by LAUREN CODLING
AN INDIAN governing science body and a leading UK charity announced the launch of a collaborative project last week in which they hope to develop low-cost cancer treatment.
India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Cancer Research UK unveiled the proposal in which they will launch a five-year collaborative initiative which is expected to focus on low cost approaches to cancer treatment.
Nick Grant, the executive director of international partnerships at the charity, said the organisation was delighted to be working with the Indian government on a joint research initiative.
“Globally, there is a growing challenge with how affordable cancer prevention and care is – both of which are key to increasing cancer survival,” Grant explained.
“By bringing together leading researchers from both countries, we hope to gain insights that will lead to the development of new, affordable approaches to cancer prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.”
The announcement was made on the day India’s prime minister Narendra Modi visited the Francis Crick Institute in London with UK prime minister Theresa May to meet scientists who are helping to develop treatment for diseases such as cancer and malaria.
While at the medical centre, the leaders met members of staff and students before visiting laboratories to learn more about the progression being made.
Accompanying the leaders throughout their visit included the Crick chief operation officer Sam Barrell; board member and CEO of Cancer Research UK, Sir Harpal Kumar; board member Lord Willetts; director of research Sir Richard Treisman; and chief financial officer Stéphane Maikovsky.
The leaders were greeted by 29 Indian members of staff and students, before visiting the Charlie Swanton laboratory to learn about the lung and kidney studies that were being conducted.
Following this, they were led to scientist Mike Blackman lab where they were informed about the growing problem concerning drug resistant malaria and how Blackman was also outlining targets for new treatments.
Barrell said that it was a “real honour” to present the Crick scientists “amazing” work to the prime ministers. “The Crick is a unique partnership between government, charity, academia and industry, which attracts leading scientists from around the world. It is a real privilege to showcase our collaborative research on an international stage,” the chief operation officer said.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)