Flow Cytometer

Fundraising for vital equipment to aid in brain tumour research

What does it do?

The flow cytometer separates and quantifies different cells from one another. It is very important in the identification and assessment of cancer stem cells, which are a very small proportion of the total tumour, but are the cells responsible for chemotherapeutic resistance and drive tumour re-growth.

What research would this support?

We study the genes involved in the development of brain tumours, with a strong focus on glioblastoma, the most common and lethal brain tumour which has an average survival time of only 15 months from diagnosis. Using this knowledge aim to develop new therapies to treat these tumours.

Why is it needed?

We isolate and study glioblastoma cells from tumours surgically removed from patients which we then implant into mice so that we can assess their growth as a tumour in response to treatment of the mice with new potential glioblastoma therapies. The flow cytometer will allow us to assess the effect of these therapies on the glioblastoma stem cells so that better therapies can be identified that target these rare cells and improve patient survival.

Researchers: Professor Stuart Pitson Centre for Cancer Biology