development. Other genetic approaches to the cancer problem are being approached from the study of oncogenes in human cancer cells and the study of chromosome translocations (exchange of genetic material) associated with particular types of cancer, such as sarcomas and chronic myeloid leukaemia.
The important work in the Leukaemia Research Fund Centre at the Institute has been recognised by the award to its director, Professor Melvin Greaves of the King Faisal International Award for Medicine for 1988. Dr. Jonathan Weber received the Pfizer Award to Young Scientists in 1987 for his study of factors in progression of HIV- infected individuals as they develop AIDS and cancer. Professor Philip Lawley received the 1987 award of the European Environmental Mutagen Society for his research over many years of the way carcinogenic chemicals interact with genetic material (DNA) as a prelude to cancer development. Dr. Michael Jarman was one of the first two recipients of the Inter- disciplinary Award of the Royal Society of Chemistry for 1987. These awards attest to the high quality of our research and its international recognition.
Academic Activity
The Institute held a residential conference at the University of Kent at Canterbury over two days immediately before Easter 1987. Sir Richard Doll gave the Guest Lecture on "Epidemics of the Twentieth Century: From MI to AIDS". This well attended conference also allowed the PhD students the opportunity to present posters on their work. In May 1988 a one day Institute Conference was held in the Royal Marsden Hospital's new Education and Conference Centre. Amongst a number of interesting topics relating to cancer risk, detection and treatment, was a lecture given by Dr. Stan Venitt on the health and social evils of oral tobacco. The Institute was pleased to note that in February 1988 the Government announced its intention to prohibit the supply of this product in the UK.
Arrangements are already in hand for Institute Residential Conferences in 1989 and 1990.
University Appointments
Professor Sylvia Lawler, on her retirement from the Institute after 27 years service both to the Institute and the Royal Marsden Hospital, was granted the title of Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics.
Dr. Jocelyn Chamberlain received the conferred title of Professor of Community Medicine.
Dr. John Roberts received the conferred title of Professor of Molecular Pharmacology.
Dr. Bruce Ponder received the conferred title of Reader in Cancer Genetics.
The University approved the establishment of a Chair of Haematology and Professor Daniel Catovsky has been appointed to take up this position later in the year.
During the year, a number of our staff were recognised as Teachers of the University.
Students
Our PhD successes numbered sixteen this year; at any one time we have up to thirty full time postgraduate students and many members of staff studying part-time for a higher degree. The students, through their own initiative, have established an ICR Student Association which provides a focal point for their activities and enables them to take full advantage of the facilities offered by the University of London Union. Our undergraduate involvement has continued in the form of two 6-month sandwich students and a number of students have been employed on short projects in different laboratories for two months in the summer vacation.
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