Science Talk
With our Science Talk blog, we hope to lift the lid on the black box that is the ICR: to show you inside our labs, to introduce you to a few of the people here who make the discoveries, and to allow them to tell some of the stories behind the science. We try to put our discoveries in a wider scientific context, and give an idea of how our science is actually done. We also give you the view from the ICR of important developments in the wider world of cancer research.
Why some childhood cancers are examples of ‘big bang’ evolution
Normally cancer occurs through the accumulation of mutations – but in some childhood cancers, it seems that a single mutation can be enough.
What’s hot as one of cancer’s biggest events draws to a close for another year?
Our researchers have been presenting their work at a massive, international conference this week. Liz Burtally caught up with some of them to discover what was discussed.
The versatility of ultrasound – from bats to battling cancer
Ultrasound as a medical application has been with us for more than 75 years, but it seems that it is only now that are we exploring its full potential for improving cancer treatment.
ICR researchers set off for prestigious international cancer conference
The internationally renowned AACR cancer conference starts tomorrow in Philadelphia, and some of our leading researchers will be attending to present their cutting-edge research.
An unusual, ethical evening at the Science Museum
ICR researcher Dr Udai Banerji visited the Science Museum to talk about a subject close to his heart – the ethics and realities of early clinical trials.
Mapping the evolutionary road to metastasis
New research into advanced prostate cancer reveals that the evolutionary path to cancer spread isn’t just a one-way street.
Revealed: secrets of an 80s cancer gene
As technology advances, researchers are finding there’s still a lot they don’t know about genes discovered almost 30 years ago – with important implications for cancer treatment.
High hopes for hypofractionation in search for cheaper, better radiotherapy
Giving radiotherapy in fewer treatments but at higher doses could work just as well as standard regimes, but be cheaper and more convenient for patients.
Taking some of the uncertainties out of cancer surgery
The London—Milan collaboration aiming to make operations for kidney cancer less risky
Discussing personalised cancer medicine with the aid of glitter glue, Jenga, and some locked-away sweets
Scientists, students and staff headed to the Royal Holloway Festival and encouraged local families and children to become 'DNA Detectives' – sharing our research with them.
How children miss out on the latest cancer drugs – and a year in childhood cancer research
Our call to change EU rules that allow companies to avoid testing promising new drugs in children featured prominently in the media last week – coinciding with the relaunch of two fundraising appeals that feature our childhood cancer research.
In modern cancer treatment, are two drugs better than one?
We are now armed with an extensive arsenal of targeted drugs, but drug resistance is inevitable. Researchers are realising that combining targeted therapies together might limit drug resistance. So are two drugs better than one?
Sandwiches, the pancreas and cancer’s bullying of healthy cells
Dr Chris Tape, a cellular biochemist at The Institute of Cancer Research, and a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow, talked about his research as part of the Wellcome Trust Packed Lunch series of talks.
Panorama’s behind the scenes glimpse at how science benefits cancer patients – and vice versa
This week’s Panorama programme, Can you cure my cancer?, is a fantastic opportunity for us
to talk about the ICR’s research and to get across how closely we work with our partner hospital, The Royal Marsden.
For rare cancers like mine, research has to go international
"As a patient with a rare tumour, I was interested to read a paper that presents challenges and methods available for conducting collaborative research into rare cancers."
Targeted treatments, big data and the pros and cons of having your genome sequenced
The ICR’s Professor Nazneen Rahman took part in an international debate on genomics – and is keen to hear your views on knowing your sequence
3D assays, genetic tests going mainstream and new ‘epigenetic’ drugs – ICR researchers gaze into their crystal balls
We asked some of our top researchers to take a look forward to what they expect for 2015. Here are their predictions about the upcoming year...
Huge team effort on REF is rewarded by a fantastic result and memorable week
It was an enormous undertaking from our research and support staff to submit to the REF process – Dr Barbara Pittam reflects on a memorable week for The Institute of Cancer Research.
Why patients need to be involved in using data to transform cancer care
This year’s Britain Against Cancer conference brought together MPs, policy makers, researchers, clinicians and patients to discuss cancer policy.
Looks can be deceiving: high grade glioma in children and adults
Two diseases that look the same might be hiding different genetic mutations.