|  |  |  | | | | HIGHLIGHTING THE VALUE OF FISH & CHIPS | | | | |
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Release Date: 27th October 2004
Pioneering cancer research technology is not the first thing that most people would associate with the term FISH & CHIPS. But a leading leukaemia expert will give an exciting public lecture entitled “FISH & CHIPS” in Edinburgh next week (Tues 2nd November) explaining how two new techniques are changing the face of leukaemia diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Christine Harrison will deliver the Leukaemia Research Regional lecture entitled ‘FISH and CHIPS: the future of leukaemia diagnosis and treatment’ at the University of Edinburgh.
The 30,000 genes in each of our cells carry the secret of life by controlling the delicate balance between intricate processes in all the cells within the human body. When genes become faulty these processes are disturbed and the balance is upset. Faulty genes can cause leukaemia when the process of blood production is disturbed. Genes are carried on chromosomes within the nucleus of the cell.
Dr Christine Harrison's group (from the University of Southampton) studies chromosomes in the bone marrow cells of patients with leukaemia to look for faulty genes. A powerful new technology called FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridisation) is enabling her team to pinpoint faulty genes by looking for changes to the chromosome make up of the cell. They can, in effect, paint chromosomes different colours to look for changes and genetic mistakes.
By studying thousands of bone marrow samples from children with leukaemia, with specialist laboratories across Scotland (including Edinburgh) and England, her team has created the world's largest database of genetic changes associated with this disease (the Leukaemia Research/UKCCG Acute Leukaemia Cytogenetics Database). They have already uncovered more than 50 specific chromosome changes and they will uncover more.
Dr Harrison will explain to the audience how her work is having a major impact on the treatment of children with leukaemia. It is helping doctors direct the choice of treatment by identifying children with poorer prognosis who would benefit from aggressive treatment early on. But it should also identify which children we should be able to cure with less gruelling treatment. Crucially, Dr Harrison's team is also building a similar database for adults with leukaemia, and is working closely with colleagues in the UK to apply to this technique to other forms of blood cancer - namely myeloma and lymphoma.
She will also outline how a second state-of-the-art technology, known as DNA microarrays is being used to provide vital information for doctors treating the blood cancers such as leukaemia. Using gene CHIPS, each microarray - (a transparent slide no bigger than the size of a small child's palm) provides scientists with a read out of the relative expression of thousands of genes in a single cancer sample. A colour read-out depicts the status (often referred to as gene expression) of each gene in the cell - providing a virtual portrait of the cancer cell.
Each year Leukaemia Research organises the Regional Lecture to increase public awareness of and interest in important cancer-related issues of the day. It provides a great opportunity for leukaemia patients and their families, local fundraisers, doctors and scientists to speak with a leading authority on leukaemia and related cancers of the blood.
“This promises to be a fascinating and thought-provoking evening. Dr Harrison is an excellent and entertaining speaker,” said Leukaemia Research Scientific Director Dr David Grant.
The charity asks one of its leading centres of research to host its Regional Lecture every year. Edinburgh is a key centre for Leukaemia Research, its teams based at the University and Western General are at the cutting edge of research - helping to save lives and also helping patients to live longer with their disease under control.
The lecture, which is free to members of the public, takes place at 6pm at the University of Edinburgh Medical School.
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