Alan studied molecular biology at the University of Washington in America before crossing the pond to complete a PhD in immunology at the University of Edinburgh. After a stint at the BBC working on live news he joined the Cancer Research UK press office in 2013. He is now part of the Cancer Research UK science information team, communicating the science that the charity funds to the public.
We step behind the microscope to look at research into shape-shifting cancer cells that’s funded by Stand Up To Cancer.
New research points to a possible way to help personalise treatment for a type of childhood cancer.
We explore how the latest gene editing technology could help our scientists engineer immune cells to precisely target and kill cancer cells.
Our scientists may have uncovered the ‘guidance system’ needed to make cancer immunotherapy more effective.
We explore the first of our Grand Challenges and ask the experts if it’s possible to develop vaccines to prevent cancers that aren’t caused by viruses.
We caught up with Professor Richard Gilbertson to find out the challenges facing research into children’s cancers, and where the field is heading.
Here are a few highlights from the research projects our Science Committee funded in April.
Our scientists have discovered that similar to a rugby maul, cancer cells can ward off tumour-killing immune cells through an important cellular signal.
Our scientists have discovered that neuroblastoma cells can produce a cellular ‘kryptonite’ that seems to sap the power from nearby immune cells.
How can we overcome some of the biggest challenges facing childhood cancer research?