SICM, a high resolution microscopy
technique, has been used by a team of researchers to identify a drug that could
one day be used to prevent abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmia. The study,
published in Hepatology[1] this week, was enabled by SICM, which is the result
of 7 years of research and development by ionscope Ltd. The global market for
SICM equipment is supplied using patented technology from ionscope's offices in
Cambridge, UK.
SICM, which stands for Scanning Ion
Conductance Microscopy, has a unique capability to perform non-contact high
resolution imaging of soft targets. This capability is being used by
researchers around the world to study living cells at a level of detail not
previously possible.
"Using new tools, such as SICM, we
are just beginning to understand complex biological systems at a new level of
detail", said Chris Moore, CEO of ionscope Ltd, "We provide equipment that
enables our customers to push back the boundaries of medical science. It is
exciting and rewarding work."
The microscopy technique developed
by ionscope does more than just produce an image, it also measures the height
of the sample very accurately. Using this information a number of other
techniques can be integrated, as in this case where the height information is
used to position a measuring probe with nanometer accuracy. The researchers in
this study used this feature to measure the effects of the drug Ursodeoxycholic
acid (UDCA) on a particular cell type, the myofibroblast, found in both the
foetal heart shortly after birth and in patients that have suffered heart
attacks. These cells interfere with how electrical signals travel across the
heart and this study demonstrates for the first time that UDCA can prevent
arrhythmia by altering the electrical properties of myofibroblasts.
"These findings are exciting
because the treatments we have now are largely ineffective at preventing
arrhythmia in patients who develop an abnormal heart rhythm after a heart
attack," said Dr Julia Gorelik, the study's senior author. "Our
results from the lab suggest that UDCA could help the heart muscle conduct
electrical signals more normally. We're hoping to set up a clinical trial to
test whether these results translate to patients with heart failure."
SICM equipment is developed,
manufactured and assembled in ionscope's offices in Melbourn, Cambridge, UK.
The current product range provides our customers with complete high resolution
imaging solutions for live cells. Future development, aimed at making more
capable equipment is ongoing. "There are many possibilities for integrating
SICM with other technologies and we have only just started to understand what
may be possible" said Chris Moore.
[1] Journal reference, M. Miragoli
et al, "A Protective Antiarrhythmic Role of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in an InVitro
Rat Model of the Cholestatic Fetal Heart", Hepatology, 2011.
For more information visit
www.ionscope.com
About ionscope
ionscope ltd was founded in 2004 to
commercialize Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (SICM) a technique that
originated from a research group at Imperial College. We are based in offices
just outside Cambridge, UK and are funded by the Cambridge Angels and Imperial
Innovations. Our small permanent team is augmented by expertise from Imperial
College and makes maximum use of the high-tech environment around Cambridge.
Subscribe to any of our newsletters for the latest on new laboratory products, industry news, case studies and much more!
Request your free copies HERE
Popular this Month
Top 10 most popular articles this month
Today's Picks
Looking for a Supplier?
Search by company or by product
Please note Lab Bulletin does not sell, supply any of the products featured on this website. If you have an enquiry, please use the contact form below the article or company profile and we will send your request to the supplier so that they can contact you directly.
Lab Bulletin is published by newleaf marketing communications ltd.