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NCC
Roundup
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New
technology at NCC
Spectral karyotyping: unmasking the cancer genome
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Human
solid tumours are genetically unstable. They commonly show
abnormal chromosome number (aneuploidy) and structure, which
are due to rearrangements such as translocations, deletions,
and additions. High-quality visualisation of solid-tumour
chromosomes is technically difficult, unlike that of leukaemias.
Molecular cytogenetic techniques, such as fluorescence in-situ
hybridisation (FISH) and comparative genomic hybridisation,
improve the accuracy of interpretation of chromosomal aberrations
in solid tumours. Spectral karyotyping (SKY) is another
method that can be used to characterise the chromosomes
of cancer cells. It employs the basic principles of FISH
and combinatorial ratio labelling to generate a 24-colour
probe panel (effectively a “paint box”) with
a distinct spectrum (or “colour”) for each of
the 22 autosomes and both sex chromosomes. Images are obtained
by use of a spectral cube consisting of a Fourier-transformed
spectrometer and a CCD (charged-couple device) camera. Each
spectrum recovered by Fourier transformation is converted
to display colours. SKY allows rapid analysis of the ploidy
status of each metaphase and identifies subtle chromosomal
rearrangements that may not be visible in classic G-banded
chromosomes. This property could be especially useful in
identifying complex and pathognomonic chromosomal rearrangements
in solid tumours that could lead to new anti-cancer targets
and better diagnosis. Panels (b) and (c) below are SKY images
of a primary gastric adenocarcinoma.
Panel
(a) shows DAPI (4’, 6-diamid ino-2-phenylindole) banding
and panel (b) is the classified spectral image of a metaphase
prepared from direct harvesting of cells from a primary
gastric adenocarcinoma. In panel (c), SKY analysis shows
numerical as well as structural abnormalities in a hyperdiploid
tumour cell with 64 chromosomes.
(Images
supplied by the Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, NCC.)
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International
Society for Cancer Gene Therapy (ISCGT)
2004 Singapore conference
A comprehensive and stimulating array of clinical
and research symposia and a technical poster exhibition to
showcase the latest advances in medical sciences have been
lined up for the ISCGT conference held on 21-22 February at
the Concorde Hotel, Singapore. 31 invited speakers from the
USA, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Korea
will speak on topics related to gene therapeutics, cellular
and molecular therapy of cancer, and the construction of viral
and non-viral vectors for efficient gene delivery. The conference
is jointly organised by ISCGT and the National Cancer Centre
Singapore.
NCC Research Lab acquires new eyes to see
tumour!
National Cancer Centre Research Division’s
LSM 510 META confocal laser scanning microscope system was
launched in 26 February 2003, being the first of its kind
in Southeast Asia. NCC is also Carl Zeiss’ official
reference site for the system.
The LSM 510 META system has been designed
for applications in almost all biomedical research disciplines,
from cell biology to the neurosciences and cytogenetics. The
centrepiece of the system is a multi-channel detector of fluorescence
dyes and allows experimental opportunities not previously
available.
The system has received more than 3 awards,
such as R & D 100 Award by R&D Magazine and Readers
Choice Award by The Scientist magazine.
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Congratulations!
The editorial team extends their heartfelt congratulations
to the following physicians for their recent appointments:
Medical Oncology
Dr Leong Swan Swan – Senior Consultant
Dr Sandeep Rajan – Senior Consultant
Dr Tay Miah Hiang – Associate Consultant
Dr Wong Zee Wan – Associate Consultant
Dr Lim Soon Thye – Associate Consultant
Dr Darren Lim - Associate Consultant
Dr Wong Nan Soon – Associate Consultant
Surgical Oncology
Dr Ho Gay Hui – Consultant
Dr Koong Heng Nung – Senior Consultant
Dr Philip Karuman – Consultant
HMDP Returnee
NCC congratulate Dr See Hui
Ti, Associate Consultant with Medical Oncology NCC, for her
return from University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre,
USA, after her speciality training in gynaecological cancer
as well as head and neck cancer.
Farewell
to Dr Bhupinder Singh Mann
Dr Mann, a Senior Consultant with Department of Medical Oncology,
NCC, will be leaving soon for his new assignment with the
US Food and Drugs Administration at Washington D.C. The editorial
team would like to thank him for his active contributions
to Cancer Update and wish him good luck in his new position.
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