As cancer research continues apace, there is a growing understanding of the genetic abnormalities that are intimately involved in the pathophysiology of the disease process. Understanding the mechanism of the disease allows clinical research to develop targeted treatments to better control or eradicate the tumours.

A new diagnostic test created at the University of Alberta in collaboration with the Alberta Cancer Board and various researchers and engineers called fluorescent in situ hybridization or FISH uncovers genetic abnormalities found in various cancers.

• Professor Linda Pilarski, Ph.D. Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Nanotechnology and Professor, Division of Experimental Oncology in the Department of Oncology at the University of Alberta Cross Cancer Institute