Cancer

Episodes

1. 22

   Epigenetic modifications and cancer

   Professor Skirmantas Kriaucionis aims to to elucidate the molecular function of DNA modifications in normal cells and cancer. Although all cells in our body have the same genome, they look different and perform different functions. Epigenetic modifications such as methylations ensure which sets…

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   Dec 14, 2016

   5m
2. 21

   Repairing DNA damage

   Dr Ross Chapman studies the molecular events triggered by DNA damage detection, and why defects in these events lead to immune deficiency and cancer in humans. GENOME INTEGRITY Whilst controlled DNA breaks allow for our vast repertoire of antibodies, DNA damage happening out of context can lead…

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   Apr 28, 2016

   7m
3. 20

   Cleaning up misfolded proteins

   Misfolded proteins can either create the loss of a cellular function, or escape degradation, causing aggregation diseases. Dr John Christianson's research focusses on ER-associated degradation, which is responsible for clearing non-functional and orphan translation products. These processes play…

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   Feb 4, 2016

   5m
4. 19

   Targeting cancer mechanisms

   Professor Robert Gilbert's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying membrane pore formation and cell adhesion. Switching mechanisms within our cells are in part responsible for their development. MicroRNAs control a whole set of proteins associated with stem cell biology,...

   Jan 7, 2016

   5m
5. 18

   Melanoma

   Melanoma or skin cancer is one of the fastest rising cancer types. When identified early, melanoma is relatively easy to cure, but once it starts to metastasise, it becomes very difficult to treat. DEREGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION The interface between signal transduction and transcription…

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   Oct 5, 2015

   7m
6. 17

   Targeting epigenetics to treat cancer

   Transcription is a tightly regulated process, where chemical modifications initiate the duplication of genetic material. This epigenetic process is often dysregulated in cancer, but it can be targeted with small molecule inhibitors. EPIGENETIC SIGNALLING Professor Panagis Filippakopoulos is...

   Oct 5, 2015

   4m
7. 16

   Human Cancer Genetics

   Dr Gareth Bond, Associate Member of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, studies the influence of genetic variants on the origins, progression and treatment of human cancer. SNP - single nucleotide polymorphisms There is great heterogeneity between individuals in their risk of developing...

   Mar 11, 2015

   5m
8. 15

   Personalised Medicine

   Dr Jenny Taylor is the Programme Director for the Genomic Medicine Theme, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics. Her research bridges the gap between genetics research and the use of its discoveries in diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Clinical diagnoses can be broad descriptions,...

   Feb 9, 2015

   4m
9. 14

   Cancer predisposition and evolution

   Identifying genes that increase the risk of bowel or other cancers allows us to offer preventative measures, such as removing tumours at an early stage. A better understanding of how and why cancers grow also helps develop improved treatments. Ian Tomlinson, Professor of Molecular and Population...

   Feb 9, 2015

   3m
10. 13

    Cancer Informatics

    Cancer research now generates huge amounts of data, and sophisticated computational tools are needed to answer biological questions. Making sense of this variability at molecular level will help us better tailor treatments to individual cancer patients. Dr Benjamin Schuster-Böckler heads the...

    Feb 9, 2015

    6m
11. 12

    Cancer and innate immunity

    Inflammatory signalling Dr Mads Gyrd-Hansen aims to elucidate fundamental mechanisms governing pro-inflammatory signalling during innate immune responses, and through this, to better understand how aberrant inflammatory signalling contributes to tumour development and cancer progression.

    Dec 10, 2014

    5h 57m
12. 11

    Stem cells and cancer

    Adult gastrointestinal stem cells The gastrointestinal tract is lined with a single sheet of epithelium that is replaced every 4-5 days. The base of a flask-shaped structured called the crypt is where the gastrointestinal stem cells are found. These divide to form daughter cells that travel up…

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    Dec 10, 2014

    5h 18m
13. 10

    Cancer Immunlogy

    Professor Vincenzo Cerundolo tells us how research in immunology leads to the development of new cancer treatments. Immunotherapy stimulates the body's immune system, and can be a powerful treatment for cancer. The most efficient prophylactic cancer vaccine today is the vaccine against papilloma...

    Mar 25, 2013

    7m
14. 9

    Cancer and regenerative medicine

    Professor Xin Lu talks about the links between cancer and regenerative medicine. Identifying the switches that turn cell growth off and on would have profound implications for cancer medicine. If the right mechanisms can be found, cancer cells could be targeted specifically, resulting in more...

    Mar 22, 2013

    4m
15. 8

    INDOX Cancer Research NetworK

    Dr Raghib Ali talks about INDOX, the cancer research network in India. The INDOX Cancer Research Network is a collaboration between Oxford and twelve leading cancer centres in India. As Director of this Network, Dr Raghib Ali aims to improve early detection of cancer and to develop effective and...

    Oct 9, 2012

    3m
16. 7

    Cancer Metabolism

    Dr Patrick Pollard tells us about his research on cancer metabolism. Cancer cells produce energy predominately through a high rate of glycolysis; it has been suggested that this change in metabolism is the fundamental cause of cancer. Dr Patrick Pollard aims to elucidate the alternative metabolic...

    Jul 10, 2012

    4m
17. 6

    Genome Integrity

    Dr Opher Gileadi tells us how cells maintain genome integrity and how we can use it in our fight against cancer. While cigarette smoke and sun exposure can lead to DNA damage, which causes cancer, there are a number of natural processes within the body that can also lead to cell mutations. Dr…

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    Jun 1, 2012

    6m
18. 5

    Renal Disease

    Professor Chris Pugh tells us about the links between genetics, renal disease and oxygen sensing. The kidney plays a central role in our metabolism, by controlling various physiological balances. Genetics is central to these mechanisms, since gene defects lead to all sorts of malfunctions. Oxygen...

    Oct 11, 2011

    7m
19. 4

    Palliative Care

    Dr Bee Wee tells us about Palliative Care in Oxford and her research on end of life care and fatigue. Due to advances in medicine prolonging the lives of those with progressive, life limiting diseases, the need for long-term palliative care has increased. Dr Bee Wee is currently researching end…

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    Aug 30, 2011

    5m
20. 3

    Cancer and Protein Crystallography

    Professor Yvonne Jones talks about cell-cell communication and how this can help us develop new drugs. Cells communicate through receptors on their surface; however, when these finely tuned systems don't work correctly, diseases can be triggered. Professor Yvonne Jones has been working to…

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    Jul 6, 2011

    5m
21. 2

    Role of Lifestyle and Diet in Cancer

    Professor Tim Key tells us about the role of life style and diet in the development of cancer. Although smoking is still the most important cause of cancer, we now know that obesity and high intakes of alcohol can increase the risk of several types of cancer. Professor Tim Key is researching the...

    May 10, 2011

    4m
22. 1

    Autophagy

    Dr Katja Simon tells us about her research on autophagy in red blood cells. Autophagy is the cellular process in which cells degrade their toxic waste and damaged organelles. In order to fit through small capillaries, red blood cells need to expel their nucleus and degrade their organelles. Dr...

    Apr 26, 2011

    5m