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College after Biotech
#1
Hello all. I was wanting to see what others think is a great continuation. After my Biotech degree I am wanting to continue my studies. What I ultimately want to be involved in is the search for cures of cancer using plant species and animal toxins and venoms from the rainforest. What should I take next? Plant Biology? Biology? or what.Huh

If tried emailing my Prof.'s to see what they think,but they haven't replied. I figured they are just too busy.
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#2
Career in cancer research

Number of people diagnosed with cancer and increased number of cancer related deaths, forced the researches around the globe to maximize their effort in discovering potential cure for this group of diseases. Most scientists are focused on certain cancer type and have specific research goals: identification of cancer related genes, identification of molecular mechanism related to cancer spreading, identification of potential drug candidates…. Cancer research centers exist in lot of countries in the world and many of them closely collaborate. Becoming respected scientist in some of those institutes maybe isn’t an easy thing in the world, but the effort may pay off at the end. Highly ranked institutes demand MD/PhD (or higher) scientific degree for position such as principle investigator that designs, organizes and executes scientific projects. Depending on the area of research you decide to pick, you must be proficient in chemistry, molecular biology, genetics… All these factors may help you decide which position and area of investigation might be the best for you. If you want to combine research of plants with cancer, you need to decide if you are interested in exploring genetic material of plants that could provide valuable information for the cancer research in general (experiment with Arabidopsis showed that silencing of DEL1 prevents duplication of the DNA material during the cell division, for example) or you want to focus on extraction and identification of compounds that have potential anticancer effect in human cancer cell lines. When you decide which type of research would be the best for you - ideal working place will be easier to find. Even if you don’t manage to become excellently paid successful scientist from day one, you can take some time to volunteer and gather necessary information, skills and ideas that will help you in your future career.

Here are some interesting cancer research institutes in the world:

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) (part of National Institutes of Health (NIH))

Headquarter of the NIH is in Bethesda, Maryland. Other facilities are located in Frederick, North Carolina, Poolesville and Rocky Mountain. NIH opened in 1953 and since that time, it made substantial contribution to the disease prevention and to the invention of the new treatment options. It is responsible for development of chemotherapy for cancer. Immunotoxin in the hairy cell leukemia treatment was "patented" at NIH. Scientists at the NIH also discovered genes responsible for kidney cancer, which accelerated drug development and led to 6 new drugs that are used in treatment of advanced renal cancer. NIH is a pioneer of gene therapy and besides cancer treatment, researches at the institute also discovered effectiveness of zidovudine in AIDS therapy and help in discovery of blood test for AIDS/HIV and hepatitis viruses.

Cancer Research Institute (CRI)

Cancer Research Institute is established in 1953 by Helen Coley Nauts in New York. Mrs. Coley wanted to honor her father, respectful surgeon who discovered (what is today known as) cancer immunotherapy. CRI had 3 Nobel Laureates and 29 scientists, members of National Academy of Sciences that helped institute in the immunotherapeutic research in the past. In the 1999 Cancer Antigen Discovery Collaborative was established. This unit is focused on discovery of antigens associated with colon, breast, and prostate cancer. Development of cancer vaccines is another important focus of the scientist in the CRI.

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)

ICR is located in London and it is one of the most respectful institutes that deal with cancer research. It exists for more than 100 years and its clinicians and scientist are closely focused on the identification of genes associated with cancer pathology and with potential drug treatment. It is part of London University and it is funded by partner organizations, charities and the general public. This institute discovered 112 genetic variations that are associated with increased risk of cancer development. Drug used for advanced prostate cancer, Abiraterone, is discovered at ICR. Besides that, another 16 drug candidates were discovered for the past 6 years, which is a record in the field of cancer drug discovery.

Northern Institute for Cancer Research (NICR)

NICR is established in 2001. This institute employs ~200 clinicians and scientist. In 2009, NICR became a Cancer Research UK's Newcastle Cancer Centre, a part of Cancer Research UK driven initiative. 75% of research in this institute is classified as internationally excellent and 15% as world leading. Laboratory research is based on New Castle University, while clinical research takes place in some of the biggest New Castle hospitals. Staff from the institutes is divided in two groups: Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group and Pharmacology and Molecular Mechanism Group. Like most other cancer research institutes, it is funded by charities and cancer support groups.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
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