The grant, of almost £280,000, is part of a £2 million wave of Movember Foundation Project Grants and Pilot Awards made by the charity.
Preventing cancerous cell growth
Dr Matthew Lloyd, Senior Lecturer in Molecular Enzymology from the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology who will be leading the project, said: “From previous research by other workers it is known that a protein called AMACR is involved in prostate cancer cell growth. With this substantial grant we will be able to investigate further the exact function of this protein and then look for drugs that could stop the protein working. If successful this could provide a novel way of stopping the disease in its tracks.
“Prostate cancer kills one man every hour in the UK. It is crucial that we continue to find new and improved methods to treat advanced disease.”
The grant was awarded via a competitive process and was subject to detailed assessment from international experts and the Prostate Cancer UK Research Advisory Committee.
Vital research
Sarah Coghlan, UK Country Director, Movember Foundation, commented: “It’s through the efforts of over 1,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas in Bath and thousands more across the country that we have been able to fund such vital research to address the key challenges in prostate cancer. With continued support we can do more so that fewer men die from prostate cancer, and those that live can enjoy happier, healthier, longer lives.”
Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Prostate Cancer UK added: “Through our ongoing partnership with the Movember Foundation, we have been able to fund another bumper round of high quality research grants this year, focussed on the key issues facing prostate cancer - from identifying men at risk of developing aggressive forms to discovering new treatments for advanced disease.
“However the story doesn't end here. We really need more help to build on the great work that is already under way if we are to accelerate the process of conquering the most common cancer in men. As part of our ongoing Men United campaign, we are calling on people across the country to make this summer count by doing something with their friends to raise funds and help beat the disease. Prostate cancer takes 10,000 lives every year. By pulling together we can stop it in its tracks.”
Summer fundraising activities
Prostate Cancer UK’s summer activities include everything from poker nights to golf, cycling, walking, climbing and even rock festivals. Find out here how to get involved at www.prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved. More information about research grants awarded by Prostate Cancer UK is available at: www.prostatecanceruk.org/research/research-we-fund.
93 per cent of the University’s Pharmacy & Pharmacology research was rated as world leading or internationally excellent in the recent independently-assessed Research Excellence Framework 2014. Overall Bath ranked in the top 3 of universities with a School of Pharmacy.
For more information about Cancer Research at Bath (CR@B) please visit http://www.bath.ac.uk/science/research/cancer-research/.