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Overview1. What is Selenium?2. A model for cancer in the lab3. ‘The big experiment’
N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e Fo r C e l l u l a r B i o t e c h n o l o g yN a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e Fo r C e l l u l a r B i o t e c h n o l o g y National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology
Selenium in the diet
http://www.teagasc.ie/soil/trace/grassland/selenium.asp
http://www.microfeeder.com/news/en_selen.asp (modified after Hasselberger, 2006)
Bene
fitRi
sk
Narrow range for protective effects
‘Just right.’ One key function of
selenium-containing proteins is anti-oxidant protection
Too little Se- oxidative damage
Too much Se- oxidative damage
Selenium and cancer• Selenium's role as a protector against oxidative
damage has gained interest in cancer research
Image from http://www.bluemountainorganics.com/_blog/Health_and_Nutrition
Selenium and cancer• Studies in various
populations worldwide have found a link between low selenium levels and certain types of cancer
• Results inconclusive-
back to the drawing board
Skin
Lung
Colon and prostate
Cell culture• We can grow cells in the lab from
virtually any organ in the body to study what’s happening at the level of the cell
The big experiment
Cell will die CellCells will repair
Attempt repair- ineffective, causing the incorporation of mistakes, can lead to cancer
The big experiment
Cell will die CellCells will repair
Attempt repair- ineffective, causing the incorporation of mistakes, can lead to cancer
• Understand more about the role selenium is playing in cancer prevention
• How much selenium should we be getting from our diets to maximise protection
Potential impact of this research
Quest i ons?N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e f o r C e l l u l a r B i o t e c h n o l o g y
D u b l i n C i t y U n i v e r s i t y , G l a s n e v i n , D u b l i n 9 , I r e l a n d .
+ 3 5 3 1 7 0 0 5 7 0 0
w w w. n i c b . i e
n i c b @ d c u . i e
T h a n k y o u !