Solid tumours
In the Jack Birch Unit for Cancer Research, we focus primarily on poorly understood aspects of the local microenvironment of epithelial tumours.
Our strategy is built on a strong track record in fundamental bladder and breast cancer research, whilst growing capabilities in other tumour types, including those of the ovary, colon and kidney, as well as undertaking translational research to move findings towards the clinic.
Dr Simon Baker studies the origins of bladder cancer using laboratory models of normal human tissues given relevant cancer-causing exposures. Recent focus has been on the role of BK polyomavirus in driving the DNA mutations that initiate bladder cancers.
Professor Will Brackenbury studies how the ionic (chemical) microenvironment of solid tumours sustains their growth and spread. Solid tumours often have high levels of sodium, in addition to being acidotic and hypoxic, and these features present new treatment opportunities.
Dr Andrew Holding studies how cancer cells respond to steroid hormones, using a combination of experimental and computational methods. His group is focusing on understanding hormone-driven cancer initiation and why people respond differently to the same treatment.
Professor Dimitris Lagos studies RNA-driven mechanisms of immune gene regulation in solid tumours and their targets, including cancer cells.
Dr Vicki Jennings is exploring strategies to harness the immune system to recognise and destroy tumour cells, for example, oncolytic virotherapy, as well as investigating the mechanisms underlying tumour-induced immune tolerance.
Dr Andrew Mason studies how to use sequencing data to better match bladder cancer patients to a therapy in the clinic. His group’s work profiles both cancer and healthy bladder to bring biological insight to machine learning-based stratification.