Cancer

Identifying genes that increase the risk of bowel or other cancers allows us to offer preventative measures, such as removing tumours at an early stage. A better understanding of how and why cancers grow also helps develop improved treatments. Ian Tomlinson, Professor of Molecular and Population Genetics at the Wellcome Trust for Human Genetics, works on the identification of genes that predispose to colorectal and other cancers. His research focuses on the relative importance of selection and genomic instability.

Cancer research now generates huge amounts of data, and sophisticated computational tools are needed to answer biological questions. Making sense of this variability at molecular level will help us better tailor treatments to individual cancer patients. Dr Benjamin Schuster-Böckler heads the computational group at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. His work has demonstrated that epigenetic modifications influence the mutational landscape in cancer cells. He studies the effects of DNA-binding proteins on transcription factors, with the aim to understand the regulation (and mis-regulation) of the transcription of important oncogenes and tumour suppressors.

Professor Xin Lu talks about the links between cancer and regenerative medicine. Identifying the switches that turn cell growth off and on would have profound implications for cancer medicine. If the right mechanisms can be found, cancer cells could be targeted specifically, resulting in more efficient treatments. Professor Xin Lu is working to identify the molecular mechanisms that naturally suppress tumour growth. Nuclear reprogramming could also enable cells to be utilized more safely and effectively in regenerative medicine.

Dr Patrick Pollard tells us about his research on cancer metabolism. Cancer cells produce energy predominately through a high rate of glycolysis; it has been suggested that this change in metabolism is the fundamental cause of cancer. Dr Patrick Pollard aims to elucidate the alternative metabolic strategies used by cancer cells with high concentrations of glucose to proliferate, even under conditions of stress. These mechanisms could then become targets for more effective cancer therapies.

Dr Raghib Ali talks about INDOX, the cancer research network in India. The INDOX Cancer Research Network is a collaboration between Oxford and twelve leading cancer centres in India. As Director of this Network, Dr Raghib Ali aims to improve early detection of cancer and to develop effective and affordable cancer treatments for low and middle-income countries. Dr Ali's main interest is in colorectal (bowel) cancer and other chronic, non-communicable diseases. Incidence of colorectal cancer in India has been relatively low historically; understanding why may help us establish risk factors and also lead to new treatments.