RadNet – our radiation research network
RadNet is a network of Cancer Research UK centres of excellence with access to cutting edge facilities working to tackle major challenges in radiobiology and radiation oncology.
The seven funded sites have individual strengths in discovery or clinically aligned research and in particular tumour types and modalities. Together, they’re providing the infrastructure and expertise needed to research how to make radiotherapy more effective while minimising side effects.
We’ve invested over £43m into our network since its launch in 2019, establishing a critical mass of activity, expertise and infrastructure across multiple locations. In 2024 we committed a further £24m to support the network as it continues to build its internationally leading research portfolio to attract further funding for radiation research.
Our network
Each location has its own research priorities that build on local strengths. These represent an ideal opportunity to partner with them in shared areas of interest.
Birmingham
- Proton, helium and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) biology
- DNA damage and replication responses
- Development of preclinical models
- Drug-radiation combinations
Cambridge
- Biological determinants of resistance to conventional and emerging radiation technologies
- Innovative ways of sensitising cancer to radiation to design more effective radiotherapy for patients
City of London
- Mechanisms of radiation resistance
- Overcoming radioresistance via radiation combinations
Glasgow
- Cellular determinants of radiation response
- Metabolism and mitochondrial radiobiology
- Socioeconomic determinants of radiotherapy outcomes
- Cross-cutting: pre-clinical and translational research platforms
Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and Royal Marsden Hospital
- Reprogramming cellular responses to radiotherapy
- Promoting a therapeutic tumour microenvironment
- Novel radiation delivery platforms
- Forward and reverse translation
Leeds
- Personalised and adaptive radiotherapy
- Re-irradiation: from discovery to delivery
- Radiotherapy response and resistance
- Cross-cutting: imaging, AI, computational science, real world data and clinical trials
Manchester
- Radiation-induced local and systemic immune modulation
- Tumour microenvironment, cancer evolution and therapy resistance
- Inclusive and personalised radiotherapy for complex patients
- Cross-cutting: research inclusivity and proton vs photon radiotherapy across all research schemes
Researchers
Contact us for more information about the network, or to discuss how your research might fit in.
Research partners
We work with organisations across the academic, not-for-profit and government sectors to accelerate radiation research.
Commercial partners
Our Cancer Research Horizons team work with industry to translate breakthrough science into new treatments and technologies.