Radiobiology and Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is one of the cornerstones of cancer treatment and research in the Department. The Radiobiology and Radiotherapy program from University of Liverpool aims to develop both a greater understanding of the interaction between biological materials with radiation and to develop improved delivery of radiation for therapeutic purposes.

Scientific research in the Department is performed in an environment that has a wealth of clinical expertise and research which ensures that basic scientific research is always performed with insights of relevance to patients provided by leading clinical teams and an awareness of detailed clinical issues.

Key facts:

• The broad range of fundamental research interests within the Department provides for world class research in cancer biology with translational links supported by world class clinical research into several major types of cancer.
• The Radiobiology and Radiotherapy program from University of Liverpool plays a leading role in the activities of the Cancer Research UK Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre and radiation research in the Department has access to extensive radiotherapy treatment expertise including access to the proton beam facility at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.
• Fundamental studies of the radiobiology of cancer cells and cellular responses to radiation including ionizing radiation and proton beams research in the Department benefits from the almost unique access to the proton beam facility at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Our research interests include:

• Fundamental research into the cellular responses to DNA damage induced by radiation with the aim of understanding the processes that lead to cancer development and which constitute potential therapeutic targets

• Clinical studies conducted with the intent to improve radiation therapy by improving models and developing more effective treatment protocols

• Investigations in humans and human materials which examine the radiation responses of cells and tissues to better understand the biology of disease and provide the scientific base for the development of new or improved therapies for human disease

• Translational research taking advantage of new and on-going clinical trials in cancer often of novel and modifications of existing therapies and also to develop novel predictive and prognostic biomarkers.