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Our research in Birmingham

University of Birmingham Institute of Cancer Studies The Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies was formed in 1994 to bring together scientists, doctors and nurses of the highest calibre at the University of Birmingham and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Now researchers at the institute have been brought together with scientists at the University of Birmingham and NHS cancer doctors to create the first  Cancer Research UK Centre, headed by Professor Paul Moss. The Birmingham Centre will be building on its already excellent reputation for research into cancer genes, gene therapy, and the links between viruses and certain cancers.

Below are some of the highlights of our research in Birmingham.

Cervical cancer

Dr Sally Roberts Dr Sally Roberts

Division of Cancer Studies

Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies, Birmingham

Investigating how HPV causes cervical cancer

Dr Sally Roberts works at the Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies in Birmingham. She is investigating how human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause cells to multiply out of control, leading to cervical cancer. Finding out more about HPV could lead to better treatment and prevention strategies for cervical cancer.

 

Children's cancers

Prof Mike Hawkins Prof Mike Hawkins

Centre for Childhood Cancer Survivor Studies

The University of Birmingham, Birmingham

Investigating the long-term effects of childhood cancer treatments

Professor Mike Hawkins directs the Centre for Childhood Cancer Survivor Studies at the University of Birmingham. His team monitor people who have, in the past, received treatment for childhood cancers. There are over 26,000 of these childhood cancer survivors alive in the UK today.

 

Lymphoma

Prof Alan Rickinson Prof Alan Rickinson

Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies

The University of Birmingham, Birmingham

Understanding viruses that cause cancer

Professor Alan Rickinson is a world expert on the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This virus is linked to certain types of cancer including Hodgkin's lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma - cancers that arise from cells of the immune system. 

Prof Lawrence Young Prof Lawrence Young

Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies

The University of Birmingham, Birmingham

Understanding viruses that cause cancer

Professor Lawrence Young is Head of College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. Together with his team, he is investigating how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to certain types of cancer including Hodgkin's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer. 

 

Myeloma

Prof Paul Moss Prof Paul Moss

Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies

University of Birmingham, Birmingham

Understanding the development of myeloma

Professor Paul Moss works at the Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies in Birmingham and directs of the city's Cancer Research UK Centre. He is investigating why bone marrow cells called plasma cells sometimes multiply out of control, leading to a type of cancer known as myeloma.

 

Nasopharyngeal cancer

Prof Lawrence Young Prof Lawrence Young

Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies

The University of Birmingham, Birmingham

Understanding viruses that cause cancer

Professor Lawrence Young is Head of College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. Together with his team, he is investigating how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to certain types of cancer including Hodgkin's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer. 

 

Prostate cancer

Prof Nick James Prof Nick James

Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies

The University of Birmingham, Birmingham

Improving prostate cancer treatment

Professor Nick James is Professor of Clinical Oncology at the University of Birmingham and also Consultant in Clinical Oncology at the city's Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He is carrying out an important 8-year long trial looking at the use of hormone treatment for prostate cancer.

 

Soft tissue sarcoma

Dr David Blackbourn Dr David Blackbourn

Tumour virology

Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies, Birmingham

Understanding how viruses cause cancer

At the Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies in Birmingham, Dr David Blackbourn is investigating a cancer-causing virus called Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Understanding more about this virus could lead to new ways to prevent or treat the cancer it causes.