Cancer research lab's £6m extra annual cash boost

A "world-class" cancer research centre is celebrating a further £6m of investment to study the disease "under closer detail than ever before", its director has said.

Cancer Research UK's Biomarker Centre in Manchester tests how genes, proteins and molecules can give insights into a person's cancer, so clinicians can develop personalised treatments.

The charity has announced its annual investment in the facility will increase from £11m to £17m to boost its expertise and advance cancer research in areas including immunology, data science and AI.

Once fully established, it said it will attract an extra 100 world-leading researchers and research staff to the city.

The institute is based in the University of Manchester's Paterson building and is connected to one of Europe's leading cancer hospitals, The Christie, allowing cells and samples from patients to be taken to the research lab in a matter of minutes.

The investment will also help to develop the next generation of clinician scientists - funding two new positions in partnership with The Christie.

It would further help to combine world-class research with placing patient care at each stage of the journey, the charity said.

Cancer Research said the additional funding would allow the institute to study cancer under closer detail than ever before and "build a platform to ensure the long-term emergence of new discoveries".

The director of the institute, Prof Samra Turajlić, said the extra investment would make a "huge difference" moving forwards and "will help us continue to attract the brightest minds" to Manchester.

She said: "Patients will be at the very heart of everything we do and the institute will be a real engine room for discovery."

Sharon Quennell, from Chadderton in Oldham, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 at the age of 36.

She had successful treatment at The Christie and last year celebrated a quarter of a century free of cancer.

The North Manchester General Hospital worker said: "The extra investment is amazing news for Manchester.

"As a former cancer patient, I am always humbled to hear about the exciting research work happening on my doorstep."

Vice president and dean of biology, medicine and health at the University of Manchester Prof Ashley Blom said the funding boost was great news and would create more opportunities for scientists "to turn bold ideas into breakthroughs that can change what's possible for patients".

He said the institute "sits at the heart of the city's cancer research strength, uniting world-class scientists under one mission".

"Its teams push the boundaries of discovery, from understanding the biology of cancer to developing treatments that change clinical practice," he added.

Prof Fiona Blackhall, of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, said having the research facilities on the site of The Christie hospital is what made Manchester such an important hub for cancer research.

"This means we can carry out research at every stage – from basic science to trials involving patients – all on one site."

She said the increase in investment "reflects the level of expertise we have here in Manchester and the difference that we're making for our patients".

She added: "Cancer research is a collaborative effort and we at The Christie are proud to work with our partners in the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and The University of Manchester to find new and better ways to detect, diagnose and treat cancer."

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