|
Cancer Detectives:
The Search for Clues
In June 2000, the first rough draft of the human genome was
complete. It marked the turning point in the transformation
of medicine from treating disease to preventing it altogether.
This knowledge has finally revealed the face of cancer and
the search is on to get the disease under control. But what
does this search entail?
Professor Gurmit Singh and his team of researchers are attempting
to understand and block cancer spreading from its site of origin.
To get a sense of the challenges facing researchers, here’s
an analogy adapted from the Human Genome Project: if the DNA
sequence of the human genome were compiled in the Hamilton-Burlington
phone book (which is close to 1000 pages), you’d end up
with a stack of 200 of them just to hold the genetic information
of one human being!
Somewhere in this genetic information lie the clues needed
to develop new ways to control, treat, cure or even prevent
diseases such as cancer.
It is the process of metastasis (spreading) an incredible 90%
of the time, which kills people with cancer. Singh’s search
to control cancer involves understanding tumour cells –
abnormal cells whose genetic material has become defective –
and the how and why they spread to the bones, liver, lungs,
brain and other vital organs. It is the spread of tumour cells
that causes havoc in a person's physiology and deterioration
in the quality of life.
Join Professor Singh to hear about the ‘detective’
work he is doing with his research – the search for those
clues that will unravel the mystery of cancer and the treatment
strategies that will one day lead us to control this disease.
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
Gurmit Singh has been the Director of Research at the
Juravinski
Cancer Centre (JCC) since 1994. The JCC is one of
eight Regional Cancer Centres of Cancer Care Ontario,
recognized nationally and internationally for its leading
edge research to detect and eradicate cancer. Singh
is also a Professor in the Department
of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and an Associate
Member in the Departments of Biochemistry
and Biology
at McMaster University.
Professor Singh received his PhD in Pharmacology from
Dalhousie University and earned a Post Doctoral Fellowship
from the University of Florida. His general areas of
research interest include prostate and breast cancer
research, more specifically: control of cancer mestasis
to bone; redox signaling via mitochondria in breast
and prostate cancer; and the role of photodynamic therapy
in prostate cancer.
The author of more than 100 peer reviewed publications,
Singh’s research, and that of his research team,
has attracted over $10 million in funding from various
provincial, federal and U.S. health and cancer research
agencies.
Professor Singh held the Ontario Cancer Treatment and
Research Foundation Career Scientist Award
from 1984-1996, and since 1996, has been honored by
the Senior Scientist Award from Cancer Care
Ontario.
Gurmit
Singh's Home Page
Read the Hamilton Spectator's
interview with Gurmit Singh
This is
a free public lecture.
All are welcome!
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Hamilton Spectator Auditorium
Doors open @ 6:30 pm
Lecture begins at 7:00 pm
To reserve your seat
e-mail sciencecity@mcmaster.ca
The Hamilton Spectator
Auditorium is located in the Hamilton Spectator at 44
Frid Street, south of Main Street West, west of Dundurn
St.
|
|
 |
