In September 2024, the Glioblastoma Foundation opened a Genomic Testing and Research Laboratory to improve patient access to genomic testing and better understand their cancer and treatment options. 

 

In April 2026, the nonprofit launched a new liquid-handling system — a Tecan robot — to make its research efforts more efficient. 

 

The Glioblastoma Foundation is a leading organization dedicated to glioblastoma research. One of the tests it offers is available only at four laboratories in the United States. 

 

“I would say that everything we’re doing here is very unique — it hasn’t really been done before by any nonprofit,” Gita Kwatra, CEO of Glioblastoma Foundation, said. “There are other labs that provide some of these tests, but none that are tailored to glioblastoma.”

 

What is Glioblastoma?

 

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive brain tumor and is difficult to treat with the current standard of care. Patients typically live three to six months without treatment after diagnosis, or up to 15 months with a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. 

 

The last measurable improvement in treatment and survival rates for glioblastoma patients was in 2005, more than 20 years ago. 

 

Every person’s glioblastoma is different and should be treated accordingly. . However, the current standard of care does not reflect this, and many patients undergo treatment that does not help them. 

 

“That’s our mission: to transform the standard of care and fund the development of better treatments,” Kwatra said. 

 

The Genomic Testing & Research Laboratory

 

The foundation’s Genomic Testing & Research Laboratory is located in downtown Durham. The lab accepts patient tumor samples and examines them using several tests. 

 

The laboratory marks an important milestone for the foundation and general research on glioblastoma. The Glioblastoma Foundation is one of the only organizations with an extensive lab dedicated to researching patient samples. 

 

“This year is our 10-year anniversary, so we’re really proud of the research that we’ve funded, and we have really moved the field of glioblastoma research away from immunotherapy… so targeted treatments is what we focus on,” Kwatra said.

 

The personalized research conducted to find better treatments analyzes the molecular features of each patients tumor.

 

According to Kwatra, 20 to 25% of all glioblastomas are misdiagnosed. Genomic testing could increase diagnostic accuracy to 99.9%, she said. 

 

The Newest Technology

 

The lab’s latest piece of equipment, the Tecan liquid-handling robot, was acquired through a a gift from a donor in New York City. 

 

The donor’s family investment fund included members who had lost loved ones to glioblastoma and decided to support research efforts. 

 

The machine is designed to streamline the testing process. Without it, researchers may spend up to eight hours in the lab, adjusting samples every five minutes — often without time for breaks. 

 

This is just one step in the Glioblastoma Foundation’s mission to develop better treatments. 

 

Future Implications for Glioblastoma Research

 

The nonprofit is excited about the machine because it increases testing capacity by 4x, ensuring more people have access to genomic testing.

 

“What we’re doing here by providing access to patients to genomic testing is really at the forefront of research, access, patient care — everything pretty much.” Kwatra said. 

 

Technology like the Tecan liquid-handling system opens the door to more efficient testing, allowing researchers to spend more time analyzing results and developing new treatments.

 

With this advancement, the foundation can accept more patient tumor samples, conduct more studies each day, and get closer to establishing a better standard of care for glioblastoma patients.

 

How You Can Help

 

Gita Kwatra, CEO of the Glioblastoma Foundation, wants to raise awareness about glioblastoma so more people understand it and can do their best to help find better treatment options for patients.

 

“I would just want more people to know about it and talk about it and, you know, visit Glioblastoma Foundation to learn more about it, and to donate if they want.”

 

Glioblastoma Foundation has many options to get involved in the mission. Their website has information about volunteering, donating, fundraising, patient stories, etc. 

 

Edited by Annie Badger and Medha Nair