ACRF Live From the Lab: the Centre for Advanced Cancer Modelling

On Tuesday 21 July, Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) supporters gathered at Canva Space in Surry Hills for our inaugural Live from the Lab event.

The new event series brings the ACRF community closer to the research their generosity makes possible.

ACRF CEO Kerry Strydom opened the event by sharing how ACRF-funded research is helping drive progress across the cancer sector. 

Guests then heard from Dr Esther Lim, a cancer researcher with more than 10 years' experience at the ACRF Centre for Advanced Cancer Modelling at Macquarie University.

Established with a $2 million ACRF grant in 2023, the Centre is exploring new ways to understand how individual cancers respond to treatment.

Dr Lim took guests on a virtual tour of the Centre, showcasing some of the cutting-edge technology made possible by ACRF supporters. This included a first-of-its-kind tissue imaging platform in Australia and a 3D bioprinter that can grow tumour models using samples from patients.

These 3D models give researchers the opportunity to test different treatments against an individual's cancer in the lab. The goal is to identify the treatment most likely to work, while reducing the risk of unnecessary side effects.

The event also gave guests the chance to ask Dr Lim their own questions and learn more about the people, technology and discoveries behind the research they help make possible.

Watch the Live from the Lab event: