Innovation Anthology #375:

Download MP3 Link

For the past decade, Dr. Shairaz Baksh at the University of Alberta has been researching a gene called RASSF1.

When this gene is turned on, it inhibits the growth of tumours or cancerous cells.

But when its turned off, cancer forms. Dr. Baksh explains.

DR. SHAIRAZ BAKSH: Genetically there’s an area that basically cancer cells recognize and they basically shut down its function. Why it’s a target, we still don’t know that. But this gene, now that we’ve investigated it over the last several years, it turns out to be a gene that’s involved in how the cells die. Without this gene, cells do not undergo a natural process to die under abnormal conditions. And the cancer cell is basically abnormal. So if the cancer cells exist, and everything is normal in the cell, the cell would be induced to die. But cancer cells, because they’ve shutdown the function of this gene, there’s no death of the cancer cell, and therefore the cancer cells survive. So we’re quite interested in reactivating this program. Can we selectively in cancer cells turn this program back on so we can induce cancer cells to basically kill themselves?

Dr. Baksh says a test for the absence of the RASSF1 could help diagnose cancer in its early stages.

Thanks today to Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

Guest

,

, , , ,

Sponsor

Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions)

As the newly formed Alberta Innovates corporation, we still fund top quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans. We provide leadership for Alberta’s health research and innovation enterprise by directing, coordinating, reviewing, funding and supporting research and innovation.

Working with our many partners  in the health system, we ensure that research achieves innovation in care, policy and practice, and that the needs of patients and clinicians influence research.

Our background

Alberta Innovates consolidation was launched November 1, 2016.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions was established as part of the Alberta Innovates system by an Act of Legislation of the Government of Alberta. It is a agency  of the Government of Alberta. We receive a yearly allocation from the Ministry of Health and report through the ministry to the people of Alberta.

Our Mandate and Roles document reflects our role and responsibilities and outlines the government statues and regulations with which we comply.

Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy (AHRIS) sets out Alberta’s health research agenda for the coming decade to ensure our considerable investments in research align with our priority—to improve the health of Albertans.

 

 

Program Date: 2011-02-10