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Mass Spectrometer Coming to BC Cancer

November 1, 2019

Found in News

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors, an urgently-needed piece of equipment is coming to BC Cancer. 

Mass spectrometers are cutting-edge tools in an innovative emerging field of cancer research proteomics. A new mass spectrometer is urgently needed to accelerate research into some of the most devastating cancers, including breast, pancreatic, ovarian, lung, blood, and pediatric.

Mass spectrometers take detailed measurements of protein molecules in the human body and provide scientists with a vibrant picture of how cancer genes and the proteins they encode take control of cellular activities to cause cancer and evade treatment.

BC Cancer is home to a world-leading mass spectrometry suite, but demand far exceeds capacity. Currently, research teams wait up to two years to access this vital tool.

Thanks to thousands of donors, and a generous matching gift offered by a group of leaders from the mining community, a second machine will be coming to BC Cancer.

This vital piece of equipment holds the potential to transform cancer diagnosis and treatment, leading to better outcomes for families across British Columbia.