-- Novel technology will boost research into cancer metabolism

BILLERICA, Massachusetts, Aug. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Seahorse Bioscience will provide the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute with its novel XF technology, which measures cell metabolism, to boost research to enable a greater understanding of cancer metabolism and its role in disease progression.

The recently named Director of the Beatson Cancer Metabolism Research Unit, Eyal Gottlieb, Ph.D., will lead the research which will focus on understanding key aspects of cancer cell behavior using the Seahorse XF^e96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer.

"My lab combines analytical chemistry, cell biology, and biochemical approaches to study metabolic transformation. These technologies are not only important for understanding the basic biochemistry of cancer cells, but can also inform us on future clinical management of cancer, and may lead to new therapeutic approaches to target cancer-specific metabolic pathways," stated Dr. Gottlieb.

Cancer researchers have a renewed interest in cancer cells' abnormal metabolism of sugar, known as the Warburg effect.  Even though oxygen rich conditions favor using the more efficient metabolic pathway via mitochondrial respiration, many cancer cells rely on glycolysis.  This is thought to enhance their survival as most solid tumors and their metastases experience periods of low oxygen (hypoxia), where glycolysis is their only source of energy.  This reliance on glycolysis promotes both tumor progression and resistance to therapy.  These factors and an understanding of the role mitochondria play in regulating cancer growth have stimulated new approaches to deter cancer proliferation.  The Seahorse XF^e Analyzer is the only analytical instrument that can measure active switching between the two energy pathways critical to cancer cell metabolism:  glucose metabolism and mitochondrial respiration - and can do so under hypoxic conditions in real-time.

"Using the XF^e96 Analyzer will enable me to decipher the different pathways of cancer cell metabolism, particularly under hypoxic conditions, which I believe is a key to new therapeutic strategies," added Dr. Gottlieb. "Once I realized that I could measure the dynamics of cancer metabolism in real-time, in a hypoxic environment, I knew we needed this technology." 

"Whenever we are able to bring together the best minds with enabling technologies we know that good things will come of it. Innovative scientific collaborations play a crucial role in finding ways to unlock the potential of new therapies, and the Beatson Institute has a strong heritage of research excellence in cancer research," said David Ferrick, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Seahorse Bioscience.  "We are excited to work with the Beatson Institute, and hope that in utilizing the power of the XF Analyzer they will gain greater understanding and potentially new discoveries regarding cancer metabolism." 

Contact
Naomi Goumillout
Marketing Communications Manager
Seahorse Bioscience
ngoumillout@seahorsebio.com

About Seahorse Bioscience
Seahorse XF instruments are the standard in cellular bioenergetic measurements. More than 700 scientists in 23 countries are utilizing the award-winning XF Analyzers to advance their research into the role of cell metabolism and its implications in cancer, aging, and metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases.  Seahorse is headquartered in Billerica, MA.  For more information, visit http://www.seahorsebio.com.

About the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research
As one of Cancer Research UK's core-funded institutes, the Beatson Institute for cancer Research carries out a program of world-class science directed at understanding key aspects of cancer cell behavior, and tries to translate these discoveries into new therapies and diagnostic/prognostic tools to help cancer patients. The Institute benefits from close interactions with the University of Glasgow, including strong links with the University's Institute of Cancer Sciences. For more information contact the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 3469 8352, or visit http://www.beatson.gla.ac.uk/.

SOURCE Seahorse Bioscience