Science Talk

The Institute of Cancer Research in London is Britain's leading academic research centre, and the top cancer research institute in Europe. We're world leaders in, amongst other things, cancer genetics -- responsible for discovering well over a hundred cancer risk genes, including BRCA2 and BRAF, and for revealing the molecular mechanisms of many more. And our cutting-edge targeted drug discovery programme -- responsible for taking 16 drugs into preclinical studies since 2005 alone -- is the most productive in the academic world. Meanwhile, as a college of the University of London, we are training the next generation of research leaders and top cancer doctors.

The results of our work have delivered amazing benefits to patients -- thanks to the very close relationship we have with The Royal Marsden, partners in our ‘bench-to-bedside’ operation -- and our highly accomplished teams of researchers hit the headlines each time they make the discoveries that advance our understanding of cancer and our chances of defeating the disease. But for all that, most of what actually goes on inside the ICR to produce those results is unknown to the outside world. Funds go in and results come out, but in the middle is a black box, the ICR.

With this blog we hope to lift the lid on that black box a little: to show you inside our labs, to introduce you to a few of the people who make the discoveries, and to allow them to tell some of the stories behind the science. We'll also be giving you the view from the ICR of important developments in the wider world of cancer research.

You'll be hearing a lot from me -- Joe Dunckley -- as editor of this site; and from our media team, led by Claire Bithell; as well as stories from science writer Liz Burtally, communications manager Louise Dean, and science information and policy officer Eva Sharpe. And of course, you'll be hearing from the researchers themselves. And hopefully we'll be hearing from you: starting with the sort of things you'd like to hear more about from us.