Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
'Virtual tumour' new way to see cancer
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-46527235'Virtual tumour' new way to see cancer
Fergus Walsh
Medical correspondent
26 December 2018
Scientists in Cambridge have built a virtual reality (VR) 3D model of cancer, providing a new way to look at the disease. The tumour sample, taken from a patient, can be studied in detail and from all angles, with each individual cell mapped.
Researchers say it will increase our understanding of cancer and help in the search for new treatments. The project is part of an international research scheme.
How it was done
◾Researchers start with a 1mm cubed piece of breast cancer tissue biopsy, containing around 100,000 cells
◾Wafer thin slices are cut, scanned and then stained with markers to show their molecular make-up and DNA characteristics
◾The tumour is rebuilt using virtual reality
◾The 3D tumour can be analysed within a virtual reality laboratory
The VR system allows multiple users from anywhere in the world to examine the tumour.
Prof Greg Hannon, director of Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK), told the BBC: "No-one has examined the geography of a tumour in this level of detail before; it is a new way of looking at cancer."
(snip)
