Abstract
The emergence of CRISPR technologies has enabled rapid and
precise gene editing opportunities. The Joint AstraZeneca - Cancer Research UK
Functional Genomics Centre (FGC) has been launched to better utilise and
improve the CRISPR technology within cancer research. Located within the Milner
Therapeutics Institute, Cambridge, the FGC is comprised of 16 cancer and
computational scientists. With the goal of accelerating the discovery of new
cancer medicines, the FGC aims to be centre of excellence in genetic screening,
cancer modelling and big data processing.
The FGC leverages the strengths of both CRUK’s and
AstraZeneca’s world-class oncology research and drug discovery experience, with
the potential to drive scientific innovation in how new drug targets are
identified and validated, and uniquely democratise access to the latest
cutting-edge research tools and expertise for many thousands of scientists and
clinicians funded by CRUK.
Here
we introduce some questions and challenges around genetic screening and present
how the FGC will lead the development and improvement of CRISPR screening tools
and what underpins a successful and valuable screen. We further describe how the CRUK academic
network can bring their research into the centre.
