University laboratory at Discovery Park is playing key role in early cancer detection research

Researchers at Discovery Park are investigating the potential use of microscopic nanoparticles called exosomes in the early detection of cancer.

Canterbury Christ Church University’s Life Sciences Industry Liaison Lab has linked up with the University of Liverpool, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and US science firm HTG Molecular Diagnostics for initial patient studies, ahead of a full clinical trial.

The work, which is being done in collaboration with Austria based Anton Paar, is being recognized globally including an invitation to Canterbury Christ Church University to speak about the project at a leading genetics conference in Kerala, India.

Dr. Cornelia Wilson, Senior Lecturer and Academic Laboratory Manager, said:

 “With lung cancer, the disease is often not detected early enough. The work we are doing here at Discovery Park seeks to address that.

“Nanotechnology is a really big area of medicine with target nanoparticles manufactured so they have the ability to target disease. Anton Paar has created a way to see these small particles that would normally need an electron microscope, which have the potential to be used to diagnose the presence of cancer.”

Canterbury Christ Church University’s Life Sciences Industry Liaison Lab opened in Spring 2016, providing the University and its students with first class facilities for science and research with access to Discovery Park’s diverse and dynamic range of pharmaceutical and bio-technology companies.

In addition to the nanoparticle research, the lab has linked with a number of other science companies both on and off site, including Venomtech – looking at the therapeutic potential of venoms and tackling antibiotic resistance and Genea Biomedx, exploring technologies related to optimising IVF treatment.

Cornelia added:

“We have really benefitted from being here at Discovery Park. Having science companies around us gives our students a better experience than if they were restricted to a teaching lab on campus.

“They still benefit from the academic side of things, but also from gaining an understanding of what industry wants and the skills required. This has benefits in terms of giving companies access to students equipped to help them and to our students for interactions that will be invaluable for their future careers in science.”

Source – Discovery Park