Interplay between RT and Metabolism/Mitochondria
Our Exploring the Interplay Between Radiotherapy, Cancer Metabolism and Mitochondria scientific theme builds on existing research, using cutting edge technology to work towards improving treatment outcomes for patients.
About Us
Cancer cells rely on reprogrammed metabolic pathways to sustain proliferation, enable metastasis and survive in hostile tumour environments. These metabolic adaptions are also key determinants of how tumours respond to radiotherapy, influencing DNA damage responses, redox balance, and cellular stress and repair processes.
Mitochondria lie at the centre of these metabolic networks. Radiotherapy perturbs mitochondrial function by damaging mitochondrial DNA, altering respiratory capacity and generating reactive oxygen species. Yet, despite mitochondria being deeply integrated into cancer-associated metabolic pathways, their contribution to radiotherapy response remains poorly understood.
Our team, led by Dr Tom MacVicar and Prof David Lews, builds on established strengths in cancer metabolism, mitochondrial biology, and advanced imaging to drive an integrated radiobiology research programme in this under-explored area. We combine state-of-the-art metabolic imaging, stable isotope metabolic tracing, and functional assays in cells and isolated mitochondria to uncover the mechanisms that govern cancer metabolic responses to radiotherapy.
Our long-term goal is to target cancer metabolism to selectively enhance tumour radiosensitivity while protecting normal tissues, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for patients.
Membership
Dr Tom MacVicar, Senior Lecturer (CRUK Scotland Institute)
Professor David Lewis, Professor of Molecular Imaging (CRUK Scotland Institute)
Dr Conchita Vens, Reader in Transnational Radiobiology (University of Glasgow)
Dr Adam Peters, Clinical Research Fellow (University of Glagsow)
Dr Vanessa Xavier, Postdoctoral Researcher (CRUK Scotland Institute)
Professor Neil Carragher, Professor of Drug Discovery and Director of Science (University of Edinburgh)
Professor Anthony Chalmers, Chair of Clinical Oncology (University of Glasgow)
Professor Jen Morton, Professor (CRUK Scotland Institute)
Funding
- Medical Research Scotland Early Career Grant (Tom MacVicar)
- CRUK TRACC (Train and Retain Academic Cancer Clinicians) Programme
Networks and Collaborations
We work closely with the CRUK Scotland Institute Tumour Microenvironment and Radiotherapy Strategy Group, led by Jen Morton, integrating expertise across radiobiology, tumour immunology, and metabolic science.