BRIAN Gabrielli’s decision to not become a builder is a good thing for cancer research as the scientist works with a team to find better diagnostic process for melanoma. The associate professor from the Diamantina Institute comes from a family of builders, but his burning curiosity to ask questions and find answers led him to be a scientist in the field of cell research. Brian is currently working on a new project with the University of Queensland, Queensland Institute of Medical Research and the PA Hospital. The team is looking to improve the power of the diagnostic tool that can pick up changes in moles before the human eye can see them. Brian said the team was working with dermatologist Peter Sawyer, whose dermascope can see what is going on in a mole. “The dermascope – a microscope – is applied straight to skin and can detect what is going in moles that can develop into melanomas,” Brian said. “We are working with Peter to understand the molecular changes inside the cells he is looking at so we can improve the diagnostic power of his diagnostic tool. “The success rate for curing melanoma is incredibly high if you get to the moles before they metastasise; it is a powerful tool.” Brian said that now, 20 years down the track from when he began in the exploding field of cell growth control, there was still a lot to be learned. “We do know a lot more, but there are still holes in our knowledge,” he said. “We know enough now to know we do not know enough.
“To be a scientist, you have to have a passion for it.
“It is good to be doing something that is going to be useful and get better patient outcomes, particularly in Queensland where the melanoma rates are the highest in world. “There are moles that are cut off for no reason just because they look suspicious. This research will help cut down on removals and infections, and get all the ones that could become melanomas.” National Science Week will be marked from August 14-22, with events across the State. The Queensland Museum at South Bank will be the venue for a series of free events, as well as SCINEMA, a science film, video and multimedia festival.
www.scienceweek.gov.au |
