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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Oncology

Oncology

Cancer is one of the key research areas at BSMS, recognising the enormous health burden attributable to this disease in the south east of England and throughout the UK.

Black and while microscopic image showing cancer cells

Cancer

The medical school has made substantial investment in cancer research and is committed to build on this success over the coming decade.

Our cancer research focus capitalises upon existing world-class scientific research institutes at the University of Sussex, notably the Genome Damage and Stability Centre (GDSC), led by Professor Tony Carr, and the Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C), led by Professor Dame Lesley Fallowfield.

BSMS has invested in important cancer facilities including the Clinical Investigation and Research Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and the purpose-built Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre (CISC) at the University of Sussex. First-class translational research facilities are available on the Falmer university campus and BSMS is in advanced discussion with the Trust to create new clinical research facilities on the hospital site as part of the 3T-redevelopment programme.

Key appointments at BSMS in the field of cancer medicine include Dr Tim Chevassut, academic haematologist, who chairs the Cancer Translation Advisory Group (CTAG), Professor Sarah Newbury, cell biologist and lead for the Brighton and Sussex Cancer Research Network, and Professor Carrie Llewellyn and Professor Anjum Memon, both epidemiologists with an interest in cancer.

Cell and developmental biology

At BSMS, we are carrying out exciting and novel research into fundamental mechanisms of cell and developmental biology that are applicable to medicine.

This includes basic research on stem cells, cell signalling and cancer, with a strong focus on translational work into disease biomarkers, pathology and therapy. There are two BSMS research buildings on the University of Sussex Falmer campus, the Medical Research Building and the Trafford Building, both equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including tissue culture, flow cytometry, molecular biology and tissue banking.

There are a number of highly successful research groups at BSMS. Dr Tim Chevassut’s group has a dual focus on blood cancers and stem cells. His laboratory has made important discoveries into the biology of acute myeloid leukaemia and the regulation of differentiation and pluripotency. Prof Sarah Newbury’s group has a focus on fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation and how they control stem cell renewal, cell movement and cell proliferation. Finally, Professor Sandra Sacre’s group works on toll-like receptor signalling and the molecular mechanisms that underlie chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Four members of the Haematology Research Group

Haematology Research Group

The Haematology Research Group is a network of seven labs across the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex and Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The researchers involved have shared interests in the molecular mechanisms active in normal and malignant haematology (the branch of medicine involving study and treatment of the blood).

The broad remit of the Haematology Research Group is to increase understanding of the molecular changes that occur in blood cancers, with the ultimate aim of designing novel and effective therapies. 

more on the Haematology Research Group >

SHORE-C

The central aim of Sussex Health Outcomes, Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) is to conduct pragmatic research in psychosocial oncology. Their work is centred around evaluating the health outcomes of patients, especially those treated for cancer. 

More about SHORE-C >