Overview1. What is Selenium?2. A model for cancer in the lab3. ‘The big experiment’

N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e Fo r C e l l u l a r B i o t e c h n o l o g yN a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e Fo r C e l l u l a r B i o t e c h n o l o g y National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology

Selenium in the diet

http://www.teagasc.ie/soil/trace/grassland/selenium.asp

http://www.microfeeder.com/news/en_selen.asp (modified after Hasselberger, 2006)

Bene

fitRi

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Narrow range for protective effects

‘Just right.’ One key function of

selenium-containing proteins is anti-oxidant protection

Too little Se- oxidative damage

Too much Se- oxidative damage

Selenium and cancer• Selenium's role as a protector against oxidative

damage has gained interest in cancer research

Image from http://www.bluemountainorganics.com/_blog/Health_and_Nutrition

Selenium and cancer• Studies in various

populations worldwide have found a link between low selenium levels and certain types of cancer

• Results inconclusive-

back to the drawing board

Skin

Lung

Colon and prostate

Cell culture• We can grow cells in the lab from

virtually any organ in the body to study what’s happening at the level of the cell

The big experiment

Cell will die CellCells will repair

Attempt repair- ineffective, causing the incorporation of mistakes, can lead to cancer

The big experiment

Cell will die CellCells will repair

Attempt repair- ineffective, causing the incorporation of mistakes, can lead to cancer

• Understand more about the role selenium is playing in cancer prevention

• How much selenium should we be getting from our diets to maximise protection

Potential impact of this research

Quest i ons?N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e f o r C e l l u l a r B i o t e c h n o l o g y

D u b l i n C i t y U n i v e r s i t y , G l a s n e v i n , D u b l i n 9 , I r e l a n d .

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T h a n k y o u !