Deconstructing cancer. Rebuilding treatments.
Research
Brain Tumors
Situated at the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro), our lab investigates how brain tumors, particularly gliomas, behave as complex systems. Glioblastoma, a type of malignant glioma, is the most common primary brain tumor and remains among the most lethal cancers, with few effective treatments and inevitable recurrence.Studying these tumors across scales – from genes and cells to tissue – reveals how microscopic programs shape their macroscopic behaviour.
We use single-cell and spatial multi-omic technologies to deconstruct these tumors into their cellular and molecular building blocks – mapping the programs that define how malignant, immune, and stromal cells interact within their tissue environment.
From Cells To Behaviours
By integrating microscopic insights from single-cell and spatial multi-omic technologies (such as Visium HD, Slide-Tags, and PhenoCycler-Fusion) with macroscopic imaging modalities like MRI, we bridge scales – from genes and cells to the behaviours visible in patients, including growth, invasion, and immune evasion. This multi-scale perspective allows us to link cellular organization and niche composition to the emergent behaviours of tumors, from growth and invasion to immune evasion and treatment adaptation.
Our research relies on the development of computational methods to uncover latent structure within tissues, reconstruct spatial hierarchies, and model collective tumour dynamics across scales.
Modeling and Rebuilding <br/> Treatments
To rebuild effective treatments, we combine these analyses with functional models, including patient-derived explants and spatial perturbation assays, to test how modifying specific tumor ecosystems alters behaviour. Our close integration with clinical neurosurgery and oncology teams provides direct access to patient samples – including our “window-of-opportunity” studies that capture tumors during therapy – allowing us to observe treatment effects in real time.
Our work spans computational biology, molecular engineering, imaging science, and clinical neuroscience, uncovering principles that govern tumor behaviour and identifying vulnerabilities that can be targeted to improve patient outcomes.
Situated at the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro), our lab investigates how brain tumors, particularly gliomas, behave as complex systems. Glioblastoma, a type of malignant glioma, is the most common primary brain tumor and remains among the most lethal cancers, with few effective treatments and inevitable recurrence.Studying these tumors across scales – from genes and cells to tissue – reveals how microscopic programs shape their macroscopic behaviour.
We use single-cell and spatial multi-omic technologies to deconstruct these tumors into their cellular and molecular building blocks – mapping the programs that define how malignant, immune, and stromal cells interact within their tissue environment.
By integrating microscopic insights from single-cell and spatial multi-omic technologies (such as Visium HD, Slide-Tags, and PhenoCycler-Fusion) with macroscopic imaging modalities like MRI, we bridge scales – from genes and cells to the behaviours visible in patients, including growth, invasion, and immune evasion. This multi-scale perspective allows us to link cellular organization and niche composition to the emergent behaviours of tumors, from growth and invasion to immune evasion and treatment adaptation.
Our research relies on the development of computational methods to uncover latent structure within tissues, reconstruct spatial hierarchies, and model collective tumour dynamics across scales.
To rebuild effective treatments, we combine these analyses with functional models, including patient-derived explants and spatial perturbation assays, to test how modifying specific tumor ecosystems alters behaviour. Our close integration with clinical neurosurgery and oncology teams provides direct access to patient samples – including our “window-of-opportunity” studies that capture tumors during therapy – allowing us to observe treatment effects in real time.
Our work spans computational biology, molecular engineering, imaging science, and clinical neuroscience, uncovering principles that govern tumor behaviour and identifying vulnerabilities that can be targeted to improve patient outcomes.
Team
Charles P. Couturier
Principal Investigator
Charles Couturier, MD, PhD, FRCSC is a neurosurgeon and scientist at The Neuro, as well as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University, and an Associate Member of the Department of Human Genetics at McGill University. He is an associate member of the McConnell Brain Imaging Center at The Neuro, and is a research affiliate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge MA, and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston MA. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of New Brunswick and earned his medical degree from the Université de Montréal. He went on to pursue residency training in neurosurgery and a PhD in neuroscience and cancer biology at McGill University. He then undertook postdoctoral training in systems biology at MIT and the Broad Institute, where he studied glioblastoma architecture and immune infiltration. Concurrently, he completed a fellowship in image-guided neurosurgical oncology at the BWH. Dr. Couturier is an expert in brain tumour neurosurgical care, computational biology, and molecular biology. He holds dual appointments in neurosurgery and research and is committed to bridging clinical care with discovery science. Outside the lab and hospital, Charles enjoys playing tennis, skiing, traveling, and taking care of his young family.
Timothée Revil
Research Associate
Tim is a research associate at The Neuro, with over a decade of experience in genomics and computational biology.
His current work focuses on single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, with a particular interest in cellular heterogeneity and tissue organization in brain tumors. Tim brings deep expertise in high-throughput sequencing technologies, data integration, and the development of scalable analysis pipelines.
Outside the lab, he enjoys jogging, cycling, ultimate frisbee, and spending time outdoors with his family and Labradoodle.
Marina Broomfield Povedano
PhD Student
Marina is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Program at McGill University. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacology followed by a Master’s in Neuroscience. At the lab, Marina’s research focuses on understanding the cellular drivers and application of novel therapeutics for edema, a major contributor to glioblastoma morbidity. During her time outside the lab, Marina loves spending time with friends, listening to live music, absorbing sun, and playing soccer.
Lin Liu
PhD Student
Lin is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Cancer Science Program at McGill University. She completed her HBSc in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in Neuroscience. Lin’s PhD project focuses on understanding the immune landscapes of brain tumours at the transcriptomic and proteomic levels. Outside the lab, Lin enjoys immersing herself in nature, listening to live music and watching movies, and playing different sports with friends.
Michael Luo
PhD Student
Michael is a PhD student in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience at McGill University. He completed his BSc in Life Science and his MSc in Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen’s University before joining the Petrecca Lab and Couturier Lab at McGill. His PhD project focuses on understanding stem-like glioblastoma cells in their in situ spatial context within the tumour. In particular, Michael studies microenvironmental determinants of stem-like glioblastoma cells and uses these insights for therapeutic targeting. Outside the lab, Michael enjoys cooking, jogging, and archery.
James Randolph
PhD Student
James is a rotation student in the Quantitative Life Sciences PhD program. He received a joint bachelors degree in Biology and Computer Science from McGill. In Couturier lab he is investigating the subclonal dynamics of glioblastoma genetics using single cell multiomic data. Outside of the lab, James loves to cook, play sports and learn from his friends.
Mustakim Fil Umar
PhD Student
Mustakim is a rotation student in the Quantitative Life Sciences PhD program. He completed his BSc from McGill in the joint Computer Science and Biology program. For his project, Mustakim is looking into ways to spatially co-register single cell RNA-seq and proteomic datasets taken from adjacent slices of glioblastoma samples. Outside the lab, Mustakim loves playing Dungeons and Dragons, growing cacti and solving twisty puzzles.
Charles P. Couturier
Principal Investigator
Charles Couturier, MD, PhD, FRCSC is a neurosurgeon and scientist at The Neuro, as well as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University, and an Associate Member of the Department of Human Genetics at McGill University. He is an associate member of the McConnell Brain Imaging Center at The Neuro, and is a research affiliate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge MA, and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston MA. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of New Brunswick and earned his medical degree from the Université de Montréal. He went on to pursue residency training in neurosurgery and a PhD in neuroscience and cancer biology at McGill University. He then undertook postdoctoral training in systems biology at MIT and the Broad Institute, where he studied glioblastoma architecture and immune infiltration. Concurrently, he completed a fellowship in image-guided neurosurgical oncology at the BWH. Dr. Couturier is an expert in brain tumour neurosurgical care, computational biology, and molecular biology. He holds dual appointments in neurosurgery and research and is committed to bridging clinical care with discovery science. Outside the lab and hospital, Charles enjoys playing tennis, skiing, traveling, and taking care of his young family.
Timothée Revil
Research Associate
Tim is a research associate at The Neuro, with over a decade of experience in genomics and computational biology.
His current work focuses on single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, with a particular interest in cellular heterogeneity and tissue organization in brain tumors. Tim brings deep expertise in high-throughput sequencing technologies, data integration, and the development of scalable analysis pipelines.
Outside the lab, he enjoys jogging, cycling, ultimate frisbee, and spending time outdoors with his family and Labradoodle.
Marina Broomfield Povedano
PhD Student
Marina is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Program at McGill University. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacology followed by a Master’s in Neuroscience. At the lab, Marina’s research focuses on understanding the cellular drivers and application of novel therapeutics for edema, a major contributor to glioblastoma morbidity. During her time outside the lab, Marina loves spending time with friends, listening to live music, absorbing sun, and playing soccer.
Lin Liu
PhD Student
Lin is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Cancer Science Program at McGill University. She completed her HBSc in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in Neuroscience. Lin’s PhD project focuses on understanding the immune landscapes of brain tumours at the transcriptomic and proteomic levels. Outside the lab, Lin enjoys immersing herself in nature, listening to live music and watching movies, and playing different sports with friends.
Michael Luo
PhD Student
Michael is a PhD student in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience at McGill University. He completed his BSc in Life Science and his MSc in Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen’s University before joining the Petrecca Lab and Couturier Lab at McGill. His PhD project focuses on understanding stem-like glioblastoma cells in their in situ spatial context within the tumour. In particular, Michael studies microenvironmental determinants of stem-like glioblastoma cells and uses these insights for therapeutic targeting. Outside the lab, Michael enjoys cooking, jogging, and archery.
James Randolph
PhD Student
James is a rotation student in the Quantitative Life Sciences PhD program. He received a joint bachelors degree in Biology and Computer Science from McGill. In Couturier lab he is investigating the subclonal dynamics of glioblastoma genetics using single cell multiomic data. Outside of the lab, James loves to cook, play sports and learn from his friends.
Mustakim Fil Umar
PhD Student
Mustakim is a rotation student in the Quantitative Life Sciences PhD program. He completed his BSc from McGill in the joint Computer Science and Biology program. For his project, Mustakim is looking into ways to spatially co-register single cell RNA-seq and proteomic datasets taken from adjacent slices of glioblastoma samples. Outside the lab, Mustakim loves playing Dungeons and Dragons, growing cacti and solving twisty puzzles.
Publications
Featured Publications
Programs, origins and immunomodulatory functions of myeloid cells in glioma
Nature
February 2025
Single-cell RNA-seq reveals that glioblastoma recapitulates a normal neurodevelopmental hierarchy
Nature Communications
July 2020
All Publications
Serial multiomics uncovers anti-glioblastoma responses not evident by routine clinical analyses
Science Translational Medicine
October 2025
PubMedInvestigative needle core biopsies support multimodal deep-data generation in glioblastoma
Nature Communications
April 2025
PubMedIntratumoral gene delivery of 4-1BBL boosts IL-12-triggered anti-glioblastoma immunity
bioRxiv
February 2025
PubMedMutation and cell state compatibility is required and targetable in Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia minimal residual disease
bioRxiv
June 2024
PubMedGlioblastoma scRNA-seq shows treatment-induced, immune-dependent increase in mesenchymal cancer cells and structural variants in distal neural stem cells
Neuro Oncology
September 2022
PubMedSingle-Cell Multiomics Reveals Clonal T-Cell Expansions and Exhaustion in Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm
Frontiers in Immunology
March 2022
PubMedAll Publications
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We’re an interdisciplinary team that values scientific rigor, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit. Our lab fosters a supportive environment where trainees are encouraged to think critically, communicate openly, and grow both intellectually and professionally. We’re always looking for motivated, thoughtful people who thrive in a dynamic research setting. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact us via the inquiry form for more information about available opportunities.
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The Neuro, McGill University, 3801 University St. Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4