Ulster University pioneers tech research into treatment of prostate cancer

  • Photo: Dr Diego Cobice, Director of the Mass Spectrometry Centre, Ulster University

    Ulster University is using innovative technology to discover new treatments for common degenerative diseases.

    Its Mass Spectrometry Centre is pioneering mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and is working closely with MSI centres worldwide.

    Mass spectrometry imaging shows the spatial distribution of molecules visually. For example, it can visualise pharmaceutical compounds, biomarkers and metabolites in biological tissue sections.

    It is used to understand the link between the localisation of certain molecules and their functions during the progression of a disease or its treatment. It can therefore be used to help provide more effective therapeutics for a broad range of diseases, such as cancer or age-related conditions.

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    The research team at Ulster is currently using MSI to unravel potential biological mechanisms that can lead to new therapeutic targets for degenerative diseases including prostate cancer.

    The team is led by Dr Diego Cobice, who has been contributing to the field of mass spectrometry for the past 20 years in both academic and multinational pharmaceutical industries.

    He commented: “Degenerative diseases are prevalent and devastating. While extensive research has been done, we are still far from understanding what causes degeneration and how we can prevent or reverse it.

    “Systems biology approaches have led to a holistic examination of the “interactome” such the proteome and metabolome to shed new light on degenerative pathogenesis.

    “It is envisaged that with this expertise, Ulster University would become the Irish training hub for undergraduate, MSc and PhD researchers, attracting collaborations with other well-established molecular imaging centres worldwide."

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    PhD researcher Karl Smith joined the research group in 2015 and has been working alongside Dr Cobice to assess the effect of vitamin D on the intracrinology of castrate resistant prostate cancer with mass spectrometry imaging.


    PhD researcher Karl Smith

    Karl aims to graduate from Ulster University next summer and thanks to his research and experience has been offered a post-doctoral position at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab) in Tallahassee, USA.

    He said he aims to apply the skills and insight he has gained to help set up a mass spectrometry imaging platform and added: “Through the expertise and guidance from Dr Cobice, I have generated unique data with mass spectrometry imaging, previously unseen on the island of Ireland. It has the potential to broaden the scope of research that is achievable at Ulster University and allow us to build capacity with future collaborations worldwide.”

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    About the author

    Niamh is a Sync NI writer with a previous background of working in FinTech and financial crime. She has a special interest in sports and emerging technologies. To connect with Niamh, feel free to send her an email or connect on Twitter.

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