As Cancer Leaves us in the Dark

As cancer leaves us in the dark where is the light?

We need some way to track new drugs as they embark

In vivo through our bloodied tubes to take our fight;

As cancer leaves us in the dark.

Fluorescent proteins can produce a guiding spark,

Yet must be galvanised before they give us sight

And this harsh activation leaves more than a mark.

Yet in the deepest seas there shines a hope that’s bright:

A bioluminescent shrimp glows like an arc;

By harnessing this flashlight we can end the night,

As cancer leaves us in the dark.

This is a Roundel that is written about this recent piece of research that involved the bioengineering of a new bioluminescent imaging tool using the natural light-producing ability of deep-sea shrimp. Such tools can be used to help cancer researchers track tumour development and the effect of treatments.