Abstract

The emergence of CRISPR technologies has enabled rapid and precise gene editing opportunities. The Functional Genomics Centre (FGC) – a joint venture between Cancer Research UK’s (CRUK) drug discovery engine, Cancer Research Horizons, and AstraZeneca 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 25 cancer and computational scientists. With the goal of accelerating the discovery of new cancer medicines, the FGC aims to be world leading 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 will highlight challenges around genetic screening and present how the FGC is leading the development and improvement of genetic screening tools, cancer models, and computational approaches to big data.