
Oliya Abdullaeva in the new lab. Photo: Petra Älvstrand
13 April 2023
New laboratory for advanced biomedical research
In a new laboratory within Biomedical Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, researchers can grow human cancer cells for research on cancer and new forms of treatment. Researcher Oliya Abdullaeva also uses the lab to find out more about the common, but underdiagnosed, disease endometriosis.
Oliya Abdullaeva is a Postdoc in Biomedical Engineering and has built the lab from scratch for a year. Now the research is underway with several ongoing projects. In the lab, she can grow human cancer cells under controlled conditions on microchips – a method that few research groups have used before. Here she can observe how the cells behave, how they are affected by external factors, and get models in 3D.
The research is focused on ion channels. An ion is a small electrically charged atom or particle, and the ion channel is a protein that functions as a door through the cell's membrane. The key to opening the channel could be for example neurotransmitters or electrical voltage. When the ion enters the cell, it can trigger processes that regulate, for example, how the cell divides, migrates or enters other tissue. Some tumor cells have more ion channels than normal cells. If the researchers can understand more about how the ion channels work, it could eventually lead to new method of treatment.
Electrical fields can affect the spread of cancer
Together with Maria Asplund External link, opens in new window., Visiting Professor at Luleå University of Technology and researcher at the University of Freiburg and Chalmers University of Technology, Oliya Abdullaeva is working on a project on how ion channels in cancer cells are affected by electric fields. The body's own electric fields can potentially play an important role in how cancer spreads and metastases. The researchers want to find out how this is regulated by ion channels. In the lab, they can observe how cancer cells migrate when they are affected by electric fields.
“If we know how cells behave, we can predict how cancer will spread. The vision for the future is that it could lead to cancer treatment with electricity. The beauty of electricity is that it acts locally and only affects the tumor. But we are still at basic research level. We want to learn the exact mechanisms, which ion channels are involved. Once we know that, the development of a new form of treatment could proceed quickly,” says Maria Asplund.
The role of ion channels in endometriosis
Another ongoing project in the lab is about understanding the basics of endometriosis, and associated cancer. Endometriosis is a disease that affects a very large number of women. It entails endometrial cells growing outside the uterus, causing great pain and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The role of ion channels in the development of the disease is still unknown, but Oliya Abdullaeva wants to change that.
“This is an area that is in dire need of more research. By learning more about the basics, in the future we can hopefully help many women that suffers from an underdiagnosed, underfunded and underresearched disease,” says Oliya Abdullaeva.
Collaboration across research subject borders
The advanced laboratory at Luleå University of Technology was just an empty room when Oliya Abdullaeva started her postdoctoral position. With funding from, among others, the Kempestiftelserna, she created it from scratch together with Senior Research Engineer Johan Jirlén Opens in new window. and exchange student Daniela Rassler. Together they developed microchips to study the migration of cancer cells in electric fields, in collaboration with Kerstin Ramser
Opens in new window., Professor of Experimental Mechanics and Joel Wahl
Opens in new window., Postdoctoral Researcher in Experimental Mechanics.
To Oliya Abdullaeva, conducting research in an area that was previously not largely established at Luleå University of Technology, is as an opportunity. When the infrastructure was not there, she was given the opportunity to develop it. There are also great opportunities to work across subject lines, which Oliya Abdullaeva does with Torbjörn Löfqvist Opens in new window., Associate Professor in Electronic systems. Together they develop electronic systems to influence cells.
Study cells from patients
In the future, Oliya Abdullaeva wants to build her own research group and further develop the subject Biomedical Engineering at Luleå University of Technology. The plan for the near future is to be able to study cells from patients in collaboration with Ulrika Ottander External link, opens in new window., associate professor and senior physician at the Department of Clinical Science, and her team at Umeå University. They are currently working together to obtain all the certifications necessary to realize their research plans.
“This is a field where we can combine biological and technical expertise, both are needed for research. We have a good infrastructure here now and can work in a clean environment. It is not just a research project, but an opportunity to help people,” says Oliya Abdullaeva.
Contact
Oliya Abdullaeva
- Visiting lecturer
- 0920-49
- oliya.abdullaeva@associated.ltu.se
- Oliya Abdullaeva
Published:
Updated: