New Cellular Imaging Technique Tracks Key Enzymes in Human Diseases

Researchers have developed a fluorescent imaging technique that allows them to visualize the actions of key enzymes in cancer, genetic disorders, and kidney disease. The research focuses on heparanase, an essential human enzyme. Heparanase dysfunction is linked to the development and metastasis of human cancers, as well as kidney disease and certain genetic disorders. It is a major target for drugs and diagnostic probes. Due to its medical importance, reliable assays of heparanase activity could aid in our understanding of the role of this enzyme in normal biological processes and in disease states.Read the story at Bioengineering Today: New Cellular Imaging Technique Tracks Key Enzymes in Human Diseases.