News releases
New Cancer Research at North West Cancer Research Fund Institute
30 September 2004
North West Cancer Research Fund has announced two new research awards for a scientist in North Wales.
Dr Oliver Fleck, a researcher at North West Cancer Research Fund Institute in the University of Wales, Bangor, has received a total of �204,000.
Both projects study mechanisms by which damage to DNA is repaired.� DNA is the genetic material in each cell in the body.� A number of important cancers are known to be caused by problems with these repair mechanisms.� This means that damage accumulates and changes the genetic material which causes normal cells to become cancerous tumours.�
By increasing understanding of how these repair mechanisms work, new insights into how certain types of cancer occur will be gained.� �New ways of suppressing the formation of tumours may also be identified.
North West Cancer Research Fund Institute was officially opened on 23 July 2004 by Professor Eric Sunderland, Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd.� The Fund gave �432,000 to help to create it.�
Dr Fleck is one of three Principal Investigators to have been appointed at the Institute.� All the positions are being funded by North West Cancer Research Fund.
Professor John Caldwell is Chairman of the North West Cancer Research Fund Scientific Committee, the independent body which allocates research monies.� All applications must pass a rigorous process of assessment before funding is approved.� Professor Caldwell said, 'Having supported the creation of North West Cancer Research Fund Institute, it was pleasing that Dr Fleck produced applications of such a high quality. This augurs well for the future.'
North West Cancer Research Fund has funded research in the University of Wales, Bangor for a number of years. The charity has a strong presence in Wales with voluntary committees across North and Mid Wales.� All money raised in Wales is spent on research in the Institute.� The Fund makes between �750,000 and �1 million available every year for fundamental research into the causes of cancer.� Virtually all of this money is raised through voluntary efforts and donations.� Throughout its 56 year history, over 90p in every � raised has consistently been spent directly on research.
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For further information please contact:
Judith Roberts (Publicity Officer, North West Cancer Research Fund) on 0151 236 6605 or 0774 00 626 99
If you have helped to collect money for The North West Cancer Research Fund, don't forget to tell us all about how you raised the money so we can publicise your efforts.