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A new mass spectrometer for The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre

The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre (JvGCRC) has taken delivery of an amazing new piece of instrumentation, a mass spectrometer.

    Mass spectrometer with David Boocock
    David Boocock with the new mass spectrometer

    Dr David Boocock, head of the laboratory where the machine has been installed, said: "The latest generation Sciex ZenoTOF 7600 is a huge upgrade to the facility and this is incredibly exciting. A mass spectrometer is essentially a very advanced weighing machine, but instead of weighing things we can see, it measures molecules – from drugs to the very building blocks of our body – such as incredibly complex large molecules like proteins.

    Mass spectrometer

    "Weighing these accurately enables us to identify and quantify them. We can create a profile across thousands or hundreds of thousands of these different molecules in every sample. By playing 'spot the difference' between samples – with the help of hugely powerful computers and software – we can gain insights into the mechanisms of cancer and other diseases by comparing different conditions to see what is changing and why. This incredible investment of almost half a million pounds by NTU enables us to look deeper and run samples more rapidly than ever before."

    NTU is working closely with Sciex, extending a long-standing collaboration, giving Dr Boocock's team access to specialist expertise and software.

    If you'd like to fundraise for The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre or discuss ideas, please get in touch with our fundraising team.

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    Published on 22 September 2022
    • Category: Alumni; Research