University of Cambridge awarded grant from Cancer Research UK for Medicinal Chemistry PhD programme
An inter-disciplinary team of scientists from the University of Cambridge’s departments of Chemistry, Oncology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Pathology and the MRC-Hutchison Cancer Cell Unit based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital have been awarded a grant worth approximately £3M from the cancer charity Cancer Research UK. Linking departments in this inter-disciplinary way presents a great opportunity for students who seek an integrated PhD training across chemistry and cancer biology.
(PressZoom) - The University of Cambridge Graduate Training Programme in Medicinal Chemistry will link the University’s world-renowned Department of Chemistry with the new Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute at Addenbrookes Hospital and an array of other research departments and institutes that operate across the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Cancer Research UK is awarding £10M in total for a Medicinal Chemistry Training Programme funding for five UK universities. Each university and research institute will receive a grant that will allow them to fund, in total, 60 PhD studentships in medicinal chemistry over the next five years.
Professor Alison Richard, Vice Chancellor at the University of Cambridge said:
“One of the distinctive features of Cambridge University is our strength across the range of academic disciplines. Close inter-departmental collaboration such as this adds an exceptional dimension to teaching and research – and this newly-funded partnership between Cambridge's science departments and Clinical School could not be more important.”
Professor Jeremy Sanders, Head of Department, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge said:
“This exciting initiative from Cancer Research UK gives us the opportunity to produce a new generation of research scientists who are expert in medicinal chemistry but who also understand the biological and clinical contexts of their chemistry. In addition, we expect important research collaborations to grow along with the postgraduate training programme.”
Professor Bruce Ponder, Head of Department, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge and Director of the Cancer Research UK Institute said:
“New ideas often begin when disciplines meet, and the meeting of Chemistry and Medicine is particularly fruitful. The links with Chemistry that will come through this award are a further boost to the new CRUK Cambridge Research Institute, which opens next year.”
Professor Steven V. Ley CBE and Head of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry said:
“We recognise cancer as an important problem that requires a multi-disciplinary approach and one that the world needs to solve. This initiative is an exciting and wonderful opportunity and will help bring outstanding people together for a common cause.”
Cancer Research UK is also funding the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle upon Tyne; University of Edinburgh and University of St Andrews; Imperial College, London; and University of Oxford.
Notes for Editors:
1. The five successful programmes have been selected for their ability to integrate their medicinal chemistry activities into their broader local scientific and medical environment, with a focus on cancer.
2. The Department of Chemistry at Cambridge provides excellent PhD training for students in the field of synthetic organic chemistry; the area directly relevant to this new programme. The medicinal element the programme will focus on the biology of cancer as well as targeted drug discovery and development.
3. Students interested in applying to the Autumn 2006 term can find more information at www-medchem.ch.cam.ac.uk
For more information, contact:
1. Karen Dean, Press and Publications Office, University of Cambridge. Tel: 01223 765542; email: kjd42@cam.ac.uk>
Submitted by
University of Cambridge
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