£37.5m for cancer research
25 Mar 2015
Cancer Research UK has partnered with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to fund a number of multidisciplinary cancer research projects.
The partnership boosts the amount of funding for collaborative research to £37.5 million over five years, with joint awards being issued by Cancer Research UK as early as April.
Today’s announcement builds on the levels of interest in Cancer Research UK’s Multidisciplinary Project Award Scheme launched in August last year.
“This partnership will help the UK acquire tools and skills we need in our collective battle against cancer
EPSRC chief executive Philip Nelson
It will also stimulate innovation and combine disciplines to accelerate progress in cancer research.
An example of this can be seen at Oxford University where Cancer Research UK scientists from across different areas of expertise are working on new treatment technologies for prostate cancer.
In that instance, they are developing imaging techniques coupled with new fluorescent probes that make it easier for surgeons to distinguish prostate cancer from normal tissue during surgery - improving patient outcomes, the charity said.
Chief executive of the EPSRC Philip Nelson said: “This new partnership will build further on our existing collaborative work which is already reaping rich rewards for scientists, engineers, clinicians and of course, patients.
“We are confident that the strength of these collaborations will inspire more researchers to work with Cancer Research UK, EPSRC and other partners.
“This partnership will help the UK acquire tools and skills we need in our collective battle against cancer.”
