Two new laboratories have been opened at the Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology of Wrocław University of Science and Technology. Equipped with modern equipment, the facilities will allow conducting cancer cell research, among other things. They will also be used by Biomedical Engineering students and doctoral students

The Laboratory of Nanoscale Biomeasurements will conduct microscopic examination of tissues and biomaterials as well as research into cancer cells and DNA changes triggered by physical and pharmacochemical factors.

The laboratory has been equipped with instrumentation including an atomic force microscope, which is a type of microscope with a scanning probe producing images of surfaces with single-atom resolution. The region’s only device of this type makes it possible to examine objects such as single DNA threads.

The Laboratory cooperates with the Clinic of Haematology, Blood Cancer, and Marrow Transplantation of the Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Wrocław, Pasteura Street, the University of Medicine, and the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences, located in Weigla Street. It is with the use of the atomic force microscope that research including examination bone marrow samples taken from patients with cancer is carried out at the facility. - In a matter of just a few hours, it’s possible to determine which drugs the patient is sensitive to. This enables the personalisation of therapy and limitation of side effects caused by chemotherapy  - stresses Professor Marta Kopaczyńska.

The Laboratory of Biomedical Optics Measurement Techniques will conduct research related to the use of optical techniques for measurements of various types of biological objects (cell samples and bacteria). The laboratory is equipped with a confocal microscope, which can be used primarily to determine cellular parameters using fluorescent methods in living and fixed cells. Its great advantage is the fact that one can visualize at least four parameters at the same time, so the proteins of interest can be coloured using four different hues. The microscope’s features include a temperature control chamber and nozzles to regulate the level of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Another device that our researchers will be able to use is a holotomograph, a device that combines digital holography and tomography.

Not only our scientists will work in the laboratories, but also second-cycle and doctoral Biomedical Engineering students, who will learn how to use specialised instrumentation while taking advantage of an opportunity to pursue their diploma and doctoral theses there.

The cost of renovating and equipping both laboratories amounted to almost PLN 6 million. The Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering is Professor Halina Podbielska.