Research groups
Collaborators:
Francis Szele, DPAG, University of Oxford
Chris Schofield, Chemistry, University of Oxford
James McCullagh, Chemistry, University of Oxford
Olaf Ansorge, Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford
Dan Tennant, Hypoxia and Metabolism, University of Birmingham
Colin Watts, Neurosurgery, University of Birmingham
Victoria Vikes, Neurosurgery, University of Birmingham
Rachel Guest, Clinical Surgery, University of Edinburgh
Emmanuelle Huillard, ICM, France
Tomoyoshi Soga, IAB, Japan
Chiara Bardella
PhD
Research Scientist
Biography
Chiara received her PhD in Cellular Science and Technologies from the Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, University of Turin (Italy). She subsequently moved to the University of Oxford as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Professor Ian Tomlinson’s laboratory at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, where she developed expertise in cancer genetics and functional biology of metabolic oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes, including FH and IDH, across different cancer contexts.
In 2017, Chiara joined the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences at the University of Birmingham, where in 2018, she was appointed Principal Investigator and established the Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Glioma Development.
Since 2023, Chiara has been a member of the Department of Oncology, where she continues her research on cellular and molecular mechanisms of gliomagenesis.
Research Summary
Chiara’s research is focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying tumour initiation and progression, with a particular interest in cancers driven by the accumulation of oncometabolites. Many gliomas show mutations in a protein called isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH). Chiara investigates mechanisms of gliomagenesis, tumour cell identity, and metabolic vulnerabilities in a way that bridges fundamental biology and clinical need. By combining in vivo modelling, patient-derived systems, functional genomics and metabolic profiling technologies she explores how mutations in metabolic enzymes contribute to oncogenesis and how these mechanisms may be targeted therapeutically.
Key publications
-
Expression of Idh1R132H in the Murine Subventricular Zone Stem Cell Niche Recapitulates Features of Early Gliomagenesis.
Journal article
Bardella C. et al, (2016), Cancer Cell, 30, 578 - 594
-
The role of inflammation in subventricular zone cancer.
Journal article
Bardella C. et al, (2018), Prog Neurobiol, 170, 37 - 52
-
Resistance to the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutant inhibitor ivosidenib can be overcome by alternative dimer-interface binding inhibitors.
Journal article
Reinbold R. et al, (2022), Nat Commun, 13
-
Anion-exchange chromatography mass spectrometry provides extensive coverage of primary metabolic pathways revealing altered metabolism in IDH1 mutant cells.
Journal article
Walsby-Tickle J. et al, (2020), Commun Biol, 3
Recent publications
-
Mutant IDH in Gliomas: Role in Cancer and Treatment Options.
Journal article
Solomou G. et al, (2023), Cancers (Basel), 15
-
Resistance to the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutant inhibitor ivosidenib can be overcome by alternative dimer-interface binding inhibitors.
Journal article
Reinbold R. et al, (2022), Nat Commun, 13
-
Advances in Research of Adult Gliomas.
Journal article
Finch A. et al, (2021), Int J Mol Sci, 22
-
Anion-exchange chromatography mass spectrometry provides extensive coverage of primary metabolic pathways revealing altered metabolism in IDH1 mutant cells.
Journal article
Walsby-Tickle J. et al, (2020), Commun Biol, 3
-
Serum- and Glucocorticoid-induced Kinase Sgk1 Directly Promotes the Differentiation of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Restrains Metastasis.
Journal article
Lee LYW. et al, (2019), Clin Cancer Res, 25, 629 - 640

