New equipment at an area medical research hub is taking discoveries from bench to bedside.
Scientist Dr. Christopher Phenix says the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute is setting up an emerging pre-clinical facility, that will help treat diseases like cancer, before they become deadly.
Phenix says the equipment makes the work being done in the region among the best in the province.
“It immediately makes us a world class facility, and that’s no joke,” he says. “The fact that it’s here in a small town like Thunder Bay…it’s an immense impact to the research infrastructure.”
Phenix adds the Institute is using new provincial government fudning to buy a MicroPET scanner.
He says the scanner evaluates whether or not therapy for cancer patients is working, as early as days after therapy’s started.
“It can help guide therapeutic decision-making, so a lot of this is really, really cutting edge stuff. It’s not used yet routinely,” says Phenix.
Phenix adds it’ll help ensure patient care is more efficient and effective. (Photo: Caryn Ceolin)
