News

Thursday 24 January 2008

£7.65 million gift to fund cancer research

A £7.65 million donation which aims to significantly advance research in cancer diagnosis and therapy has been given to Nottingham Trent University. The university, which has an international reputation in cancer research, will receive the multi-million pound funding from the John and Lucille van Geest Foundation, sealing a highly successful nine year relationship that has already resulted in the establishment of new cancer detection technologies and patents.

Nearly £3 million of the donation has been ear marked to expand research facilities on Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton campus with the creation of a new, dedicated research centre. The rest, which will be spread over five years, will be used to almost double the university’s cancer research staff from 13 to 25, and to support research in cancer diagnosis.

The donation capitalises on the university’s current, world-leading research in the field of cancer biomarkers and immunotherapy and will provide exciting opportunities for further international collaboration, extending knowledge in the field of cancer and for the development of cancer vaccines. It is thought to be the largest ever donation given to a post-92 university.

Professor Robert Rees, Dean of Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology and Director of Research for the new John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, will be leading the initiative. He said: “This is a fantastic donation that will help keep Nottingham and indeed Nottingham Trent University at the forefront of cancer research globally.

“It is a very exciting development where we have the opportunity to build on our research activity, and expand our research programme to advance knowledge in cancer treatments. This award will make a significant contribution to cancer research in Nottingham and we are very grateful for the support that the van Geest Foundation has shown in these endeavours.”

Brenda Ruysen, from the John and Lucille van Geest Foundation, said: “Nottingham Trent University has a rich heritage in cancer research. We are very happy to be part of a programme that has the potential to transform many lives and that will significantly advance cancer detection worldwide!”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Press enquiries please contact: Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 8782, or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk

Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk