Here are brief details on the projects, you can contact the researchers for further comment or interview (their contact details are also below).

Detection and Diagnosis

Single-molecule Sensing for Earlier Cancer Detection:

A recently concluded project at Cambridge University has investigated the potential for single-molecule sensing, which could bring about a quantum leap in patient treatment. By identifying structural changes within individual molecules and so enabling cancer proteins to be detected earlier than is currently possible, this technique could aid earlier diagnosis of breast cancer, as well as many other diseases. The project has successfully provided the platform for further investigation of this innovative technique. The work contributed to a patent filing in December 2002 that makes generic claims of value in the area of healthcare imaging. University Challenge Fund investment was obtained and a company, Vivamer Ltd, was established in March 2003 to exploit the imaging technology.

Contact: Professor Nigel Slater, University of Cambridge, Tel: 0-122-376-2953, E-mail: nigel_slater@cheng.cam.ac.uk

Improving the Effectiveness of Breast Screening:

Oxford University's eDiamond project aims to build a prototype for a national database of breast images that can be used in breast cancer diagnosis. A key aim is to develop the computer network infrastructure needed to allow the database to be accessed nationwide; this will be undertaken by a partnership involving the Oxford e-Science Centre, IBM and Mirada Solutions, with a view to delivering high-quality computer displays and high-speed
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Contact: Jane Reck
jane.reck@epsrc.ac.uk
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
22-Oct-2003