iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

🔬 Li Ren Kong (NTU) - studying how STAT3 signalling & immune interactions drive early #livercancer development, revealing opportunities for interception. 🧬 @sebastianwaszak.bsky.social (EPFL) - exploring genomic biomarkers to predict progression in low-grade gliomas in children and young adults

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

🧬What can molecular changes reveal about early #cancer development and progression? Find out at our next #ConvergingOnCancer International Seminar 📅 5 November, 10-11am GMT/11-12pm CET/6-7pm SGT 🔗 buff.ly/exPApMZ

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Dr Sam Au is using #microfluidics to build “lab-on-a-chip” models that give researchers new ways to understand how #cancer grows and spreads. 👉 Read Sam’s story: buff.ly/TCGhRqS #CancerResearch #ConvergenceScience #Bioengineering @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

📣 New publication: Our Cancer Technology Catalyst Team introduces an implementation-aware Target Product Profile (iTPP), developed using real-world evidence, translating insights from patients, clinicians and delivery teams into practical requirements for diagnostic pathways. 👉 buff.ly/nW3VwO6

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Our students joined @icbcdt.bsky.social for a 4 day #HumanCentredDesign & Human Factors Engineering course at Madingley Hall. Through workshops, presentations & case studies, they explored how human-centred approaches can shape medical device development. Thanks to We are Human for a great week!

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🔬Dr @Stefan Antonowicz (@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social) on metabolic variation in oesophageal adenocarcinoma 🔬Dr Izzie Cartwright (@royalmarsden.org) on #ctDNA and GI cancer 📅1 October, 10–11am 🔗 lnkd.in/eqTc-3kN

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Our next #ConvergingOnCancer seminar explores new approaches to #GICancer, from understanding tumour biology to translating biomarkers into clinical practice. Join us to hear from:

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

What happens after #cancer treatment? Our Catalyst team has explored the “mirrored burden” of post-treatment follow-up through #CoDesign with cancer survivors and healthcare professionals, identifying ways clearer handovers could help prevent patients falling through the gaps. 📄 buff.ly/8knv5h2

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

🔬Dr @romeoracz.bsky.social, @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social – exploring neurotechnologies for studying the electrophysiology of brain tumours. 🧬Prof Simon Schäfer @tum.de – engineering human organoid and assembloid models to investigate brain–immune interactions in disease. 👉 buff.ly/N5z3PxZ

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

🧠 How can #engineering new models of the human brain help us understand #BrainCancer? Join our next #ConvergingOnCancer International Seminar 📅3 September, 10-11am BST

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Can AI predict cancer's next move? @stephensammut.bsky.social is using #AI to understand how #BreastCancer changes during treatment, personalising #Cancer care. 👉 buff.ly/P9vBRKq This is the first in our Assistant Director Research Spotlight series. Follow for more from the Centre. @icr.ac.uk

Photo of Stephen with a quote saying "We're trying to use AI to build clinical 'crystal balls', tools that can help predict the right drug, for the right person, at the right time."

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Behind every breakthrough are the tools that make it possible. New publication from Prof Paul French and colleagues at @imperialphysics.bsky.social describes an improved open-source optical autofocus system for microscopy, helping make high-quality imaging more accessible. 📖 buff.ly/9piqkZU

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Quantitative evaluation of LED‐based optical autofocus module

We report an improved version of the open-source optical autofocus (OAF) module (openAF) for light microscopy, replacing the superluminescent diode (SLD) with a multimode-optical fibre-coupled LED…

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

How can nanotechnology deliver chemotherapy + immunotherapy together? 💊🤖 Centre #PhD student Elina Tanskanen with @patelgroup.bsky.social and Jun Ishihara at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social developed a nanoparticle that co-delivers doxorubicin and IL-12 mRNA. 📖 buff.ly/KStmyG5

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

The team tested 10,000+ drug and #radiotherapy combinations in silico, helping identify more personalised treatment strategies and which patients are most likely to benefit from radiotherapy. A great example of collaborative, #ConvergenceScience in action. 📄 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42341181/

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Researchers from @ucl.ac.uk, @cam.ac.uk and @icr.ac.uk combined computational modelling, #CancerBiology and clinical expertise to create a 'virtual tumour' model for non-small cell #LungCancer. @cruk-cityoflondon.bsky.social @crukcamcentre.bsky.social

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

This fragmentation process may help explain how cancer cells adapt in circulation and seed new tumours. This work links with earlier findings on “shearosomes”. Together, they point to a bigger shift in thinking: blood vessels don’t just transport cancer cells, they reshape them. 🔗 buff.ly/hNYMMlv

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

New study in @pnasnexus.org shows tiny blood vessel structures can influence how #cancer spreads. When clusters of tumour cells pass through narrow vessels, branching points act like mechanical “splitting zones,” pulling them apart into smaller groups or single cells. 🔗 buff.ly/mP276vT

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

🎓 Brian Cunningham will share how advanced #organoid models are helping researchers better understand interactions between tumours and blood vessels. 🎓 Tiondre Brown will discuss using #ultrasound and Acoustic Cluster Therapy to improve targeted drug delivery to tumours. 👉 buff.ly/pCFHHOw

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

🔬 Join us online for our next Future Leaders Seminar on 17 June (12–1pm). Hear Centre PhD students share their research and experiences of working across disciplines as #ConvergenceScience researchers. Open to members across @icr.ac.uk and @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Our students took part in a #PatientEngagement Workshop, sharing their research and hearing directly from patients. The conversations were a valuable reminder that effective #ScienceCommunication is about listening as well as explaining. Thank you to everyone involved. 🙏

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

🔬 @fransupek.bsky.social ( @bric-ucph.bsky.social) - how #DNA repair defects drive cancer evolution 💻 Dr Syed Haider ( @icr.ac.uk ) - using large-scale cancer #genomics #data to uncover synthetic lethal interactions and identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities. More information 👉 buff.ly/JHRhnJi

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

🧬How can #genomics help us uncover cancer's vulnerabilities? Join us to hear how novel genomic approaches are revealing new insights into #cancer evolution and identifying potential therapeutic targets. #ConvergingOnCancer International Seminar 📅 2 July, 10-11am BST

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

New preprint from researchers at @imperialsci.bsky.social and @icr.ac.uk introduces CanonicalTockySeq - exploring how #TCells change over time during #immunotherapy to better understand treatment responses. ➡️ buff.ly/HUSjiDM @monotockylab.bsky.social @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social #CRUKFunded

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Highlights of Centre supported research featured at #AACR26 🔬Includes: safer and more targeted therapies, #ProstateCancer drug development, liquid biopsy approaches to monitoring treatment response, improving #immunotherapies for solid tumours, and early detection. Find out more ➡️ buff.ly/CBTKuV6

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

The review explores how VOCs from immune cells could be used for disease monitoring and diagnostics, including non-invasive ways to track immune responses and #cancer progression. 🔗 buff.ly/BFbYCKB

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

🤔 How can compounds released by immune cells help us better understand #cancer? Exciting to see Centre-funded Clinical Research Fellow Nader Bedwani as first author on a newly published scoping review on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by immune cells. @metabolomicsj.bsky.social

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

This review explores the Raf-Mek-Erk-Rsk signalling pathway in #ProstateCancer and treatment resistance, highlighting opportunities for targeted therapies and biomarkers. Find out more👉 buff.ly/YJunSA2

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Great to see Centre-funded Clinical Research Fellow Nick Waldron as co-first author on a new review in the British Journal of Cancer as part of their Emerging Leaders series 👏

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

👏 Great to see our Centre students Aria, Maja and Killian supporting the YEAH! Careers event with an #AI-themed workshop for Year 8 & 9 pupils. These #WideningParticipation activities help give students early exposure to healthcare and #STEMCareers as they start thinking about GCSE choices.

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

🧬 Anke Nijhuis @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social - targeting RNA splicing through RBM39 degradation in MYCN-driven tumours. 🔬 @sallygeorge.bsky.social @icr.ac.uk - how the SMPaeds programme is helping bring precision medicine approaches closer to the clinic. 📅 Thurs 4 June, 10–11am 🔗 buff.ly/75wfXJZ

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

🤔 How can #ConvergenceScience help unlock new treatments for #ChildhoodCancers? Our next #ConvergingOnCancer seminar will explore how researchers are advancing #PrecisionMedicine and targeted #CancerBiology to better understand and treat #PaediatricCancers.

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

The discussion underscored the shared strategic objective of leveraging robust #interdisciplinary infrastructure to accelerate oncology translation. Find out more about our catalyst team 👉 buff.ly/DFU0h44 #ConvergenceScience #Cancer #CancerResearch

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

ARPA-H were keen to learn how the application of #ImplementationScience, advanced #DataAnalytics, and early #HealthEconomics methodologies can generate evidence that derisks translational failures, particularly during the early stage cycle of #cancer innovations.

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

💡Derisking Cancer Innovation We welcomed a delegation from @arpa-h.bsky.social the US federal funding agency mandated to accelerate high-impact biomedical breakthroughs, to the Centre where they met members of our Catalyst team, Patrick Kierkegaard, Bowen Su and @arnaudjlegrand.bsky.social

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Convergence science at scale: From #CancerResearch to #AI and sustainability, our Centre and @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social’s School of #ConvergenceScience are working in complementary ways to accelerate impact, tackling complex challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. 👉 buff.ly/ot17sBx

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Great to see contributions from CRUK Convergence Science Centre PhD students Sadiya Quazi & Nikolaos Zourdoumis, supervised by Anke Nijhuis, in this collaborative study led by Yurui Ma. 👉 Read more: buff.ly/PfhWNIx #Cancer #RNA #DrugRepurposing

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

🔬 New research reveals a dual‑drug strategy targeting a key weakness in cancer’s RNA processing Scientists at @icr.ac.uk & @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social show how two existing drugs can be repurposed to disrupt RNA splicing - a process cancer cells depend on to survive.

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

#AACR2026 Do not miss this poster from @udaibanerji.bsky.social and team, involving work from one of our CRUK-funded PhD students, Brian Cunningham.

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

If you’re attending #AACR2026, don’t miss this poster from @udaibanerji.bsky.social and team, showcasing Centre‑supported high‑impact research from the Drug Development Unit at the ICR and The Royal Marsden

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

🧠 Dr Lisa Adams (@tum.de): Can AI think like an oncologist? 🧪 Prof Eric Aboagye (@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social): Finding hidden clues in scans 📅 7th May, 10-11am BST, 11-12pm CEST, 5-6pm SGT 👉 buff.ly/quoHSXg

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

🔬 How is #AI changing decisions in #cancer care? Our next #ConvergingOnCancer seminar explores how data, imaging & AI are helping doctors better understand and respond to cancer.

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

This work highlights the Centre's focus on translating cross-disciplinary #CancerResearch into tangible benefits for patients. 🔗 Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic... #ConvergenceScience #EBCC15

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

The CASCARA (Costs And Supportive Care in Breast Cancer) programme is supported by @breastcancernow.bsky.social and led by the @icr-ctsu.bsky.social at @icr.ac.uk involving collaborations with @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social, @cam.ac.uk and patient partners.

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

CASCARA reveals the overlooked financial and coordination burden patients face, from ongoing expenses to navigating follow-up care. It identifies practical actions to: ✅ improve access to support ✅ reduce the burden on patients and families ✅ create clearer routes back into specialist care

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

💡 New research is shining a light on the hidden costs of living with and beyond breast cancer in the UK. At the 15th European Breast Cancer Conference, Patrick Kierkegaard, (the Centre's Implementation Science Lead) spoke to the Daily Mail about findings from the CASCARA programme.

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Since COVID, lateral flow tests are widely used in healthcare but could they detect #OvarianCancer? New research from our PhD student Aida Abdelwahed, supervised by Prof Molly Stevens and Dr Srdjan Saso, explores how #nanotechnology could test multiple biomarkers at once. 🔗 buff.ly/hRGAG8s

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

🧬 Dr Magnus Dillon ( @icr.ac.uk): using radiotherapy + DNA damage modulation to boost immune activation 🧪 Dr Jun Ishihara ( @impengineering.bsky.social): engineering safer, more effective CAR-T therapies for solid tumours 🔗 buff.ly/O17C2yP #CancerResearch #Immunotherapy #CAR_T #Radiotherapy

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

🔬 How can we better harness the immune system to fight cancer? Our next #ConvergingOnCancer seminar will explore how researchers are enhancing anti-tumour immune responses through cross-disciplinary approaches. 📅 16th April, 10-11am

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Great to see CSC students Aria, Saki & Shania inspiring the next generation at an @icr.ac.uk careers event 👏 6th-form students visited labs, explored #CancerResearch careers, and heard directly from scientists 🧪 Huge thanks to everyone who took part, these moments really help open up #STEM pathways

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CRUK Convergence Science Centre @crukconvergence.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Does routine sample preservation change the metals inside breast tumours? A new study in @pubs.acs.org featuring Centre-funded #PhD student Amy Lovejoy found key metals remain largely intact after processing - meaning archived samples can still reveal important biology. 🔗 buff.ly/cWYGMiX

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