MIKE WEIR MP visits Cancer Research UK Molecular Pharmacology Unit at Ninewells Hospital

Mike Weir MP visited the Cancer Research UK Molecular Pharmacology Unit based at the University of Dundee this week.

Professor Roland Wolf gave Mike Weir MP a tour of the centre at Ninewells Hospital and spoke about his current research and the impact this will have on cancer patients in the future.

Mike Weir MP said, “This has been a great opportunity to learn about the Pharmacology Unit and the world-class cancer research that is going on in Dundee.  This work has the potential to make an enormous impact for cancer patients in the future.  Cancer Research UK funds research all over the UK, including nearly £5.5 million in Dundee this year alone and it is vital to support this life-saving work.”

Professor Roland Wolf and his team are investigating how an important system in the body modifies the way individuals respond to anticancer drugs.  The system is influenced by a range of factors, including an individual’s genetic make-up.  This work will ultimately help doctors select the most appropriate drug and best dose for individual cancer patients.

Professor Wolf said: "We are always keen to make people aware of the work that is being done here. We receive magnificent funding from Cancer Research UK and that has helped us establish a real centre of excellence here in Dundee. We will continue to strive to make breakthroughs in our research as we look to a future of more personalised medicine."

The visit was also an opportunity for Mike Weir MP to hear about Cancer Research UK’s new campaign “Cancer 2020.”

The charity has launched an online petition called, ‘Cancer 2020: Plan it right, make it fair’. The Cancer 2020 campaign urges politicians responsible for the NHS in the four nations of the UK to start planning NOW for the future of cancer, and calls on the Government to commit to updating the Cancer Plan.  You can sign the Cancer 2020 petition at www.cancer2020.org