Marie Curie Research Institute

They focus on how the cells of our bodies should normally operate; what causes these processes to go wrong, leading to cancer; and how better treatments can be developed.

Much of the work carried out relates to the fundamental mechanisms governing proper cell division and organisation and how damage to genes which have important roles in ordinary cells can cause a cell to become cancerous.

A better understanding

Marie Curie Cancer Care scientists believe that a better understanding of cells and the genes and proteins involved will help in the development of methods for early detection and treatment of cancers.

To ensure their work is cost-effective and of the greatest value to cancer patients, Marie Curie Cancer Care researchers collaborate with other doctors and scientists worldwide. Their work is published in leading international scientific journals.

Marie Curie Research Institute Activities

Marie Curie scientists work in teams, each of which investigates a specific area which is likely to improve understanding of cancer. Each group is led by a senior scientist, who directs research and reviews results.

1. Molecular Motors
   When a cell divides, the structure of the new cell is laid down in a few minutes by an army of robotic molecular-scale motors, moving along minuscule tracks, each dragging its payload of cellular components into position.
   Cancer is a disease of out-of-control cell division. If we find out how these motors work, we may be able to target them with new anti-cancer drugs.
2. DNA Replication
   Before a cell divides it needs to create two copies of the DNA in its nucleus - one for each new cell. Pieces of cell machinery move along the DNA to create two copies of it. Mistakes in copying DNA (mutations) can have serious consequences - errors can lead cell division to run out of control, causing cancer.
   The DNA replication group is looking at DNA replication, the processes in starting and stopping at the right place and time and how errors in this process are caused.
3. Signalling and Development
   This group studies melanocytes, normal skin cells, and how they can be transformed into malignant melanoma, the most common lethal skin cancer.
   The scientists are interested in how genes are turned on and off in response to certain signals such as sunlight or DNA damage. They are particularly looking at pathways which carry signals from other parts of the cell to the machinery whose job it is to switch the genes on and off. Malfunction in such mechanisms frequently leads to uncontrolled cell division.
4. Gene Regulation
   This group is studying the very complicated pieces of cell machinery which have the job of switching genes on - and especially the controls which prevent it from working at the wrong time. They have been working to recreate this machinery piece by piece in the lab.
5. Chromosome Segregation
   Accurate chromosome segregation is crucial for producing the correct number of chromosomes in each daughter cell following mitosis. Abnormal number of chromosomes (known as aneuploidy) is a common characteristic of cancer cells suggesting a fundamental link between errors in chromosome segregation and tumour development.
   This group is using a combination of biochemistry, genetics and microscope-based assays to investigate the protein composition and architecture of large complexes called kinetochores which are critical for proper chromosome segregation and they are examining how they work at the molecular level.
6. Protein Trafficking and Virus Gene Regulation
   Cells are normally subject to many stresses and have counter measures to enable survival. They also have in-built mechanisms to programme their own death if the stresses cause too much damage. But cancer cells survive in harsh conditions. This group aims to understand how cells respond to certain stresses and how the control mechanisms are integrated.
   They also use viruses which hijack cells and frequently help uncover key regulatory controls or the Achilles heel of cell organisation and structure.
   By investigating how the virus hijacks these mechanisms, Marie Curie Cancer Care scientists seek to find out how they work normally. This could provide clues about what goes wrong with cells when cancer develops and also help in developing new tools for cancer gene therapy. Investigating how the herpesvirus attacks cells has thrown up some unexpected, and potentially useful, results.
7. Cell Cycle Control
   The cell cycle is the ordered set of processes by which one cell grows and divides into two daughter cells. Each daughter cell should receive a perfect copy of the DNA from the mother cell. To make sure this happens, DNA replication and chromosome segregation have to be very precisely regulated.
   Deregulation of these processes could lead to cancer. The cell machinery which the cell cycle group is investigating is a protein destruction system. It degrades damaged and misfolded proteins as well as regulatory proteins which control the cell cycle.
8. Cytoskeletal Organization Laboratory
   Loss of shape and structure in cells and tissue is commonly associated with tumours, and contributes to the development of abnormal processes in cancer. By understanding in detail how cell structure and shape are generated, the Cytoskeletal Organization Group aims to identify the cellular functions that are deregulated in cancerous cells. This may lead to new ways to treat cancer.
   Unlike the human skeleton, the skeleton of the cell – called the cytoskeleton - is flexible, and can change its shape and structure. The scientists specialise in investigating the role of microtubules – one of the three different types of filament which make up the cytoskeleton. They aim to understand how microtubules regulate shape and support changes to shape.
9. Translational Research
   Several years ago, scientists in Marie Curie's Herpesvirus Group found that the herpesvirus protein VP22 had some very unusual properties which may have potential for developing drug or gene therapies. VP22 was able to leave the cell in which it was manufactured and travel to nearby cells - and it went straight to their nuclei.
   The scientists patented the idea of using VP22 to deliver therapeutic drugs or genes into cells, and Marie Curie Cancer Care set up - a commercial partnership to develop VP22-based drugs and therapies.
   Experiments are continuing, although no human trials are expected for some time.