World Cancer Day 2022
Step-by-step researchers at ETH Zurich are working towards reducing the global impact of cancer. In recognition of World Cancer Day - a day dedicated to the promotion of research for curing and preventing the disease, we share a collection of recent research insights. #WorldCancerDay #CloseTheCareGap
Harnessing the organisation of the cell surface
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to determine how proteins are organised on the surface of cells. Insights gained with the technology could lead to the development of novel drugs to fight cancer.
Sensing the brain’s chemical signals
Nako Nakatsuka earned a place on this year’s MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 list for her invention of a precise chemical biosensor that empowers researchers to better understand brain processes and diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Major Depression, and Parkinson’s. Her novel nanomaterial-based sensing platforms are useful for neuroscience and other scientific areas such as infectious diseases, cancer, and diagnostics for nearly anything we wish to detect.
Harnessing AI to discover new drugs inspired by nature
Artificial intelligence (AI) is able to recognise the biological activity of natural products in a targeted manner, as researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated. AI helps to find molecules that have the same effect as a natural substance but are easier to manufacture. This opens up huge possibilities for drug discovery, which also have potential to rewrite the rulebook for pharmaceutical research. ETH Zurich chemists tested their concept with marinopyrrole A, a bacterial molecule that is known to have antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Laying the foundations for new cancer therapies
The Italian scientist Nicola Aceto will received the Swiss Science Prize Latsis 2021 worth CHF 100,000. Aceto is an associate professor at ETH Zurich and is being honoured for his groundbreaking discoveries in the field of cancer research.
Designing better antibody drugs with artificial intelligence
Machine learning methods help to optimise the development of antibody drugs. This leads to active substances with improved properties, also with regard to tolerability in the body. Researchers provided the proof of concept for their new method using Roche’s antibody cancer drug, Herceptin, which has been on the market for 20 years.
Targeted therapies thanks to biomedical informatics
The new “LOOP Zurich - Medical Research Center” promotes patient-focused therapies – for example in oncology and neuro-rehabilitation. To achieve its goals, the center brings together specialist knowledge in the fields of biomedicine, clinical research and bioinformatics from the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich as well as Zurich’s four university hospitals.
A molecular biologist with a fascination for sunburn
Human cells are like tiny, multi-purpose factories. In his research, ETH Zurich biologist, Gabriele Alessandro Fontana investigates how cells repair damaged DNA. These mechanisms are crucial, since more severe damage can lead to malignant mutations that may ultimately cause cancer.
Insight into tumour samples
Bernd Bodenmiller studies the mechanisms of cancer development. The quantitative biologist uses 3D analysis and virtual reality to detect groups of cells that break away from tumours.
Superior antibodies to cure viral infections and cancer
Memo Therapeutics has found a way to isolate and store ultra-rare but highly effective antibody producing cells (B cells). The ETH spin-off has generated best-in-class antibodies against two viruses including SARS-CoV-2 and is aiming to use the technology on a wide range of indications.
A long non-coding RNA as a potent and specific cell death effector of cancer cells
The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) let-A from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster provides a template for a novel class of cancer treatments. lncRNA let-A induces rapid cell death in various human cancer cell types and human tumor organoids.
Detailed tumour profiling
As part of a clinical study involving patients from the University Hospitals in Zurich and Basel, researchers are conducting a thorough and highly precise investigation into the molecular and functional properties of tumours. Their goal is to help physicians to better determine which treatment will best match every patient’s cancer and thus be most effective.
Cells as computers
Scientists at ETH Zurich are working to develop information-processing switching systems in biological cells. Now, for the first time, they have developed an OR switch in human cells that reacts to different signals...For example, an ideal cancer treatment fights tumour cells as long as they are present in the body, but does not fight healthy tissue, because doing so would cause damage.