Division of Cancer Biology
Head of Division: Professor Chris Marshall
The Division of Cancer Biology, incorporating the Cancer Research UK Tumour Cell Signalling Unit, encompasses a breadth of research, from studies of oncogene function and their influence on cancer cell biology, to investigations of cancer cell migration and, extending further out, to developmental studies. This breadth reflects the Division’s underlying approach of studying basic molecular and cell biology to underpin the identification of new strategies for cancer therapeutics.
A major research interest is the study of cell signalling with a focus on the role of oncogenes in cell functions, from proliferation to migration and invasion. A key aim is to identify new targets for drug discovery. Teams within the Division are also pursuing basic research into normal developmental and differentiation processes to gain insight into the pathways, systems or processes that may influence cancer development.
A new initiative within the Division is systems biology, where we are exploiting network based analysis to understand the complexity of cell signalling processes that control tumour growth and invasion.
