Uploaded August 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Art of Science 2018 | Moving image
https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
This kaleidoscope of colour is a cross-section of a fish intestine that, in reality, is no bigger than the width of a human hair.
Using a state-of-the-art microscope, Stephen has captured this image with astonishing detail, right down to the cellular level.
The white splotches and ‘furry’ red areas are markers of good intestinal health.
Mitochondria – the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell – can be seen in green. The key function of mitochondria is to convert nutrients into energy and, for this reason, they can also play a role in fuelling cancer growth.
Stephen is interested in the conflicting role mitochondria play in maintaining energy and helping cancer cells to survive. He wants to disrupt the function of mitochondria just enough to starve cancer cells, but not so much as to compromise their ability to maintain cellular health.
Understanding how mitochondrial processes are hijacked by cancer cells could help to develop a drug that stops certain cancers from growing without affecting a patient’s well-being.
Art of Science 2018 | Moving image
https://www.wehi.edu.au/artofscience
This kaleidoscope of colour is a cross-section of a fish intestine that, in reality, is no bigger than the width of a human hair.
Using a state-of-the-art microscope, Stephen has captured this image with astonishing detail, right down to the cellular level.
The white splotches and ‘furry’ red areas are markers of good intestinal health.
Mitochondria – the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell – can be seen in green. The key function of mitochondria is to convert nutrients into energy and, for this reason, they can also play a role in fuelling cancer growth.
Stephen is interested in the conflicting role mitochondria play in maintaining energy and helping cancer cells to survive. He wants to disrupt the function of mitochondria just enough to starve cancer cells, but not so much as to compromise their ability to maintain cellular health.
Understanding how mitochondrial processes are hijacked by cancer cells could help to develop a drug that stops certain cancers from growing without affecting a patient’s well-being.
