Facilities

Research at NICR is split over different sites, depending upon the type of research.

Biological Studies

The purpose-built Paul O’Gorman Building is at the centre of the biological studies-based research. Completed in 2004 using a £4.5m grant from the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF) (now the Research Capital Investment Fund) and £5.5m donated by the charities Cancer Research UK and Children with Cancer UK, the open-planned building contains modern, fully equipped, laboratories and office space. Research here aims to identify the molecular and biological differences between normal and malignant cells.

A strong research infrastructure on childhood/young adult cancers resides in the Sir James Spence Institute based in the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary. After significant laboratory refurbishment and expansion of office space, specialist research groups on cytogenetics in childood leukaemia, brain tumours and epidemiology as well as clinical trials are now located here.

Medicinal Chemistry

The Wolfson Cancer Research UK Laboratory, based within the Bedson Building of the School of Chemistry, is the centre of the NICR medicinal chemistry-based research and the place where novel drug development takes place.

Clinical Trials

The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre undertakes clinical research for adult oncology and is based within the award-winning Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) at Newcastle Freeman Hospital. Opened in 2009, the NCCC is the largest centre of its kind in the North England; it is the home for the Translational and Early Drug Development Team.

Clinical Trials in urological cancers are conducted within the Urology Department at the Freeman Hospital.

Clinical Trials in childhood cancers take place within the Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology Unit at the new Great North Children’s Hospital. This modern building provides a friendly environment for children and young people and their families.

Functional Imaging

The Newcastle Magnetic Resonance (MR) Centre, located in the Campus for Ageing and Vitality, installed a clinical PET-CT scanner in spring 2007 and is facility used for NICR functional imaging-based research.