Research divisions

Research at The Institute of Cancer Research is structured into eight scientific divisions.
Breast cancer cells (green) invading through a layer of fibroblasts (red). (Luke Henry / the ICR, 2009)

Breast Cancer Research

The Division of Breast Cancer Research focuses on identifying the genetic and environmental causes of breast cancer, in order to improve diagnosis and assessment of treatment response, and discover new targets for cancer therapies.

(Jan Chlebik for the ICR, 2013)

Cancer Biology

The Division of Cancer Biology studies the complex interplay of genes, proteins and biological processes that drive the development, growth and spread of cancers, providing the essential foundations for the identification of new treatment targets.

Cancer Therapeutics

The Division of Cancer Therapeutics is exploiting the addictions, dependencies and vulnerabilities of cancer cells to discover innovative small-molecule drugs, and essential biomarkers, for personalised cancer treatment.

Clinical Studies

The Division of Clinical Studies carries out or coordinates high-quality trials at both an early phase – typically to test new targeted drugs – and a later stage, and operates across tumour types in both adults and children.

Genetics and Epidemiology

The Division of Genetics and Epidemiology conducts high-quality laboratory, epidemiological and clinical research to understand the genes, behaviours and exposures that influence cancer risk, and translate discoveries into clinical practice.

Molecular Pathology

The Division of Molecular Pathology is focused on understanding the molecular alterations important in cancer’s development, progression and response to treatment, as a step towards personalised cancer medicine.

Radiotherapy and Imaging

The Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging is investigating new imaging methods to diagnose cancer, and ways in which advances in technology and molecular biology can improve radiation treatment, as well as ways of using imaging to evaluate treatment response.

Structural Biology

The Division of Structural Biology aims to describe the structural and biochemical properties of proteins and the complexes they form, and to understand the significance of these proteins in the development and treatment of cancer.