Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics Professor Carolyn Mountford

Professor Carolyn Mountford is a Principal Research Leader and the Professor of Radiology and Neuroglycobiology at Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics.

Carolyn and her team have led the world in their development of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), to identify cancer in its early stages when surgery or therapy may be used successfully.

This particular area of research came about when the pathologists with whom Carolyn worked said “there are stages of early tumour development that we cannot see down a light microscope”. Carolyn therefor started to investigate the possibility that changes in the chemistry of human cells could be detected prior to other technologies, via the use of MRS.

Her hypothesis proved correct, and Professor Mountford is now a world-leading expert in Magnetic Resonance technology to address unmet clinical needs.

The MRS protocol in a MR clinical scanner can monitor women at high risk of breast cancer by identifying changes in their breast tissue that precede tumour growth.

This technology can also be applied to evaluate ovarian cancer, kidney cancer PTSD, pain and other mental health issues. Professor Mountford and her research team also use clinical 3T scanners to monitor how much of the human glycome is involved in these cancers, and how neurons in the brain communicate with each other.

When it comes to human cancers, different fucosylated glycans have been shown to be markers of the capacity to metastasize (spread through the human body). The interpretation of which glycans these are, and how they are involved in allowing a cancer to metastasize, are integral to stopping the spread of cancer.

The support provided by the local community and philanthropic partners is crucial in the progress and continuation of research such as Professor Mountford and her groups, and the Institute for Glycomics encourages readers to reach out if they would like to learn more, or join us for a tour of the Institute.

–Professor Carolyn Mountford MSc(Oxon) DPhil(Oxon) MS(Harv) is a world leader in the development of magnetic resonance (MR) technology to address unmet clinical needs.