Just like the proteins in our muscles, which convert chemical energy into power to allow us to perform daily tasks, these tiny rotary motors use chemical energy to generate force, store energy, and perform tasks in a similar way.

The finding, from The University of Manchester and the University of Strasbourg, published in the journal provides new insights into the fundamental processes that drive life at the molecular level and could open doors for applications in medicine, energy storage, and nanotechnology.

The artificial rotary motors are incredibly tiny青瓜视频攎uch smaller than a strand of human hair. They are embedded into polymer chains of a synthetic gel and when fuelled, they work like miniature car engines, converting the fuel into waste products, while using the energy to rotate the motor.

The rotation twists the gel青瓜视频檚 molecular chains, causing the gel to shrink, storing the energy, much like winding like an elastic band. The stored energy can then be released to perform tasks.

So far, the scientists have demonstrated the motor青瓜视频檚 ability to open and close micron-sized holes and speed up chemical reactions.

Professor Leigh added: 青瓜视频淢imicking the chemical energy-powered systems found in nature not only helps our understanding of life but could open the door to revolutionary advances in medicine, energy and nanotechnology.青瓜视频�

The study, led by scientists at The University of Manchester, has revealed that a material known as a metal-organic framework (MOF) - an ultra-porous material - can be modified to capture and filter out significantly more benzene from the atmosphere than current materials in use.

Benzene is primarily used as an industrial solvent and in the production of various chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibres, but can also be released into the atmosphere through petrol stations, exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke. Despite its widespread applications, benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, and exposure can lead to serious health effects, making careful management and regulation essential.

The research, published in the journal today, could lead to significant improvements in air quality both indoors and outdoors.

MOFs are advanced materials that combine metal centres and organic molecules to create porous structures. They have a highly adjustable internal structure, making them particularly promising for filtering out harmful gases from the air.

The researchers modified the MOF structure 青瓜视频� known as MIL-125 青瓜视频� by incorporating single atoms from different elements, including zinc, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper to test which would most effectively capture benzene.

They discovered that adding a single zinc atom to the structure significantly enhanced the material青瓜视频檚 efficiency, enabling it to capture benzene even at ultra-low concentrations 青瓜视频� measured at parts per million (ppm) 青瓜视频� a significant improvement over current materials.

The new material 青瓜视频� now known as MIL-125-Zn 青瓜视频� demonstrates a benzene uptake of 7.63 mmol per gram of material, which is significantly higher than previously reported materials.

It is also highly stable even when exposed to moisture, maintaining its ability to filter benzene for long periods without losing effectiveness. Tests show that it can continue removing benzene from air even under humid conditions.

As the research progresses, the team will look to collaborate with industry partners to develop this and related new materials, with the potential of integrating it into ready-made devices, such as air purification systems in homes, workplaces, and industrial settings.

Plastics play a crucial role in healthcare, but the current linear model of using and then incinerating leads to significant waste and environmental harm. Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), materials experts at Manchester will work in collaboration with Vernacare 青瓜视频� specialist manufacturers of infection prevention solutions 青瓜视频� to investigate how the sustainability of plastics can be improved through the creation of more circular products from waste polypropylene (PP) and polycarbonate (PC).  

A 24-month project, led by an interdisciplinary team from The University of Manchester and Vernacare, aims to create new insight into the behaviour of real-world polypropylene and polycarbonate products during mechanical recycling. The team will be led by experts including Dr Tom McDonald, Dr Rosa Cuellar Franca, Professor Mike Shaver, Simon Hogg, and Dr Amir Bolouri. It also will advance knowledge on the selection, characterisation and use of plastic to optimise recyclability, while developing understanding of the complex environmental impacts of product design and supply chain. 

Finally, life cycle assessment will be used to evaluate the sustainability for different approaches to the circularity of these plastics. This project will involve the knowledge transfer of the academic team青瓜视频檚 expertise in plastics recycling, plastics circularity and rigorous life cycle assessment. 

Alex Hodges, CEO of Vernacare, explained: 青瓜视频淭hrough this project we aim to change how plastics are viewed and used in healthcare. Our work with Manchester will ensure we青瓜视频檙e at the forefront in sustainable single use healthcare product research. It will enable us to embed product lifecycle, environment assessment capability and materials research and development into our business culture so that we青瓜视频檙e in pole position, able to lead the market in the development and testing of future solutions. It will also help Vernacare economically, by offsetting a portion of our 青瓜视频7m annual polypropylene costs while also broadening their appeal to eco-conscious customers.青瓜视频� 

The research will be conducted through the (SMI Hub), a cutting-edge facility dedicated to sustainable plastic solutions. The SMI Hub is part of the Henry Royce Institute at The University of Manchester and is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund.                                                                                           

Innovate UK青瓜视频檚 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships  funding support innovation by matching businesses with world-leading research and technology. Projects are focused on delivering a strategic step change in productivity, market share and operating process by embedding new knowledge and capabilities within an organisation. Delivered through the Knowledge Exchange Partnerships team, part of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, The University of Manchester has collaborated on more than 300 KTPs and in the last five years alone, has supported 42 KTPs with a total research value of 青瓜视频11 million. 

By working together, The University of Manchester and Vernacare aim to lead the way in sustainable healthcare products, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations. 

Led by Professor Deborah Greaves at the University of Plymouth, the Supergen ORE Hub includes co-directors from a consortium of ten universities. From The University of Manchester, serves as a Co-Director and is an Early Career Researcher (ECR) Co-Lead.

The report, aimed at researchers, industry, policymakers, and the public, summarises the current impacts of climate change and the UK青瓜视频檚 progress in reducing carbon emissions. It outlines offshore renewable energy deployment pathways needed for a just, sustainable and secure energy transition, with 2040 identified as a key milestone towards the UK 2050 Net Zero goals.

Key findings from the report include:

• Achieving 100 GW of offshore wind energy by 2040 is critical, requiring a nearly seven times increase in capacity. Radical innovation is essential to optimise and scale up growth.
• Tidal stream energy has the potential to grow alongside offshore wind and could reach over 11 GW of capacity in UK waters. Rapid progress is required, to deliver the EU SET Plan target of 6 GW deployment of tidal stream by 2050.
• Wave energy has significant potential, with an estimated exploitable resource of 25 GW in the UK. Deployment of 12 GW of wave and tidal stream by 2050 could add 青瓜视频40 billion GVA to the UK economy and reduce energy balancing costs by 青瓜视频1 billion annually. Investment in innovation over the next decade is crucial to achieving this potential.

Professor Tim Stallard said: 青瓜视频淭he ORE Outlook 2040 report highlights the high potential for Offshore Renewable Energy sources to contribute to the UK meeting its Net Zero goals. The growth required cannot be realised by upscaling current approaches alone and urgent action is needed to accelerate innovation and deployment.青瓜视频�

The report also explores ORE development through lenses of planning and consenting, people, supply chain, and infrastructure and grid. Investment in research and innovation is highlighted as crucial to de-risking new technologies, reducing costs, improving performance and ensuring the UK retains its technological leadership on the global stage.

The Supergen ORE Hub, established by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), aims to deliver strategic and coordinated research on sustainable power generation and supply.

The Albany M4 project, led by Professor Christophe Gaudin and Dr. Hugh Wolgamot, and coordinated by Dr. Wiebke Eberling of the University of Western Australia, aims to explore the potential of wave energy to support local decarbonisation efforts along Australia青瓜视频檚 Great Southern coast. The launch is a quarter-scale demonstration model designed specifically for this application and will absorb 1-10kW in the target sea-states. Sensors on the model will provide real-time data on energy production and performance.

The M4 project is fully open-access with all data collected during the device青瓜视频檚 deployment being made available to scientists, developers, and the public. By making the performance data accessible to all, the project aims to drive further innovation in renewable energy.

The M4, or Moored Multi-Mode Multibody, is an innovative surface-riding wave energy converter consisting of multiple floats, connected by beams, in a 1-2-1 float arrangement for the Albany tests. The middle floats each support a hinge, and relative rotation between the bow and stern floats, due to the movement of the waves, creates power in a generator. It uses a single mooring point that allows the M4 to naturally turn and face the waves for better energy capture.

The M4 highlights Manchester青瓜视频檚 leading role in renewable energy innovation and has been developed over the past decade with support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the European Union. British Maritime Technology (BMT) was responsible for the structural and mooring design for Albany, while the power take-off (PTO) design was led by Dr Judith Apsley from The University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and further developed with the support of Dr Nuwantha Fernando at RMIT University, Melbourne.

The launch, funded with 4.8 million AUD from the WA state government and the Blue Economy Cooporative Research Centre, with similar in-kind contributions, also showcases the wider benefits of emerging renewable technologies, with six local contractors and manufacturers contributing to the building, assembling, deploying, and decommissioning of the device in Albany.

The University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 Hydrodynamics Lab played a key role in the development of the M4. Located in the heart of Manchester, this state-of-the-art facility allows researchers to simulate ocean conditions and test renewable energy designs. 

Professor Peter Stansby highlighted its importance, stating: 青瓜视频淭he Hydrodynamics Lab is vital for advancing renewable energy research. While computational modelling provides valuable predictions, experimental validation is essential for understanding and optimising complex systems.青瓜视频�

For more information about The University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 contributions to offshore renewable energy systems visit our webpage.

The research will deliver a method to produce enriched lithium in the quantities needed to make breeder blankets for deuterium-tritium fusion reactors. This allows tritium, which is an extremely scarce resource, to be produced inside the reactor. Thereby solving the challenge of how to fuel fusion reactors.

Dr Kathryn George will lead the project in collaboration with Prof Philip Martin, Prof Clint Sharrad and Dr Laurence Stamford from The University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 Chemical Engineering department, Prof Bruce Hanson at the University of Leeds and Global Nuclear Security Partners Ltd. 

UKAEA launched the new Fusion Industry Programme challenge 青瓜视频楻ealising the potential of lithium in an economic, sustainable and scalable fusion energy fuel-cycle青瓜视频� in early 2023, encouraging organisations to develop and evaluate prototypes of lithium technology.

In total, five organisations have secured six contracts worth 青瓜视频7.4m in total with UKAEA to develop lithium technology for fusion energy. The four universities and one company have received contracts ranging between 青瓜视频700,000 and 青瓜视频1.5m from UKAEA青瓜视频檚 青瓜视频楩usion Industry Programme青瓜视频�.

Tim Bestwick, UKAEA青瓜视频檚 Chief Development Officer, said: 青瓜视频淔usion energy continues to feature on the world stage, with recent commitments being made at COP28 to develop fusion as a sustainable, low carbon source of energy for future generations.

青瓜视频淭he Fusion Industry Programme is encouraging the development of UK industrial fusion capacity and preparing the UK fusion industry for the future global fusion power plant market.

青瓜视频淭he organisations that have been awarded these contracts have successfully demonstrated their lithium technology concepts and will now develop them to the 青瓜视频榩roof of concept青瓜视频� stage.青瓜视频�

The latest contracts follow the award of Fusion Industry Programme contracts earlier in 2023, focused on digital engineering and fusion fuel requirements, and more recently materials and manufacturing, and heating and cooling technologies.

With support from the , the UK青瓜视频檚 national centre for research and innovation for advanced materials, the lab gives researchers and industry access to the complete fabrication pipeline from cell culturing to product evaluation.

Funded by a 青瓜视频200,000 grant from the UK Space Agency and assisted by the European Space Agency, a University of Manchester team are currently investigating how to optimise the bioprinting process for conditions experienced in space, such as lack of gravity.

Using the unique capabilities of the BTP, researchers are also collaborating with clinicians and cell biologists to develop 3D models of human cartilage and bone.

Mr Green, who before entering Parliament spent almost two decades working as an engineer in the mass spectrometry industry, began his trip at the - the most advanced nuclear research capability in UK academia - where he was briefed on current projects by Professor Adrian Bull MBE, Chair in Nuclear Energy and Society. 

The Bolton West MP青瓜视频檚 final destination on the visit, organised by the University青瓜视频檚 policy engagement unit , was the Justice Hub to join a health-themed roundtable discussion with senior academics including Dr Philip Drake, Dr Jennifer Voorhees and Dr Jonathan Hammond.   

Professor Richard Jones, Vice President for Civic Engagement and Innovation at The University of Manchester, said: 青瓜视频淚t was a pleasure to welcome Chris and give him an insight into some of the pioneering work we do in partnership with businesses right across Greater Manchester.

青瓜视频淭he University of Manchester's cutting-edge research in making a real difference in tackling pressing policy challenges.  That's why it is important for influencers of policy, including MPs across Greater Manchester, to see at first-hand the work being done and to take that evidence back with them to Westminster. 

青瓜视频淭his was a particularly timely visit as the Chancellor announced a new investment zone for Greater Manchester in the recent Autumn Statement which will give further impetus to the work we do on innovation, advanced materials and manufacturing with our partners in the city-region."

Chris Green MP said: 青瓜视频淚t was a fascinating morning. The University of Manchester has a thoroughly merited global reputation for research excellence across a vast swathe of subject areas, not least in technology, innovation and health.

青瓜视频淚 was deeply impressed by all I saw and heard, particularly in the Bioprinting Technology Platform where the remarkable work going on places Greater Manchester firmly at the forefront of the medical engineering revolution.

青瓜视频淚 look forward to following the many exciting research projects happening across the University, with lots more in development.青瓜视频�          

This project will develop and validate a novel and inexpensive game-changing hydrogen separation technique that builds upon Powerhouse Energy's expertise in waste treatment and the international track-record of Dr Amir Keshmiri青瓜视频檚 in fluid dynamics and thermochemical analysis.

This potential breakthrough in advanced thermal treatment to recover hydrogen from unrecyclable wastes could make a significant contribution to the UK青瓜视频檚 net zero targets and reduce project costs compared to existing recovery methods - also, as well as being 青瓜视频漡reener and cheaper青瓜视频�, this new technology would be an important asset to help secure UK energy security at a time of major crisis and uncertainly.  

The rapid development and commercialisation of the invention, that the collaboration will directly support achieving the installed capacity target by 2030.

The project, which is initially funded by the grant, effectively encourages the swifter adoption of local, cleaner, low carbon energy - while addressing a growing unrecyclable waste issue, working within the existing waste hierarchy framework.

Mr Paul Emmitt, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director at Powerhouse Energy (PHE), said the project will allow PHE to edge closer to overcoming significant cost barriers through innovation to deliver the next generation of cleaner energy technology. The pioneering technique, once commercialised, will enable the faster rollout of inexpensive hydrogen.

He added: 青瓜视频淭he invention has the potential to overcome a significant cost prohibitive factor for commercial hydrogen extraction from Syngas [ie synthesis gas, a hydrogen-based mixture that can be used as a fuel not just for PHE, but all next generation advanced thermal technologies, potentially allowing more facilities to be developed for the same available capital, enhancing production towards and even beyond the ambitious 5GW target. Quantifying the impact for PHE, the proposed hydrogen separation technique has the potential to reduce project costs by up to 17.5%, or over 青瓜视频400m for 59 facilities.青瓜视频�

Dr Amir Keshmiri, Associate Professor in Computational Fluid Dynamics at The University of Manchester, said: 青瓜视频淭he collaboration allows The University of Manchester to be at the forefront of high-impact, game-changing technology development within the emerging clean hydrogen energy sector - and allows the academic team to capitalise on the bespoke hydrogen models developed to a wider audience.

Dr Kashmiri said clean energy from hydrogen 青瓜视频� dubbed 青瓜视频榞reen hydrogen青瓜视频� - will be have a flagship spotlight at COP27, the climate change summit currently being hosted in Sharm el-Sheikh. He added: 青瓜视频淧roduction and storage of low-carbon hydrogen is one of the key themes of COP27 which is hosted by Egypt as part of the .青瓜视频�

Alongside the evaluation work, the IGNITE Network+ team will be working to support energy researchers from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds through organisational interventions, mentorship, advice and advocacy.

Initiatives arising from consultation with the research community will be a key component of the network, with 40% of the funding allocated to flexible funding calls to address energy research challenges, and fund initiatives in support of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Principal Investigator, Professor Rebecca Lunn from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Strathclyde said: 青瓜视频淭here is a real lack of diversity in energy research which stems not from a lack of interest, talent or ambition in underrepresented individuals, but from systemic inequalities in UK systems and institutions.

青瓜视频淚GNITE Network+ will focus on transforming diversity by critically evaluating systemic inequalities at each stage in the career pathways of energy researchers. We will design and implement initiatives to remove barriers to success for underrepresented individuals and monitor the performance of these initiatives.青瓜视频�

The project work will be complemented by separate research carried out by Professor Simone Abram at Durham University, a Director in the , also funded by EPSRC. The EDI+ national fellowship scheme will address key challenges and equip a cohort of researchers and their organisations to make lasting changes towards a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible research community.

UV radiation is known to be the key environmental cause of melanoma of the skin, but its role in the development of rarer forms of melanoma in the eye was not known.

This new study has revealed strikingly similar genetic changes in conjunctival melanoma to that of cutaneous (skin) melanoma caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

The team behind today’s findings suggest that treatments used for skin melanoma may also benefit people with this rare form of eye cancer.

The researchers, led by Professor Richard Marais at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute at The University of Manchester, used whole genome sequencing to examine the genetic makeup of melanomas that develop on the conjunctiva, the specialised membrane that covers the front of the eye, to better understand what causes this particular melanoma subtype.

Surprisingly, the researchers found similar genetic changes in tissue samples from people with conjunctival melanoma to the genetic changes that occur in melanoma of the skin attributed to UV radiation.

They showed that people with conjunctival melanoma driven by UV radiation have mutations in the BRAF and RAS genes, which are often seen in skin melanoma. These findings complement a similar study showing that another type of rare type of melanoma of the eye called uveal melanoma***, which develops in the iris, can also be caused by UV radiation.

These two studies suggest that people with particular forms of eye cancer could benefit from treatments that are currently used for skin melanoma, including those which target BRAF mutations, but not yet approved for melanoma of the eye. Those drugs could, if proven to benefit these patients, be given based on the genetics of the tumour, rather than their location in the body.

Professor Richard Marais, based at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and lead author of the study said: “Our work shows the importance of delving into the underlying biology in rare cancers, which could identify new tailored treatment avenues for people. In this case we have identified mutations in a rare type of eye cancer that could be targeted by drugs used to treat skin cancer.”

Now, ongoing work will need to explore if BRAF-targeted therapies, or other immunotherapies used for skin melanoma, could benefit people with conjunctival melanoma.

Professor Marais said: “By showing that UV radiation can cause conjunctival melanoma, we have added to our understanding of the known dangers of the sun for our eyes. It reminds us of the importance of protecting not just your skin, but also your eyes from UV light, be it in everyday life, or where the UV radiation is particularly high and causes the most damage such as on the beach, on a boat, on a mountain.”

Karis Betts, Cancer Research UK’s health information manager, said: “This research adds to the picture of what we know about UV radiation leading to genetic changes that cause melanoma. Including this evidence for certain cancers of the eye it gives us even more reason for staying safe in the sun and the need for fully UV protective sunglasses****.”

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive at Cancer Research UK, said: “Almost 20 years ago, BRAF was identified as a cancer-causing gene by a group that included Professor Marais and his Cancer Research UK-funded team. This ground-breaking discovery led to the development of drugs that block BRAF, including vemurafenib, and have been used to successfully treat many people with skin melanoma.

“This study is a classic example of how understanding the fundamental biology of a more common cancer can be used to help people with rarer diseases that can be more difficult to study, and often have fewer treatment options.”

* This work was supported by Cancer Research UK, Wellcome Trust, European Research Council and European Commission

** Mundra et al 2021 Ultraviolet radiation drives mutations in a subset of mucosal melanomas Nature Communications

*** the uvea is the middle tissue layer of the eye, including the iris (coloured part), ciliary body and choroid

**** The sun can be strong enough to cause damage between the end of March and the end of September in the UK, and is strongest in the middle of the day. If you’re spending time outside when the UV level is 3 or above, think about protecting your skin with a combination of time in the shade, covering up with clothing and applying sunscreen to the bits you can’t cover, and, with particular relevance to this research, fully UV protective sunglasses.

This could not only help protect against conjunctival and uveal melanoma, but also melanoma skin cancer affecting the eyelids and the skin around the eyes. When you can’t stay in the shade, keep covered up with clothing, a hat and your all important sunglasses. Look for one of the following on the label or sticker: the ‘CE mark’ and British standard, UV 400 label and 100% UV protection, and choose ones with protection at the side of the eye, for example, wraparound styles or ski goggles.

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A mum from Ashton-under-Lyne – whose six-year-old son was diagnosed with a brain tumour after the school nurse spotted a squint in his eye – is backing a million-dollar research project into childhood cancer research, which is being co-led by a team of scientists from Manchester.

Carla Feno’s life was turned upside down in June last year when staff at school reported that her son Luca kept twitching his right eye. He also kept losing his balance and tripping up while out and about, as though he was “drunk”. Doctors later discovered a tumour around the size of a walnut in Luca’s brain, sitting close to his optic nerve. He was only four years old at the time.

After surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Luca’s most recent scan has shown little evidence of disease and he is now back at school and enjoying seeing his friends again. But he has been left with lasting side effects from his treatment, including memory loss and a reduced attention span which has made him more forgetful.

More than 70 per cent of children with brain tumours survive in the long term, often thanks to radiotherapy*. But although radiotherapy is one of the most effective ways to treat childhood brain cancers, it can also result in short and long-term side effects for youngsters as healthy tissue is affected by the radiation – from physical problems such as limb weakness and poor growth to developmental problems with learning and school-work.

That’s why nearly US$1million (approx £750,000) has been awarded to a transatlantic team of scientists, including researchers from The University of Manchester, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, to research the long-term side effects of radiotherapy on children with brain tumours.

Led by University of Manchester-based child cancer specialist Dr Martin McCabe, his team will work with scientists in the US to identify the parts of children’s brains that are most sensitive to radiotherapy damage. The research project aims to create a highly detailed ‘map’ of the brain, identifying exactly which parts of healthy brain tissue should be avoided when administering radiotherapy.

The research funding from Stand Up to Cancer in the US and Cancer Research UK’s own Stand Up to Cancer initiative has also been welcomed by Carla, 40, who recalls the moments leading up to her son’s diagnosis.

She said: “Luca was constantly stumbling and staggering around, to the point where he actually looked like he was drunk. At first, I thought it might be an ear infection affecting his balance. But when his teacher also mentioned the squinting, I knew we needed to get things checked out.”

The concerned mum was advised to make an appointment with the optician, but tests showed that Luca’s eyesight appeared to be normal. Not long afterwards, the family went on their summer holiday to Spain as planned, but while they were away Luca threw up several times and was falling over even more often than usual.

The day they got back, Carla took the little boy straight to Tameside Hospital A&E as she was growing increasingly worried. It was here that doctors discovered a 3.2cm tumour – around the size of a walnut – in Luca’s brain, sitting close to his optic nerve.

Carla said: “When the doctor said it was a tumour, my world was turned completely upside down. The room literally started spinning. Deep down, a small part of me had been thinking the worst, but I can honestly say that nothing can prepare you for that kind of news. As a mother, it’s absolutely heart-breaking.”

Luca was rushed from Tameside to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he had eight-hour brain surgery just a few days later to remove as much of the growth as possible. Lab analysis of the tumour tissue confirmed that Luca had a medulloblastoma – a type of children’s cancer which develops at the back of the brain.

Doctors were able to remove most of the tumour through surgery, but some was still attached to his brain stem and Carla was told that he would require a specialist form of highly-targeted radiotherapy treatment called proton beam therapy – a high energy treatment used for cancers that are close to vital or delicate parts of the body.

This treatment wasn’t available in Manchester at the time, so Carla and Luca were referred to a specialist centre in Germany for six weeks of NHS-funded radiotherapy, leaving younger brother Rocco, now 5, at home with dad Brendan. This was then followed by a nine-month course of chemotherapy in Manchester, which ended in June this year – exactly a year after Luca was first diagnosed.

Carla said: “The radiotherapy was really tough and Luca had to be sedated every day for six weeks so that he could receive the treatment. It was also hard to separate the boys for those six weeks as Rocco is non-verbal autistic and the two brothers are extremely close. We made sure we FaceTimed as often as possible so the boys could wave to each other.

“I haven’t spoken to Luca about cancer as he’s too young to understand it properly. But he knows that he needs to take medicine to get better, and that’s enough for now.

“We’ve had our challenges, but he shows amazing bravery and courage and has a huge smile on his face every day. He is my strength and inspires me to keep on going. Even when his hair fell out from the chemotherapy, he was so happy not to have to go for haircuts! I'm just so proud of him.”

Carla added: “Luca is living proof of why research into cancer is so important as, thanks to treatment, he is still here today. But although his tumour has been successfully targeted with treatment, he has sadly been left with side effects which will need monitoring for many years to come. Radiotherapy for children’s cancers is very effective, but what many people don’t realise is how harsh the treatment can be on youngsters, especially when they are blasting an area as sensitive as the brain.

“Luca’s short-term memory and attention span has definitely been affected by what he’s been through. Sometimes when we’re chatting, he’ll just zone out as though he doesn’t understand what I’m saying. And he’s also more forgetful, I can tell him something one minute that’s totally forgotten the next. As he gets older, he will need to be monitored for any more effects of the treatments.”

The Manchester-based scientists are benefitting from the new Stand Up To Cancer-Cancer Research UK Paediatric Cancer New Discoveries Challenge awards. Their work has been recognised because it reflects Stand Up To Cancer and Cancer Research UK’s shared ambition to accelerate the development of new treatments for some of the rarest and hardest to treat cancers in children and young people. 

Lead scientist Dr Martin McCabe, who is based at The Christie, said: “It’s great news for Manchester that we have been awarded this funding. It’s an ambitious goal, but we hope this research could lead to safer radiotherapy treatments for childhood brain tumours – treatments that aren’t as tough on young people as the ones we use now, and maybe new treatments that could help more young people to survive this type of cancer in the future. This research could be a real game-changer for generations to come as we develop ways to deliver radiotherapy accurately to tumours but avoid sensitive areas of the brain and ultimately give patients much better lives.”

He continued: “The award is also a proud recognition of Manchester’s reputation as a world-leading centre in cancer research. Manchester remains an international leader in the fields of proton beam therapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy and is home to The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, the biggest children’s hospital in Europe and The Christie, the biggest single-site, dedicated cancer hospital in Europe. We’re excited to have been awarded this funding and we’re looking forward to bringing our expertise to a global team to help more young people across the world with this devastating disease.”

Stand Up To Cancer in the UK is a joint national fundraising initiative from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4. This Friday October 23 will see special editions of Celebrity Gogglebox, and The Last Leg to raise awareness of the cause

Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, said: “People in Manchester have every right to feel proud of the groundbreaking research being carried out on their doorstep, and of their fundraising efforts, which are helping to beat the disease.

“Every year, over 40,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West**. So, we’re working every day to get new cancer tests and treatments to people who need them the most. Cancer doesn’t stop in the face of a pandemic. It can affect anyone’s life, at any time so we only have one option: speed up life-saving research.

“That’s why now is the time to Stand Up To Cancer. We’re asking everyone to donate or fundraise in any way they can, so we can keep funding incredible scientists like Dr McCabe and his team and help save more lives.”

To get involved visit

A new national project investigating changes in radiotherapy services during COVID-19 has been launched by a team of Manchester cancer clinicians.

The project, Lung Radiotherapy during COVID-19 (COVID-RT Lung), aims to build a national database assessing radiotherapy treatments for lung cancer patients during the pandemic, and how this has affected patient outcomes. The project is also highlighting how NHS services across Greater Manchester are working as one to provide care and treatment for patients, as well as ensuring their safety during the pandemic.

Led by Professor Corinne Faivre-Finn, Dr Kathryn Banfill and Dr Gareth Price, and supported by the (BRC), it is hoped the project will shed light on changes in the management of lung cancer patients and treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on patients outcomes.

Professor Faivre-Finn is a researcher in the BRC’s , alongside roles as Professor of Thoracic Oncology at , and Honorary Consultant at The Christie. She into radiotherapy treatments for lung cancer patients during COVID-19, alongside other UK oncologists. She said:

“The COVID-19 pandemic presents many challenges to treating lung cancer patients. Lung cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy often have multiple medical problems. They are at much higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19, which may require a hospital stay or ventilation to help them breath.

“The pandemic means we will likely have to make some changes to services and treatment across the whole of the UK for quite some time, until we have a vaccine. Our recent recommendations aim to make treatment as safe as possible by reducing the number of hospital visits, which minimises the risk of exposing patients to coronavirus in hospital. This is done by altering the dosage or length of radiotherapy treatments, with some patients being given a high dose of targeted radiotherapy instead of surgery, while others will have fewer radiotherapy sessions but with an increased dose.

“With the COVID-RT Lung project, we’re working with hospitals across the UK to build a national picture on how radiotherapy treatments are changing to manage these risks. We now need to understand whether these changes will affect outcomes for patients.”

Dr Kathryn Banfill, Clinical Research Fellow at The University of Manchester, added:

“COVID-RT Lung collects data on all lung cancer patients having radiotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those having these adapted radiotherapy schedules. We’re looking at data on a patient’s age, gender, other medical conditions, level of fitness, as well as cancer treatment and outcome, to understand the effect of changes in UK radiotherapy guidelines and services during the pandemic.