LONDON -- Scientists at the University of Dundee are to combine their expertise in a pnds5 million initiative to beat breast cancer.

The university is aiming to become the principal center in Europe for research into the disease, according to the BBC News On-Line.

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

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 centers to gain as much information as possible into the disease.