Tom-and-diabetic-Jerry

Hedhli, Jamila

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/89898 Copy

Description

Title

Tom-and-diabetic-Jerry

Author(s)

Hedhli, Jamila

Issue Date

2016-04

Keyword(s)

Bioengineering

Abstract

Most researchers have probably felt like they are engaged in a bit of a cat-and-mouse game the closer we get to a discovery, the further we invariably find we have to run. This is especially true in the wee hours of the morning when the day's data is analyzed to see if qualitative findings can translate into statistically-significant results. I am not a photographer, but I snapped this picture during just such an after-hours data-analysis session at home. It makes me smile; it is the metaphorical chase rendered literal. My pet cat, Simba, came to have a look at my research on PET imaging of mice. I study the use of stem-cells for treating damaged blood vessels in diabetic animals (poor blood vessel regeneration is a serious complication of diabetes). You can actually see the effect on the computer screen the left-most image shows active blood vessel formation (light blue) in the leg of a healthy mouse while the middle image (diabetic) shows almost no new blood vessel growth. Treatment with stem-cells clearly increases the diabetic animal's ability to reform blood vessels. We hope one day to translate these findings to actual human patients, but for now, the chase continues!

Type of Resource

• text
• image

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/89898

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2016 Jamila Hedhli

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