Cancer scientist to turn rivals green with envy in New York

An Irish scientist will make New York’s Times Square glow green next month with his up-close image of a lung cancer cell.

The high-resolution image of the cell with its glowing green surround was taken by Dr Martin Barr from the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Trinity College Dublin.

The clinical scientist won an international competition that showcases the beauty of cells and inspires research by cellular biologists around the world.

He is one of three winners of the GE Healthcare Life Sciences’ 2013 Cell Imaging Competition whose work will light up Times Square on high-resolution screens.

Dr Barr’s image was taken as part of his research to better understand and fight resistance to lung cancer treatment. It shows in extraordinary detail a lung cancer cell from one of the most common forms; non-small cell lung cancer.

The cell measures just one thousandth of a millimetre, similar in width to a cotton fibre, and is shown in a low-oxygen environment known as hypoxia.

Hypoxia, commonly seen in many solid tumours, makes cancer cells more resistant to chemotherapy and encourages the cancer to spread in the majority of patients.

The aim of Dr Barr’s research is to target cellular processes triggered by hypoxia in order to make tumours more susceptible to chemotherapy.

“The projection of my image in this major international hotspot will hopefully bring further awareness of lung cancer to the general public,” said Dr Barr.

Lung cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Ireland and is the commonest cause of cancer death, where it accounts for 20% of all cancer deaths.

Last year there were 2,165 new cases of lung cancer in Ireland with incidence rates for women 55% higher than the EU average.

The winning images and gallery of entries to the 2013 Cell Imaging Competition are available at www.gelifesciences.com/ cellimagecompetition.