About 30 000 Swedish people are affected with a stroke every year and statistics are indicating an increase. In order to improve today’s medical treatment there is a need for further knowledge about the oxygen metabolism of the body’s nerve cells.
“This is certainly in everybody’s best interest and is not only about stroke but all anoxia related conditions.” This says Kerstin Ramser, lecturer at Luleå University of Technology and project manager within the field.
In year 2000, a completely new type of hemo protein was discovered. It proved to be a form of the essential oxygen carrying proteins that to this point only had been encountered in simple systems like alga and plankton. As a similar form now was found in the nerve cells, it was named Neuroglobin. Today, the structure of the protein has been established but its function remains uncertain. However, all indications suggest it has a protecting function in temporary anoxia, a condition which can cause tremendous damage to the body’s systems, even under a very short time.
The difficulties in researching the subject area are time related, as you work with rapidly changing oxygen levels.
“The problem is that oxygen is so extremely reactive” Ramser explains, “just think of when you bite into an apple, it’s only a matter of seconds before the surface starts turning brown.” In the case with the apple, the reaction is oxidation, but there are other very quick processes. The purpose of the research is both to be able to measure single cells that are low in oxygen in as close to real time as possible, and also to learn more about the protein. A job that requires very special conditions. Today, four different techniques are used when measuring cells. Optical spectroscopy, Patch clamp, micro fluidic system and optical tweezers are all established methods for this type of measurements. However, they have never previously been used simultaneously for this purpose and the way the standard equipment looks today makes the oxygen level in the measurement area hard to control. A small and well regulated environment is essential for the outcome of the testing.
So far, it has only been possible to examine Neuroglobin in its pure form, but there is a need for the ability to study the protein under living conditions. This would enable scientists to see how different biological cells react in contact with various medicines, but also how stroke, hemorrhage and vascular spasms could be treated.
“One of the things we are hoping to prove is how an over production of Neuroglobin could help people at risk of having a stroke and in that way avoid injuries if it does happen” says Ramser. Such a scenario would thus make it possible to lessen the damage of the nervous system caused by a stroke or hemorrhage. In the same way people with diabetes add insulin to their system, doctors could prescribe Neuroglobin to patients in high risk of stroke. But Neuroglobin may also be able to speed up vital reactions and transport harmful substances from the tissue.
“We simply don’t know yet, that is why this research is so important” concludes Ramser.
The project is based at Luleå University of Technology and Umeå University but cooperates with the University of Antwerpen and University of Gothenburg.
CMTF, c/o Tillämpad fysik och elektronik
Umeå universitet, 901 87 Umeå
Tel: +46 (0)90-786 96 38.
E-post: Britt Andersson.
