Our Open Lab Initiative brings together research groups with shared interests to spark discussion, stimulate fresh ideas and foster new collaborations. With over 300 member groups, the initiative is open to any research group based in the UK focused on cancer-related research.
By joining, you’ll have the chance to expand your network and become part of a growing virtual cancer research community. Connecting with like-minded research groups will help you discover and develop new collaborations.
Express your interest to join the initiativeThe form should be completed by your research group's principal investigator, but laboratory managers and senior postdoctoral researchers, or staff in similar positions are also welcome to sign up.
If you are accepted, you'll be given access to our SharePoint site where you'll be asked to provide details of your research group’s interests and expertise. We offer three types of matching for you to choose from.
We will pair you with another research group based on shared interests or complementary expertise. A match will be found within five working days.
We will match you randomly with another research group, and you will be matched to the next group who also selects this option.
You will be listed anonymously on the open register, where you can browse and choose your own match. You can choose when to match with another group.
After you are matched, we will connect you with your research group to start having joint meetings. The format of the meeting is up to you – you could present data, have an open discussion or share published material, like a journal club.
Any research group based in the UK that is undertaking cancer-related research is eligible. You don’t need to be funded by us to take part in the initiative.
Following your initial match, you can return to the matching pool at any time to continue forming new collaborations. Contact us to request new matches or see your match history.
The initiative is run by a group of staff and research volunteers at Cancer Research UK and some of our centres. This includes the Cambridge, City of London, Scotland and Manchester Centres and the Children’s Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence.
Find out more about the centres that run this initiative
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If you have questions about our initiative, gaining access to the SharePoint site or want to change your profile information, contact the team directly.
We host scientific conferences, workshops, webinars and other events. Join us to hear about the latest science, present your research and network with our exceptional community.
