Scientists at the University of Dundee are to combine their expertise in a �5m initiative to beat breast cancer.

The university is aiming to become the principal centre in Europe for research into the disease.

The five-year project will be funded by the charity Breast Cancer Research (Scotland).

More than 20 researchers will be involved

The disease affects one in nine women and claims 13,000 lives in the UK every year.

More than 20 researchers will take part in the Dundee project, which will be known as the Breast Cancer Research Scotland Unit.

Experts are launching three research teams which will focus on improving breast cancer treatments.

Offices and laboratories will be created at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

The researchers will link up with other UK centres to gain as much information as possible into the disease.

Research centre

Those involved in the project include Sir Alfred Cuschieri, one of the world's pioneers of keyhole surgery.

He is professor of surgery and head of the university's department of surgery and molecular oncology.

Also taking part is Professor Roland Wolf, director of the biomedical research centre at the University of Dundee.

He has an international reputation for his work in the field of molecular pharmacology, specifically relating to drug resistance in cancer patients.

Laboratories will be based at Ninewells Hospital

Alastair Thompson, the executive director of the new unit, said: "Every day of the year another woman is newly diagnosed with breast cancer in Tayside alone.

"We need to match that rate of diagnosis with our understanding of cancer and the development of ever more effective treatments.

"By bringing together some of the best international scientists and clinicians, this centre will accelerate our progress towards the ultimate goal of beating breast cancer."

BCRS spokeswoman Jo McGinley added: "The establishment of a dedicated BCRS unit, which will be entirely supported and sustained by donations from our volunteers, brings Dundee University to the forefront of the international fight against breast cancer research.

"That we can play a part in this initiative is credit to our volunteers and supporters throughout the whole of the UK."