​LaserLab Europe has just published a newsletter edition focussing on lasers and cancer.

Apart from OCTOPUS article, EPAC’s ground-breaking ceremony is featured, so make sure to read the full newsletter​.

The article highlights important role that OCTOPUS plays in cancer research- work towards understanding the disease from its origins at the molecular level through to the way in which it behaves in the multicellular environment of tissues. 

Method used at molecular level, Fluorescence Localisation Imaging with Photobleaching (FLImP), developed at the facility, allows to map out the spacing of molecules in complexes with a resolution better than 5 nm​. FLImP has been used to study complexes of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), the target of a number of drugs in clinical use and under development.

Another focus of studies is researching metabolism of tumour models with the aim of improving therapies. To observe this, 3D cell cultures, like “spheroids”, are being used and serve as a good model for solid tumours. 

One-photon Phosphorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (PLIM) was used to study the variation in oxygen concentration in a melanoma tumour spheroid. A related imaging technique, Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), has also been used to investigate the uptake of anticancer drugs into spheroids.

To read full article please click here.