| Dear Voornaam, Welcome to your July newsletter. Congratulations to the many scientists who featured prominently in the Queen's Birthday Honours, many of whom have been recognised for their work during the pandemic. I'd like to extend my congratulations to Professors Linda Bauld and Mark Emberton in particular, for their fantastic work in public health and cancer prevention and prostate cancer research respectively. On 21 June, we revealed the 11 teams who have been shortlisted for Cancer Grand Challenges. These teams have been selected to compete for a share of £80m to take on nine of cancer's toughest problems. I wish them the best of luck and I hugely look forward to their contributions to future developments in cancer research.
And finally this month, I’m pleased to share news of our support for the Black in Cancer Mentorship Program. Black in Cancer was co-founded by several Cancer Research UK (CRUK)-funded researchers, and the mentorship program is a new strand of their Pipeline Program which they’ve developed to address the historic under-representation of Black students in higher education. We’re especially proud to support this initiative as we believe it has the potential to result in a real increase in the number of students from a diverse background within CRUK and the broader cancer research community.
Kind regards, Iain Foulkes Executive Director, Research & Innovation Cancer Research UK |
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| | | This scheme supports collaborations between cancer researchers and scientists from engineering/physical science disciplines. 15 July 2021 |
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| | | Applications accepted all-year round |
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 ANNOUNCING THE SHORTLIST FOR THE CANCER GRAND CHALLENGES AWARDS In October 2020, Cancer Grand Challenges dared the global research community to take on nine of cancer’s toughest problems. Almost 170 teams across 61 countries submitted bold, innovative ideas, and Cancer Grand Challenges has now announced the 11 teams selected to compete for a share of £80m. Each team will now receive seed funding to get their ideas off the ground and make their full proposal. Winners will receive £20m and the freedom to unite above boundaries to unleash their scientific creativity. |
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|  BECOME A MENTOR WITH BLACK IN CANCER We’re partnering with Black in Cancer on a new career mentoring scheme launching this summer. The Black in Cancer Mentorship Program will provide mentoring and summer placements for US and UK-based Black STEM undergraduate students considering postgraduate cancer research. There are three ways to get involved. If you're a Black cancer researcher, you can get involved directly by applying to be a mentor. Alternatively, your institute could provide a summer placement and/or support the network with additional funding for students. For more information, contact bicmentors@gmail.com or visit the program page. |
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| | THE DIFFICULTIES IN LINKING GUT MICROBIOME TO CANCER The link between gut microbiome and cancer is an exciting prospect for cancer prevention and early detection, but teasing apart causation from correlation is a difficult task. Dr Kaitlin Wade from University of Bristol hopes that inter-disciplinary collaboration between population health, genetic and basic sciences will bring us closer to the answer. She thinks that this will allow more accurate evaluation of potential treatments or protective factors for cancer prevention. |
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 SECURE DISCOUNTED ENTRY TO THE EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER CONFERENCE Early bird registration to this year’s virtual conference will close on 13 August. Don’t miss out on the chance to save £55 and secure your place today.
The programme is packed with lively discussions and opportunities to network. Speakers include Robert Winn (VCU Massey Cancer Center), Avi Spira (Johnson & Johnson), Thea D. Tlsty (University of California, San Francisco), Usha Menon (University College London) and Stacey Fedewa (American Cancer Society), who will share their expert opinion on early detection challenges and opportunities. For the chance to present your work at this year’s conference, make sure to submit an abstract by 13 August. |
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|  REGISTER FOR THE MAP 2021 VIRTUAL CONGRESS The Molecular Analysis for Precision Oncology (MAP) Virtual Congress will take place on 7–9 October. International experts will discuss a full range of topics in the field of molecular analysis for precision oncology, including: - Molecular characterisation and clonal evolution of solid tumours
- Mechanisms driving tumour expansion, metastatic dissemination and the complex cross talk between malignancy, microenvironment and host
- Immuno-oncology insights and new targetable regulators
- Therapeutic developments related to new targets and effectors
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| | CELEBRATE DR SAM GAMBHIR’S LEGACY IN THE VIRTUAL GAMBHIR SYMPOSIUM Celebrate Sanjiv ‘Sam’ Gambhir’s legacy, impact and scientific achievements on 19 July. Sam was a leader and pioneer in the fields of molecular imaging, early detection of cancer and precision health. The Gambhir Symposium will celebrate Dr Gambhir’s illustrious career and continue down the paths he forged by highlighting the work still ongoing in the fields he helped to cultivate. Hear researchers and collaborators share current thoughts and future outlooks on topics developed with Sam. |
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 GET TO KNOW EARLY DETECTION SCIENCE IN THE ACED VIRTUAL SUMMER SCHOOL Attend the virtual International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) Summer School on 9-12 August, hosted by the University of Manchester, to gain valuable insight into early cancer detection. The programme is primarily for PhD students but is open to anyone who wishes to take part. Themes include: - The science and technology behind early detection innovations and diagnostics
- Case studies of early detection in healthcare systems
- Health inequalities and the effects on early detection
- The barriers in implementing precision early detection initiatives
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|  GET INVOLVED IN NCRI’S EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER FORUM Are you an early career researcher? The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI)’s Early Career Researcher Forum will enable you to build collaborative networks in your field of interest whilst enhancing your skills and supporting your career development through training, mentoring, networking and research involvement opportunities. In addition, if you're interested in or working towards becoming an independent investigator, you’ll have opportunities to join NCRI Groups and actively contribute to the acceleration of cancer research within your areas of expertise. |
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| | A NEW PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT CANCER RESEARCH ENTREPRENEURS We've partnered with KQ Labs to support their programme for entrepreneurs with an early-stage and data-driven health start-up who are looking to validate their ideas and develop their business goals. KQ Labs is allocating one dedicated place for a cancer start-up, where you can benefit from financial support, weekly workshops from experts tailored to digital health and an opportunity to network with potential investors. The application deadline to the programme is 20 July. |
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 NEW COLLABORATION ADVANCES BLOOD CANCER THERAPY INTO THE CLINIC We’re collaborating with Aleta Biotherapeutics, a preclinical stage immuno-oncology company based in Boston, US, to advance the early phase clinical development of Aleta’s CAR-T cell engager candidate, ALETA-001.
ALETA-001 has been developed to benefit people with B-cell lymphoma and leukaemia whose disease has progressed after receiving CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. Our Centre for Drug Development will fund, sponsor and conduct the first-in-human Phase I/IIa clinical trial of ALETA-001, led by Dr Amit Patel’s Cellular and CAR-T therapies team at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. |
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|  DO YOU NEED GUIDANCE ON HORIZON EUROPE FUNDING? Researchers in the UK can still apply for Horizon Europe funding. The UK’s association with the EU hasn’t yet been formalised, but in the meantime, UK-based applicants still have access to programme funding on equivalent terms to those based in the EU. If you have questions around Horizon Europe, we recommend you read through the UKRI guidance or get in touch with the National Contact Points. |
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