BU opens breast cancer research lab

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This article was published 12/10/2023 (868 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Early detection of breast cancer saves lives, and thanks to a new multimillion-dollar lab within Brandon University, a researcher and her team could soon be detecting cancer as early as stage one.

The grand opening of the Breast Cancer Cell and Molecular Research Laboratory (BCCMRL) was held Wednesday at BU, complete with a ribbon-cutting by the proud and beaming Dr. Mousumi Majumder.

“This is a wonderful celebration of science, more people need to know that we do cutting edge research at Brandon University,” Majumder said.

The new lab was made possible by several grants that Majumder applied for, totalling $2.5 million from several organizations including Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Breast Cancer Society of Canada and Research Manitoba.

Majumder’s vision was to create the lab for blood tests to detect cancer as early as possible, which is relevant since in Canada, women aren’t eligible for mammograms until they are 40 years of age.

“We are not going to disregard the mammogram; we are going to be alongside the mammogram. How about we do the blood test first, and if we think that we should move forward with the mammogram, then we send those young people for one,” Majumder said.

The BCCMRL is 1,000 square feet with state-of-the-art equipment and enough space to add 10 more additional student-researchers, said Beatrice Gatien, who is in her fourth year of a double major in biology and music.

Gatien said there is no comparison to the previous lab space, which also had students sharing microscopes.

The new lab will go a long to way to inspire students to dig even deeper, she said.

“We’re specifically looking for markers that are connected to aggressive breast cancer,” Gatien said. “So, long term, we’re looking for markers that in a blood test would maybe signal to a lab tech that oh, this person might have breast cancer. Before you even need to get a mammogram, you could get flagged super early. So, we’re looking for genes or proteins that are very high in breast cancer patients.”

Majumder was one of six recipients of funding from Breast Cancer Canada, which has a goal to deliver the right cancer treatment to the right patient at the right time — something Majumder said she also believes in.

“I’m not trying to cure cancer, although in a footnote, we are also working on the patient who develops resistance to treatment, meaning that there are some cancers that come back. Why does that happen?

“So, we are trying to develop a blood test for that as well,” Majumder said.

Moving forward, Majumder said the only challenges are in the number of samples. She said she always needs more.

Currently, blood samples are being sent from Ontario, but Majumder is working with Cancer Care Manitoba to increase the scope of her testing.

“We do not have blood and tissue from over 1,000 samples, patients, or participants. And that is essential when you are talking about a scientific test because that helps you test your hypothesis in 1,000 people versus my hypothesis now being tested in 100 people.

“My hypothesis is true, but to go to the next step — clinical trials — I will need more samples,” Majumder said.

The new lab is giving student-researchers everything they need, said Gatien, who added her mind is constantly blown by the tests they’re conducting by learning alongside Majumder.

“Working for Dr. Majumder has really changed my future plans. I definitely see myself going into health care in some form, possibly research, or maybe more clinical. I’m thinking about medical school, but even if I do go that route, I think I’ll stick with research because it’s just — it’s amazing.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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