’Better detection’ for Alzheimer’s and cancers

A new chemical discovery will lead to better monitoring and treatment for cancers and degenerative diseases, according to latest research by scientists. In a paper published today in ChemComm an international team of researchers from the Universities of Birmingham, Bath and the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai outline a new approach to detecting 'reactive oxygen' using fluorescence. Reactive oxygen, which includes peroxides or oxygen ions, causes cell damage and degeneration in the body and its presence in high doses can be a sign of diseases such as Alzheimer's or cancers. The importance of reactive oxygen has led researchers to find new approaches for its quick and simple detection. This latest research paves the way for new systems to detect changes in reactive oxygen levels which could help target interventions. Mapped using fluorescent imaging, the concentration of reactive oxygen in cells and tissue would light up which will help better understand and monitor disease development and intervention. Using fluorescence probes it will be possible to perform whole body imaging, making it is possible to monitor in situ tumour development in real-time.