A partnership between the Universities of Brighton and Sussex with the NHS

 

oncology and genetics

The department of Psychosocial Oncology, funded by Cancer UK, under the direction of Professor Lesley Fallowfield, provides a strong impetus to this group.

Professor Fallowfield’s work is highly respected around the world for the studies she has led on the importance of developing communication skills in working with patients with cancer, and for helping to understand the psychological morbidity associated with cancer and its treatment.

The joint appointment of Dr Anthony Chalmers, Senior Lecturer and MRC Clinical Scientist, between BSMS and the Genome Centre, University of Sussex, is an excellent example of collaboration between the medical school and its parent universities. Dr Chalmers works on methods of increasing the sensitivity of certain cancer cells to radiotherapy.

Imaging is an important part of the focus on research in oncology. Prof Ken Miles, Professor of Medical Imaging, has a strong interest in imaging of tumour angiogenesis and its relation to tumour metastasis, and Prof Mike Peters, who holds the Chair in Applied Physiology, works on imaging the spread of cancer cells, in particular in breast cancer. Prof Paul Tofts is interested in quantitative MRI of the brain.

BSMS has research links with the School of Pharmacy, University of Brighton, with projects on ligand targeting.

Importantly, the Royal Sussex County Hospital is a regional cancer centre, providing a key partner for future clinical work in this area.