Clinical Pharmacology Adaptive Therapy Group

Professor Banerji's group aims to study re-wiring of signal transduction to understand and overcome mechanisms of drug resistance and, in addition, to understand exploit cancer evolution using pharmacological tools.

We are focused on the re-wiring of signal transduction using established cell lines to control mechanisms of drug resistance and comprehend the evolution of cancer.  

Rewiring of signal transduction

This group is working on the set-up and validation of a highly sensitive antibody-based assay on the Nanostring platform which will allow quantification of 50 - 100 phosphoproteins/proteins. It plans to digest tumour tissue obtained during surgery or from biopsies and expose them to a matrix of 20 - 30 anticancer drugs before obtaining phosphoproteomic data.

It also aims to use organoids and patient-derived xenografts to take this forward. The proteomic data will be modelled with the Computational Biology and Chemogenomics Team led by Professor Bissan Al-Lazikani. The group also supports PhD students studying the re-wiring of signal transduction in colon cancer and the role of stroma in influencing signal transduction.

The group also currently works with Professor Andrea Sottoriva at the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at the ICR to look at barcoding of cancer cells and the study of evolutionary trajectories of clones under experimental conditions. It is also studying mechanisms of resistance, collateral drug sensitivity and resistance of these emergent clones.


The primary area of this group is focused on the re-wiring of signal transduction using established cell lines as well as fresh cancer cells derived and isolated from patients and then exposing them to novel anticancer drugs. Pre- and post-proteomic profiling provides insights into mechanisms of drug resistance and how to overcome this with combination therapies. The initial work was carried out using cancer cells isolated from ascites and pleural effusions; the group in now developing expertise in organoid and patient-derived xenograft tissue.

The group develops its own antibody-based proteomic platforms and collaborates with teams involved in mass spectroscopic methods, led by Jyoti Choudhary. The group generates significant amounts of data and collaborates with the ICR's Computational Biology and Chemogenomics Team led by Professor Bissan Al-Lazikani to develop and decipher the data.

The secondary focus of this lab is the study of the pharmacological effects on cancer evolution in experimental models and methods to quantify this and herd cancer cells to a vulnerable state.

Professor Banerji works with Professor Andrea Sottoriva in the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at the ICR and plans to translate these concepts in to the clinic.

Vacancies at the ICR

Working at the ICR

Administrative Assistant

  • Sutton
  • Translational Genetics
  • £26,505 - £27.900
  • Fixed term

About the Role We are seeking an Administrative Assistant to join the Translational Genetics Team and contribute to administrative and operational activities supporting the delivery of two genetic testing programmes. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the management of finance and procurement expenses, arranging room and team meeting bookings, managing team trackers, and supporting research administrators with various administrative activities that includes data entry and managing filing systems and records. What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. Competitive salary and pension

Digital Content Writer

  • Sutton
  • Adult Drug Development Unit
  • £25,275
  • Fixed term

Summary of Role We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic Digital Content Writer to work within the Drug Development Unit at the ICR. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and showcase the Unit’s profile across digital platforms by creating engaging, impactful, and accessible content. The post holder will work closely with senior management, researchers, and wider teams to develop contents that highlight our research, achievements, and commitment to patients. The post holder will play key role in ensuring that all online and offline content is aligned, consistent, and designed to connect with diverse audiences. This role is ideal for a creative communicator who is passionate about science, innovation, and making a positive difference through digital media. Key Requirements Applicants should have digital media expertise, excellent writing and editing skills, and have an ability to write engaging content for different audiences on various digital platforms. They should be familiar with software and digital tools used for content creation. The post holder will need to be highly organised with their work and be able to work in a flexible manner. This exciting position has arisen within the Drug Development Unit, as we are a rapidly expanding, world class Phase 1 clinical trials unit and we need showcase our Unit’s work to our stakeholders. To apply for this post, please submit an online application including a supporting statement, detailing reasons why you are applying for the post and include your CV. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. Due to the high volumes of applications that we receive, we reserve the right to close the advert before the published closing date, once we have received a sufficient number applications. Therefore, we advise that you to submit your application, as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Department Information: The Drug Development Unit, (DDU) at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, is a world-leading centre for early-phase oncology trials, translating cutting-edge science into first-in-human clinical trials. Through close integration of laboratory and clinical expertise, the Unit supports the functions of sponsoring early phase trials through Investigator Initiated Trials Team, as well as delivers academic and industry sponsored trials. Our mission is to fast-track the development of anti-cancer drugs, designed and synthesised at The ICR, or developed by CRUK scientists, or developed by industry collaborators, in order to rapidly impact the care of cancer patients. The DDU has been involved in the development of many hundreds of novel agents including several practice-changing cancer drugs. The DDU is one of the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres in the UK, part of the CRUK Convergence Science Centre and the Early Phase Drug Development Theme within the ICR-RM NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The DDU has multiple academic and industry collaborations both nationally and internationally, to optimally serve our patients. The Unit is led by Professor Johann de Bono and Professor Udai Banerji.

Industrial partnership opportunities with this group

Opportunity: A potent, orally bioavailable clinical-stage inhibitor of MPS1 with potential as a treatment for a range of cancer types including triple negative breast cancer

Commissioner: Swen Hoelder

Recent discoveries from this group