|  |  |  | | | | FISHING FOR CRITICAL CANCER GENES | | | | |
| |  Dr Auer
Release Date: 24th January 2002
To unravel the mysteries of human cells, scientists often turn to the most unusual places. A young haematologist from Ashtead near Sutton is studying tiny tropical fish (Zebra fish) in order to identify which genes may cause the most common form of human leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
"Zebra fish have much simpler DNA code than humans but share many of the same genes," says Dr Rebecca Auer who will carry out the research project at Barts & the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary, University of London.
The 30 year-old has today become one of the first young haematologists to be awarded a prestigious new research award, which has been established by the Leukaemia Research Fund (LRF) in partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences. The aim of the LRF Clinician Scientist Award is to allow talented young haematologists to combine specialist training in haematology with post-doctoral research.
With a grant of £260,000 from the Leukaemia Research Fund, Dr Auer will look to understand how this leukaemia develops. She will delete or sabotage specific genes in the fish to allow her to mimic the progression of CLL.
"Simple models such as these provide a good mechanism for unravelling gene function and disease pathways," she says. "I am delighted that LRF has given me the opportunity to work alongside some of the UK's leading experts in this area," she adds.
Scientific Director of Leukaemia Research Fund, Dr David Grant, comments: "This kind of research is crucial. If we can fully understand how this cancer develops, - more - this will pave the way for more effective treatments. In the longer term, it will also enable scientists to look for ways to prevent the disease."
2,500 people in Britain every year are diagnosed with CLL, a cancer characterised by a build up of mature, but poorly functioning lymphocytes in the circulating blood.
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