Researchers in the School of Life Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University are using the G:BOX chemiluminescence imaging system to image agarose gels of DNA stained with Ethidium Bromide to determine the effects that new anti-topoisomerase compounds have on topoisomerase action during the cell cycle. The researchers are also using the system to image gelatin zymograms to discover the effects that compounds have on the modulation of matrix metalloproteinases. The scientists believe their research could help develop novel drugs to treat a variety of cancers.
Dr David Mincher, Reader in Experimental Chemotherapy at Edinburgh Napier explained:” In recent years, the action of topoisomerases and matrix metalloproteinases have been implicated in many cancers. Therefore, we are looking at a number of New Chemical Entities and pro-drugs which target these proteins but to determine the efficacy of these compounds we have to be able to precisely quantify their effects on the expression of DNA or proteins. Since we need high levels of accuracy and reproducibility in our results we installed a G:BOX imaging system just over a year ago to work alongside our other Syngene image analyzer and the new system has been absolutely invaluable for this project.”
Laura Sullivan, Syngene’s Divisional Manager in the UK added: “We are delighted Edinburgh Napier University has chosen to install another Syngene system and to see how much the G:BOX system is contributing to this exciting research. The work at Edinburgh Napier is an excellent endorsement of the system’s ability to rapidly produce and analyze images of applications as diverse as 1D gels, zymograms and autoradiograms and means G:BOX chemiluminescence imaging systems can be confidently used in many drug discovery programs where accurately quantifying DNA and protein amounts is critical.”
About Syngene
Syngene is a world-leading supplier of integrated imaging solutions for analysis and documentation of gel-based information. Syngene’s systems are used by more than 10,000 research organizations and over 50,000 individual scientists world-wide and include many of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies and major research institutes.
Syngene, founded in 1997 is a division of the Cambridge based Synoptics Group. The Group’s other divisions, Syncroscopy and Synbiosis, specialize in digital imaging solutions for microscopy and microbial applications respectively. Synoptics currently employs over 40 people in its UK and subsidiary operation in Frederick, USA.
About Edinburgh Napier University
Founded in Edinburgh, UK in 1964, Edinburgh Napier University was recently named as Scotland’s number one modern university by the Guardian Newspaper’s University Guide. The University is organized in three faculties and has over 14,000 students.
Based at the Merchiston campus, the School of Life Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University has excellent and high-profile research programs, with specialist facilities offered by the School including state-of-the-art biological, biomedical and sports performance laboratories. Current research activities include investigations in the areas of environmental pollution, animal behavior, and the design of anti-cancer therapeutics.
