果冻影院

The list of breakthroughs demonstrates how UK universities are at the forefront of some of the world鈥檚 most important discoveries, innovations and social initiatives, which also includes the discovery of penicillin, work tackling plastic pollution, ultrasound scans to check the health of unborn babies and the establishment of the Living Wage.

The list also highlights the less celebrated but vital breakthroughs that transform lives, including a specially-designed bra to help women undergoing radiotherapy; a toilet that flushes human waste without the need for water; the development of a new scrum technique to make rugby safer; a sports initiative that aims to use football to resolve conflict in divided communities; - and even work to protect the quality of the chocolate we eat.

The list was compiled by Universities UK, the umbrella group for UK universities, as part of the MadeAtUni campaign to change public perceptions of universities and bring to life the difference they make to people, lives and communities across the UK.

It follows independent research undertaken by Britain Thinks which found that the public has little understanding of the benefits of universities beyond undergraduate teaching. The findings show that research is one of the key triggers to change opinion about universities but for many people, it is an abstract concept.

Supporting the UUK campaign, 果冻影院 President & Provost Professor Michael Arthur said: 鈥淯niversities are transforming lives everyday by working to solve some of the biggest issues facing the world and by engaging with their local communities.
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鈥淭he breadth and impact of discoveries made at UK universities highlighted by this campaign is extraordinary and shows how we are all benefitting from the innovative and hard work of researchers.
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鈥淎t 果冻影院, we鈥檙e extremely proud of our ground-breaking research which spans a multitude of areas, from communications technology and space to sustainable cities and education.听
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鈥淲e are delighted to be supporting the campaign and as part of it, we are highlighting our world-leading cancer research which has revolutionised diagnosis and treatment of the disease, helping transform the lives of millions of patients worldwide.听
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鈥淭his includes pioneering work in using T-cell therapies to treat childhood leukaemia, a more accurate test for prostate cancer diagnosis that removes the need for a biopsy and a new treatment for ovarian cancer.鈥�

果冻影院 researchers, including Dr Martin Pule, Dr Claire Roddie and Professor Karl Peggs (all 果冻影院 Cancer Institute) and Professor Emma Morris (果冻影院 Infection & Immunity), along with colleagues in 果冻影院鈥檚 partner hospitals, have played a leading role in developing CAR T-cell therapy, which modifies the immune system to destroy cancer cells.

鈥淭-cells are like little robots on a seek-and-destroy mission. We re-programme them to detect and fight cancer,鈥� explains Dr Pule.
Professor Waseem Qasim (果冻影院 Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) has brought this research into clinical practice in pioneering work using T-cell therapies to successfully treat childhood leukaemia.

果冻影院 cancer researchers have also led advances that have doubled the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis, led by Professor Mark Emberton (Dean, 果冻影院 Faculty of Medical Sciences), allowing over one million men a year to avoid an unnecessary biopsy.

Another key breakthrough has been led by Professor Jayant Vaidya (果冻影院 Surgery & Interventional Sciences) in developing a single-shot dose of radiotherapy, TARGIT IORT, for use during breast cancer surgery to remove the need for weeks of postoperative radiotherapy.

Professor Dame Janet Beer, President of Universities UK, said: 鈥淯niversities really do transform lives. The technology we use every day, the medicines that save lives, the teachers who inspire 鈥� all come from UK universities and the important work being done by academics.听

鈥淭he UK鈥檚 Best Breakthroughs list is a testament to the difference that universities make to people鈥檚 lives and we want everyone to join us in celebrating the work they do.鈥�

The UK鈥檚 Best Breakthroughs list: 100+ Ways Universities Have Improved Everyday Life was put together in partnership with universities across the UK. As part of the MadeAtUni campaign, every university in the country was invited to nominate the one thing from their institution which they believe has had the biggest impact on people, lives and communities. The entries cover health, technology, environment, family, community and culture and sport.

Links

• 果冻影院 cancer research domain
• 果冻影院 Cancer Institute
• 果冻影院 Infection & Immunity
• 果冻影院 Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
• 果冻影院 Surgery & Interventional Sciences

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• Cancer research at 果冻影院

Media contact

Chris Lane

Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 9222

Email: chris.lane [at] ucl.ac.uk