By Helen Nickerson, Science and Strategy Manager at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer My existence can be, quite literally, attributed to volunteering. My parents met when my dad was on a Boys’ Brigade rota to drive a minibus of adults with learning difficulties to a social club where my mum volunteered. He quickly volunteered […]

Research Assistant Carlo De Angelis – who returned to the Institute of Genetics and Cancer to work part-time in Hannah Long’s lab after retiring from the University alongside his previous manager Professor Bob Hill – has been involved in volunteering in one way or another for many years. In 1996, when his son was five, […]

By Sara Brown, Grant Chair of Dermatology and Section Head of Genetic and Experimental Medicine at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer Eczema is an itchy, inflammatory skin condition that can affect every aspect of a person’s life, health and wellbeing. But people living with eczema report feeling that their experiences are not well understood and […]

By Jenny Sharma What is it like to be diagnosed with cancer? What is the hardest part of living with the condition? If you wanted to take part in research, where would you look and what information would you want to know? We need to routinely ask questions like this so that we can design […]

By Dr Nick Younger, Research Fellow, and Ewa Ozga, PhD Student, members of Dr Hannah Long’s Research Group, MRC Human Genetic Unit The Science Insights is a college-wide, week-long work experience programme for 40 S5 pupils. The second day is hosted by the IGC and for 2 hours in the afternoon the students join a […]

As a PhD student on the MRC HGU rotation programme I’ve had the opportunity to work in the Zebrafish Facility during one of my rotations. I was very warmly welcomed into the facility and the whole team were always happy to answer questions and provide support. Their enthusiasm was infectious and I found myself really […]

By Sydney Peters, George Watson’s College   When I was first offered the chance to work in Noor’s lab I was so excited but wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Biology and Chemistry have always been my favourite subjects in school but I was intrigued to see what life as a scientist would really be […]

From shy researcher to Fringe artist I am not a natural stand-up comedian by any stretch of the imagination, but I do have a passion for public engagement, so the opportunity to talk in front of a real Fringe audience about my research was very tempting. Without thinking too much about the reality, I boldly […]

The Institute of Genetics and Cancer is home to some incredible research! I know. I’ve seen it myself. Every time I step into the office, I hear new and fascinating research conversations. Let’s be honest though, it’s not always simple, is it? When I first heard the terms Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) and knockout mice, […]