December 2002
Lead stories

Generous donation funds new Research

A new oncologist at the University's Cancer Research Unit is taking part in ground-breaking research into the fight against cancer.

Dr Catherine Siller is involved in a project to develop a drug to target tumours by developing cells from a new-born child's umbilical cord to test anti-cancer drugs.

As a clinical research fellow, Catherine's postgraduate work involves taking samples of the umbilical cord, growing the cells in a laboratory and then using them in the study.

Dr Catherine Siller.

The research involved asking mothers having a planned Caesarean section to donate a section of umbilical cord. So far, the Unit has had a positive response to its unusual request.

Catherine said: "We are making blood vessels that will replicate the tumour blood vessels. The umbilical cord is something that would otherwise be thrown away."

Cancer biology expert Professor Mike Bibby, who is directing the work, said: "It has become clear that in order for the cancers to grow they have to generate their own blood supply.

"We have a good knowledge of biological processes involved in that growth and we want to try to develop a drug to target a particular bit of that process and cut off the blood supply to the tumour.

"You could say it helps save animal testing but the prime reason for doing it is that we can get the precise type of cells that make new blood vessels in a person."

Left to right: Research Fellow Cathering Siller, President of United Co-op Peter Senior, and Chief Executive of United Co-op Peter Marks.

Catherine will work at the Unit under a three-year clinical research fellowship funded by United Co-op - formerly the Yorkshire Co-operatives. The company has generously donated £150,000 to fund the post. An official presentation was recently made at the Cancer Research Unit, attended by representatives from United Co-op and the University.

Pro-Chancellor Mr Tommy Ashdown said: "We are extremely grateful to United Co-op for this donation, without which we would be unable to fund this important post."

United Co-op Chief Executive Peter Marks said: "It's very gratifying to think our pledge will have such a direct impact on the Unit and its valuable research work."

Catherine said: "Research fellowships are highly-respected and sought after so I was thrilled to have been chosen. I am very excited about the work - there is a very friendly atmosphere at the Unit and everyone is very supportive."

Head of the Unit Professor John Double said: "We regularly work closely with Bradford Royal Infirmary and if these new drugs are successful they will go into clinical trials."

3 December 2002

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