clear, however, that to fully represent the heterogeneity present in human glioma [25], and particularly those derived from children, additional well-characterised models will be required if we are to reliably test novel agents aimed at treating these diverse, clinically refractory tumours. Acknowledgments We would like to thank Dr Daphne Haas-Kogan (UCSF) and Dr Michael Bobola (University of Washington), for provision of the paediatric glioma cell lines; John Swansbury for provision of metaphase preparations; and Dr References 1. Reddy AT (2001) Advances in biology and treatment of childhood brain tumors. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 1: 137–143. 2. Nakamura M, Shimada K, Ishida E, Higuchi T, Nakase H, et al. (2007) Molecular pathogenesis of pediatric astrocytic tumors. Neuro Oncol 9: 113–123. 3. Broniscer A, Baker SJ, West AN, Fraser MM, Proko E, et al. (2007) Clinical and molecular characteristics of malignant transformation of low-grade glioma in children. J Clin Oncol 25: 682–689. 4. 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