Aberdeen scientists looking at how cancers spread through the body have hailed a new piece of equipment keeping their work at the cutting edge.
Teams are the Institute of Medical Sciences at Foresterhill are using the modern microscope camera to examine how cells behave and migrate.
The £20,400 kit was donated by north-east charity Friends of Anchor just over a year ago, and has been heralded as a critical tool in keeping the institute’s research leading the way.
It has offered researchers significantly improved levels of clarity since replacing its outdated and less sophisticated predecessor.
Professor Heather Wilson and her microscopy facility team at Aberdeen University led the charge in getting the charity funding for the microscope.
Prof Wilson said: “There is no doubt that research here in Aberdeen has benefited from the camera upgrade provided by Friends Of Anchor.
“This high-resolution camera is essential to capture a level of detail in 3D multi-cellular structures that otherwise wouldn’t be seen.
“This is helping our team of world-renowned researchers to gain a more in-depth understanding of the processes that contribute to cancer metastasis and haematological disorders.”
Metastasis is the spread of cancer from a first tumour to secondary part of the body and the upgrade has meant a new way of research without the need of animal models.
The camera has helped overcome one of the main hurdles in this field of research, operating at a faster rate which means cells are alive for longer when under the microscope.
Prof Wilson said her team’s work with the microscope, exploring how certain cells respond to foreign material, had been translated to breast cancer studies working with the university’s oncology team.
Chairwoman in molecular oncology Professor Val Speirs has been working on a project investigating migration of cancer cells towards fragments of human bone.
She added: “In order to keep our research cutting-edge it’s essential that we have access to the very latest pieces of scientific kit.
“The funding kindly provided by Friends Of Anchor has allowed us to upgrade our cell imaging system and this has greatly facilitated our ability to view how cells migrate.
“This is one of the first steps involved in cancer spread so be able to image this in greater detail is fantastic as we look to tease out the mechanisms involved.”
Friends of Anchor vice-chairman Dr Andy Hutcheon said: “This camera has opened new research avenues to study how these cells spread to other tissues.
“These cells can now be visualised in greater detail and results analysed rapidly.
“Friends of Anchor’s support should help keep the Aberdeen University at the forefront of cancer research.”