Molecular Oncology, Pathology and Genetics
We are investigating the mechanisms by which cancer mutations deregulate the normal processes of cellular function and growth. We use genome-wide profiling to screen different classes of cancer, such as colorectal cancer, for potential mutations and biomarkers. We study how cancer evolves, and are developing better molecular and cellular cancer models for designing and testing new therapies.
For example, Professor Andrew Beggs’ research is looking at devising organoid models to offer personalised medicine treatments for colorectal cancer patients, and Professor Richard Bryan is developing a 23-gene panel for a non-invasive diagnosis for .
Theme Co-Leads
Professor Andrew Beggs
Professor in Surgery & Cancer Genetics
View profile
Professor Mathew Coleman
Professor in Tumour Cell Biology
View profile
Research groups
Spotlight on COVID-19 and Cancer Patient
Cancer Cell 38:306-307 (2020). Lee LYW, T Hill, O Topping, M Tilby, M Baker, J Greig, . . . UKBCCC- Project. .
Cancer patients are at increased risk from COVID-19. In this study led by Lennard Lee COVID-19 tests were performed in 1,226 patients as part of the UK Birmingham Chemotherapy Cancer COVID-19 cohort. Uptake of screening was 98.2%, with an asymptomatic infection prevalence of 0.6%. This study concluded that where the incidence of asymptomatic infection is low and patients can be identified early, screening gives clinicians the confidence to safely deliver effective cancer care in the era of COVID-19.
Selected Highlights from this Research Theme
Lancet 395:1268-1277 (2020). Birtle A, M Johnson, J Chester, R Jones, D Dolling, RT Bryan, . . . E Hall. Adjuvant chemotherapy in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (the POUT trial): a phase 3, open-label, randomised controlled trial.
Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) (2020). Best J, T Starkey, A Chatterjee, D Fackrell, L Pettit, N Srihari, . . . JB Cazier, LYW Lee. .
J Clin Virol 128:104469 (2020). Bosworth A, C Whalley, C Poxon, K Wanigasooriya, O Pickles, EL Aldera, . . . AD Beggs. .
Autophagy 16:195-202 (2020). Dong Y, Y Hu, S Sarkar, WX Zong, M Li, D Feng, . . . JH Lu. .
Lancet Oncol 21:1309-1316 (2020). Lee LYW, JB Cazier, T Starkey, SEW Briggs, R Arnold, V Bisht, . . . UKCCMP Team. .
J Mol Biol 432:2754-2798 (2020). Seranova E, AM Palhegyi, S Verma, S Dimova, R Lasry, M Naama, . . . S Sarkar. .
Cancer Cell 38:306-307 (2020). Lee LYW, T Hill, O Topping, M Tilby, M Baker, J Greig, . . . UKBCCC- Project. Utility of COVID-19 Screening in Cancer Patients.
Autophagy:1-20 (2020). Sharma V, M Makhdoomi, L Singh, P Kumar, N Khan, S Singh, . . . S Sarkar, D Kumar. .
J Mol Biol 432:2735-2753 (2020). Zatyka M, S Sarkar and T Barrett. .
Sci Rep 9:15592 (2019). Connolly KJ, MB O'Hare, A Mohammed, KM Aitchison, NC Anthoney, MJ Taylor, . . . RI Tuxworth, G Tear. .
N Engl J Med 381:637-646 (2019). Tamborlane WV, M Barrientos-Perez, U Fainberg, H Frimer-Larsen, M Hafez, PM Hale, . . . T Barrett, Ellipse Trial. .
Cancer Cell 30:578-594 (2016). Bardella C, O Al-Dalahmah, D Krell, P Brazauskas, K Al-Qahtani, M Tomkova, . . . I Tomlinson. .
Mol Cell 53:645-654 (2014). Feng T, A Yamamoto, SE Wilkins, E Sokolova, LA Yates, M Munzel, . . . ML Coleman. .
Oncogene 32:5333-5337 (2013). Beggs AD, E Domingo, M Abulafi, SV Hodgson and IP Tomlinson. .
Nat Genet 45:136-144 (2013). Palles C, JB Cazier, KM Howarth, E Domingo, AM Jones, P Broderick, . . . I Tomlinson. .
Cell Rep 5:1302-1315 (2013). Sarkar S, B Carroll, Y Buganim, D Maetzel, AH Ng, JP Cassady, . . . R Jaenisch. .