A virtual reality journey through a tumour

Imagine being able to immerse yourself
inside a tumour and travel around,
looking at the different types of cells
and how they interact. This is what an
international team of researchers
led by Professor Greg Hannon
at the University of Cambridge hopes to do
with a £20 million Grand Challenge Award from
Cancer Research UK. Using DNA sequencing
imaging techniques and cutting-edge
technologies, they will gather thousands
of pieces of information about every
single cell in a tumour - from cancer cells
to immune cells. They will look at how
tumours are structured and how the
different cells work together to help
tumours survive and grow. This will enable
them to construct a 3D version of the
tumour which they can explore using
virtual reality allowing them to study
it in entirely new ways that aren't
possible in 2D, providing new insights
into how cancer develops. Doctors and
scientists at opposite ends of the world
and with different areas of expertise
will be able to examine the patient's
tumour at the same time.
Ultimately this could improve how we
diagnose and treat cancer and help more
people survive.

A virtual reality journey through a tumour

Latest Posts