Our research into cell signalling
Every cell in our bodies is constantly communicating, sending and receiving signals within the cell itself, and between nearby cells. These signals control how often cells should multiply, and are normally tightly controlled to protect us from cancer.
Cancer cells contain genetic faults that can alter these complex signalling networks. This gives them ‘superpowers’, such as the ability to grow out of control or attract blood vessels to provide them with nutrients.
Our scientists are unravelling these signalling networks to understand how they control cell behaviour. They are investigating signalling in healthy cells, and finding out how it goes wrong in cancer. Their work is helping us to understand the molecules involved in cancer, and could pave the way for future treatments.
Below are some of the highlights of our cell signalling research portfolio.
On this page
Myeloma
Prof Paul Moss
School of Cancer Sciences
University of Birmingham, Birmingham
Understanding the development of myeloma
Professor Paul Moss heads the School of Cancer Sciences in Birmingham and directs 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.
No specific cancer type
Prof Julian Downward
Signal Transduction Laboratory
London Research Institute, London
Understanding how communication goes wrong in cancer cells
Professor Julian Downward leads the Signal Transduction Laboratory at our London Research Institute. He is studying genes and proteins within cancer cells to find out how communication pathways break down in cancer. This work is improving our understanding of what goes wrong in cancer and revealing new ways to treat the disease.
Prof Bass Hassan
Department of Medical Oncology
Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford
Blocking growth signals to beat cancer
Professor Bass Hassan at The Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine is investigating the faulty signals that drive cancer cell growth. He is also developing new cancer treatments that aim to block the action of these key growth signals.
Dr Caroline Hill
Developmental Signalling Laboratory
Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London
The two faces of TGF beta
Dr Caroline Hill heads the Developmental Signalling Laboratory at our London Research Institute. She is an expert on a group of molecules called growth factors – signals sent between cells that tell them when to multiply, and when to stop. If there are too many growth factor molecules – or if cells respond over-enthusiastically to them – cells can start to multiply out of control, leading to cancer.
Prof Yvonne Jones
Division of Structural Biology
Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford
Studying the shape and structure of proteins
Professor Yvonne Jones is a leading expert in the field of 'structural biology' - studying the shape of molecules. She directs our Receptor Structure Research Group in Oxford, which is investigating proteins on the surface of cells that play key roles in cancer. This information will help researchers to develop new cancer drugs that target these proteins.
Dr Almut Schulze
Gene Expression Analysis Laboratory
Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London
Studying the signals at the heart of cancer
Dr Almut Schulze leads the Gene Expression Analysis lab at our London Research Institute. Her team is investigating how signalling inside cancer cells can change the way they behave. By unravelling the inner workings of cancer, her work is giving clues for new ways to tackle the disease.
Dr Richard Treisman
Transcription Laboratory
London Research Institute, London
Cells behaving badly: how faulty signals can lead to cancer
Dr Richard Treisman is the Director of our London Research Institute, and is internationally recognised for his pioneering research into cell biology. He is unravelling the molecular signals that cause changes in cells, which can ultimately lead to cancer.
Skin cancer
Prof Irene Leigh
Cancer Research UK Skin Tumour Laboratory
The University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee
Understanding the development of skin cancer
Professor Irene Leigh is an expert in the biology and causes of non-melanoma skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the UK. Her work is uncovering how this cancer develops, leading to new ways to prevent and treat the disease.
Prof Richard Marais
Section of Cell and Molecular Biology
Institute of Cancer Research, London
Cell signalling and melanoma skin cancer
Professor Richard Marais leads the Signal Transduction Team at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). He is an expert in the underlying causes of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. His team is looking at how cells communicate with one another and how faults in these messages can cause this disease, with a particular focus on the BRAF protein.
Increase text
Decrease text
Print this page
