State-of-the-art research centre will transform cancer treatment

A new £28.5m research centre that will transform cancer treatment opens in Manchester this week.

“The new research centre will make a tremendous difference to the way cancer is treated in the future. The new facilities will allow us to progress personalised cancer treatments which will be the way forward for future generations diagnosed with the disease.” – Professor Nic Jones

The University of Manchester building in Withington will be home to researchers from the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) – a partnership between Cancer Research UK, The University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

The state-of-the-art facility, located opposite The Christie and the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, is set to pull in more world-class scientists to the city, boosting research and helping to get improved treatments to patients faster.

Director of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Professor Nic Jones, said: “I am thrilled to see the building open as it looks absolutely fantastic.

“The new research centre will make a tremendous difference to the way cancer is treated in the future. The new facilities will allow us to progress personalised cancer treatments which will be the way forward for future generations diagnosed with the disease. We will know more about an individual patient’s disease characteristics which will help to lead directly to better treatments and outcomes.”

The three Manchester Cancer Research Centre partners have been working closely together since 2006 and jointly funded the construction of the new facility which will provide greater opportunities to work collaboratively under the same roof.

The flagship building provides more than 6,000m2 for expansion of research activity and has been designed to maximize the sharing of ideas and collaborations between scientists and clinicians. Cancer experts will be able to use a comprehensive array of new technologies and equipment within the new infrastructure. It is set to provide space for around 250 staff.

Professor Nic Jones added: “The new centre will ensure we provide outstanding opportunities and a vibrant environment for researchers, clinicians and external partners to work together towards our vision through a single-site ‘bench to bedside’ approach.

“I’ve always been extremely proud to work in Manchester which has such a strong legacy in cancer research. The new centre will attract world class scientists and help to save thousands of lives both here and around the world.”

ENDS

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