18/08/2009 by Steve Barclay.

A visit to the science laboratory of Cancer Research UK to see their cutting edge research in the fight against cancer.   My host Dr Clive da Costa is the Principal Scientific Officer for Cancer Research UK and provides an expert insight into the research being conducted.  It is hugely impressive.

Around 289,000 people each year in the UK face the shock of being diagnosed with cancer, and with over 200 different types of cancer the complexity of the challenge ahead for scientists like Dr da Costa is daunting.  It is a chance to learn more about the research being conducted, the challenges ahead, and what they would like MPs to do to support them.  This includes discussing the three stages of research, involving firstly research done here around the breakdown in particular cells, the second phase on the molecular pathway to help develop drugs from their research into something patients can use, and the third phase which is the clinical work done to test the cutting edge treatments developed.

Running a typical lab at the Research Institute costs £900,000 a year. It takes a great deal of fundraising.  We discuss not just funding, but also a number of other policy issues such as how cutting edge science can play a role in providing jobs and economic benefits, the fact that half of all cancers ca be prevented by changes to lifestyle (70% of lung cancer cases relate to smoking), and specific issues like the need to streamline and improve the gift aid process.

The slide below gives an example of the tumour cells viewed by scientists.  The photos are taken in the Mammalian Genetics Lab which focuses on molecular mechanisms of neurodengeration and cancer.

Neuronal tumour cell line:

A - cells under normal growth conditions

B - Activation of the MAP kinase pathway kills tumour cells

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18/08/2009 by Steve Barclay.

An insight last night into the life of the remarkable Octavia Hill who was born in Wisbech and is of national importance.  Joined a group from March Rotary at her birthplace house on the South Brink for a short talk on her life, ahead of joining the Wisbech Tourism Group for a meeting.  Co-founder of the National Trust, pioneer of social housing and happy homes, advocate of small parks and space to play, , her contribution to society was immense.  It is a remarkable life story told in a beautifully restored building - if you have not yet been I would strongly recommend a visit.

A good debate then followed with the Tourism Group discussion a range of suggestions for Wisbech Castle.  I put forward the ideas received by email from residents following the Cambs Times / Wisbech Standard article, and the committee also set out a number of ideas.  The favourite ideas with the committee were firstly to explore putting a gate in at the rear of the Castle Garden behind the war memorial, to open up the gardens more.  People often feel the house and gardens are private and are reluctant to enter at the front, and this does not have disabled access which a new gate at the back of the garden would offer.  The second idea the committee want to explore is whether day courses could be held in the house, for example RHS flower arranging courses.  With a high number of older people living in Fenland, it was thought this might open the house up more and offer scope to combine with other events, such as visits to the Peckover Gardens, Rose Fair, and Anglia in Bloom.  The committee also discussed opening up the potential of the dungeons under the Castle (and for them to be called dungeons not vaults), and whether there could be use of the facilities to help prepare plants for Anglia in Bloom Plenty for me to discuss with Cllr Jill Tuck and Nick Dawe at Cambs County Council.

Another topic of discussion was the future of Wisbech Institute, which is a building that has national significance.  The Working Men‘s Institutes were the open university of their day, and we need to look at how we breathe new life into this historic building which is not in great shape.  It is easy to forget when a building is on our doorstep that it has such national significance.  At the moment tourist buses from Cambridge often go straight to Stamford for their first stop.  Yet Wisbech could make an ideal first stop as we are nearer to Cambridge.  I toured the Wisbech Institute a few months ago with Cllr David Oliver and it is a gem in the town centre that too many people seem to know little about.  The next step is to get ownership of the Institute changed so it is a charity, and work is on-going on this.  I hope there will be more to report in due course as a renovated and re-vitalised Wisbech Institute would provide a fantastic addition to the town.

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