CRRG - Cancer Recognised Research Group

The Northern Ireland Cancer Recognised Research Group

The main aim of the Cancer Recognised Research Group (CRRG) is to promote Cancer Research activity within Northern Ireland. This is carried out by organising and funding a range of activities to enhance current research activities and to promote links between members of Cancer RRG.

Associate investigator (AI) membership of the Cancer RRG is free and open to all those actively engaged in cancer research in Northern Ireland; this allows access to many of the activities and keeps all those registered informed of the latest activities. The Cancer RRG is organised by a Principal Investigator (PI) committee which is composed of cancer researchers in NI who have project funding from the Research and Development Office (R& D) of the HPSS or who have national or international funding on cancer related projects. The R & D office also provides support for cohesion activities organised through the PI committee.

Latest developments within the Cancer Research Community of NI.

Queen’s Honour for CRRG Principle Investigator

Professor Terry Lappin has been named in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Professor of Haematology, Terry Lappin, will receive an OBE for services to medicine.

The Queen's Birthday Honours List recognises outstanding achievement and service across the whole of the UK.

Cancer Research UK Centre Launched

On 24 March 2009, Belfast joined a unique chain of Cancer Research UK Centres that are being launched across the UK. These cancer centres will draw together world class research and areas of medical expertise to provide the best possible results for cancer patients nationwide. As one of the first centres, the Belfast Cancer Research UK Centre, which is housed within Queen’s University CCRCB, will help set the pace for national and international progress in cancer of the bowel, oesophagus and breast. It will also concentrate on pioneering the latest techniques in radiotherapy, improving cancer diagnosis and developing new, more effective drugs. Collaboration is the key to the success of the Centre which will focus on identifying new targets for cancer drugs, understanding how genes can help predict which treatment will be most effective and developing specific new treatments that have fewer side effects. Cancer Research UK already supports research in Northern Ireland but is looking to increase its contribution up to Ł2.5m a year to help develop the Centre.

A group of CR-UK funded scientists in CCRCB

Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said, "Funding these centres of excellence is one of the charity's priorities and will enable us to work towards the goals we have set to improve the treatment and survival of cancer patients. But we continue to welcome the generous donations we receive from the public to ensure we can continue to build on what we have started today".

Cancer Research UK plans to launch more centres around the UK during 2009.