About Us
Accelerating the delivery of scientific discovery to clinical application
The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research is the beating heart of a comprehensive cancer research programme in Belfast, focused on accelerating the delivery of scientific discovery to clinical application.
Previously known as the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB), our mission in cancer research is to improve patient outcomes, train the next generation of scientists/clinicians and enhance the competitiveness of the UK life sciences sector.
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Additional InformationFact/Figure
Additional InformationFact/Figure
Additional Information
PGJCCR is the research hub of the Belfast ECMC and the Belfast Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC), operating in partnership with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Our unifying research theme is to develop translational outputs, in the form of biomarkers and/or novel therapeutic strategies that enable our Centre to be at the forefront of personalised cancer medicine in these prevalent diseases.

Our integrated clinical and scientific programmes address clinically unmet needs
Our principal objective is to promote evidence-based, innovative clinical trials in order to underpin improved patient outcomes in high incidence solid tumours of Gastro-Intestinal, Prostatic, Breast and Ovarian origin, and in specific Blood Cancers.
Honouring Professor Patrick G Johnston
Professor Johnston was a world-leading pioneer and advocate for Cancer Research and public health. He led the modernisation of cancer services across Northern Ireland, including the development of a state-of-the-art Clinical Cancer Centre and the previously known Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB) at the University, which opened in 2007.
Professor Johnston put the centre on the map, developing key international collaborations such as the National Cancer Institute – All Ireland Cancer Consortium, which focused on cancer prevention, public health, cancer treatment and clinical trials on a global scale.
Remembering Patrick G Johnston
When you think of cancer research there is one name that stands above all others and that Patrick Johnston.