Date: Monday 20 March 2023
Time: 4 - 6.30pm
Venue: The Maxwell Centre, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE
Hybrid Event: Join online for the talks and panel discussion.
Registration: https://earlycancerSTEMevent.eventbrite.co.uk
Find out how emerging STEM technologies and innovations could potentially be used for the early detection of cancer and precision diagnosis and treatment.
At this multi-disciplinary networking event we'll hear talks from two physicists about their work and how it could be applicable to the analysis of blood, saliva or other bodily fluids. We'll also hear from a clinician who will highlight the challenges and problems of measuring early detection biomarkers in blood and how they could be addressed by new technologies.
The talks will be followed by a panel discussion and an opportunity to network further over drinks and canapes. The aim of the event is to facilitate communication and encourage new collaborations in early cancer detection between clinical and STEM colleagues.
Speakers:
Ulrich F. Keyser, Professor of Applied Physics, The Cavendish Laboratory
Solid-state nanopore sensing for counting native miRNA, ncRNA and mRNA
Solid-state nanopore sensing is ideally suited for the rapid analysis of structured nucleic acid molecules. We use DNA nanotechnology to build unique molecular identifiers that allow for the specific identification of RNA molecules.
Prof Keyser's research focuses on understanding all transport processes through membranes of both biological and technological origin. Specifically, his team is interested in the physics of ions, macromolecules and particles in confined geometries at the single molecule or particle level. They aim to exert maximum control over all parameters in the experiment using techniques such as: DNA (origami) self-assembly, optical trapping, particle tracking, fluorescence microscopy, electrophysiology, or micro-/nanofluidics.
Russell Cowburn, Professor of Experimental Physics, The Cavendish Laboratory
Magnetic nanostructures for early detection of renal cell carcinoma
Certain proteins are known to be over expressed in the urine of patients with RCC. Urine is easily accessible and a good medium for bioassays. The concentration levels of proteins that need to be detected are very low, however, and therefore make a mass screening programme for RCC unfeasible using current technology. We are working with Prof Grant Stewart at Addenbrookes to develop a rapid, high sensitivity urine test for RCC using magnetic nanostructures developed in the Cavendish. In this talk Prof Cowburn will explain the underlying principle and show initial clinical results.
Prof Cowburn, a fellow of the Royal Society, has research interests in nanotechnology and its application to magnetism, electronics, optics and healthcare. He is a master at translating discoveries into technologies. One of his key achievements is designing a sensitive laser instrument with the ability to measure magnetism. His work has important applications, including novel cancer therapies, new types of computer memory chip, anti-counterfeiting technology ‘Laser Surface Authentication’.
Robert Rintoul, Consultant Physician in Thoracic Oncology, Lead Clinician for cancer at Royal Papworth Hospital
Blood based biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer
Prof Rintoul's research is focused on clinical trials, translational research and tissue banking in malignant mesothelioma and early-stage lung cancer. He has a particular interest in biomarker research (genetic pre-disposition; circulating tumour DNA and exhaled volatile organic compounds) for detection of early-stage disease/CT screening. In 2014 he founded Mesobank UK, the UK national bioresource for malignant mesothelioma (www.mesobank.com) which supplies many research groups nationally and internationally with QC biosamples.
Robert Rintoul is Professor of Thoracic Oncology in the Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge and Honorary Respiratory Physician, Royal Papworth Hospital where he is lead clinician for cancer and Director of the Papworth Trials Unit Collaboration. He co-leads the CRUK Cambridge Centre Thoracic Cancer Programme facilitating thoracic oncology research across Cambridge.
Additional Panel Speakers:
• Rebecca Fitzgerald, Professor of Cancer Prevention, Director Early Cancer Institute
• Sarah Bohndiek, Professor of Biomedical Physics, Precision Health Initiative Co-Chair
The chairperson for this event is Dr Daniel Muñoz Espín.
Registration:
This event will be hybrid: When registering, please select if you intend to join online or attend in-person.
Please register via Eventbrite at https://earlycancerSTEMevent.eventbrite.co.uk
This is a joint networking event hosted by the Early Cancer Institute and the Precision Health Initiative