Photo Caption: Emily Farrugia, Erasmus Student, , UCC and Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Malta, Dr. R贸is铆n Kelly-Laubscher, Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UCC, and Eli O Driscoll, Research lab intern, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UCC.
Photo by Tom谩s Tyner.
As part of an Traineeship Mobility experience, Emily Farrugia, a final year UM B.Sc. Pharmacology student, had the opportunity to participate in the preclinical in vitro experiments surrounding oncology research through a collaboration between the at the University of Malta and the Department of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics at the University College Cork, Ireland.
Within the oncological field, the development of pharmacological methods for diagnosing, treating and eventually hopefully curing the patient from cancer remains the core mover of research, but only few look at the quality of life of the patient in remission or after they鈥檝e been cured. The side effects to chemotherapeutic medicines are vast and do not end with the termination of treatment. Doxorubicin, an anthracycline anticancer agent is used in the treatment of many different cancers, usually in combination with other medicines. Often used in the treatment of paediatric malignancies, doxorubicin is heavily associated with toxicity of the heart, and hence increases the risk of childhood cancer patients to eventually develop cardiac problems later on in life.
Emily contributed to the work being carried out by the research team at University College Cork, led by Dr R贸is铆n Kelly-Laubscher, which aims to investigate the use of alternative medicine solutions against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by assessing the protective effects of ethanolamine on cardiomyocyte cells within the lab. Emily plans to continue with this research at the Clinical Pharmacology Labs under the supervision of .
Emily鈥檚 visit was funded through an Traineeship.
Having a research interest in oncological pharmacology, the experience proved very positively in providing a holistic approach to cancer research, guiding better the course of my own academic life while also reminding me of and further fuelling my passion towards this ever-expanding and indispensable branch of science.
Cancer research imperatively remains a global discourse, mandating the constant exchange of knowledge and skill and I remain so incredibly grateful to have had the privilege to deepen my own understanding and grasp on the progressive ideas being communicated amongst such inspirational figures within the field.
Emily Farrugia.
