Dr Maria Velasco-Garcia
Dept of Chemistry
The Open University
Milton Keynes, UK
http://www.open.ac.uk/science/chemistry/people/people-profile.php?staff_id=Maria%26%26Velasco-Garcia
Project title
Non-Invasive Biomarkers of DNA Damage Related to Red Meat Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer (2007/52_R09)
Scientific abstract
A diet high in red meat has been found to be linked with colorectal cancer in volunteer studies. This is due to DNA damage in the cells that line the colon. The research team at Open University have developed methods for the measurement of this damage, and found higher levels of DNA damage in volunteers consuming a high red meat diet. If this type of DNA damage can be detected before cancer has a chance to develop then prevention, in the form of appropriate dietary advice, could be much more effective.
This study aims to develop methods for the measurement of DNA damage in urine samples in order to identify those people at highest risk of developing cancer. This will be first tested in healthy people eating high meat diets to see how well DNA damage can be detected by examining urine and whether this can be done in a way that can test a large number of samples without the need for highly trained analysts.
The findings of this study are important because while this project is at the very early stages, it is possible that it could eventually be used widely to identify people at high risk.
Project plain language abstract
Background: A diet high in red meat has been found to be linked with colorectal cancer in volunteer studies. This is due to DNA damage in the cells that line the colon. The research team at Open University have developed methods for the measurement of this damage, and found higher levels of DNA damage in volunteers consuming a high red meat diet. If this type of DNA damage can be detected before cancer has a chance to develop then prevention, in the form of appropriate dietary advice, could be much more effective.
Project details: This study aims to develop methods for the measurement of DNA damage in urine samples in order to identify those people at highest risk of developing cancer. This will be first tested in healthy people eating high meat diets to see how well DNA damage can be detected y examining urine and whether this can be done in a way that can test a large number of samples without the need for highly trained analysts.
The findings of this study are important because while this project is at the very early stages, it is possible that it could eventually be used widely to identify people at high risk.
| Institution and location | Degree | Year | Scientific Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oviedo, Spain | BSc | 1987-1992 | Analytical Chemistry |
| University of Oviedo, Spain | PGCE | 1994-1995 | Science |
| University of Oviedo, Spain | PhD | 1993-1997 | Biosensors |
| Cranfield University, UK | PDRA | 1998-2000 | Biotechnology |
| 2006–Present | Lecturer in Analytical Science, The Open University, UK |
| 2000–2005 | Scientific Researcher, BBSRC, Silsoe Research Institute, UK |
Research interests
Development of chemical sensors and biosensors and their application at the point-of-care in medical and veterinary diagnostics.
