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.
Evolution, cancer and coronavirus – how biology’s ‘Theory of Everything’ is key to fighting cancer and global pandemics
Darwin day marks the birthday of Sir Charles Darwin, the father of modern biology. Graham Shaw talked to Team Leaders Dr Alejandra Bruna and Dr Marco Bezzi from the ICR’s Centre for Evolution and Cancer, to learn more about how evolution helps us understand cancer and the parallels in the fight against coronavirus.
The splice of life
Professor Vlad Pena recently joined the Division of Structural Biology at The Institute of Cancer Research. Juanita Bawagan spoke to him about his research on splicing, a vital process in cells that can cause disease when gone awry.
AI and the genome: What’s next for precision cancer treatment?
Statisticians, clinicians and scientists across disciplines will come together virtually for the Festival of Genomics & Biodata from 26-29 January. Juanita Bawagan spoke to the ICR’s Dr Anguraj Sadanandam ahead of his presentation on data, AI and therapeutics for precision oncology.
“Being told I had the BRCA2 mutation effectively saved my life” – Tony’s story
After both he and his sister were diagnosed with breast cancer, Tony Herbert decided to undergo genetic testing to see if he had a BRCA mutation. Here he talks about how the result may have saved his life.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Non-small cell lung cancer and the targeted drug revolution
To mark Lung Cancer Awareness Month, our Communications Administrator Molly Andrews spoke to Dr Paul Huang about how targeted drugs have changed the landscape of non-small cell lung cancer treatment, and the challenges arising as a result of resistance to these drugs.
Five steps to improve access to cancer immunotherapies
Immunotherapies are some of the most innovative new cancer treatments available to patients, but more needs to be done to get them to as many patients as possible. Policy Officer Aislinn Santoni looks at the barriers to wider access and what we can do to overcome them.
Access routes and asking prices - getting drugs to cancer patients
Today the ICR and 15 organisations launch a nine point plan on cancer drug pricing and access. Here, our Policy Officer Joanne Duffy speaks to patient advocate Emma Robertson about the recommendations.
How we’re tackling the underrepresentation of BAME students in our postgraduate research
Professor Bamber, the ICR’s Deputy Dean, sets out how we are promoting diversity and racial equality among our postgraduate students.
Rising to the challenge – the clinical researchers who joined the NHS frontline against COVID-19
Many of our researchers are clinician scientists – focusing much of their time on scientific work, but often continuing to see patients too. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK in March, many put their research to one side in order to be redeployed or seconded to the NHS front line. Here are some of their stories from the start of the year.
NCRI 2020: The UK's largest cancer conference goes virtual
This year, the National Cancer Research Institute annual conference is taking place as a virtual event, enabling researchers and clinicians to stay connected despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As always – although this year from a distance – we will be reporting on innovative ICR science presented at the conference.
Looking back on a distinguished career – Professor David Dearnaley
After an acclaimed career spanning more than 40 years, Professor David Dearnaley, Professor of Uro-Oncology at the ICR and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden, has retired. His work has changed best practice on a global level, impacting the lives of an untold number of cancer patients and advancing cancer research.
Immunotherapy goes viral: ICR research on cancer-killing viruses featured on BBC’s The One Show
Before lockdown, TV presenter and medical doctor, Kevin Fong, visited The Institute of Cancer Research to find out all about our work on viral immunotherapy for BBC’s The One Show. Senior Media Officer, Sarah Wells, explores how our researchers are using viruses against cancer.
Biology Week 2020: Zooming in on DNA repair
Dr Basil Greber recently joined the Division of Structural Biology at The Institute of Cancer Research. To mark Biology Week 2020, Céleste Nilges spoke to him about his work on the structural and molecular mechanisms of DNA repair, and how new technology has revolutionised his field.
How the ICR is tackling race inequality in science
Naa-Anyima Boateng is a Higher Scientific Officer and Chair of the Black, Asian and minority ethnic forum at the ICR and The Royal Marsden. This Black History Month, she gives her personal reflections on race equality in science.
Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month: New trial offers hope for patients with rare hard-to-treat gynaecological cancer
Around 21,000 people are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer in the UK each year. This September - Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month - our Communications Administrator Molly Andrews spoke to Professor Chris Lord and Dr Susana Banerjee about an important new trial in the gynaecological cancer field.
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I think therefore I am – how perception influences sarcoma survivors’ journeys
Delays in cancer diagnosis can have a profound impact on patients, but so too can their perception of the process. New ICR research shows that there is a complex relationship between patient wellbeing and waiting times. Science Communications Officer Joanne Duffy delves in.
The little girl driving change: how Aoife’s legacy will help other children
After Aoife Flanagan died of germ cell cancer at the age of three, her mum, Eilish, set up a charity in her daughter’s name to change the future for other children with cancer.
Supporting our students in these extraordinary times
Our Registrar and Director of Academic Services, Dr Barbara Pittam, discusses how we are supporting our students as they navigate the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
“We don’t know how much time we’ve got left together” – Sally’s melanoma story
Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have helped discover and develop many targeted treatments that are enabling cancer patients to live longer and with a better quality of life. Sally Steadman-South explains what these research advances have meant for her and her family, and why she needs this work to continue.
Cancer and COVID-19: how coronavirus has delayed vital cancer treatments
Henry French looks at how an Institute of Cancer Research-led study into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with cancer helped to start a national debate.