Cell diet findings to aid cancer treatment

Scientists have created imaging technology to visualise what cells eat, which could aid the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Edinburgh University researchers developed chemical probes which light up when they attach to specific molecules cells eat, such as glucose. The team then set up an experiment using transparent fish embryos which enabled them to observe cell eating habits.

They used microscopes to watch cells consuming glucose inside transparent live zebrafish embryos. Researchers found the technique also worked with human cells growing in the lab.

The technology could help detect tiny changes in cells’ eating habits inside the body, enabling diseases to be spotted sooner.

All cells rely on glucose and other molecules for their survival and a change in a cell’s eating habits can be a warning sign of disease.

The scientists think their imaging method could be adapted to look for other molecules important for health and disease.

Marc Vendrell, senior lecturer in biomedical imaging, said: “This is a very important advance to understand the metabolism of diseased cells.”