CANCER RESEARCH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry
Dr Marin has extensive experience in analytical bionanotechnology and the use of nanomaterials for diagnosis and delivery of therapeutics both in academic and industrial settings. In the field of nano-diagnostic tools, Maria's research focusses on the development of fluorescent ratiometric nanosensors for the quantification of intracellular analytes involved in disease states including cancer. Her research in drug delivery focusses on the use of nanomaterials for targeted photodynamic therapy of cancer (PDT). She has published the in vivo passive targeting of melanoma skin cancer using gold nanoparticles functionalised with phthalocyanine drugs and polyethylene glycol; and the active targeting of breast cancer using antibody-functionalised nanoparticles. More recently, she has published the use of upconverting nanoparticles for the treatment of tumours that are deeper into the tissue. Currently, Maria is working on the development of near infrared photoexcitable nanoplatforms for theranostic applications in cancer.
Job Titles:
- Group Leader / Senior Lecturer in Biomedicine
Mark's research focusses on the signalling pathways that regulate the physiology of the human gut epithelium in health, inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. The Williams lab ethos is to understand the homeostatic mechanisms that promote human life-long GI health so that the onset of disease can be prevented or treated using precision medicine.
Mark's group has been at the forefront of developing 3D models of the native human colonic epithelium. They have developed a living human intestinal organoid platform to study chemoprevention & personalised medicine for colorectal cancer. Comparative functional genomic studies of organoids derived from healthy individuals and organoids/tumouroids cultured from colon cancer patients are being used in the following studies:
Intestinal stem cell regulation in relation to colon cancer risk and tumour growth
Investigation of the calcium signalling pathway in health, and in relation to pre-cancerous and neoplastic cancer cell growth
Understanding the regulation of mucus secretion in relation to colon cancer risk
Job Titles:
- Group Leader
- Senior Lecturer
Historically the Robinson lab focuses on understanding the molecular basis of endothelial cell adhesion and migration in regulating angiogenesis. We have established a strong reputation for combining the use of transgenic and knockout mice with cellular and molecular biology to gain mechanistic insight into physiological and pathological (particularly in the context of solid tumours) angiogenesis. We also study how microbial communities and specific microbiota members interact with the host to regulate tumour immune surveillance during breast and pancreatic cancer, as well as during vascular development and health.
Job Titles:
- Professor in Medical Bioinformatics and Genom
I co-lead the Cancer Genetics Team with Prof. Colin Cooper. My main research interests lie in applying and developing novel analytic techniques to large-scale ‘omic datasets from human tumour samples to answer clinically relevant questions in translational cancer research with the aim of improving clinical outcomes, with a focus on prostate cancer.
The construction and development of molecular biomarkers from urine samples. This has led to the development of the PUR test.
The development of subtypes of prostate cancer and other cancers. We have identified DESNT, a highly aggressive subtype.
The analysis of large scale ‘omics datasets to reveal insights in to the aetiology and evolution of prostate cancer, with a particular interest in the clonal expansions found in normal tissue.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Addiction Sciences
Caitlin's program of applied research focuses on tobacco smoking relapse prevention, particularly targeting vulnerable populations. She has a particular interest in tobacco harm reduction approaches to treatment, and supporting maintenance of positive behaviour change for cancer prevention. Her team have expertise in quantitative and qualitative applied research methods, with specialist expertise in developing and evaluating complex interventions. Caitlin has led the Cochrane review of financial incentives for smoking cessation and is a core member of the Cochrane tobacco group reviewing the evidence on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. Currently Caitlin is leading:
Job Titles:
- Group Leader, Molecules from Nature
Much of Cathie's work has been undertaken in tomatoes, enriching their nutrient content with, for example, resveratrol and anthocyanin.
Cathie collaborates to test these enhanced foods in intervention studies and also undertakes studies into how these modified fruits have improved shelf-life and reduced susceptibility to grey mould, Botrytis cinerea.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Professor Medicine Haematology
I studied medicine at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals Medical School, London. I trained as a junior doctor in London, Kent and South Africa before specialist training in haematology in Cambridge and Norwich. I undertook my PhD at the University of Cambridge, studying haematopoietic stem cell self renewal. I have been a Consultant Haematologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital since 2006 and Professor of Haematology at Norwich Medical School since 2013.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Cell Biology / Head of Pharmacology
Maria's research is focused on two main areas related to cancer:
1) Natural products for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Plants provide an abundance of compounds with therapeutic potential. Plant compounds found in the foods we eat may also have potential as nutraceuticals in the prevention of cancer. The O'Connell group investigate plant natural products including peptides, triterpenes, flavonoids and vitamins for their anti-tumorigenic and anti-inflammatory effects and the intracellular mechanisms involved.
2) Novel therapeutics for cancer. The O'Connell group investigate (i) the role of the Nrf family in cancer and the development of novel therapeutics targeting this pathway and (ii) cellular mechanisms of action of novel protein-protein interaction inhibitors and metal complexes targeting cancer.