A recent study at The University of Edinburgh has found a class of anti-cancer drugs currently in development may be more effective in fighting cancer.
Researchers looked at an enzyme-known as Polo Kinase- which is often found in tumours and discovered that interfering with the enzyme limited tumour development.
The drugs were trialed on the fruit flies and is the first of its kind to look at these processes in the cells of a whole organism rather than a lab dish.
Scientists used high-resolution microscopy to view cells in 3D and determine the position of each of the proteins.
The findings have given researchers a better understanding of the workings of proteins that control cell division.
When the cell goes out of control it can lead to cancer and so the process has to be carried out accurately to keep them healthy.
Scientists used high-resolution microscopy to view cells in 3D and determine the position of each of the proteins.
The study, published in the Royal Society journal Open Biology, was supported by the Wellcome Trust.
Dr Mar Carmena of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Biological Sciences, who took part in the study, said: “This gives us valuable new insights into how these anti-mitotic drugs work in the dividing cells in tissues of an entire organism, and could help inform more effective strategies against certain cancers.”
