Basic research
Some scientists want to find the answers to very general questions, like:
- How do cells work?
- Why do cells grow?
- How do cells know when to divide?
Basic research is the study of how cells work. Cancer researchers who carry out basic research don’t focus on finding a new treatment or developing a new drug. Instead, they want to understand what makes cancer cells different from normal cells.
Scientists who do basic cancer research look at the molecules that cause this disease, such as proteins and DNA. They try to find out what goes wrong when cancer develops.
Here's an example of basic research:
Cancer Research UK funded scientists in Scotland recently revealed the secrets of an important protein called MYC, which contributes to 1 in 7 cancer deaths.
The cells in our body need MYC in order to divide, but sometimes MYC becomes faulty and goes into overdrive, leading to cancer.
Our researchers discovered that MYC turns on specific proteins that fuel the rapid growth and division of cancer cells. Knowing which proteins are activated by MYC will allow us to find new ways to slow down or halt the cancer process.
Basic research is very important because it lays the foundation for much of the other types of research we will discuss in the next few pages.
Find out about Cancer Research UK's achievements in basic research in the 'Our history and achievements' section.
