (1) 507, 507.1-507.12. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-507

Identification of suitable endogenous control genes for microRNA expression profiling of childhood medulloblastoma and human neural stem cells

2011

Journal Article

Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression in childhood Medulloblastoma compared with neural stem cells

Genovesi, Laura A., Carter, Kim W., Gottardo, Nicholas G., Giles, Keith M. and Dallas, Peter B. (2011). Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression in childhood Medulloblastoma compared with neural stem cells. PLoS One, 6 (9) e23935, e23935.1-e23935.12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023935

Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression in childhood Medulloblastoma compared with neural stem cells

Funding

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2026
    Integrating innovative models of the brain microenvironment to identify new treatment strategies for medulloblastoma
    The Cure Starts Now Australia
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Integrating innovative models of the brain microenvironment to identify new treatment strategies for medulloblastoma
    The Cure Starts Now Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Travel Award to attend ISPNO conference and Uppsala brain tumour conference
    RCDF Travel Grant Award
    Open grant
  • 2022
    A new and effective combination therapy for children with brain cancer
    Preclinical and Clinical Early Career Research
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Identification of therapy-resistant cells driving relapse in Medulloblastoma from integrated spatial transcriptomics and tissue imaging
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Integrating innovative models of the brain microenvironment to identify new treatment strategies for medulloblastoma
    Preclinical and Clinical Early Career Research
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Integrating innovative models of the brain microenvironment to identify new treatment strategies for medulloblastoma
    Brainchild Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Functional Genomics identifies clinically actionable novel therapeutic targets for all non-WNT Medulloblastoma
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    The therapeutic targeting of cell cycle regulators and mechanisms of resistance to cell cycle therapy in Medulloblastoma
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Evaluation of the anti-tumour efficacy of Abemaciclib, a dual CDK4/6 inhibitor, both as a single agent and combined with radiotherapy in Medulloblastoma
    Telethon Kids Institute
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Defining the anti-tumour efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy and possible mechanisms of resistance in murine and patient derived xenograft models of Medulloblastoma
    Cure Brain Cancer Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Dr Laura Genovesi - Maternity Funding (Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund)
    Queensland Government Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Laura Genovesi is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigation into network-defined novel targeted therapies for medulloblastoma

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Brandon Wainwright

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigation into network-defined novel targeted therapies for medulloblastoma

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Brandon Wainwright

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the role of the blood vasculature in Medulloblastoma progression using zebrafish models

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Emma Gordon, Dr Anne Lagendijk

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Spatial transcriptomics and Single-cell Interaction Analysis

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Laura Grice, Dr Jian Zeng, Dr Quan Nguyen

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Laura Genovesi's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au