A new online platform called CancerTools.org aims to make it easier for researchers to share tools.Credit: Ximbio/CancerTools.org
Cancer research relies on access to the right laboratory tools. Scientists spend a lot of time and money developing and sourcing antibodies, cell lines and other research materials.
A new online global collaborative platform for cancer researchers will make these research tools easily accessible to scientists worldwide.
Called CancerTools.org, the website will collect, organize, and share knowledge of all cancer research tools developed worldwide. Through the contribution of its members, the project will physically collect, store, replicate and ship many of these tools, making them globally available on request.
In doing so, CancerTools.org aims to make cancer research more efficient, by allowing researchers to focus on their science, ultimately accelerating breakthroughs.
“Our vision is to help the community by providing a place where researchers feel comfortable and secure enough to contribute their research tools,” says Pawanbir Singh, head of marketing of research tools for Cancer Research UK (CRUK). “We want to help them enhance the impact of their science beyond the laboratory, by supporting their global colleagues.”
An established home
CancerTools.org is being launched by CRUK’s research tool arm, which has over 40 years’ experience of making research tools available globally.
The new non-profit is specific to cancer and is intended to both serve and inspire the community. “This is more than just physical materials, it’s about stimulating dialogue and championing collaborations with your peers,” says Robert Bondaryk, global head of research tools for CRUK.
Cancer scientists have a new way to share antibodies, mouse models and other research tools.Credit: Ximbio/CancerTools.org
Some 4,000 cancer research tools are already available through CancerTools.org. Each can be linked to a profile page managed by the contributing researcher, which can include information and photographs of the laboratory where the tool was developed, work carried out by the researcher and their publications, helping to promote their activities on a worldwide stage.
“This is the first not-for-profit biorepository of its kind,” says Bondaryk.
Existing businesses offer a specific selection of tools based on their expertise and run on a commercial basis. On the contrary, CancerTools.org endeavours to be the single non-profit centralised resource for a diverse range of tool categories applicable to cancer research.
To access a tool, a cancer scientist searches the website, makes a request, and pays a fee to cover costs. CancerTools.org then handles the legal side, supply, and shipping of the item, allowing the contributing researcher to focus on what they do best: their research. All fees are shared between the contributing researcher group and CRUK, funding further research.
“Previous research tool contribution through CRUK’s research tool arm has already channelled over £36 million back into cancer research,” Singh says.
Contributing research materials to the website will also enhance research impact, he says, because it will spread awareness of research and increase citations. Europe’s largest membership organization in the field, the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR), is already promoting the use of the CancerTools.org to its 10,000 members across 100 countries.
Jane Smith, CEO of EACR, commented: “By partnering with CancerTools.org, we will create new opportunities for our members by promoting the concept of contributing research tools to advance cancer research.”