Susan E. Maloney, Director of the IDDRC Animal Behavior Subunit, was recently promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. This is a major milestone in the career of a faculty member at Washington University, signifying excellence in research, recognition at a national level, and outstanding administrative and educational contributions to […]
Category: News Story
NF Center Director Given Mentor of the Year Award
David H. Gutmann, MD, PhD, Director of the Washington University NF Center, was bestowed with the 2024 Mentor of the Year Award from the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Bioinformatics (I2DB). Dr. Gutmann has been faculty of the Master’s Program in Bioinformatics and Informatic Sciences since its inception, and has mentored over ten graduate […]
Welcome to the Gutmann Lab Vaishali
Vaishali Mulchandani graduated from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata (IISER-Kolkata) in 2023 with a PhD in Biological Sciences. Her PhD thesis was focused on understanding the importance of Connexin 43 (Cx43) trafficking and enhanced gap junctional intercellular communication formation in ovarian cancer development and metastasis. She has recently joined the Gutmann […]
Dr. Angela Hirbe Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure
Angela C. Hirbe, the Director of the Adult NF Clinical Program, was recently promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure in the Division of Medical Oncology. This is a major milestone in the career of a faculty member at Washington University, signifying excellence in research, recognition at a national level, and outstanding clinical […]
Understanding the Potential of Early-Cancer Detection Using Liquid Biopsy in Patients With Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
In this American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Daily News article, Dr. Angela Hirbe and her colleagues discuss the current data for using liquid biopsies (blood test) to attempt to diagnose cancer early. Their team is working hard to make this a reality for NF1 patients! You can read the full article here.
Epilepsy drug prevents brain tumors in mice with NF1
Study lays groundwork for clinical trial aimed at preventing brain tumors in children with NF1. A drug used to treat children with epilepsy prevents brain tumor formation and growth in two mouse models of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. NF1 is […]
Student in NF Scholars Program Awarded ALSF POST fellowship
Hannah Wang, an undergraduate student in Dr. David Gutmann’s laboratory, was recently awarded an Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) Pediatric Oncology Student Training (POST) summer research internship. The program was founded with the mission to change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families, and empowering everyone to help […]
NF Center Investigators Awarded Grant to Develop Human Cell Culture Models of NF1 Brain Tumors
Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) are common brain tumors arising in children with the Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) cancer predisposition syndrome. Unfortunately, the tumor cells from these brain cancers often die when grown in the laboratory under standard conditions. To more accurately model human LGGs from children with NF1, Washington University Assistant Professor, Dr. Corina Anastasaki, developed […]
NF1 Mutation Alters the Function of Human Microglia
Children with NF1 are prone to the development of autism and brain tumors, which could reflect the effect of NF1 mutation on microglia function. Microglia are specialized macrophages that constantly survey the brain in health and in the setting of nervous system disease. As such, microglia have been implicated in the development of autism and […]
NF Center Researchers Identify a New Potential Treatment for Optic Glioma Vision Loss
The most common brain tumor in children with NF1 is a low-grade glioma affecting the optic pathway, a bundle of nerves that carry vision from the eye to the brain. While many of these tumors do not cause any medical problems, at least one third of children with NF1-optic pathway gliomas (NF1-OPG) will experience some […]
New Therapy Identified for MPNST in NF1
One of the most aggressive tumors in people with NF1 is the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). A recent team science study led by Christine Pratilas MD at Johns Hopkins University, David Largaespada PhD and David Wood PhD at University of Minnesota, Sara Gosline PhD at Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Angela Hirbe, MD, PhD […]
The Gutmann Laboratory Welcomes New Staff Scientist, Dr. Enquan Xu
We want to welcome Dr. Enquan Xu to the Gutmann Laboratory. Dr. Xu graduated from University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2017 with a PhD in Neuropharmacology and Immunology. He previously studied the role of immune cells in methamphetamine-induced Parkinson’s disease. Currently, he serves as a staff scientist in the Gutmann Laboratory. Enquan is focused […]
Rui Mu joins the NF Center as a Bioinformatic Specialist in the Gutmann Laboratory
Rui recently graduated from the Master of Science in Biostatistics (MSIBS) program at Washington University School of Medicine. Following graduation, she joined the Gutmann laboratory as a full-time Bioinformatics Research Analyst. In this position, she analyzes single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing data for numerous scientific research projects, applies and develops new methods for […]
Message from the Director
This year marks a milestone as we celebrate 30 years of Neurofibromatosis (NF) research and medical care at Washington University. Over this period, we have witnessed the dramatic expansion of both our clinical and research programs, with the addition of new initiatives, laboratories, and patient care providers. The dedication of our team members has culminated […]
Dr. Corina Anastasaki, PhD Wins the Women in Neuroscience Award
On behalf of the Society of Neuro-Oncology and the SNO Women and Diversity Committee, it is my pleasure to inform you that your abstract, CNSC-43 “Targeting neuronal excitability for Nf1low-grade glioma therapy,” has been selected for the 2023 Women in Neuro-Oncology (WiN) Abstract Award in Basic/Translational Science Research at the upcoming 28th Annual Meeting of […]
NF Center Researchers Demonstrate that a Mutation in the Cytokine Receptor-Like Factor-3 (CRLF3) Gene Causes Neuronal Deficits
Children with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are prone to intellectual and developmental disabilities, including learning and memory problems, attention deficit, autism, and developmental delays. Prior work from the laboratory of Dr. David Gutmann, Washington University NF Center Director, showed that mini-brains from children with NF1 total gene deletions have impaired nerve cell (neuron) development, particularly […]
Dr. David Gutmann Inducted Into the National Academy of Medicine
Membership in the National Academy of Medicine is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. About Dr. Gutmann, MD, PhD Dr. David H. Gutmann, the Donald O. Schnuck Family Professor in Neurology, was elected in 2022 […]
Josh Breunig, David Gutmann, and Yuan Pan receive a Collaborative Department of Defense Grant
The Department of Defense Neurofibromatosis (NF) Research Program recently awarded Drs. Joshua Breunig (Cedars Sinai), David Gutmann (Washington University), and Yuan Pan (MD Anderson Cancer Center) a three-year grant to study NF1-associated brain tumors. The team will leverage a state-of-the-art genetic technology called Mosaic Analysis with Dual Recombinases (MDAR) to model brain tumors in NF1 […]
Camp NF Takes Flight!
Through our amazing community partnerships, we were able to launch Camp NF this summer. Camp NF is a therapy-focused summer camp for children in kindergarten through 8th grade with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Hosted at an outpatient therapy clinic under the guidance of physical, occupational, and music therapists, children with NF1 had the opportunity to […]
Dr. Christopher Ray Joins the NF Center
Dr. Ray joins the NF Center as the new Adult NF1 Clinical provider. He is an Assistant Professor of Neurology. He completed his residency and fellowship training at Washington University prior to joining the General Neurology and Stroke Neurology faculty. Dr. Ray strives to provide comprehensive neurological care to adult NF patients, including an interest […]