World-leading Bradford professor to deliver lecture on testing for DNA damage
Pioneering University of Bradford professor and World Science Award nominee Diana Anderson will deliver a lecture describing how, using a simple blood sample, much valuable information about individuals and their children can be obtained.
nominee, lecture will highlight the results of two recent studies that the University has conducted. It takes place at the Norcroft Centre at the University’s city centre campus on Wednesday 8 February 2017, 6pm-7.30pm.
The first study explored tests to determine whether might be prone to developing cancer. This study investigated responses from lymphocytes in blood from healthy individuals, suspected or pre- cancerous patients, and cancer patients in a simple test known as the Comet assay, which detects DNA damage. There was found to be a difference in levels of damage between cancer patients and healthy individuals, and suspected or precancerous individuals had intermediate values.
The second study found that smoking fathers passed on more DNA damage to their children than mothers. Blood was taken from father, mother and baby triads (cord blood was used from the babies). It is recommended that hopeful fathers should allow three months to pass without smoking before conception to allow the damaged DNA to be eliminated from their reproductive systems.
Professor of Biomedical Science and Established Chair at the University, she will discuss these studies and the implications of their findings.