Submitted Abstract
The activity aims to establish a regular high profile Lecture Series in cancer research in Luxembourg. Cancer is a major medical condition that still requires extensive research efforts to improve current therapies. Although important improvements have been obtained for some cancers, the majority of neoplasms are still difficult to treat and many remain incurable. Within CRP-Santé, the Department of Oncology, encompassing a staff of more than 50 people, is focusing on this challenging task. Our department is working on the most malignant of human cancers including brain and lung cancer, as well as breast and metastatic disease. Some of our major collaborating partners at CRP-Santé and in Luxembourg, i.e. the Life Science unit of the University of Luxembourg, the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL), also have a keen interest in cancer research. All together this represents a large scientific community (up to 100 people) within Luxembourg specializing in cancer research and the development of novel therapeutic strategies in this area. We therefore believe it is crucial for our community, 1. to provide a stimulating research environment and further improve the quality of research through confrontation and discussion with high level scientists, and 2. to increase the visibility of the community and the scientific contacts with potential external partners. Both of these aims can be achieved through the establishment of a recognized, high profile and clearly identifiable Cancer Research Lecture Series that can attract leading scientists from all over the world. In order to reach the desired visibility and support, the series must become a regular agenda point of the local community, thereby also favoring an informal get together and scientific exchange around the lecture. By bringing together researchers of all levels, faculty, PhD students and other interested local stakeholders from public or private institutions and disciplines, such an activity will also foster community building within cancer research in Luxembourg.