Brunel Institute for Cancer Genetics and Pharmacogenomics (BICGP)

BICGP was established in 2000 with the primary aim of identifying and characterising new genes and molecular pathways involved in human cancer development that can be exploited as targets for novel therapeutic intervention. Other major aims include identification of novel cancer related DNA repair genes, molecular characterisation of the role of telomeres in DNA repair, identification of novel human DNA repair genes influencing radiosensitivity and the identification of novel T-cell mechanisms in human tumour immunology. Emphasis continues to be placed on translational research.

Research highlights

• The Centre has secured funding of over £5 million for its activities since 2002 including from Cancer Research UK, the European Commission (including the FP6 Integrated Project MOL CANCER MED and the FP7 Collaborative Project TELOMARKER coordinated by BICGP), the Medical Research Council, the Department of Health, and Industry and Breast Cancer Campaign.
  
  
• BICGP scientists have recently identified five new genes (whose function is to prevent cancerous growth of cells in normal tissues) critically altered in breast and prostate cancer, and malignant melanoma. In each case replacement of the defective gene in tumour cells with a normal copy reinstates normal cell growth control.
  
  
• Investment of over £2 million in state of the art equipment, including DNA sequencing and gene mapping facilities, real time PCR systems and microarray gene expression profiling equipment, has enabled BICGP to make important discoveries establishing the precise role of the cellular immortality  in human cancer and telomerase activation, including the identification of genes regulating telomerase activity that are critically damaged in breast and prostate cancers.