Innovative translational and clinical translational research is always underpinned by excellence in basic cancer research. We carry out basic biological research as it relates to cancer, with the ultimate aim of translating research findings towards clinical benefit for patients.

Our genetics program focuses on identification of colorectal cancer susceptibility alleles to guide surveillance and other preventative intervention. Our epigenetics research focuses on the role that DNA methylation plays in the pathogenesis of cancer, including the epigenetic reprogramming of the genome during the early stages of cancer formation.

Cancer molecular pathology is closely allied with the NHS clinical diagnostic service, and provides support to multi-disciplinary cancer teams with rapid implementation of new technologies, including image analysis and quality assured isolation of RNA, DNA or protein from paraffin-embedded sections. New quantitative pathology will produce dynamic computational models aimed at predicting response to treatment.

Edinburgh has internationally renowned psychological and palliative medicine research programmes. These are aimed at improving the quality of life of cancer patients through excellent clinical research, including symptom screening and the management of pain and fatigue.

Medical Oncology in Edinburgh has at its core the delivery of excellence in clinical trials of new anti-cancer regimens or combinations, and a substantial number of early-phase clinical trials are carried out. Funding for clinical and translational cancer trials in South-East Scotland comes from a number of sources, including Cancer Research UK. All of this research falls under the umbrella of the South East Scotland Cancer Research Network (SESCRN), which is led from the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre.