Thermal
Cycler
This machine allows us to look at the gene makeup of a prostate cancer cell and aid the identification of those genes which may cause cancer or stop the cell from dying naturally.
Micromanipulator
& Slide
Cycler
The technology:
The micromanipulator and slide cycler allows us to isolate individual cells, much like how single eggs are selected for IVF, and characterise the genetic makeup of these individual cells. We will then be able use this technology together with time lapse microscopy to determine why some prostate cancer cells that appear identical often respond differently to therapy. We will then be able to use this information to tailor therapies to treat individual patients more effectively.
Examples of how this technology will advance treatment of prostate cancer at the MMRI:
The body normally uses
professional killer cells to protect us from cancer. Individual
killer cells express different poisons (which we call granzymes),
that they inject into cancer cells to kill them. Using time
lapse microscopy we have seen that some of these killer cells can
kill some prostate cancer cells but not others. They also kill
different prostate cancer cells in different ways (we call these
apoptosis, necrosis and caspase independent cell death). This is
because some prostate cancer cells have developed resistance to
some or all of these poisons.
The
7900HT system
The 7900HT system is a state of
the art machine that will provide MMRI researchers investigating
prostate cancer a fast and versatile platform for their studies of
gene expression. It is designed for higher throughput and
this will allow researchers to work faster and more efficiently
and thereby increase the rate of progress and productivity
PCR
Hood
The PCR Hood maintains a sterile work environment using special filters. Researchers work with DNA in this device – it is a vital piece of equipment that ensures there is no contamination of samples. The majority of research work starts in a hood such as this.
PCR Hood. For Prostate Cancer research.
The MMRI have developed a new model which models a crucial stage of prostate cancer progression that is currently not treatable that is, metastasis to the bone.
They use this model to quantify
the effectiveness of new anti-cancer drugs.
Cryo-Jane
Tape Transfer Device .
A cryostat is used to cut very
thin frozen slices (one tenth the thickness of a human hair) of
preserved tissue samples when examining them for disease or
alterations due to disease. The tape transfer device is a
system that allows for the easy transfer of a cut slices from
tumours that researchers are obtaining from their models of
prostate cancer, – such as the bone and tissue present in a
bone marrow sample – to a slide for further
examination. Researchers can then see all of the natural
stem cells that the tissue contains and whether they have arrested
a disease.
Cell
Counter.
Cell counters use an electrical
charge to count an unknown number of cells in a research sample.
The device is so advanced that only one drop of blood is required
to tell not only the different types of cells in the blood but
also if there is a disease present in the sample. Researchers
use the machine to diagnose diseases, such as prostate cancer, and
allows the evaluation for a new drug and its ability to inhibit
the growth of prostate cancer cells in the bone .
Auto
– MAC’s Pro-Separator
The auto-MACS® device is essential for separating complex mixtures of cells. For prostate cancer research, this piece of equipment is used to separate cancer stem cells from prostate cancer and bowel cancer tumours. The stem cells are then used to watch how aggressive prostate and bowel cancers develop by comparing them to normal or benign samples, furthering the understanding of the disease.
Many thanks to all
Lions throughout Australia, for without their support this could
never have happened.
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