The BRCA2 team: the scientists behind the breast cancer gene discovery

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We are now living in an age where cancer will directly affect 1 in 2 people over our lifetimes. In 1995 scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute discovered the BRCA2 gene that tells us if we have a hereditary risk to breast cancer. This discovery revolutionised cancer research and has had a hugely positive impact on survival rates for breast cancer, and other types of cancer, ever since.

Cancer and Ageing is among a number of significant work programmes at Wellcome Sanger Institute that is tackling some of the world’s biggest biological and health-related challenges.