Research within Surgery and Molecular Oncology
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Surgery & Molecular Oncology plays a major role in the development of cancer research programmes within the Medical School and the University of Dundee as a whole. Our major strength is that we have molecular biologists, biochemists, physicists and engineers working alongside oncologists. We maintain an international reputation in the field of p53 research and have attracted a number of top clinicians working in the field of colorectal, breast and upper GI surgery. A team of talented physicists and engineers (led by Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri) continue to apply technology to Surgery and Cancer treatment. Overall, we continue to develop excellence in basic molecular and clinical oncology with a view to developing areas of translational research that can be used to develop effective regimes for the treatment of cancer. We hope that our strong links with the Technologists will eventually equip us with the means to deliver these therapies.
Our ongoing strategy is to maintain excellence in basic Molecular Oncology Research, particularly in the field of p53 research (headed by Professor Sir David Lane) and related areas. In particular, our activities continue to focus on the development of non-genotoxic activators of p53 - an initiative that was boosted in 2003 by the opening of the Dundee Cancer Therapeutic Discovery Centre. Other areas of interest include elucidation of the pathways involving the p53-inducible gene Scotin (Dr Jean-Christophe Bourdon), mechanisms of p53 ubiquitination and degradation (Dr Mark Saville) and identification and analysis of PCNA interacting proteins (Dr Emma Warbrick). Dr Lesley McLellan leads a team working on the role of thiol antioxidants in cell signalling and degenerative disease.
Under the direction of Professor Alastair Thompson, the Breast Cancer Translational Research Group , aims to understand the factors influencing the action of anticancer drugs in order to target effectively both current and novel therapies for breast cancer and to reduce toxicity of treatment. Another arm of our Translational Research Programme focuses on the delivery of Sigma Ligands as Cancer Therapeutics to the oncology clinic (Dr Barbara Spruce).
Professor Bob Steele is currently heading up a Scotland-wide pilot of Colorectal Cancer Screening funded by the Department of Health. This major initiative has given impetus to a number of individual projects involving Surgery & Molecular Oncology researchers. Research Activities are supported by funds from CRUK, CSO, Research Councils, Breast Cancer Charities, Tenovus, Storz and a variety of Medical Charities, as well as from the pharmaceutical and medical products industries.
2001 RAE Grading: 5*