Our seven funded sites have individual strengths in discovery or clinically aligned research and in particular tumour types and modalities. Together, they’re providing the infrastructure and expertise needed to research how to make radiotherapy more effective while minimising side effects.
We’ve invested over £43m into our network since its launch in 2019, establishing a critical mass of activity, expertise and infrastructure across multiple locations. In 2024 we committed a further £24m to support the network as it continues to build its internationally leading research portfolio to attract further funding for radiation research.
Each location has access to cutting edge facilities with its own research priorities that build on local strengths, key infrastructure and capabilities. These represent an ideal opportunity to partner with them in shared areas of interest.
proton, helium and boron neutron capture therapy biology
DNA damage and replication responses
development of preclinical models
drug-radiation combinations
extensive radiobiology facilities
high flux accelerator-driven neutron facility for boron neutron capture therapy
MC-40 cyclotron for proton and helium ion irradiations
Discover our Birmingham centre
biological determinants of resistance to conventional and emerging radiation technologies
innovative ways of sensitising cancer to radiation to design more effective radiotherapy for patients
world-class cell biology, including CRISPR screens, microscopy, mutagenesis studies and DNA damage response expertise
novel RT-CRISPR screens in collaboration with the Cancer Research Horizons and AstraZeneca Functional Genomics Centre
spatial molecular profiling
self-maintaining 3D Epithelioid cultures
organoid models of disease and expertise in irradiating them and monitoring radiation response
clonal tracking using transcriptomic barcoding technologies e.g. WILDseq
access to several X ray cabinets and radiation modalities for in vitro cultures
mechanisms of radiation resistance
overcoming radioresistance via radiation combinations
proton beam therapy facility – University College London Hospital
total body PET - King’s College London
small animal radiator facilities across all sites
Discover our City of London centre
cellular determinants of radiation response
metabolism and mitochondrial radiobiology
socioeconomic determinants of radiotherapy outcomes
cross-cutting: pre-clinical and translational research platforms
multiple clinically relevant mouse models of cancer
preclinical imaging and image-guided radiotherapy technologies and protocols
cancer metabolomics
spatial transcriptomics and proteomics
reprogramming cellular responses to radiotherapy
promoting a therapeutic tumour microenvironment
novel radiation delivery platforms
forward and reverse translation
UK’s first ultra-high dose small animal radiotherapy research platform (SARRP) FLASH irradiator, capable of delivering ultra-high dose photon beams
SARRP-based delivery of spatially-modulated RT using microbeam collimation
state-of-the-art fundamental biology equipment, e.g. highly multiplex immunofluorescence (Phenocycler), spatial transcriptomics, advanced cell imaging
in vitro and in vivo modelling of interplay between radiotherapy and immune response, co-ordinated by the Centre for Translational Immunotherapy
in vivo models of T-cell receptor dynamics and immune cell migration and trafficking
Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator and C-arm Linac adaptive capability
methodological and clinical expertise in radiotherapy trials
Discover our ICR and Royal Marsden Hospital centre
personalised and adaptive radiotherapy
re-irradiation: from discovery to delivery
radiotherapy response and resistance
cross-cutting: imaging, AI, computational science, real world data and clinical trials
multi-source data platform (real world data)
research imaging infrastructure, including access to Philips Ingenia MR Simulator and dedicated CT scanner for research use
federated learning and imaging-AI outcome prediction modelling
radiation-induced local and systemic immune modulation
tumour microenvironment, cancer evolution and therapy resistance
inclusive and personalised radiotherapy for complex patients
cross-cutting: research inclusivity and proton vs photon radiotherapy across all research schemes
proton biology hub, with a dedicated proton beam therapy research room, capable of delivering in vitro protons at conventional and ultra-high dose rate (FLASH)
Beamline A with robotic pencil-beam scanning end-station within a controlled environment, supporting in vitro studies. Beamline B build is underway and will support in vivo experiments
pre-clinical PET-CT, MRI and small animal image guided radiotherapy
CRISPR models of hypoxia-driven radioresistance
mechanistic mouse models of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes to understand radiation-induced toxicity
functional magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator and Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy
real-world evidence platforms, including a trusted research environment to access the Christie’s clinical, imaging and outcome data
Discover our Manchester centre
To discuss collaboration opportunities on specific topics, contact the RadNet centres working on those topics.
Contact us for more information about the network, or to discuss how your research might fit in to our priorities in radiation research.
We work with organisations across the academic, not-for-profit and government sectors to accelerate radiation research. Contact us about partnering.
Our Cancer Research Horizons team work with industry to translate breakthrough science into new treatments and technologies. Contact them about opportunities in radiation research.
