What’s the latest at our Centres?

We have 18 Centres around the UK. In this update we hear about major developments from Belfast and Manchester which are helping us move towards our vision of beating cancer.

The Belfast Cancer Research UK Centre was recently proud to host Professor Nic Jones, the Chief Scientist of Cancer Research UK, at the official opening of the Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory (NIMPL) in January. The new NIMPL has a dual purpose. Its core responsibility is providing real-time molecular diagnostics services for cancer patients that are being treated within the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre. Additionally, facilitated by the engagement of the NI Biobank, the laboratory provides an additional capability for researchers in the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRB) to support their explorational studies through analysis of high-quality, molecularly- and clinically-annotated tumour material.

This state-of-the-art facility is visible evidence of the investment made by Cancer Research UK, in partnership with the CCRCB at Queen’s University and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, to improve patient care and outcomes for people with cancer throughout Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez (pictured), the Chair in Molecular Pathology, paid tribute to Cancer Research UK’s Belfast Cancer Research UK Centre grant in enabling the development of this laboratory.

The vision to tailor patient care now and in the future through molecular pathology was the subject of Professor Salto-Tellez’s recent talk to Cancer Research UK staff in London. 

The Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) – a partnership between Cancer Research UK, The University of Manchester and The Christie is set to become one of the largest single-site cancer research centres in Europe as work on its new £28.5m research building progresses.

With more space and improved facilities, the new research building will help to attract more of the world’s best cancer researchers to Manchester and a major recruitment plan is underway. The aim is to recruit around 20 new senior academics over the next five years. The building is expected to be operational in summer 2014.

The new research building allows for vital expansion of research activities and brings together world-class research into cancer biology, drug discovery and clinical trials. It will provide over 6,000m2 for expansion of research activity and will accommodate an additional 150 scientists on site. Working alongside these researchers, The Christie will re-locate around 100 clinical trials support staff to the top floor of the building.

The strategic investment complements existing facilities on the site, promoting collaboration between scientists and clinicians to drive translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical applications that improve treatments and outcomes for cancer patients. The building layout reflects and facilitates the partnership approach that underpins the MCRC, with numerous breakout areas, co-location of group leader offices, open plan write up space and sharing of core facilities.

In November 2012, cancer research in Manchester was given a £12.8m funding boost following a successful bid to the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund.  This will part-fund the construction of the new research building and provides £8.7m towards specialist research equipment on site.

Read more about this and the latest from the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research.

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What’s new in grant terms and conditions?

July 2013 sees some updates to the Cancer Research UK grant terms and conditions following a recent review. So what’s new?

The most significant change is a new section on Research Integrity (section 5). Outlining CRUK’s commitment in this area, it identifies steps that could be taken to nurture a similar culture within Host Institutions. It also details methods that may be used to help mitigate the risk of scientific misconduct, as well as requirements regarding legal and ethical frameworks.  The section ends with a new condition regarding cell line authentication.

We and other funders take the issue of scientific integrity extremely seriously. The new section reflects this and outlines our expectations.  We’ve also written another new document, Guidelines for Scientific Conduct, to accompany the new Research Integrity section.  

Branding is increasingly important to us to ensure that our supporters’ hard work and efforts are recognised by the research they enable us to fund. Mirroring this, we’ve added four conditions to ensure CRUK’s support is acknowledged appropriately.

Finally, there are some minor revisions to the section on students to better reflect the way we support PhD students. We can now fund PhD students through our Science Committee Programme Awards. See section 11 of the new Grant Conditions contains all the latest on the changes.

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What's Included in Our Argentina Program Fees

At IFSA-Butler, we believe our program fees offer more comprehensive student support than any other study abroad organization. In addition to a great academic and cultural experience abroad, our fees include the following:

Academics Tuition Full academic advising and course selection/approval assistance Butler University transcript for easy credit transfer Academic records maintenance Grade and credit query assistanceTutors to help with Spanish language skills and coursework

Housing Guaranteed pre-arranged housing with a host family in ArgentinaIFSA-Butler houses only one student per host family Two meals per day (one meal on Saturdays) in Buenos AiresThree meals per day in Mendoza

Predeparture support services

Personalized advising with a Spanish-speaking IFSA-Butler program advisor Welcome packet, Preparing to Study Abroad Argentina, Money Matters guide, and newsletter updates Parental support including Preparing to Study Abroad Argentina and Money Matters guide Assistance in accommodating students with disabilities Travel and Argentine student visa assistance Group flight arrangements to Argentina for most programs

On-site services Airport pickup for group flights Full-time offices in Buenos Aires and Mendoza for assistance and support Two- or three-week student orientation (including transportation, accommodation, activities, student handbook and welcome materials, and most meals). Summer programs have a two-day orientationIntensive Spanish language programNewsletter updates throughout the semester (semester/year programs programs)

Excursions and activities (semester/year programs)

Mid-semester weekend excursions and adventure trips Cultural activities and social events that showcase the cultural delights of ArgentinaDay trips and sightseeing tours

Health services and emergency assistance
Finances Numerous IFSA-Butler scholarships available Monthly payment plan available Ability to pay by credit cardFinancial aid transfersU.S. university direct billing arrangements
Some U.S. colleges and universities ("direct bill institutions") pay IFSA-Butler fees on behalf of their students. Students attending these direct bill institutions pay the IFSA-Butler program fee directly to their home college or university. Students from direct-bill colleges and universities may pay a different fee, but they receive the same outstanding services from IFSA-Butler.

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