Two leading cancer scientists will speak about how the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal could spark a major breakthrough in developing new cancer treatments at a lecture next month.

Professor Laurence Patterson, director of Bradford University’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (ICT), and Professor James McCaul, consultant maxillofacial/head and neck surgeon at Bradford Royal Infirmary, will talk about the importance of our campaign and how it could help researchers create new, targeted cancer medicines during the event at the University on Wednesday, June 5.

Our £1 million fundraising quest will buy the ICT a new, cutting-edge proteomic mass spectrometer, which will allow its scientists to study the role of proteins in cancer ten times quicker than before.

During the lecture, Prof Patterson and Prof McCaul will talk about how the machine, which will replace a five-year-old model, could make a difference to the unit’s research and its potential impact on people suffering from the disease in Bradford.

The lecture’s title, How A Crocus Could Treat Cancer, is a reference to its most recent success and the symbol of our appeal – a ground-breaking ‘smart bomb’ treatment derived from colchicine, a natural compound found in crocus plant.

They will discuss the science behind the ‘smart bomb’, the importance of cancer treatment research, anticipated future developments in treatment and the impact treatment development can have on communities in Bradford.

Both scientists are on the oversight board of our charity, which is being run in partnership with the University, charity Yorkshire Cancer Research and principal supporter the Sovereign Health Care Trust.

Registration will take place at 5.30pm and the event will begin at 6pm. Places are free but limited and must be booked in advance.

To book and for more details, e-mail events@bradford.ac.uk, or call (01274) 236772.