MCRC Director's Update

International Wolfsberg Meeting

Towards the end of June, Manchester scientists were delighted to attend the 17^th International Wolfsberg Meeting, a high-profile conference focused on Molecular Radiation Biology and Oncology. The meeting had four main sessions, with speakers delivering cutting-edge clinical perspectives on DNA repair, intra- and inter-cellular signalling, the tumour microenvironment, and novel therapies and biomarkers. The RadNet-RRR labs of Prof. Ananya Choudhury, Prof. Tim Illidge and Dr. Isabel Pires were in attendance, along with my own lab.

Among the invited speakers was Tim Illidge, Professor of Targeted Therapy and Oncology at The University of Manchester. Tim shared insights on how the immune response triggered by radiation therapy could be reprogrammed to improve the therapeutic index. It is always encouraging to see innovative radiotherapy research from Manchester being shared with an international audience.

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Visits The MCRC

On 24^th June we welcomed scientific colleagues from the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to Manchester for a joint meeting on Cancer Models. The visit marked an important step in strengthening our partnership and exploring how our respective centres can work together to advance translational cancer research.

Over the course of the visit, we focused on emerging technologies in tumour modelling, including 3D bioprinting, organoid culture, and tumour-on-a-chip systems. These platforms offer more representative models of tumour architecture and microenvironment, which could improve the relevance of preclinical studies and therapeutic development.

We also discussed practical approaches to standardising protocols, developing complementary research teams, and identifying areas for joint funding. There was particular interest in how we might align our efforts to support early career researchers and build capacity for complex disease modelling across both centres.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to share expertise, clarify priorities, and identify next steps for collaboration. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the discussions and logistics. We look forward to continuing this work together; an inward visit to Toronto is planned this month and again in 2026.

CRUK Council & Committee Visit to the MCRC

We also welcomed Chair Simon Stevens and selected committee members of the CRUK Trustees and council to the MCRC. The day began with a welcome at the Oglesby Cancer Research Building, followed by strategic discussions with myself, Professor Nic Jones, Christie CEO Roger Spencer and The University of Manchester’s President and Vice Chancellor, Duncan Ivison. They also engaged with early career researchers and postdoctoral fellows over coffee.

Tours of the Paterson Building and the National Biomarker Centre provided insight into infrastructure supporting biomarker discovery and clinical translation. A visit to The Christie’s Proton Beam Therapy Centre highlighted opportunities for collaborative research in precision radiotherapy.

Afternoon sessions included meetings with senior leadership and outreach teams, followed by roundtable discussions with group leaders from the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and The Christie. Topics included tumour immunology, inflammation, and systems oncology.

The visit concluded with clear next steps for collaboration and a shared commitment to developing joint research initiatives with CRUK.

It is superb to see MCRC investigators interacting at an international level with their world-leading science, and I look forward to providing the next update just before Christmas as we move to quarterly Director’s Updates.

Professor Rob Bristow

Director, Manchester Cancer Research Centre,

Director, CRUK Manchester Centre