About Surgery and Molecular Oncology
| About | Funding | Mission Statement |Surgery & Molecular Oncology opened in April 2000, when the former Department of Surgery (then headed by Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri) merged with a number of research groups (led by Professor Sir David Lane) relocating from the Wellcome/MSI Complex at the City Campus. This initiative instantly realised an environment where the skills of experienced biochemists and molecular biologists could converge with those of skilled clinicians in the field of cancer research. We continue to produce the highest quality bench science and are actively engaged in strategies aimed at translating these findings into diagnostic tools and therapeutic regimes which can be used and developed by clinicians.
We boast high quality laboratory space, specialist services and state-of-the-art equipment. The original refurbishment was made possible in large part by funds raised locally through the Ninewells Cancer Campaign (3 million), with an additional 1 million from Cancer Research - UK. Further support for the initiative came from the University of Dundee, Scottish Enterprise Tayside (SET), The Gannochy Trust and Lloyds TSB.
Professor Bob Steele heads a team of senior clinical and non-clinical academics and researchers (Group Leaders), who in turn oversee the activities of a support staff of 50. The multi-disciplinarity of our approach to research is reflected in the varied backgrounds of our staff of biochemists, cell and molecular biologists, surgeons, physicists and engineers.
Close links are maintained with the general surgical service of NHS Tayside, many of whom participate in the teaching and research programmes and hold honorary appointments with the University.
We play a very full part in teaching undergraduate medical students, both in the delivery of core material and the provision of Student Selected Components (SSCs) . We maintain very close associations with the Cuschieri Skills Unit, which offers a Masters degree in Minimal Access Surgery (MAS). Surgery & Molecular Oncology supports a number of PhD and MD students. We also welcome visiting academics from all over the world .
Since 2000 we have attracted more than 15 million in research funding. Our major sponsors remain CR-UK, Research Councils, Chief Scientists Office, Storz and Breast Cancer Charities.