The CRUK Convergence Science Centre is a partnership between Imperial College London and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). We bring together researchers across these institutions from different disciplines to develop innovative ways to address challenges in cancer research and improve patient outcomes.
From Surgery to Science: Using Organoids to Study Cancer
The CRUK Convergence Science Centre offers a cutting-edge organoid and biobank facility, available to Centre members across the ICR and Imperial. With expert support and hands-on training, even researchers with limited lab experience are able to undertake organoid research - like surgical trainee Caoimhe Walsh, who is now using organoids in her own research to explore the use of breath tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer.
Putting Patients First: Cancer Technologies Showcased at the Great Exhibition Road Festival 2025
The CRUK Convergence Science Centre in collaboration with the ICR invited visitors to the Great Exhibition Road Festival 2025 to explore how technology is shaping a more compassionate future for cancer care. From comforting soft robotics to app design and AI puzzles; our activities sparked curiosity, conversation, and inspiration across all ages.
Cutting costs, boosting confidence: Novel force-based assay enhances selection of better immune cells for cancer immunotherapies
Cancer immunotherapies are a type of treatment that activate the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. This type of treatment has significantly improved patient outcomes in recent years for a variety of different cancer types however, they can be difficult and expensive to make. A team led by Dr Sam Au at Imperial have created a technology and launched a company, Avigen, to help accelerate the development of immunotherapies by assessing the binding strength of potential immunotherapy cells and identifying which ones are more likely to succeed.
