Kenny Ip: Utilising neuroscience for drug development

Dr Kenny Ip, a molecular neuroscientist at the Children’s Cancer Institute, has carved out a career of note in a relatively short timeframe. In an eight-year period, he has released some 20 publications on complex brain circuits in an array of high-tier journals.

In 2023, Kenny was named an inaugural Col Reynolds Fellow. Now part of The Kids’ Cancer Project’s wider family, his personal motivation is strong.

“My initial interest in cancer research came from my early neuroscience and developmental biology studies. I learnt during my PhD that a little mistake occurring in the genetic program during early embryonic development can leave behind such a profound detrimental outcome, such as developing brain cancer,” he recalls.

“The thought of having to see children go through such a horrifying disease hurts my heart every day, especially now I’m a father myself, it makes my research even more personal.”

“I just wanted to have a career where I know when I go to work every day, every effort and discovery that I make, will contribute a direct translational impact to improve the therapeutic outcomes for all children who suffered from brain cancer.”

Kenny’s research project funded by The Kids' Cancer Project’s incredible donor community focuses on developing new treatments for a recently identified high-grade glioma (HGG) subtype. The mutation is one of the deadliest brain tumours known to man, with those diagnosed given just 12 months to live.

The only treatment option for the HGG subtype is high-dose radiation therapy, which can mean severe long-term neurotoxic effects for survivors. Alternative treatment options that have lower cytotoxic effects are scarce. That’s where Kenny comes in.

“As a molecular neuroscientist, I will be bringing in some of the most advanced neuroscience tools to carry out comprehensive brain-network mapping experiments to identify where in the brain the nerve cells that drive tumour progression are,” he says.

“I will then use this information to guide a targeted high-throughput drug screening program in the Drug Discovery Centre at the Children’s Cancer Institute.”

Kenny is immensely thankful for the contributions of The Kids’ Cancer Project’s donor community. He simply can’t wipe the smile off his face when asked about their importance!

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to The Kids’ Cancer Project’s community of donors who gave generously with their money, time, and trust to support my research program.

“Every dollar donated has enabled scientists like me to purchase the reagents and tools that are needed to carry out high-quality research in Australia. Because of their support, every cent donated has brought us one step closer to finding a cure to save these young children’s lives from brain cancer!”