Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

17/10/2025

The Narita Group has been awarded a Cancer Research UK Biology to Prevention award.

In this short audio clip, Iannish Sadien, a postdoc and clinical lecturer in the group, discusses the aims of the team's research and how the funding will enable the next stage of their work both in the lab and alongside patients.

15/10/2025

🆕 Join our panel and influence the future of cancer research

We want to make sure that everything we do is informed by the people most affected by cancer – patients and their loved ones. That’s why we are piloting a new Patient Panel to bring patient perspectives into the heart of our Institute’s strategy and decision-making.

We welcome applications from anyone affected by cancer, whether you’re a patient or loved one, so long as you are aged 18 and over, and are living within Cambridgeshire and East England. You do not need previous experience on patient panels.

Find out more and apply: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/patient-and-public-involvement-panel-member/

10/10/2025

"Taking part is going to be moving and uplifting in equal parts."

Scientists from our Carroll Group are entering this year's Cambridge Shine Walk - one of a series of Cancer Research UK evening walking fundraising events, taking place across the UK.

Dr Rao is calling on people of all ages and abilities to grab their glowsticks and walk alongside her in solidarity with those affected by cancer. Her motivation stems from both her research and a close family member’s battle with breast cancer.

24/09/2025

Team ILLUMINE and our Director Prof Greg Hannon have been shortlisted for the final stages of Cancer Grand Challenges. Their project looks to map and characterise the cancer dark proteome - a group of mysterious and largely unknown proteins that exist in our cells.

Cancer Grand Challenges is the only initiative of its kind in cancer. By bringing together leading researchers from different disciplines and institutes around the world, global super teams are formed to take on the most complex challenges in cancer research.

Team ILLUMINE will now compete for up to £20m in funding alongside 12 other multidisciplinary global teams.

https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/news/prof-greg-hannon-shortlisted-for-prestigious-cancer-grand-challenge/

21/07/2025

Beyond carrying out vital research, our staff are involved in numerous science outreach and training activities throughout the year.

Recently, we hosted a cohort of Year 12 students for our annual Careers Lab. This week-long work experience programme is designed to inspire the next generation of potential STEM and cancer research scientists and supporters.

Find out more about Careers Lab and other student opportunities: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/students/

11/07/2025

New research published today by the Institute's de la Roche Group is shining a light on why some cancer drugs have been underperforming in clinical trials.

Through a clinical research study at Cambridge University Hospitals, researchers discovered that Hedgehog inhibitors can block immune cells from entering tumours to fight cancer cells. This knowledge is an important piece of the puzzle, opening new opportunities for immunotherapies to be made more effective.

Read more:

03/07/2025

Institute scientist Dr Jane Gray, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, was guest of honour at in Cambridge, joining thousands of participants to raise more than £200,000 for life-saving cancer research.

Full story: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/news/dr-jane-gray-made-guest-of-honour-at-race-for-life/

25/06/2025

🏆 Congratulations to Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian!

He has been awarded the prestigious Khorana Prize by the Royal Society of Chemistry for his groundbreaking work on DNA structures known as G-quadruplexes.

This research is helping scientists better understand how genes are switched on and off, with exciting potential for new cancer treatments.

Find out more:

Professor Balasubramanian is recognised for groundbreaking and highly influential work exploring the chemistry and chemical biology of nucleic acids. These discoveries are advancing our understanding of cancer and gene regulation, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches.

23/06/2025

The days of chemotherapy being offered as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment are ending.

Scientists from our Genomics Facility, Brenton Group and Markowetz Group have created a test which can successfully predict whether cancer will resist common forms of chemotherapy treatment.

This discovery has been made in collaboration with Geoff Macintyre, CNIO and Cambridge-based startup at Tailor Bio.

Find out about how this could personalise chemotherapy treatments and improve patient experience: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/news/scientists-create-test-to-predict-chemotherapy-resistance/

19/06/2025

Being environmentally sustainable is not only good for the planet but saves us money, ensuring more of our funding goes to the science and not the bills.

We are delighted to have received our Green Impact Platinum Sustainability Award for 2025. This status recognises the fantastic work of our Property Services, Core Facilities and Operations teams who have found innovative ways to run our buildings and labs - without getting in the way of our scientists and their vital work.

Find out more in this quick video with Chloe Cashman who leads our internal sustainability initiatives.

17/06/2025

We are delighted to welcome Dr Hana Aliee to the Institute. She joins as a Junior Group Leader and will lead her team in developing AI models to understand the molecular mechanisms driving health and disease, advancing more personalised and inclusive healthcare solutions.

Find out more: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/news/dr-hana-aliee-appointed-as-a-junior-group-leader/

10/06/2025

“It’s tough to get up and out training before work sometimes but having a goal like a world championship keeps me motivated. Knowing the challenges people face every day in their battle with cancer keeps me grounded, and being able to raise money for Cancer Research UK and help their research is always inspiring and a driver to keep going.”

Great British athlete and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute scientist Ian Hall is set to take part in World Duathlon Championships in Spain and raise funds for vital research.

Ian, who has worked at the Institute for 14 years supporting scientists with their research into many different types and aspects of cancer, knows only too well the power of research and the need for vital funds.

Find out more about Ian's preparations and motivations ahead of the event: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/news/ian-hall-world-duathlon-championships/