Paul Jackson, Group Chief Executive, The Hospital Saturday Fund, presented Dr Juri Na, Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, with a grant of £5,000 towards a new scanner for visualising protein levels in cell and tissue samples.
About us
The University of Plymouth boasts a state-of-the-art research facility at Derriford. This facility, completed within the last few years, serves as an instrumental hub for numerous medical research projects. With an initial construction cost of £17 million, it provides a research-intensive environment for investigating a wide array of medical fields. These include cancer, infection, immunity, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as brain tumours, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, antibiotic resistance, oral cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Ebola, and bovine tuberculosis. The Hospital Saturday Fund has previously extended support to research into Huntington’s disease and the Antibiotics Accelerator at the University.
The New Scanner for Protein Visualisation
This grant will go towards a Gbox mini9 scanner. This scanner is intended for visualising protein levels within cell and tissue samples. The scanner holds significant promise in the field of medical research, specifically in the context of cancerous brain tumours and neurological diseases like dementia, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease.
Dr. Na’s Explanation of the Scanner
Dr. Na provided an insightful explanation of the scanner’s functionality. The Gbox mini9 scanner identifies the proteins produced by cancer cells and the antibodies the body generates to combat these proteins. It achieves this by detecting the fluorescence associated with the proteins and antibodies. The intensity of the fluorescence directly correlates with the presence of cells. Undoubtedly, the scanner is poised to become a pivotal asset for the Medical Research Department at the University of Plymouth.
Support from Professor Andy Tee
Professor Andy Tee from the University of Cardiff expressed his support. The University of Cardiff currently utilises a similar scanner in its research initiatives, underscoring the significance of the suggested equipment.
The Grant
Paul Jackson, Group Chief Executive of The Hospital Saturday Fund, presented a grant of £5,000 to Dr. Juri Na, a Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth. This grant will enable the acquisition of a crucial scanner for visualising proteins in cell and tissue samples. The collaborative efforts of all involved hold the promise of advancing medical research capabilities at the University of Plymouth and contributing to vital developments in understanding and combating diseases.
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