About RadNet Birmingham - University of Birmingham

CRUK RadNet Birmingham supports a unique infrastructure of fundamental scientists, radiation biologists, medical physicists and oncologists to undertake radiation research particularly utilising the unique accelerator facilities that Birmingham houses.

Established in January 2025 and led by Professor Jason Parsons, CRUK RadNet Birmingham utilises a multidisciplinary approach aiming to devise strategies using more targeted and biologically effective forms of radiotherapy for cancers of the head and neck, adult brain (glioblastoma) and paediatrics.

The high power accelerator from Neutron Therapeutics which provides neutron irradiations for radiobiology.

Our unique infrastructure

Birmingham houses national facilities for targeted and more biologically effective radiotherapies. The MC-40 cyclotron is capable of delivering different particle ions (e.g. protons and helium ions) in different configurations. These include ultra-high dose rates (>40 Gy/second; FLASH radiotherapy) and also spatial fractionation of the radiation dose. The high-flux accelerator-driven neutron source is the only facility in the UK that is able to deliver boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).

Our radiation sources are research focussed, optimised for precision and usability with different experimental formats, in addition to being relatively high throughput. Twinned with the accelerator facilities, we have substantial infrastructure for basic biological and radiation research. This includes capabilities for 2D and 3D cell culture, performing experiments in different oxygen conditions (hypoxia), as well as facilities for using the in vivo chick embryo model.

The pressure vessel for the high power accelerator neutron source – containing SF6 insulating gas.

Governance

RadNet Birmingham is overseen by the Senior Management Group which comprises of senior academics and clinical scientists involved in the major themes. The Group also provides strategic decision making and support to achieve the overarching aims and goals.

Senior Management Group

Chair: Professor Jason Parsons
Senior Administrator: Ms Hayley Comins
Medical Physics: Professor Stuart Green
DNA damage repair and replication: Professor Jo Morris
Hypoxia and metabolism: Professor Dan Tennant
Translational models: Professor Jo Parish
Translational models: Professor Andrew Beggs
Head and neck oncology: Professor Hisham Mehanna
Brain tumour oncology: Professor Colin Watts
Paediatric oncology: Dr Susanne Gatz
Paediatric oncology: Professor Pam Kearns
Paediatric oncology: Professor Amos Burke
Patient and public involvement and engagement: Ms Lucy Speechley