Research projects

Dr Wang is investigating whether the Vaccinia virus - used against smallpox - can be engineered for use against pancreatic cancer.

This project focuses on two enzymes which help cancer cells produce energy. The aim is to see if these can be used as a biomarker to diagnose and predict the aggressiveness of the tumour.

This project builds on previous PCRF-funded research into blocking the action of molecule - called avb6 - which allows pancreatic cancer cells to invade healthy tissues more easily.

Professor Durrant is engineering antibodies that bind to sugars found on the surface of tumours, stimulating an immune response.

Professor Dive is analysing pancreatic cancer cells circulating in the blood. The aim is to develop a profiling technique using blood samples.

In this project, Professor Neidle and his team aim to optimise a drug that they have developed to target a crucial cancer enzyme called telomerase.

Professor Lemoine is studying the effects of a specific gene found in a particularly aggressive form of pacnreatic cancer.

Dr Halldén is investigating how a virotherapy developed in her team could work in combination with other drugs to kill cancer cells.

This project will evaluate whether two clinically-approved drugs could be used against ABC molecules. This family of molecules is thought to be involved in the process through which cancer cells stimulate their own growth.

Dr Costello's team is exploring the role of microRNAs - molecules thought to help prevent stellate cells from forming protective barriers around tumours.