Statewide Biobank Seminar Series – Dr Louise Winteringham

Dr Louise Winteringham will discuss the rich history of biobanking in Western Australia as well as outline progress and challenges to developing a State-wide biobanking initiative. She will present the aspirational goals of the Perkins Cancer Biobank from sample collection to data stewardship and translation. Finally will look ahead to the potential of biobanking in Australia.

About Dr Louise Winteringham:

Louise is a cancer biologist with more than 25 years’ experience in molecular biochemistry and gene regulation in normal and cancer conditions. She currently leads the Translational Cancer Research Program at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and is the Manager of the Liver Cancer Collaborative. Dr Winteringham established and heads the Perkins Cancer Biobank working with a multidisciplinary team to facilitate collection, processing and analysis of tumour samples. Within the biobank framework, she is co-ordinating the development of a customised secure digital environment to integrate research data with detailed patient information driving a precision medicine approach to oncology. Under her leadership, the Perkins has successfully established immune-humanised mice using CD34+ cells from cord blood to investigate immunotherapy drug response in combination with novel cancer treatments. She also oversees the production of PDX models from several cancers including sarcoma, liver, head and neck, and breast cancer. Dr Winteringham is also Director of the NCRIS Phenomics Australia Perkins Node within our In vitro Capability. This capability is currently developing a National non-animal technology arm that will focus on organoid development and drug screening. She has been a member of the Phenomics Australia Scientific Leadership Committee since 2013.