‘Cancer cure research progressing at fast pace’

A leading exemplary, who has contributed tremendously to the field of biotechnology, Dr. Robert Langer is widely recognised as a renowned researcher whose publications have been cited over 283,000 times. His research laboratory at MIT is considered the largest biomedical engineering lab in the world; maintaining over $10 million in annual grants and over 100 researchers.

The US Embassy in the Kingdom recently hosted Dr. Langer as he took part at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress meetings conducted. He was also visiting the island as a guest of the Capital Governorate. The Tribune had an exclusive interview with the prominent scientist as he emphasized the need for “research commercialization” and shed light on his technological contributions to many branches of medicine including fatal diseases like cancer.

Excerpts:

What has been one of the most groundbreaking discoveries you have been a part of?

 I have been part of the research, which discovered how to control the movement of macromolecules through solid materials such as polymers. This would help us pioneer the field of controlled drug release and numerous lifesaving systems to treat cancer, heart disease, and mental health disease.

Also, the isolating the first inhibitors of blood vessel growth, which would help lay the groundwork for the development of angiogenesis inhibitors, such as Avastin, which are widely used to treat cancer and blindness.

How close are we to be able to find a cure for cancer?  

Not close. But progress is being made. One of the latest advances in new ways of unlocking the immune system to treat cancer.

How far has the research and technological advancements led to breakthroughs in biotechnology?

 Long ways. It has led to numerous new therapies for treating many diseases like cancer and has laid the foundation for many more. It has also led to new ways of providing foods, like genetically modified foods, and contributed to many areas of our society.