News

University of Cambridge involved in £55m transatlantic alliance to research early detection of cancer

23 October 2019

The University of Cambridge will be a partner in a £55million transatlantic research alliance to develop radical new strategies and technology to detect cancer at its earliest stage. A clinical facility will be designed and built in Cambridge to enable early phase clinical trials of diagnostic technologies as part of the...

Study highlights potential of whole genome sequencing to enable personalised cancer treatment

4 October 2019

Whole genome sequencing of tumour cells could help predict the prognosis of a patient’s cancer and offer clues to identify the most effective treatment, suggests an international study published today in Nature Medicine . Previously, it was like going on a voyage with only a limited map, but now, with whole genome...

Type 2 diabetes remission possible with ‘achievable’ weight loss, say researchers

4 October 2019

People who achieve weight loss of 10% or more in the first five years following diagnosis with type 2 diabetes have the greatest chance of seeing their disease go into remission, according to a study led by the University of Cambridge. This [study] reinforces the importance of managing one’s weight, which can be achieved...

Nanoparticles used to transport anti-cancer agent to cells

18 September 2019

Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed a platform that uses nanoparticles known as metal-organic frameworks to deliver a promising anti-cancer agent to cells. We focus on difficult diseases such as hard-to-treat cancers for which there has been no improvement in treatment in the last 20 years David...

New stem cell combination could help to repair damaged hearts

13 August 2019

A combination of heart cells derived from human stem cells could be the answer to developing a desperately-needed treatment for heart failure, according to new research by scientists at the University of Cambridge, published in Nature Biotechnology . Our research shows the huge potential of stem cells for one day becoming...

Cambridge Heart and Lung Research Institute receives major funding boost

11 July 2019

Chris Skidmore, Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, announced on 10 July 2019 a £30 million award to the University of Cambridge to support the new Cambridge Heart and Lung Research Institute (HLRI). This is an incredibly exciting project bringing together world-renowned expertise in cardiovascular...

Widely-available antibiotics could be used in the treatment of ‘superbug’ MRSA

1 July 2019

Some MRSA infections could be tackled using widely-available antibiotics, suggests new research from an international collaboration led by scientists at the University of Cambridge and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant infections are a major threat to modern medicine and we urgently need to...

Cause of hardening of the arteries – and potential treatment – identified

13 June 2019

A team of UK scientists have identified the mechanism behind hardening of the arteries, and shown in animal studies that a generic medication normally used to treat acne could be an effective treatment for the condition. Artery hardening happens to everyone as they age...but up until now we haven’t known what controls this...

New approach to drug discovery could lead to personalised treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders

9 May 2019

Researchers have developed a method that could drastically accelerate the search for new drugs to treat mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. Psychiatric disorders are increasingly recognised as disorders of the whole body Sabine Bahn Mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide...

Cambridge spin-out PolyProx Therapeutics raises £3.4m seed financing

2 May 2019

PolyProx Therapeutics, a new biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer, today announced that it has raised £3.4m of seed capital. A spin-out of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge, PolyProx Therapeutics is based on over a...