New Funding Boosts Research into Aggressive Breast Cancer

Early-career researcher awarded grant to develop targeted treatments

A researcher at the University of Bradford has received a significant grant to advance the development of treatments for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of the disease.

Details of the award and research focus

Dr Francis Mprah Barnieh, an early-career researcher at the University of Bradford, has been awarded £236,455 through the Wellcome Accelerator Award scheme. The funding will support a two-year project aimed at creating “smart” drugs that activate specifically within oxygen-poor tumour environments, a condition where many current therapies are less effective.

TNBC is known for its aggressive nature and disproportionately affects black women, often leading to poorer clinical outcomes. Dr Barnieh’s research has identified a previously unknown mechanism that allows cancer cells to survive in low-oxygen conditions within tumours. This discovery forms the basis for developing treatments that more precisely target cancer cells while reducing harm to healthy tissue and limiting side effects.

Support for researchers from diverse backgrounds

The Wellcome Accelerator Awards are designed to support researchers of Black, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani heritage in the UK. The scheme aims to help recipients strengthen their research profiles, develop leadership skills, and progress in their scientific careers.

In addition to funding the research, the award will facilitate Dr Barnieh’s professional development through advanced training, international collaboration, and a research placement in the United States.

University response and background

Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Bradford, commented on the award, emphasising its significance for both Dr Barnieh and the university’s research mission. He highlighted the project’s potential to address urgent clinical challenges and contribute to reducing health inequalities.

Dr Barnieh is a Research Fellow at the University’s Institute of Health and Social Care. He holds a First-Class degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ghana, as well as an MSc with Distinction and a PhD in Cancer Drug Discovery from the University of Bradford.

About Wellcome

Wellcome is a global charitable foundation that supports scientific research to address urgent health challenges. Its focus areas include mental health, infectious disease, and the impact of climate on health.